Mystery: The Silver Key

Chapter 15 Gathering of the Extraordinary

At the bar, Cyril and the grey-robed man chatted casually about trivial matters, much like two socially awkward strangers sitting together on a steam train, trying to socialize with each other.

As time went on, the bar gradually became more crowded and noisier. The bar was no longer quiet, so the two of them moved to a table in the corner and fell into a long silence.

Actually, not talking is fine too; at least we don't have to have awkward conversations.

He muttered something to himself, and then he noticed that the gray-robed man would occasionally glance at the clock on the opposite wall, whose accuracy was questionable.

Are you keeping track of time? Aren't you worried that the wall clock in this bar might be running slow because no one has been checking it for so long?

The thought had barely formed in his mind when the gray-robed man's hoarse, low voice rang out beside him, as if there was fine sand in his throat:

"Come with me."

After saying that, he picked up the glass in front of him, drank the contents in one gulp, and then walked straight to the back door of the bar.

Cyril hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow.

After exiting through the back door of the Smart Bar, the two walked one after the other through a dimly lit corridor and entered another room.

The grey-robed man took an iron mask that only covered the upper half of his face and a hooded robe from the room and handed them to Cyril, instructing him:

"Once you've changed, you can go. This gathering of extraordinary individuals isn't high-level, but it's enough for you."

Very confident, is this guy a Sequence 6 or a Sequence 5?

Although she already knew what the gathering was like, in order to fit her persona, Cyril still asked one more question:

"Do I need any approval or credentials to attend a party?"

The gray-robed man glanced at him again: "No need. The spiritual energy still emanating from you is the best proof."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Here's a piece of advice: since you've just taken the potion and your spirituality is still unstable, what you need most is meditation and adaptation, not running around looking for your kind."

"Eighty percent of the dangers faced by Extraordinary Individuals come from their so-called fellow Extraordinary Individuals, after all, every Extraordinary Individual is mobile..."

"Hurry up, if you get there early you'll still have time to understand the format of this extraordinary gathering."

The gray-robed man seemed to have thought of something, and instead of finishing his sentence, he abruptly changed the subject.

Is every extraordinary being a mobile extraordinary being?

Knowing about the existence of extraordinary characteristics, yet not seeming like a good person, is he a member of some secret organization? And most likely a core member.

It's so easy to run into secret organizations. No wonder it's Backlund, a metropolis where even a passing dog could be a demigod. Hmm, it's best to be careful in general.

He paused, quickly gathering his thoughts, and looked at the gray-robed man at the door: "Let's go, I'm all better now."

The gray-robed man didn't answer and walked directly into the deeper alley, with Cyril following closely behind him.

Half a minute later, the two stopped in front of a tightly closed door. The gray-robed man in front knocked on the door rhythmically, which seemed to be some kind of code.

Seven or eight seconds later, a small wooden board on the door was suddenly pulled open, revealing brown eyes behind it.

After being scrutinized by the eyes behind the door for a while, the door was suddenly pulled open, revealing another man dressed in a gray robe and wearing a mask. He stepped aside to make way for him.

"Go in."

Neither Sirion nor the gray-robed man spoke; they simply walked past each other into the room.

After passing through the dark hall, the two entered a living room where a candle was lit on the coffee table, casting a dim, yellowish light that made the whole room appear shadowy.

A dozen or so people were already seated on the sofas and chairs around the coffee table, all dressed in hooded robes and iron masks. Noticing the commotion behind them, they all turned around at the same time.

The person sitting in the main seat, dressed in a white robe and wearing a dark gold mask, glanced at the two of them before fixing his gaze on Sirien, who turned his head slightly to meet his eyes.

"Newbie? Just find a seat."

"I am the organizer of this gathering. You can call me 'Eye of Wisdom,' or you can choose a nickname that is easier to use for communication, though it's not mandatory."

"The party starts in three minutes. You can wait in your seats or ask me about the rules."

His voice had a aged quality, his nasolabial folds were deep, and his skin was slightly dry; he looked like an elderly man.

There were obvious traces of makeup and spiritual remnants on the face, and the exposed skin on the hands had also been disguised. It was not an extraordinary ability, but rather a makeup-like technique.

Um, why am I so sensitive to traces of makeup?

It's as if this knowledge secretly slipped into my mind without my knowledge, or rather, it appeared spontaneously when I needed it.

Is this what a person is? There should be other reasons, for example, this knowledge is already within the scope of the symbolism and authority of the "higher-dimensional observer".

Gathering his scattered thoughts, he casually found a chair with a backrest and sat down, quietly observing the other people's transactions and discussions.

In the next three minutes, several more people wearing hooded robes and brown masks walked in one after another.

Aside from greeting the "Eye of Wisdom" gentleman, they did not exchange any words. They sat quietly in their seats without making any unnecessary movements until the "Eye of Wisdom" gentleman tapped on the coffee table in front of him.

"Today's gathering officially begins."

"I heard there's a gathering of wild extraordinary individuals here today. Ugh, why is it so dark? Even if they're wild extraordinary individuals, surely they can afford a gas lamp?"

"Holding a party in such a dark place really makes one question the legitimacy of this place."

A voice that sounded somewhat honest but whose words were inexplicably irritating suddenly appeared, interrupting the first person who was about to speak after the party started.

The slightly irritating words once again drew the attention of everyone in the room. A chubby figure wearing the same robes and masks as them walked into the crowd with an air of familiarity.

The old man with the "Eye of Wisdom" glanced at the other person, and suddenly an indescribable majesty surged from his body. The dark gold mask he wore on his face seemed to come alive, transforming him into a majestic superior. Anyone who looked directly at him would feel their knees go weak and would want to kneel down and submit to this majesty.

Reclining in the wooden chair, Sirion raised his hand and touched his chest. The sudden surge of authority made his heart beat a little faster, but that was all.

That indescribable aura of authority seemed to only slightly increase his heart rate and improve blood circulation, but it had no effect on him on a spiritual level.

A magical item from the "Arbitrator" pathway? But it doesn't seem to work for me.

Is this also a special trait brought about by the position? Does that mean I am a natural counter to sequences like "Arbitrator," "Audience," and "The Insomniac," which are capable of targeting the mind?

This trait should be limited to the lower and middle sequences, which is why Adam was able to give me psychological suggestions and read my mind without any pressure.

As he drifted into thought, the old man known as the "Eye of Wisdom" had already shed his imposing aura. In the room, apart from Cyril and the gray-robed man who had brought him to the party, everyone else seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and straightened their limp bodies.

As for that chubby guy who had such an annoying way of talking, he knelt down the moment the aura of authority filled the air.

The old man with the "Eye of Wisdom" ignored his disheveled appearance and spoke calmly:

"Another newcomer. Just find a seat, the party has already started."

"Okay, okay."

The chubby figure stood up somewhat awkwardly from the ground, his legs still trembling. He glanced around and walked straight to the chair to the left of Sirion.

After he sat down, the hostile and disgusted gazes around him slowly moved away.

If the location and time hadn't been inconvenient, they probably would have each given him a few punches or kicks. If this guy hadn't been so foul-mouthed, they wouldn't have had to experience that suffocating aura of authority.

But the person who started this little farce seemed unaware that he was now being ostracized by everyone in the room; he had barely sat down when he eagerly initiated a transaction request:

"I need the marrow crystals from the Fairy Spring, and the heart of the Pegasus. Does anyone have them, or any clues?"