Chapter 334: The Ceremony

Chapter 334: The Ceremony

In a clothing store within the Municipal Square, Lu Ke stood in front of a dressing mirror, dressed in a white shirt and a tailcoat. He wore a half-high silk top hat and held a purple sandalwood cane with golden inlays, looking both scholarly and refined.

"Not bad," he said with a faint smile, nodding slightly. His tone was gentle, but the thugs behind him, upon seeing this, bowed their heads even lower, not daring to look directly at the man before them.

Only they knew how terrifying this man could be.

Within a single day, under his "recommendation," the man had plowed through the areas around Iron Cross Street, Narcissus Street, and Champagne Street, where thugs and drunks loitered. Everywhere he went, cries of despair filled the air.

He had even single-handedly taken down a small gang!

It was common knowledge that well-built, organized, and disciplined gangs were no match for vagrants like them. Even a dozen robust men, armed with knives and clubs, and with the advantage of surprise, couldn't defeat an ordinary person. It defied all logic.

"This suit fits you very well, sir," the attendant by his side said enthusiastically, offering sincere praise. Although he repeated this line countless times daily, the customer before him had a physique that made him a perfect clothes hanger.

"I'll take this one. How much is it?" Lu Ke asked.

"Eleven pounds and three shillings," the attendant replied.

Lu Ke inwardly calculated the price. One pound was equal to twenty shillings, and one shilling was equal to twelve pence, with one pence having the purchasing power of three to four modern dollars...

A decent suit cost nearly ten thousand dollars.

Fortunately, with the kind sponsorship of others, he had accumulated enough initial capital, around two hundred pounds, which would suffice for the time being. Once he settled in, money wouldn't be an issue.

The financial disparity between vagrants and gangs was vast. The vagrants had only a few shillings or pence, barely any money, while gang members had one to ten pounds each. The small gang leaders even had nearly a hundred pounds, making them the primary targets of Lu Ke's... ahem, medical expenses and mental distress compensation.

Lu Ke casually took out a stack of ink-scented banknotes and handed them over. The attendant's smile widened at such a generous and non-haggling gesture.

"You can register your personal information. The store offers free repairs and cleaning for minor damage and stains on the clothing within a year," the attendant said, taking out a register. "There will also be additional gifts."

Lu Ke pondered for a moment and filled in his newly chosen name—Jevarno Taft Alexander.

His gaze swept over the small items on the rack by the store entrance, which were complimentary accessories for the suit, such as brooches, ties, and hair clips.

"I'll take this," he said, picking up a pair of transparent, exquisitely crafted monocles. After examining them briefly, he put them in his pocket.

"Thank you, sir. We look forward to your next visit," the attendant said, seeing Lu Ke off.

Lu Ke stepped out of the clothing store and into the bustling Municipal Square, one of the liveliest areas in Tingen City. People of all sorts walked the streets, and spacious, bright carriages moved in an orderly fashion.

He observed the well-dressed gentlemen and ladies riding in carriages, their manners elegant and refined. He also noticed the simply dressed commoners hurrying by, as if chased by something unseen, and the occasional beggars and vagrants with sallow complexions, who were quickly driven away by nearby police officers, security guards, and peacekeepers. He made a cursory assessment based on what he saw.

It was a world with clear social stratification, where order coexisted with harsh, challenging, and realistic conditions.

The thug hurriedly caught up, offering a key with a sycophantic smile.

"As you requested, I've rented Apartment No. 1 on Narcissus Street for six months. Since you wanted a fully furnished place, I hired a housekeeper to clean and prepare the room. The items you wanted to purchase are also there. Here's the bill."

"Good job. Here's your payment," Lu Ke said, handing over several banknotes without looking at the bill. However, the thug didn't take the money. Instead, he took a deep breath, rubbed his hands nervously, and spoke with an anxious expression.

"I... I don't want the money. I want to follow you."

Fearing rejection, the thug blurted out, "You'll need servants to clean the room, wash clothes, and prepare meals. I can do all that, and I can also handle procurement and other tasks if you require them. I'm willing to learn if you give me the time and opportunity."

"Lu Ke retrieved the money and carefully examined the thug.

The young man looked to be around sixteen or seventeen, but his face lacked the youthful innocence of his age. With an ordinary appearance, he would blend seamlessly into a crowd, unnoticed. His eyes were downcast, his posture meek.

'Are you afraid of retaliation?' Lu Ke asked.

The thug pursed his lips, not denying it.

'Yes...'

As a guide, even though he had been cautious and avoided the thugs' territory by hiding beforehand, it wouldn't be difficult to find out who he was. Retaliation from the gangs and thugs was something he couldn't afford, and only the man before him could offer protection.

Lu Ke tapped his cane with his index finger, pondering for a moment.

The young thug seemed relatively quick-witted, and Lu Ke didn't want to handle everything personally. Having a subordinate could be an option.

'What's your name?'

'Parrot.'

'You seem literate and educated. How did you end up as a vagrant?'

Parrot's expression flickered with hesitation, and he lowered his head, his face wooden as he replied, 'My father was coaxed into gambling at a casino, and he developed a gambling addiction. He lost all our family savings and even incurred a debt. He fled to another city, and the debt collectors drove my mother to hang herself. As for my sister... she was raped and jumped off a building. By the time I returned, our house lease had expired, and I had no money to continue my studies or rent a place. That's how I became a vagrant.'

He spoke softly and slowly, his words carrying a dreamlike quality.

Lu Ke remained silent for a few seconds. In this life, the planet he inhabited was similar to the Earth of the 21st century in his previous life, and he had always lived in a relatively peaceful and stable environment. The other Lu Kes from different worlds, except for the strange Lu Ke who had been imprisoned for ten years, had also led relatively comfortable lives. Hearing such a tragic story, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

'Have you ever thought of seeking revenge?'

Parrot gave a bitter smile. 'Revenge against my father who ran away, or the debt collectors who are impossible to find?'

'He used to be a responsible and dedicated father, a loving husband. He worked tirelessly to support my sister's and my education, shouldering the family's burdens. As for the debt collectors, our family did owe them money... I can only console myself with that.'

After saying this, he fell silent for a while, then quickly returned to his initial nervousness. 'I'm answering your questions truthfully, not seeking your sympathy.'

He knew that some people disliked subordinates trying to be clever, and sincerity was the best way to touch someone's heart.

Lu Ke didn't give a clear answer but asked another question, 'What do you believe in?'

Parrot's eyes lit up. The fact that Lu Ke continued asking questions meant he hadn't been eliminated yet. Eagerly, he replied, 'I have no particular faith, but if you believe in a god, whether it's the Goddess of Night, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery, I'm willing to follow you to pray in the church.'

Rune Kingdom was a country with diverse religious beliefs, and it didn't impose many restrictions on its citizens' faiths. Three of the Seven True Gods—the Goddess of Night, the Lord of Storms, and the God of Steam and Machinery—were actively spreading their teachings here.

Lu Ke narrowed his eyes and asked nonchalantly, 'What if I don't believe in those three gods?'

Parrot paused, wondering which of the other four True Gods—the Eternal Sun, the War God, the Earth Mother, or the God of Knowledge and Wisdom—Lu Ke might worship.

'Don't guess. I don't believe in the Seven True Gods. I believe in an existence greater than them.'

Lu Ke added calmly, then looked at Parrot with a hint of amusement. 'Would you still follow me knowing this?'

Parrot was startled by Lu Ke's statement. As someone who had received basic education, he clearly understood the implications of those words.

If not the Seven True Gods, then it must be a heretical faith—a dark god or some dangerous, hidden entity?

Parrot fell into hesitation and turmoil but soon made up his mind.

[TN: Untranslatable sentence]



Since the beginning of the Fifth Era over a thousand years ago, the various churches had rarely publicized miracles performed by the gods, as if the divine beings had disappeared from the world. The chances of receiving a response from the gods were slim, and Parrot couldn't imagine how they could protect him from harm.

'Please let me follow you!'

Parrot spoke with unwavering determination.

Lu Ke observed Parrot for a moment, then turned and left, leaving behind a nonchalant response, 'Let's see your determination.'

Parrot pursed his lips, his eyes filled with resolve as he hurried to catch up.

...

In an apartment on Iron Cross Street, slightly dilapidated.

Kline, searching for clues about his original body's death, discovered a diary containing information related to the Antigonous Notes. The original Kline, along with his classmate Welch and several others, had studied the notes together, but they all seemed to have fallen into a state of spiritual madness.

As he was about to visit his classmates in hopes of finding some clues, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Several police officers entered, led by Dunn Smith, a tall and imposing figure with a prominent nose bridge, deep gray eyes, and a slightly receding hairline. Dunn smiled gently at Kline and explained that they were conducting a routine inquiry, but he also had some startling news.

Everyone who had read the Antigonus Notes with Kline had mysteriously died, except for him!

Kline felt a chill down his spine, and indeed, he had genuinely died once before. He feigned amnesia and ignorance, and the officers didn't press further, conducting a brief inquiry before leaving.

However, that night, Kline was pulled into a woven dream. Fortunately, something unique about him allowed him to remain conscious within the dream, preventing any slip-ups.

This was his first encounter with a true Extraordinary Being—the Night Shift Team's captain, the Sleepless One, a Sequence 7 'Nightmare'. He was then brought to Medium Dale, the spiritualist, for a spiritual session, which he managed to muddle through by staying alert.

But Dunn warned Kline that as the last person in possession of the missing Antigonus Notes, he might be targeted by those seeking the book. Moreover, Dunn couldn't guarantee that Kline, who had read the Notes, was truly free from the curse.

After all, in this dangerous world, once entangled in extraordinary events, one might appear unharmed on the surface, seemingly cut off from all mystical connections, only to meet a mysterious and tragic death years later.

Considering his safety, his desire to collect extraordinary knowledge to find a way home, and the generous salary, Kline decided to join the Night Shift Team.

...

Apartment No. 1, Narcissus Street.

The curtains were drawn, casting the room in dimness, and an eerie, oppressive atmosphere filled the air. Palos looked towards the center of the living room, feeling both fear and a sense of surrealism.

In the center of the room, Lu Ke had sprinkled a circle of 'Holy Powder', preparing to seal the spiritual space before conducting a prayer ritual.

He needed to acquire some Extraordinary Traits to sustain himself.

Lu Ke's ultimate goal was to attain the Sequence 1 Extraordinary Trait, Uniqueness, and Source Substance to support the persona of an Elder God. To achieve this, he required more foundational Extraordinary Traits.

For someone like him, symbolized by 'Return to Unity', as long as he performed a ritual prayer and asked his essence for help, even if he couldn't consume and digest everything like 'Primordial Hunger', he could still manage.

He just needed to be cautious and consume the Extraordinary Traits level by level, whether they were the Twenty-two Sequences or other traits from Outer Gods.

Lu Ke sat cross-legged on the ground, with three candles in front of him and various auxiliary materials, including a stack of banknotes, a cup of high-proof liquor, an erotic magazine featuring a seductive woman on the cover, and a soft, comfortable mattress.

The selection of auxiliary materials was based on providing items that the deity liked or represented. Lu Ke figured that someone as mundane as him would probably appreciate these items.

If not for the limitations of this era, he would have preferred a 5090 graphics card, gacha summoning items, milk tea, and a well-behaved puppy. He didn't prepare the last item because he was concerned that his essence might take the dog, and it would likely die upon seeing the essence, transformed into a monster.

If the prayer was for himself, he wouldn't need to worry about the auxiliary materials; they were only meant to increase the ritual's success rate by using items imbued with spirituality and favored by the deity. But since he was still an 'ordinary person', he felt it was better to maintain some dignity.

Lu Ke lit the three candles, and in the sealed room, a gentle breeze began to swirl. His spirit was guided, and an invisible spiritual wall was erected.

He straightened his posture and recited the newly prepared divine name in Hermesian script.

"The alien god beyond the stars."

"The Entropy Increaser of disordered expansion."

"The split and aggregation of all Extraordinary Traits."

As he chanted the divine name, the candle flames began to flicker despite the absence of wind, and sparks burst from the wicks. Through a tight connection, Lu Ke successfully established a faint link with his essence.

"I implore your assistance."

"I beseech you to bestow upon me the 'Powerful Aggregation' of Extraordinary Traits!"

In that instant, an invisible force began to surge.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end