Although the Divine Realm had imposed restrictions, it had also left back doors open. The warnings given to the reincarnators were only about not actively leaking information; there were no specific rules regarding passive or accidental discoveries. As a result, with the increasing number of reincarnators, especially due to their own factionalism, certain situations gradually became known.
Moreover, Wu Ming had gone so far as to publish a novel to popularize the concept to the masses. He did not do it himself directly, but instead chose a mediocre writer at random and implanted a suggestive mental seed into the writer’s mind through a dream. When the writer completed and published the book, Wu Ming then hypnotized another wealthy individual to provide funding, leaving no trace of his own involvement.
Although the plot and writing of this novel, titled “The Reincarnation World,” were terrible, the underlying concepts and rules were almost identical to those of the Divine Realm, thus drawing the attention of some perceptive individuals. Surprisingly, the book also sold quite well.
At least among the latest batches of rookie reincarnators, there were a few who had read the novel and could quickly adapt to their new circumstances.
Of course, these reincarnator organizations were still in the form of small, exclusive clubs. The one in Falcon City was already the largest in the surrounding areas.
Unfortunately, this kind of information filled with implications and requiring personal insight was completely incomprehensible to Lucius, no matter how long he looked at it.
“Very creative idea!” he said. Immediately, he noticed the hippie across from him staring at him with a strange expression. Realizing he had said the wrong thing, he quickly stood up. “Sorry, I need to take a walk and look around!”
“Some things you don’t know about don’t mean they don’t exist!”
From behind him came the hippie’s soft, lingering voice, filled with the weary tone of someone who had struggled on the brink of life and death. Lucius was quite surprised.
“Ladies and gentlemen!”
After wandering around for a while, seeing many things and growing more and more puzzled, a clear voice rang out from the center of the bar, illuminated by numerous lights. A man dressed in a tuxedo, resembling a master of ceremonies, stood in the spotlight. “Welcome back, old friends, and newly arrived newcomers. Let me reiterate: here, no one is allowed to pry into others’ secrets. Violators will face collective punishment. Now, let us begin!”
“First, the information from Lord ‘Dark Thunder.’ His team is seeking several new members. Those interested may go to the Black Rose Room to sign up!”
“Then, on behalf of a client, I announce a request. My client needs a sum of funds, approximately two hundred thousand gold coins. Only cash is acceptable—no checks, promissory notes, or sequentially numbered bills. The price is negotiable. Those interested may go to the Bear Room for further discussion!”
…
Various requests were announced one after another, mostly involving team recruitment or direct cash acquisition, resembling an underground black market or a dark mercenary trading ground.
What puzzled Lucius, however, was that those openly asking for money became the objects of fierce competition among the bidders, as if they were eager to hand over their money immediately.
“What’s the trade? Could it be high-ranking city officials engaging in corruption?”
Lucius was somewhat excited. He only dealt with major cases. As for scandals in the Kingdom of Golden Oak, as a member of the International Special Investigation Bureau, he might even be more inclined to enjoy uncovering them.
“Next… comes the most exciting moment!”
A moment later, the master of ceremonies’s voice suddenly became more enthusiastic. “A rare auction item—the leaf of a druid, containing a drop of true druidic essence. Sorry, I don’t know what a druid is, but I’m just repeating the seller’s description… It has the effect of healing minor injuries. The starting price is 50,000 gold coins, and each subsequent bid must be at least 1,000 gold coins higher. Let the bidding begin!”
“55,000!”
“60,000!”
…
The calls for bids rose and fell, quickly surpassing the 100,000 mark.
According to common sense, something that could only heal minor injuries should not be worth so much. Lucius estimated that if the item were genuine, the wealthy bidders who paid such high prices were likely only interested in studying it.
“It’s real…”
Lucius’s eyes widened in disbelief. He had never imagined that supernatural powers, which were still treated as jokes in the Federation, could actually be available for purchase in the Kingdom of Golden Oak!
“If Professor were here, he would definitely spare no expense to buy it. But with his resources, he probably couldn’t afford it even if he went bankrupt… and I’m the same!”
Lucius checked his pockets and gave a bitter smile.
In the following moments, he saw several other auction items—either weapons or medicines—each claimed to possess extraordinary powers, sparking fierce bidding wars.
The most astonishing item was a warm jade stone, supposedly capable of calming the mind, enhancing cellular activity, and prolonging life. It was fiercely contested by two mysterious factions and eventually sold for the astronomical price of one million gold coins.
By now, Lucius was fully convinced that these were not fake goods or scams.
After all, those capable of spending a million gold coins on purchases must possess significant status and power, making it impossible for them to be deceived by simple fraud, let alone a large group of people together.
“This is a rather large and mysterious organization, with highly secretive members!”
After leaving the club, although Lucius was still confused, he had formed a vague outline in his mind. “Their influence is also considerable…”
Although he was eager to achieve a major success, he hesitated at this point.
Because the scale of the opponent clearly exceeded his level.
…
“Chief!”
After returning to the office, Lucius still briefly summoned his team members to assign some initial investigative tasks.
At least preliminary reconnaissance could still be done. Reporting to the higher-ups would provide a lead, and if the case were ever solved in the future, they could share in some of the credit.
Ring ring!
But just then, the urgent sound of the telephone rang out.
“Sir!”
Lucius instinctively stood up straight upon answering the call.
“Lucius, you are to immediately take all your team members to the city of Leviathan!”
The voice from the telephone was solemn, carrying a sense of calm and authority—it was one of the highest decision-makers in their Special Investigation Bureau.
“Understood!”
Lucius snapped to attention and replied loudly, his heart leaping with excitement.
From the tone of his superior officer, he could tell that there was a major case, which meant an opportunity!
“Quickly, quickly! Everyone, move out!”
He quickly put on his coat. “Bring all the firearms. We’re heading to Leviathan City! This is an external field mission! There’s a generous allowance!”
“Oh no! My baby is waiting for me to come home and cook!”
“I’ve got a broken bone!”
“I’ve already set up a tent to wait for the new game console release today…”
…
The team members groaned in protest, but seeing Lucius’s promise, they still drove out of the department in the only old car available, nearly falling apart as it sped toward Leviathan City.
As they encountered more and more fellow officers on the road, and saw numerous checkpoints with heavily armed police blocking the roads, Lucius’s expression gradually changed.
“Entry and exit checks!”
Outside Leviathan City, the security checks were several times stricter. Several grim-faced officers didn’t even bother checking Lucius’s license plate number before pulling him out of the car and roughly inspecting his documents, as if not wanting to miss even the smallest speck of dirt on the papers.
“Hey, buddy, I’m also an international officer. What exactly happened?”
After being cleared, Lucius approached and casually offered a few cigarettes. “Don’t worry about leaking secrets—I’m specifically here to investigate these matters!”
“Several city council members were massacred, along with a visiting high-ranking official from the Federation…”
Perhaps because they were fellow officers, the patrolman still shared the information. “The scene… was extremely bloody. Councilman Matt was also a strong contender for the next mayor, having already secured about 60% of the votes!”
“Oh, damn it!”
Lucius exclaimed in shock. The massacre of a likely future mayor was already a major case challenging the entire Kingdom of Golden Oak, not to mention the involvement of a visiting high-ranking official from the Federation. No wonder his superiors had ordered him to rush here urgently.
…
A little earlier in time.
Leviathan City.
Siegfried emerged from the Divine Realm and immediately began praying:
“O God of Redemption, You are the sole ruler of the world, Your glory is everywhere!”
He almost recited this prayer with tears streaming down his face.
Because even within the Divine Realm, he had seemingly felt the glory of the God of Redemption, granting him faster reflexes, a stronger body, and slightly better luck. These advantages provided him with a solid foundation, finally allowing him to gradually adapt to his reincarnator identity. After several missions, his strength had rapidly increased, and he had gained a modest reputation within the small circles of Leviathan City.
“Hello, Mr. Lone Wolf, the 500,000 gold coins have been transferred to that anonymous account. It was routed through overseas accounts several times, making the source absolutely untraceable!”
His mood improved even further after receiving a phone call.
“Hmm, this money can be given to my family. How about telling them I won the lottery? I’ll still need to forge some documents… but with this funding, my father’s small factory should be able to keep going, right?”
Taking advantage of the school break, Siegfried also planned to go home and show his parents that he had become a productive worker capable of earning money.
Although his family had previously enjoyed a comfortable life, recent business issues had caused financial difficulties.
All of this was naturally due to the powerful industrialist councilman, who was about to become mayor, aggressively acquiring other small factories. Under his pressure, most small business owners had lost their livelihoods.
Power combined with capital, and with the prospect of becoming mayor, the opponent had completely dominated Leviathan City, casting a shadow over everything and forcing others to barely survive.
“But who cares about them? As long as my family can repay the loan, we should be able to get through this crisis!”
Siegfried was happy, finally able to repay his family.
But the events that followed plunged him into a world of darkness…
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