The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 149: Request

Gardner Martin was already used to Lumian's frankness and directness. He nodded slightly and said:

"If you want something equivalent to the werewolf's fang, I have three items here that match its value.

"The first is the *Shadow Bracelet*. It's a magical item that can help you hide within shadows larger than yourself. It allows you to summon *shadow servants* with minor special abilities, animate shadows to a certain extent to bind targets, and more.

"But it's also a cursed object. Over a third of those who used it went mad, and another third mysteriously disappeared without ever wearing it again. The remaining users seemed fine but frequently complained of tinnitus, which led to auditory hallucinations.

"For the past few years, no one has dared use this magical item except in special circumstances."

Why are you even offering this to me? Do I look like a madman or an idiot? Lumian's eyes conveyed his confusion.

Gardner Martin chuckled and explained simply:

"I'm one of the few people who have used the *Shadow Bracelet* without any problems. I've mastered a method to weaken its negative effects, but I can only tell you if you choose it."

When did you start imagining you've had no issues? Lumian held back the urge to speak his mind.

In his opinion, Gardner Martin, having been tainted by the abnormality at 13 Market Avenue, might not be much better off than those who went insane or mysteriously vanished. Based on the *Magician* lady's description of pollution, the Gardner Martin standing before him might not even be the same person he once was.

Gardner Martin glanced at Lumian and smiled, "There's no need to be so reserved in front of me. It makes you seem less like someone who hasn't yet advanced to Sequence 6. If you really say something that 'provokes' me, I'll just retort sarcastically, just like Abous. See? He's still alive and well."

"Yes, *Commander*." Lumian couldn't let him know that most of the thoughts he suppressed were secrets he didn't want the *Iron Blood Cross Society* to know.

Gardner Martin stood up from his armchair and continued, "The second item is the extraordinary characteristic left behind by a *spirit medium*. You know what extraordinary characteristics are, right?"

Lumian replied calmly, "When you kill a supernatural creature, you can harvest the main ingredient for concocting a potion. Killing an extraordinary being should yield something similar, like the golden-red transparent sphere from 'Hammer' Et and this *werewolf* fang.

"I believe these are extraordinary characteristics, which correspond to certain potions. You don't need to gather additional main ingredients."

Gardner Martin nodded in approval, "Exactly, your assessment is correct."

He didn't go into detail about the *Law of Extraordinary Characteristics' Conservation*, likely considering it too sensitive for Lumian to know at this point.

Gardner Martin paced back and forth in front of the unlit fireplace, his hands behind his back:

"A *spirit medium*—the name itself gives you a rough idea of what abilities their magical item might grant. Of course, the specifics depend on the craftsmanship.

"Typically, it would offer abilities like enduring the erosion of decay, cold, and death while disguised as a living corpse to find the weaknesses of undead creatures—this is the *Death's Eye*. It could also let you communicate with nature spirits and undead directly, or harness their powers for various magical effects. You might be able to get two or three such combinations, or, if lucky, all of them.