Chapter 1531: Chapter 1531
"Whether you believe it or not, I do. That's why I invited you here. So, what will it take for you to hand over the King Soul? I am wealthy and possess many items that might interest you. I'm even willing to trade my knowledge of alchemy. Think about it, Williamette. I've looked into your life, and I know you have no interest in becoming a king, so... why not consider trading it to me?"
Carmel remarked, leaning against the counter.
"You really want to trade?"
"Of course. I'm a merchant, not an assassin. If a problem can be solved with a transaction, then a transaction is the way to go."
Carmel stated this as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Jenkins considered it for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Alright, then. Just tell me how you were resurrected, and I can agree to the trade."
"Naturally, we can sign a contract beforehand to ensure neither party goes back on the deal. Since you deal in so many wondrous items, I assume you have something of the sort?"
"I was able to resurrect thanks to A-12-1-2909, the Flesh and Blood Factory. It's an exceptionally rare item. I only figured out how to use it correctly through my ancestors' research."
Carmel spoke immediately after they signed, as if he were afraid Jenkins would have second thoughts.
"I see. I never thought someone could actually make use of a Gizmo."
Jenkins replied nonchalantly, mentally noting the serial number before placing his right hand on Carmel's shoulder.
"Then, as per our contract, I will now transfer one of the four souls I possess, the Tree Soul, to you."
According to Carmel, transferring a King Soul only required both parties to be aware of the truth, make physical contact (even through clothing), and verbally agree to the transfer.
But after Jenkins spoke those words, nothing happened, save for the cat on his shoulder letting out a bored yawn.
"This... how is this possible? Is the King Soul still with the Queen?"
Carmel stammered, his words tumbling out as he stared at Jenkins in disbelief.
"I told you, I don't have any King Soul. And there's one other thing you might not have noticed. You're standing a little too close..."
At these words, Carmel lunged backward. But it was too late. Verdant vines descended from above like a curtain, striking like serpents at Carmel's head.
Like most people before him, he couldn't see the writhing vines, but as a demigod-level Enchanter, he sensed the imminent danger. While trying to wrench himself free from Jenkins's grip, he blasted a ball of brilliant red energy into the air.
But it was useless. The vines passed straight through the energy and plunged into Carmel's head. With a series of wet gulps, Carmel's body went limp, left to hang in the air, suspended by the tendrils.
Jenkins, however, didn't let down his guard. He glanced behind him and, sure enough, a deathly pale Carmel was standing at the top of the stairs to the second floor, steadying himself against the railing.
This was the first mortal Jenkins had ever encountered who had survived a direct hit from Blasphemous Creation. But considering he had just appeared hale and hearty after having his soul shredded by a Gizmo bullet, the power of Blasphemous Creation was still formidable.
Carmel demanded, pointing at his own dangling "corpse," his tone forceful and interrogating.
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Content orıginally comes from novel⦿fire.net
As he spoke, Jenkins targeted him with Blasphemous Creation again. A second spatial tear opened beside Carmel, and even more green vines surged forth. This time, however, Carmel was prepared, even though he couldn't see them.
He quickly shrugged off his black suit jacket and flung it into the air. The small garment expanded in an instant, spreading to cover the entire ceiling.
Like a giant wrapping cloth, it enveloped the shop's interior, enclosing everything except for the two men and the cat. The space within the shop warped, and the phantom vines Jenkins had summoned from some unknown dimension flickered a few times before vanishing completely, not even having the chance to spit out the digested Sin Coins for Jenkins.
"B-11-3-2808, the Black Magician's Human Skin Coat. A rare spatial item. Not only does it help me move house, but it can also temporarily create a pocket dimension to block most spatial summoning abilities. It seems my guess was correct. The truth of your power is that you summon unknown, malevolent entities from beyond the material world... Williamette, who in the world are you? The Orthodox Church would never permit an Enchanter to possess such an ability!"
Carmel's questioning was sharp, which should have been intimidating. But combined with his sallow, utterly spent appearance, it just seemed absurd.
"Does it matter who I am?"
A black shadow materialized behind Jenkins, then shot toward Carmel at the top of the stairs with a manic laugh. A massive explosion followed, spewing black demonic flames everywhere and completely blasting apart the junk shop's staircase. Fortunately, the shop itself was protected by the coat and didn't collapse.
After the explosion, a somewhat disheveled Carmel emerged from the rubble, coughing.
"A Believer of Lies! You're the Twin Demons!"
With his jacket gone, Carmel was now in a white shirt, though the recent explosion had turned it a mottled black and white. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a filtered cigarette.
He quickly lit it using the lingering demonic flames, then took a deep drag. When he exhaled, it wasn't smoke that billowed from his lips, but a far more violent torrent of black demonic fire.
Even Jenkins didn't dare to face these soul-searing flames head-on. He leaped to the side, dodging the fan-shaped blast, then pulled a metal talisman from his pocket and tossed it into the fire.
The moment they made contact, the metal talisman vaporized. But the runes etched upon it lingered in the air like threads of burning metal. Steam billowed out as the talisman took effect, gradually filling the entire space. In an instant, both men had lost sight of each other.