Above the gray fog, the mysterious "Fool" placed a card engraved with intricate patterns beside him.
Today’s Tarot Club was different from usual because another empty seat had been filled—a new member had joined.
“Her name is 'Hermit',” said Mr. Fool.
While "Justice" was introducing the Tarot Club members to "Hermit", Quinn took the opportunity to observe the new member.
A woman with black hair and purple eyes, dressed in a black robe. Somehow, she reminded Quinn of his strict homeroom teacher from his previous life. Other than that... no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't discern more details. Miss "Hermit" seemed quite adept at concealing her body language.
As Quinn observed "Hermit", she was also watching him.
"The Empress," relatively young, with an appearance that made it difficult to determine gender, green hair, wearing the robe of a bishop of the Earth Mother Church. Highly likely a member of the Earth Mother Church and at least a Sequence Six... His (her) demeanor seemed lively, yet slightly abnormal. Had he (she) been tainted by something?
The meeting started as usual with the "Fool" reading Emperor Roselle's diary. Surprisingly, Miss "Hermit" seemed quite shocked by the "Fool's" ability to understand the diary. Could she be from the same hometown? Quinn speculated.
After a while, the "Fool" leaned back, the materials in his hand dissipating, and he smiled:
“You may begin.”
Speaking of which, pulling Quinn into the gray fog consumed significantly more spirituality than usual... Klein’s expression was obscured by the fog: he must be a Sequence Four demi-god by now, which means another strong ally to rely on, hehe...
Quinn looked around and, perhaps due to the presence of the new member, no one spoke up first, creating a somewhat silent atmosphere.
He boldly took the initiative, trying hard to keep his voice steady as he said:
“Well, um…”
Everyone’s gaze turned to him simultaneously.
Quinn felt as if his forehead was sweating:
“In the future, if you have any suitable extraordinary materials that you want to be processed into tools, you can come to me. I will also offer some extraordinary items for sale…”
“A-and, if anyone needs help, I can provide combat support…”
“For those Sequence Four and below, I can... it won’t cost much…”
Quinn! You are already a demi-god, can you speak with a bit of demi-god confidence? Quinn thought, wishing he could concoct an "anti-social anxiety potion" and pour it into his earlier self.
In the face of social anxiety, the power of pollution and madness seemed insignificant!
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After hearing "The Empress's" statement, the minds of the Tarot Club members simultaneously flashed with a high and mighty term:
“Demi-god”!
Instantly, a silent atmosphere enveloped the Tarot Club above the gray fog.
“Mr. Empress is already a demi-god, and I, Forsi... “Magician” Forsi deeply felt the disparity in the world. Just like the protagonist in Emperor Roselle's nonsensical yet mystical stories, the seemingly young Mr. Empress was already a Sequence Four demi-god... while she was still only a Sequence Eight...
A hint of shock flickered in "The Hanged Man" Alger's eyes. He quickly calmed his unnecessary movements, leaving only turbulent thoughts in his mind.
To become a high-ranking power holder, being a demi-god is essential! Alger resolved firmly in his heart.
Mr. Empress is clearly a demi-god, yet still so shy? "Justice" thought with amusement and surprise. Suddenly, she felt a sense of pride—The Tarot Club had become a gathering of extraordinary individuals involving demi-gods!
“Mr. Empress.”
At this moment, the gloomy "World" suddenly spoke.
“Ah? W-what is it?”
Quinn shivered all over. Mr. World’s voice, as if stuck with phlegm, reminded him of a Batman with a throat cancer voice in his past life. Quinn was a bit flustered.
"World" raised his hand, indicating the need for a private conversation space.
With a wave of "The Fool's" staff, infinite gray fog surged, separating "World" and "The Empress" into an isolated space.
"World" leaned forward, arms crossed, and said to "The Empress" Quinn:
“Sometime later, I have a hunt planned against a demi-god.”
“He possesses a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact, though he isn’t in his best condition.”
“I request your assistance for our operation.”
Klein knew Quinn was a church member, so when he mentioned the Sealed Artifact 0-08, he used the church's classification system for extraordinary items.
A Grade 0 Sealed Artifact? Quinn was startled, then a name suddenly popped into his mind—Ince Zangwill!
All church personnel who steal sealed artifacts and defect would be hunted by the churches of the seven orthodox gods. One particularly dangerous fallen bishop who absconded with a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact was Ince Zangwill.
"World" continued:
“You don’t need to confront him directly; you just need to protect my companions during the battle.”
For Klein, it didn’t matter if the Sherlock Moriarty identity was exposed; sooner or later, Gehrman Sparrow’s identity would also be known to this fellow countryman, so there was nothing to hide.
Quinn weighed the pros and cons, then nodded and whispered:
“Alright.”
“Uh, I don’t need gold pounds as compensation.”
“I only need you to help me find a way to remove the pollution.”
"World" nodded as if he had anticipated this and said:
“Deal.”
The isolated space merged back with the original, and the Tarot Club members controlled their curiosity, not looking their way.
Transactions continued, and several Tarot Club members requested Quinn’s help in crafting alchemical tools, such as "Moon" and "Magician," whether for family or friends.
Finally, "The Fool" gently tapped the mottled bronze long table, signaling the end of this Tarot meeting.
…………
Quinn opened his eyes, slowly sat up from the bench, stretched lazily as if he had taken a nap.
Suddenly, he felt something unusual under his feet.
Looking down, he saw dozens of letters beneath him, based on the feel.
What the...? Quinn, puzzled, opened the letters one by one and found that they were all from the Earth Mother Church. The envelopes didn’t contain letters but orders written on parchment.
After learning about his promotion to "Ancient Alchemist," the church quickly assigned him the task of making some extraordinary items, and regular orders and extraordinary materials would be sent in the future.
In fact, this would help Quinn digest his potion, and the church would record his contributions. Accumulating enough contributions could even allow him to exchange for the Sequence 3 "Pallbearer" potion.
As a breeze blew, a lively little deer leapt out of the void. It lowered its head and gently placed a letter beside Quinn, blinking at him, circling around him affectionately.
“Sigh...” Quinn let out a bitter smile, burying his face in the deer’s neck and said helplessly:
“If I had known, I would be exploited even in another world…”
“The coming days will be busy…”