"Spiritual beings? Are you out of your mind?"

Doctor Rissmann was shocked. Spiritual beings were considered holy and were helpful just by their existence. It was hard to come across them and their numbers got less with the advancement of science. As such, it was not possible to even think about using such beings as research. Doctor Rissmann studied the dead bodies of those beings, but never even considered studying them live.

Steven wasn't surprised by Doctor Rissmann's reaction. When Avatars and hunters worked together to fight against Amon, many spiritual beings joined in. The reason was because Amon and his followers captured spiritual beings when they got a chance and when hunters attacked Amon's hideouts, they got their hands on bodies of spiritual beings and Doctor Rissmann began to study them.

That's how he had found a hint regarding the Avatar Project. They were trying to focus on increasing the effect of Cocktails as they were at war with Amon, but Doctor Rissmann told him that he had found a hint.

Steven spoke.

"That's why I said we need to have a change of mind."

Doctor Rissmann spoke with a serious expression.

"Your idea sure is novel, but it's not easy to hunt down spiritual beings. It's not like there are people stopping you, but these beings are not your typical prey."

Steven knew very well. They were much more dangerous than most Avatars.

"I know."

"Even if we make a request to the Hunters Guild, we won't even able to get their blood."

Spiritual beings were forbidden from being hunted and it was rare that they got the dead bodies of such beings. Even then, it wasn't easy to get the body before the blood inside was ruined.

Steven understood everything and decided that was why he needed to do this.

"I'll get the blood myself."

The doctor became silent. He looked down at his tea before speaking.

"Let me tell you one thing. It is forbidden to hunt spiritual beings."

"I know."

"And you still go get their blood?"

"I don't have to kill them. I'll just get their blood."

The doctor hesitated a bit and warned.

"They won't just give you their blood… do you know how dangerous it can be if they become angry?"

"I know."

"And you will still do it?"

"It will allow us advancement on the project."

Doctor Rissmann hesitated. He did not see any downside for him, furthermore, they were not trying to kill the spiritual beings either. Besides, Doctor Rissmann had never researched their blood before.

"Okay. I will get to work once you bring me their blood."

Steven had to meet with the spiritual beings for his own purposes anyway. He wasn't sure if the blood was going to help with the Avatar project and if spiritual beings actually helped Doctor Rissmann in the past. But if he were to give him the blood, the doctor would surely start on his research.

"I'll call you next time."

Doctor Rissmann hesitated for a second and gave the business card to Steven. Steven then left, escorted by Brunhilde. As they were on the elevator back up to the street, Brunhilde spoke.

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"You know that I am associated with the Hunters Guild, right?"

"Yes."

"You know that hunting spiritual beings is forbidden, so you must know that we cannot let the Hunters Guild ever find out that we are researching their blood."

"We have never done it before, so I'm sure it's not forbidden."

Brunhilde turned to Steven at those words.

"Isn't that right?"

Steven wasn't a registered hunter so there was no way Brunhilde could stop Steven from hunting spiritual beings. But even so, how was Steven so knowledgeable about the rules for hunters?

"Yes, but it's still not good if people find out."

"It's not like I'm going to tell anyone. I need this project more than the doctor himself. Don't worry."

Brunhilde then asked the question she had been holding in for a while.

"Why do you wish to become an Avatar so badly?"

Avatars were born to be Avatars. She had seen humans who wanted to become Avatars, but Steven seemed different. Steven even offered to get the blood of spiritual beings which would risk his life.

"I have something I need to do."

Brunhilde read the determination in Steven's eyes and decided to believe him. She realized that Steven would side with Doctor Rissmann at least until he became an avatar. When they were outside of the underground parking lot, Brunhilde spoke.

"Be careful. Spiritual beings are dangerous."

Steven nodded and got on his bike. There was someone he needed to meet before getting the blood.

Steven called Jason to meet up and was invited to a restaurant. On the 2nd floor of the restaurant, it was completely empty, with only Jason and Darkling seated. Steven sat down next to Old Jason at the table.

"So, why did you need to meet me?"

"I need to purchase something."

"I see. But can I ask something before we get into that?"

Steven nodded and Jason turned to him and asked, "Bolkov. Did you kill him?"

"How did you know?"

Jason was surprised. He knew Steven was an experienced hunter after he killed two vampires. However, those were young vampires so it was understandable. But Bolkov was different. He was a hundred-year-old Werebear who was still in his prime. It was hard to believe.

"I heard the Ogers were taking care of a recent incident and found out Bolkov went missing after he entered the country."

Steven realized how much connections Jason had. Steven was only able to know about Bolkov because of the Ogers and yet Jason already knew Bolkov was in the country.

"And you think I was behind it?"

"I didn't realize Bolkov was on a job related to those vampires."

Steven grabbed his glass of liquor and drank.

"Do you want more details?"

"Hmmph. Nevermind."

Jason, who bought and sold information, knew how much the information he wanted to know could cost so he didn't ask. Jason also drank.

"So, what do you want to purchase?"

"I need the Sarira of King Munmu."

Jason looked back at Steven with surprise. He then asked in confusion.

"The Sarira of King Munmu? Are you talking about the Sarira that was found in Eastern Stone Tower of Kamunsa?"

"That is right."

"We are not sure if it really is King Munmu's Sarira. And it will be hard to get."

"How much do you need to get it?"

Jason looked at Steven. He seemed determined to buy it, so Jason sighed and replied.

"How many do you need? You know there's only ten of them, right?"

"I just need one."

Jason took out a calculator from his pocket and tapped on it for a second before replying.

"I will need half a million."

"How soon can you get it?"

"If you pay the deposit, I can probably get it in a week."

"Can you get it in five days? I will pay the deposit today."

"Hmm. Hold on."

Jason then picked up his cell phone and sent a text message. He then tried to pour more liquor but Steven stopped him.

"I have to drive so I can't drink anymore. Please send me someone so I can hand over the deposit, I'll hand it over in the hotel lobby."

"Go with him."

Steven turned to Darkling and stood.

"I'll see you in five days."

"Yes."

When Steven left the room, Jason took up his phone again and called.

"Get what I ordered. All ten of them."

Jason then hung up and poured more liquor. He wasn't sure what Steven was trying to use the Sarira for, but he surely had a reason. So he needed to get his hands on them. There might be a use for them in the future.

"Why would a hunter who killed Bolkov want the Sarira of King Munmu?"

As promised, Jason got the Sarira in five days and Steven paid up.

"Can I ask what you are trying to do with it?"

"It will be expensive."

"Let me hear the price."

"In my standards, I will tell it to you for ten million."

Jason knew that Steven knew about the costs of this world. Unless Steven was marking up the information, his information must have that much of a value. Jason sighed and spoke.

"That's expensive for solving a curiosity."

Steven smiled and stood up.

"We'll see us again."

"Sure."

Steven walked out as Jason watched. He had purchased all the Sarira but the usage seemed too expensive. He put on his glasses and checked the Sarira. It wasn't special, it held a faint spiritual power, but there were a lot of such objects out there.

"Ten million …"

He thought about paying the money but shook his head. He had gotten the money he used for smuggling the Sarira out from Steven's payment so he had not spent any money yet. Using ten million to solve his question now seemed too much. He needed to stop here.