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272: Charismatic Artist

Author: Cuttlefish That Loves Diving Word Count: 11428 Updated: 2025-06-07 09:57:03

Charismatic Artist

"Giant" Simon found himself momentarily speechless, struggling to find the right words. After a few seconds of contemplation, he finally spoke up.

"Are you out of your mind? If you fail, the worst outcome would be missing an opportunity."

"Rat" Christo chimed in.

"If the mission is truly important, the Boss wouldn't hesitate to handle it personally. He wouldn't send us. And if it's not a significant task, the risk won't be too high."

This train of thought mirrored Lumian's initial concerns.

Lumian glanced towards the nearby entrance of Underground Trier, intentionally wearing a smile.

"Perhaps we are merely bait in this scenario?

"For instance, the Boss suspects that a faction is secretly watching us, so he has deliberately devised this mission. If everything goes smoothly without any abnormalities, he can deactivate the alarm and consider it a test. However, if he does catch something, he can follow the trail of clues to uncover the truth and eliminate any hidden dangers. As for us being the bait and potentially getting caught, it's not his concern. As long as we ultimately achieve his goal, losing a few Low-Sequence Beyonders falls within his level of tolerance."

"Rat" Christo's face turned pale upon hearing these words, while "Giant" Simon fell into silence.

Although they lacked experience with mysticism, their years as mobsters and leaders had honed their basic analytical skills.

They couldn't help but admit that Ciel's theory made sense.

This, naturally, brought about a deep sense of fear for their lives.

Especially for Christo, memories of his brother Erkin's death and the pained expressions of his wife and children flooded his mind.

If it weren't for the Boss assigning him another task and excluding him from the smuggling operation, he might have been replaced by the so-called "mirror people" and met a tragic end somewhere underground.

And as for his wife, his dogs, and the other animals he cared for, the "mirror person" would have had the opportunity to enjoy them for a while!

With these thoughts weighing on their minds, the three of them ignited their carbide lamps and descended the steel stairs in silence.

Christo scanned the dark tunnel with the bluish-yellow light, his voice trembling as he spoke.

"The Boss wouldn't purposefully send us to our deaths.

"Even as Low-Sequence Beyonders, we still have our uses. If we perish underground, it might take the Boss half a year or even a whole year to groom a replacement."

The "mirror people" incident came to his mind, the Boss's request for him to undertake a different task being a clear attempt to protect him without revealing anything.

"Everything comes at a price. Perhaps the stakes involved this time are more valuable than the three of us combined." Lumian held the carbide lamp emitting a yellowish glow, walking steadily through the dark and slightly damp passageway. He sneered and said, "I hope this mission won't be as perilous as the Boss claims, but we can't afford to be naive. We must prepare for the worst."

Noting Ciel's significant improvement, Christo couldn't help but ask, "What should we do?"

From his perspective, Ciel was the most reliable person in this mission—a lifeline in critical moments.

Surprised by Christo's sudden timidity, "Giant" Simon turned towards him.

When did the "Rat" become so fearful?

As a leader under the Boss, why would he choose to display weakness and worry in front of Ciel?

Where is his pride and self-esteem? Wasn't he afraid that Ciel would overshadow him and encroach upon his smuggling business?

This was precisely the effect Lumian intended. He genuinely spoke up.

"The Boss has helped me multiple times, and I'm more than willing to carry out missions for him. However, the risk involved should not be excessively high, leaving us with only the option of 'death.' Damn it, I haven't lived long enough!

"That's why my stance is to attempt the mission if possible. If it becomes too dangerous, I won't hesitate to abandon it and ensure my own survival. This might require the three of us to let down our guard against each other and cooperate fully to overcome any hidden threats."

Such an attitude struck a chord with Christo and Simon, prompting visible or imperceptible nods from them.

No one was entirely selfless. Taking a calculated risk for the Boss was already a testament to their loyalty!

Accepting this attitude and genuinely cooperating to resist danger seemed to be the only viable choice, at least on the surface.

"How should we collaborate?" Christo swiftly made up his mind.

He didn't want another "mirror people" incident.

Lumian smirked once more.

"First and foremost, we must understand each other's abilities so that we can complement one another more effectively."

Christo pondered for a moment before speaking up, "I'm a Beast Tamer, a Sequence 8 of the Apothecary pathway. I can directly confront and communicate with various beasts to a certain extent. I have the ability to gradually tame them and make them my assistants.

"I'm also skilled in treating illnesses and providing comprehensive medical care…"

At that moment, he couldn't help but cast a questioning glance at Ciel, as if hinting at his need for a remedy to improve his performance in bed and replenish his physical stamina.

Word had gotten around about Ciel being quite a libertine. Not only was he involved with Jenna, "Red Boots'" mistress, but he had also been linked to nearly ten dancers. He had arranged for them to receive acting lessons at Théâtre de l'Ancienne Cage à Pigeons, allowing them to earn money without having to accompany customers.

An Apothecary? If only I had known that "Rat" Christo was an Apothecary, I would've gotten him to give plenty of medicine to Jenna's mother… She would've made a quick recovery and returned home that very night… Lumian silently sighed and nodded approvingly in the flickering light of the carbide lamp.

The more "Giant" Simon listened, the more astonished he became.

He began to suspect that "Rat" Christo had lost his mind by divulging the secrets of his Sequence!

Until now, apart from Gardner Martin, nobody knew Christo's Sequence or the pathway he belonged to. After all, there were plenty of people in Trier who had a fondness for pets—some even had a large number of them or formed intimate relationships with animals, as occasionally seen in the newspapers.

In a flash, an idea struck Simon.

"Rat" Christo was in charge of the smuggling business and had completed most of the Boss's secret missions. Perhaps he knew something and had become pessimistic about this operation, hence his sincere cooperation with Ciel.

Christo let out a sigh and continued, "I've been unlucky. I haven't managed to tame a genuine Beyonder creature yet. Otherwise, I wouldn't be powerless against Mid-Sequence Beyonders even if I encountered them.

"This mission was sudden and we didn't have time to prepare. I only brought a few companions with me. Is he afraid that we won't die quickly enough?"

As he spoke, he raised his right hand.

A colorful snake-like creature with a triangular head emerged from his sleeve.

Soon after, Christo had the snake retreat back into his sleeve. He reached into his pocket and produced a palm-sized rat.

This rat was different from the ordinary kind. Its fur was pale white and distinct, with eyes as bright as rubies.

"This is Taffy. It's a unique creature I discovered underground during my smuggling days. It can't be used as the main ingredient for any potion, but it has the ability to sense hidden dangers," Christo briefly introduced.

"It can also sense the approximate strength of others, right?" Lumian asked thoughtfully.

Christo looked at Lumian with surprise and hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes."

Recognizing that Christo had already divulged enough information, Lumian didn't press further, despite suspecting that he possessed other abilities or other animal companions. Instead, he shifted his gaze to "Giant" Simon.

Simon hesitated for a moment, recalling his earlier speculation. In a muffled voice, he said, "I'm a Sequence 8 Pugilist of the Warrior pathway. Like 'Hammer' Ait, I excel in face-to-face combat and various fighting techniques. I carry a gun, a dagger, a bayonet, and boxing gloves."

His explanation was brief, as Pugilists didn't possess any extraordinary abilities.

No mystical item? That's true. It's indeed challenging for mobsters groomed by secret organizations to acquire such items… Lumian chuckled to himself.

"You're stronger than 'Hammer' Ait because you're intelligent and can read the situation clearly."2

These words left Simon unsure whether to feel angered or proud.

Holding the carbide lamp, he looked at Lumian and said, "What about you? Which Sequence 8 pathway are you from? Hunter?"

Since they were working together, Ciel couldn't keep his Sequence a secret!

Lumian smiled, raising his right hand in front of him.

Silently, a crimson flame emerged from his palm and hung in the air, burning silently.

"You're a Pyromaniac?" Simon exclaimed in surprise.

Among Trier's mystical circles, the most common information concerned Mid-Sequence Beyonders of the Hunter pathway, especially those below Sequence 6.

Lumian didn't respond, opting to maintain his smile instead.

Simon suddenly understood why "Rat" Christo's attitude towards Ciel had undergone such a drastic change and why he appeared to seek his assistance.

Sequence 7 was the starting point for Mid-Sequence Beyonders. Compared to Low-Sequence Beyonders like themselves, their strength had undergone a qualitative transformation. They were countless times more powerful!

With his attention now diverted from the pocket of "Rat" Christo, Simon asked Lumian in surprise and suspicion, "Does the Boss know that you've advanced to Sequence 7?"

"The Boss provided me with the necessary supplementary ingredients," Lumian truthfully replied, dissipating the crimson flame in his palm under the yellowish glow of the lamp.

Wha… Simon's pupils dilated.

Lumian looked around and continued, "That's why, if I can complete this mission, I will do everything in my power to see it through."

With those words, he pulled out an iron-colored canister and tossed it to Simon.

"This is Scorpion Poison that I obtained from 'Hammer' Ait. You can apply it to your weapon.

"Increasing your strength will increase our chances of survival."

Simon caught the canister, momentarily taken aback.

Though Ciel disgusted him and they were at odds, his knowledge, intelligence, strength, and approach to things made him seem reliable. Unconsciously, he found himself listening to him and following his lead.

Lumian, who was walking ahead without turning back, let out a sigh of relief.

He had exaggerated the risks and instilled fear to dampen the spirits of "Rat" Christo and Simon, plunging them into a state of worry. Then, by revealing his own strength, offering convincing suggestions, and providing small favors, he would establish himself as the team's leader.

Only then could he fully harness the team's combined strength without exposing his hidden trump cards and effectively combat any potential threats.

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1: Foreigners 2: "Prank" 3: Dream 4: Shepherd 5: Card 6: Ruins 7: Naroka 8: Owl 9: Magazine 10: Blood 11: Madame Pualis 12: Undercurrents 13: Attempt 14: Different Monster 15: Getting Information 16: Letter 17: Suspect 18: "Straightforward" 19: Meditation 20: Customs 21: Response 22: Arrangements 23: Combat Intelligence 24: Gains 25: Sequences and Potions 26: Whistleblowing 27: Five Changes 28: Laws 29: Method 30: Lent Begins 31: Celebration 32: Anomaly 33: Confirmation 34: Sayings 35: Differences 36: Meeting Again 37: "Dangerous Forest" 38: Sheep 39: Sick 40: On the Carriage 41: Undead 42: Madame Night 43: Frank 44: Eavesdropping 45: Make-up Lesson 46: Ritualistic Magic 47: Truly "Illiterate" 48: Knowledge Pursuer 49: True Cogitation 50: Observation 101: Different Powers 102: Transfer 103: The Padre's Plan 104: Resolute Decision 105: That Person 106: The Ritual Begins 107: Shattering 108: Report 109: Minute Hope 110: Foreigner 111: Messenger 112: Charlie 113: Tenants 114: Life Experience 115: Legend 116: City of Fashion 117: Remuneration 118: Summoning 119: Strange Creature 120: Lunatic's Ravings 121: Salle de Bal Brise 122: Each With Their Own Plans 123: Organizer 124: Method of Self-Protection 125: Struggle 126: Finding Prey 127: Café 128: In the Dream 129: Neighbor 130: Tracking 131: Night Fight 132: Black Scorpion 133: Suffering 134: Courtesan 135: Confirming the Situation 136: Initial Summoning Attempt 137: Hooha 138: Letter 139: Mr. K 140: Painting 141: "Hostage" 142: Mother Tree 143: Lie 144: Conditions 145: Service Fee 146: Turf 147: Reaction 148: "Lord of the Motel" 149: Five Ritualistic Spells 150: Voice 51: Temporal Node 52: Entering the Ruins 53: Mark 54: Interpretation 55: Persona 56: Intuition 57: Arrangements 58: Cherishing Talent 59: Again 60: "Dancer" 61: Description 62: Date 63: Shocking News 64: Weapon 65: Third Floor 66: Crib 67: Evil Spells 68: Purification 69: Him? 70: Spirit Channeling 71: Underground 72: Sacrificial Dance 73: Tracking 74: Mute 75: Meeting Madame Pualis Again 76: Physical Examination 77: Changes 78: Traces 79: Sufferer 80: Joint Investigation Team 81: Key 82: Dream Divination 83: A Sudden Encounter 84: Dirk 85: Appropriating 86: Another Idea 87: Catharsis 88: EQ 89: Nothing Happened 90: Trying Again 91: Scheming 92: Stripping Fate 93: An Early Sacrifice 94: Attack 95: An "Out in the Open" Ambush 96: Prey and Hunter 97: Courage 98: After the Celebration 99: Guest 100: Hesitation 251: Giant Tree 252: Ancient Times 253: Root of the Problem 254: The Weight of History 255: Bridge of Communication 256: Crack 257: The Unfortunate 258: Assassin 259: Awe 260: Cracking 261: Escape 262: Review 263: Choice 264: Secret Organization 265: The Major Arcana Cards 266: Catacombs 267: Remains 268: Possible Encounters 269: Islander 270: Agreement 271: Acting 272: Charismatic Artist 273: Trader 274: Escape 275: Poaching 276: The Disappointed Susie 277: Guidance 278: Consultation 279: Deep Valley Cloister 280: The Knocker 281: Reflection 282: Treacherous 283: Idea 284: Entering the Order 285: Maxim 286: Magic Mirror Divination 287: Key 288: Self-Recommendation 289: Late Night Visitors 290: Lavigny Docks 291: Important Figure 292: Communion 293: "Pious" 294: Beyonder 295: Brains Are Important 296: Request 297: Informant Contract 298: Rose School of Thought 299: Interpretation 300: Another Symbol 151: Temptation 152: "Entrustment" 153: Strange Rule 154: Mini-Theater 155: Jenna 156: Landlord 157: Ancienne Cage à Pigeons 158: "Report" 159: Savage 160: Pervert 161: Special Traits 162: Fresh Corpse 163: Three Questions 164: Intelligence 165: Meeting Jenna Again 166: In Return 167: Convergence 168: Prayer Target 169: Battle in the Room 170: Nightstalkers 171: Rapid Idea 172: Superintendent 173: Intelligence on the Boss 174: Reward 175: Hidden Blade 176: Property 177: Proselytizing 178: The Messenger's Response 179: Feast 180: Lazy 181: The Loyal Ciel 182: Truth Serum 183: Three Items 184: Painting 185: Missing Goods 186: Strange Footprints 187: Shadow 188: Confidence 189: Cooperation 190: Unexpected Development 191: Suspicions 192: Verification 193: Luck Enhancement 194: Triggered 195: Candidate 196: Elimination 197: Helper 198: Conciliation 199: "Unruly" 200: Spectator 351: Killing Intent 352: Spring Source 353: Crazy Figure 354: Palm 355: The Real Spring Water 356: Scar 357: Monette's True Identity 358: Negligence 359: Malady God 360: Physical and Mental Wellbeing 361: Farewell 362: Lie 363: Studying Leads to Improvement 364: Red House 365: Observation 366: Demoness Sect 367: Salon 368: Speculator 369: King? No, Emperor! 370: Sending Off 371: Wax Statue 372: Primary Mission 373: Summoning the Armored Shadow Again 374: Preliminary Speculation 375: Gathering Venue 376: Different Teams 377: An Earlier Transmigrator 378: Investigation 379: Bold Speculation 380: Bell Chimes 381: Elimination 382: Seizing the Opportunity 383: "Forced Storming" 384: Stagnation 385: Before and After Comparison 386: Caution 387: Vile 388: An Unquiet Night 389: Suspected God 390: Hidden Danger 391: Idiots 392: Switching Pathways 393: Information About Celestial Worthy 394: Eye of the Storm 395: Progress on the Other Side 396: Pure Evil 397: Execution Ground 398: Human Blood Bread 399: Mandrake 400: Transferring Burdens 201: Recalling 202: Analysis 203: Cooperation 204: Interrogation 205: Banshee 206: Communication 207: Organization 208: Countermeasure 209: Bad Luck 210: Performance 211: Spirit Channeling 212: Actor 213: Correct Interpretation 214: Encounter 215: Jenna's Worry 216: Acting Guidance 217: Notarization 218: Promise 219: Probing 220: Nightmare 221: Venting 222: Fliers 223: Choice 224: Disguise 225: Exposed 226: Sculpture 227: Agent 228: Sudden Digestion 229: Equivalent Exchange 230: Scapegoat 231: Mr. K's Purpose 232: Financing of Activities 233: Advance Payment 234: Sincerity 235: "Disease" 236: Morning Light 237: Concealment 238: Endure 239: Fighting Fire 240: Bewitchment 241: Indomitable Spirit 242: Pyromaniac 243: Visit 244: Red and Black 245: "Speech" 246: Resolution 247: Instigation 248: Visitors 249: Loophole in the Contract 250: Condolence Banquet 301: Devil 302: Mummy Ashes 303: Sparks of "Fire" 304: Decency 305: Test 306: Ambivalence 307: Instigation 308: Incomprehensible Choice 309: Restoring Confidence 310: Encounter 311: Strange Boy 312: Hint 313: Plans with Different Styles 314: Crowd-Sourcing 315: Anxious Termiboros 316: "Invitation Letter" 317: Summoning Target 318: Price 319: "Travel" 320: Mummy 321: Compensation 322: Pleasure 323: Psychological Profile 324: Which Is True and Which Is False 325: Visit 326: Substitute 327: The Real Guillaume Bénet 328: Bottle of Fiction 329: Metallic Creature 330: Forewarned is Forearmed 331: Spirit Channeling 332: Sinners 333: Gains 334: Clues 335: Another World 336: Armored Shadow's Origins 337: Magician's Speculation 338: Hela 339: Purpose of Visit 340: Black Cat 341: Branch 342: Fright? 343: Feedback 344: Boxing Gloves 345: Dream 346: Follow-Up Visit 347: Strange Theft 348: The Bustling Underground 349: Sacrificial Square 350: Negative Effects 401: Dreamwalker 402: Good Luck 403: Drawing From Experience 404: Patient 405: No Reservations 406: Inevitability-like Ending 407: Reward for Good Luck 408: Motive 409: Fire Execution 410: A Leisure Week 411: Review Committee 412: Purge 413: Cave Association 414: Reason 415: The Sinner Complains First 416: Suspect 417: The Importance of Intel
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