Chapter 335: The Fraud

Chapter 335: The Fraud

Everything originated from the Primordial Creator.

He was the universe's founder, a collection of all contradictory concepts and symbols, inherently possessing an uncontrollable tendency to split, which, once divided, would generate a strong aggregation trend.

What separates must unite, and what unites must separate; this is one of the cosmic laws of the esoteric world.

If an Extraordinary Being consumes an Extraordinary Trait not from their current path, they will lose control, resulting in immediate death or madness, transforming into a monster. Even consuming Traits from the same path will slow down the digestion of the magic potion.

Even with adjacent paths, where one can transition to specific paths and sequences, there is still a significant risk, unlike the stability of ascending within the same path. This is one manifestation of the repulsion phenomenon.

Most of the time, the aggregation effect, especially at lower sequences, does not exhibit repulsion as prominently or rapidly.

It is a silent phenomenon, guided by destiny, that makes it easier for Extraordinary Beings to encounter each other, especially those on the same path.

In simpler terms, Doubling Agents are attracted to each other!

An invisible force seeped into Lu Ke's body, and he slowly opened his eyes.

With the assistance of his Essence, which possessed the symbol of 'Return to Unity,' he temporarily gained esoteric aggregation, a more intense form of aggregation, and for the next period, the probability of encountering Extraordinary Beings would significantly increase.

Lu Ke assessed his combat strength; with the physical strength of an ordinary person at its limit and the skills accumulated from numerous worlds, he could easily take on a Sequence 7 with the aid of firearms. As for Sequence 6, it would depend on compatibility.

Being an Elder Dominator Aspect, he would be at a disadvantage when facing Sequences leaning towards the esoteric side. Skills that relied on Aspects to determine effects or pursued the essence would directly fail or even backfire on the owner. Some skills that attempted to shake or pry into the essence were in the same predicament.

For example, divination from the Diviner's path, purification from the Solar path, entering dreams from the Sleepless path, analyzing weaknesses and prying into the essence from the White Tower path, theft and bestowing from the Thief's path...

If he encountered those Sequences, he could handle Sequence 6 as well, except for some paths that were good at running away, which he might not be able to catch. Beyond that, he still had other means.

Lu Ke did not clean up the altar but instead beckoned Parrot, who was standing by and trembling with fear, to come over. His face showed deeper fear and horror, as even ordinary people could sense the abnormality during the ceremony.

He had been substantially polluted, but since he was too far away, the guiding power of the ritual was not strong enough, making it not too severe.

Under Lu Ke's command, this pollution did not transform Parrot into a monster but instead lay dormant, waiting for an opportunity to turn him into a monster or save him, depending on whether he would betray Lu Ke.

"Repeat after me," Lu Ke said, pulling Parrot into the ritual site and instructing him to pray in Hermesian Script.

"God of the distant stars beyond the starry sky, the Entropy Increaser of chaotic expansion, the split and aggregation of all Extraordinary Traits."

"I beg for your help."

"I beg you to bestow upon me unparalleled culinary skills."

Parrot stammered, following the words, and the next moment, he felt a damp, cold, and sticky wind, and endless murmurs filled his ears as vast memories flooded his mind.

Knife techniques, control of heat, seasoning secrets, and ingredient selection tips...

Eight major cuisines... cooking methods... Imperial Banquets...

He curled up in pain, rolling back and forth on the ground, his forehead veins popping out as he unconsciously repeated the murmurs in his ears.

"Edogawa... Distant Moon Academy... First Seat... Marshal... King of the Culinary World..."

A moment later, the pain subsided, and Parrot crawled to his feet, dazed and opening his mouth.

"Sir, I seem to have learned many cooking techniques."

"Yes, that's normal. Go out and buy some ingredients, then cook me a couple of dishes. I'm sick of eating white bread these days."

Lu Ke handed him a stack of golden pounds, totaling 30.

He put away the ritual materials, changed into a white shirt and a black tailcoat, picked up his cane, and stepped out, exuding an elegant gentlemanly image.

The aggregation effect would cause some Extraordinary Beings to come into contact with him through various coincidences, even if he stayed at home. However, taking the initiative to go out would undoubtedly accelerate this process.

He went to the street and hailed a well-maintained carriage.

The carriage driver stopped, and his deep gray eyes scanned Lu Ke, who was dressed appropriately, before speaking in a deep voice.

"Sir, where would you like to go?"

"To the Dragon Tavern."

The Dragon Tavern in the Docks District was a mixed place in Tinggen City, the best place to obtain prohibited items, and it also had an underground market for Extraordinary Artifacts.

He intended to purchase firearms and ammunition, and if he came across any extraordinary items, he would buy them as well, though he might not have enough money.

The purchase of formal attire, renting a place to stay, and food expenses had already cost him fifty pounds, and the remaining one hundred and fifty pounds was a considerable sum for an ordinary person, but it was still too little for an extraordinary being.

After all, the mafia was just a rat under the enforcers, and the nobility had more gold coins, all of which were ill-gotten gains. They had no qualms about using deceitful methods.

The carriage driver drew back the curtain for Lu Ke, revealing a relatively well-decorated interior with soft cushions. As Lu Ke sat down, the carriage moved forward with a crisp crack of the whip.

Lu Ke leaned his head against the window, enjoying the tranquility.

The scenery along the way passed before his eyes. From time to time, melodious tunes drifted from the street, and children danced to the rhythm around the musicians. The sunshine was warm and gentle, casting a golden hue on the Victorian-style architecture. Different neighborhoods opened their arms, paved with red bricks, seemingly welcoming every passing traveler.

"Sir, it seems like you haven't been in Tingen for long?"

On the way to the Docks District, the carriage driver spoke in a deep, hoarse voice, seemingly trying to pass the time by chatting.

Lu Ke extended his hand out the window, feeling the gentle breeze on his fingertips. "How did you know that?"

"When riding in a carriage within Tingen City, except for the fixed-route public carriages, you usually have to negotiate the price before boarding, or the driver might increase the fare on the spot. You don't seem very familiar with this process."

Lu Ke's lips curled up. "I'm not familiar with any of your processes here. So, are you going to increase the fare?"

"No, I'm a driver with professional ethics. I won't do that, but I still suggest you familiarize yourself with the process, or else..."

Unconsciously, the carriage's speed had increased significantly. It turned from a bustling avenue to a narrow alley, and the scenery transformed from vibrant and bustling to desolate and chilly, reaching a secluded corner far from the crowds.

Lu Ke's tone remained calm. "Or else what?"

"Or else, it's easy to run into trouble."

The driver stopped the carriage in a dirty, deserted alley, revealing a malicious smile. His eyes turned fierce, and he kicked the carriage frame forcefully, his tone becoming rough and arrogant.

"Get down, sir. We've arrived at your destination!"

Lu Ke calmly stepped out of the carriage. "I'm heading to the Dragon Tavern. Where have you stopped?"

"Don't worry, sir. I'm a driver with professional ethics. You're currently in the Docks District. If you walk for about fifteen minutes, you'll see the Dragon Tavern. But before that, you need to pay the carriage fee. It's not much; a hundred pounds will suffice."

Lu Ke raised an eyebrow, impressed by the driver's audacity.

Twenty ambassadors say they want it, and they get it! The driver spat angrily. "A respectable gentleman like you should be able to pay, or else you might have to suffer!"

He approached step by step, brandishing a rusty knife. Lu Ke slowly clenched his fist, just about to get himself a free carriage, when a figure appeared at the alley's exit.

The man shouted and ran over. "Police! Who's there?"

"Tsk, what bad luck."

The driver, his plan interrupted, shot Lu Ke a sullen look without hesitation and rode off on the carriage from the other end.

"You are a Thief who has traversed Sequence 8, a 'Fraudster'. That coachman you just encountered is your accomplice. He staged a seemingly normal robbery, and then you came to play the hero, all to make me grateful and lower my guard, only to deceive me and take my wealth. After all, normal people wouldn't carry all their possessions on them; there are also stocks, funds, bonds, and real estate that require time to manage."

Lanruos' face paled, looking at Lu Ke in disbelief, "Sir, how could you think that? I was merely helping you. If you don't believe me, take me to the police station!"

At this moment, his voice carried a magical charm that made those who heard it trust his words without question.

"The Fraudster has enhanced your eloquence, with transcendent-level mental manipulation and spiritual interference, and... slightly increased your charm, the kind that inspires trust, making it easier for you to deceive."

Lu Ke smiled and clenched his palms. A clear sound of cracking bones echoed, and Lanruos cried out in pain, his face contorting. He could no longer maintain his composure and struggled with all his might.

His right hand forcefully pulled out, while his uncontrolled left hand struck towards Lu Ke's temple with the speed and precision of a venomous snake.

Lu Ke's smile remained unchanged as he effortlessly caught Lanruos' attacking left hand. With a deft twist and press, accompanied by the sound of cracking bones, Lanruos' wrist went limp, deprived of life force.

Lanruos' scream intensified. He couldn't understand why he hadn't sensed any danger, even though the Thief's traversal up to Sequence 7 as a Decipherer should have significantly enhanced his spiritual senses. Still, the Fraudster's spiritual awareness was also high, allowing him to foresee the crisis and make successful judgments during his scams.

"Oh, spiritual warnings don't work on me. That's mainly a product of Extraordinary Beings' connection with the Spirit Realm, as it's the universe's information hub, containing all changes. Unfortunately, I am the change beyond changes."

Lu Ke continued calmly, "The Fraudster has also improved your physical qualities, focusing on agility and speed. Fraud is only a temporary act; a successful scam is one where you can make a timely escape.

He chuckled lightly and looked at Lanruos with a hint of regret, "If you had run away at first sight, it would have been a bit troublesome. Remember, don't casually shake hands with strangers in your next life."

Regret flashed in Lanruos' eyes as he realized that his impromptu attempt at a scam had led him to a tough opponent.

Just as he was about to use his last resort, disregarding everything, the man before him, whose hands moved so swiftly they almost left afterimages, grabbed his neck.

Crack!

Lu Ke elegantly gave Lanruos' neck a 360-degree massage, watching as his breath ceased, his eyes wide with resentment.

Lu Ke sat beside Lanruos, quietly waiting for the Extraordinary Trait to manifest.

Afterward, using a ritual to separate Sequence 9 and Sequence 8, he could showcase the Extraordinary Trait. This was theoretically an operation only angels could perform, but for 'Repulsion', it was a piece of cake.

Digestion was also not complicated. After all, the Essence possessed a portion of 'Primordial Hunger' and 'Aggregation', so he didn't need to put on an act. Acting could accelerate the digestion process, but by simply begging the Essence to bestow upon him the power to digest Extraordinary abilities, he could directly begin the process of digesting the magical potion.

As his Sequence increased, so would the power of the bestowed gifts, and his digestion would become faster, until he reached the limit of what the Essence could grant.

After a moment, a floating, turbid substance slowly emerged from Lanruos' corpse. It was the Extraordinary Trait of Sequence 9 'Thief' and Sequence 8 'Fraudster'.

Alongside this mysterious substance, a small amount of black matter emitting an ominous aura also appeared—a fragment of the True Maker's divine power bestowed upon Lanruos!

"Hmm, I've obtained Sequence 9 and Sequence 8." Lu Ke reached out and collected the two objects. In the instant his fingers made contact, the True Maker's divine power actively merged into his body, along with a strand of the True Maker's unformed consciousness! This consciousness would manipulate the divine power to transform the holder's body, making them a vessel for the True Maker.

But upon entering Lu Ke's body, the divine power ceased its erosion, and the consciousness began to tremble.

It was just a healthy, ordinary body, theoretically capable of being controlled through erosion. Yet, this strand of consciousness felt an immense danger, as if continuing would be a transgression.

As if proceeding would bring about the destruction of the Essence, inviting calamity.

Slowly, it stopped thinking.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end