Before anyone could refuse, Hathaway added in a rapid-fire voice:

"But don't worry, it's not dangerous, even though its hazard level is 1... Please, let me explain. I've researched this type of supernatural event in a book. The reason for its hazard level isn't because the event itself is dangerous, but because its appearance signifies that the end of the Epoch will certainly occur within three hundred years. That's why the Church designated it a hazard level of 1... I can't show you the ancient book I read; it's not mine. But you can use your own channels to look up this number and verify that what I'm saying is true."

Seeing that the others were no longer on the verge of immediate refusal, she continued:

"This event is a Series B, not a Series A, so there are extensive, detailed descriptions of it. According to the book, 'Story within a Story' manifests by transforming a lightless room, smaller than 20 by 20 feet, into a quiet chamber with nothing but a wooden round table.

Once this transformation occurs, no ordinary person can perceive the room anymore. They can't see it, can't touch it, and can't even recall it.

After the room is transformed, the event will trigger whenever three to ten Enchanters are inside with the door closed. During this time, no one can enter or leave. The Enchanters must play a role-playing game by rolling dice.

The specific rules of the game are only available inside the room and can only be read aloud there. The game itself isn't dangerous, but any Enchanter who doesn't see it through to the end will have one of their abilities forcibly stripped away. However, those who finish the game will be rewarded with at least two extra empty ability bubbles and a brand-new ability. That's just the basic reward."

Jenkins was starting to waver. He had originally planned to persuade Hathaway to abandon such a risky game, but if her description was accurate, this was an opportunity well worth taking.

"I've found one of these game rooms and confirmed that it is indeed B-11-1-0299, 'Story within a Story.' After the game ends, the room returns to normal, so this is a one-time chance. The game is cooperative, not competitive, which is why I want to find trustworthy friends to join me. So, are you interested?"

Although Jenkins wanted to agree immediately, doing so rashly would only make Hathaway more wary of him as Candle Mr. So, he kept his mouth shut and listened as she provided a method of contact. Once she gathered enough participants, she would initiate 'Story within a Story.'

"I won't wait too long. Keeping a Series B supernatural event in my possession is risky in itself."

Everyone murmured their understanding, but each had their own plans.

Next should have been the trading session, but Mr. Hood didn't announce its start immediately. Instead, he turned to Jenkins and asked:

"Candle Mr., do you have anything you need to recruit us for? If so, now would be the time to bring it up."

The question was clearly a jab at the others.

Jenkins quickly shook his head.

"No. Although the rest of you have made similar requests, my life has been quite peaceful lately. Besides feeding my cat on time, I have nothing important going on."

He wasn't even in Nolan at the moment.

Hearing those words, Hathaway once again thought of Jenkins.

Mr. Hood nodded. The source of thɪs content is ⓝovelFire.net

"In that case, let's begin the trading session. Oh, but before we do, I must add something. Our information exchange is absolutely not for you to recruit people for your adventures. Next time, please do not use such calls to action as your information to trade. I'll emphasize this again: the purpose of our gathering is to share information, not to act as a quest board!"

"Weren't you just trying to get us to join your operation?"

More than one person had the same thought, but out of respect for Mr. Hood, no one voiced it.

The item trading session that followed also had some unusual developments. First up was Magic Miss. This time, she directly produced a thin book with a blank, hardcover cardboard binding instead of a proper cover. The book was actually a catalog, listing all the rituals she had available for trade.

"I'm short on gold pounds lately. All this knowledge is for sale."

Jenkins, intrigued, took a look as well and was surprised to find that Magic Miss's collection was quite extensive. Like the others, he picked out a few rituals that interested him. The most lavish spender, however, was Hathaway, who spent 78 pounds in one go.

"Why would she carry so much cash with her? That's so dangerous."

Jenkins thought anxiously, wishing he could just shout and tell Hathaway how incredibly careless that was.

During the trading session, Mr. Hood brought out a golden egg—a pure gold chicken egg. This didn't mean it was cast from gold, but rather that the shell of this living egg was actual gold.

"Don't ask where I got it. I'd love to share the story, but I have to protect my friend's secret. Is anyone interested? This egg can hatch a chick, and if that chick is a hen, there's a chance it will also lay golden eggs... Of course, my price is very high. After all, the pure gold shell alone is worth a considerable sum. War is coming, and the price of gold has been rising fast."

Jenkins was very interested and even considered buying it to see what would happen. But the thought of his cat, Chocolate, quickly dissuaded him. Chocolate would absolutely never tolerate a second pet in the house, even if that pet's only purpose was to lay eggs.

In the end, Mr. White Cat bought it. He didn't have enough cash on hand, however, so he proposed another method of payment. The two of them walked down a nearby branching path into another mining tunnel, murmuring to each other for a while before returning. No one knew what Mr. White Cat had said.

After that, Hathaway announced that she wanted to buy some 'Witch's Kiss.'

At the beginning of last winter, right around the time Alexia left Nolan, Jenkins had sold off a large batch of the stuff. By now, that stock, if not completely used up, should be nearing its expiration date. That's why there was even a bounty for it on the black market—a fact Jenkins was aware of, having left Nolan only a week ago.