Chapter 54: The Diviner

Good News—

The first thing I received this morning was a report of victory.

"Level 7 Dungeon Conquered! The Legendary Adventuring Party Has Become True Legends! The Heroes Return in Triumph!"

Oh!

Iz and the others really survived!

They returned in triumph from that Level 7 dungeon!

Since they could make it back alive from a place like that, nothing could have happened to them on the road, right?

All that's left is to wait for their return.

And then...

Lu Cang looked at the people passed out on the tables, including those Level 5 adventurers.

Expecting them to protect him was a fool's errand...

Lu Cang downed a bottle of Refreshing Potion to relieve the exhaustion of pulling an all-nighter.

Money really does make life easy; you can buy anything.

These 50-silver-per-bottle Refreshing Potions were basically used for keeping watch during adventures. No one would use them just to recover from an all-nighter in normal circumstances.

As usual, he tossed a gold coin to Yakitok first.

He felt like he was starting to adapt to the local customs.

After all, his luck had been exceptionally good these past few days; he had even dropped a Secret Scroll yesterday... The once-atheist Lu Cang had transformed into someone who believed that it was better to believe in something than to doubt it.

He decided to worship first and ask questions later.

He went to find the Librarian, intending to have the Secret Scroll appraised in the process.

A Polymath possesses appraisal skills by nature.

A Level 4 Polymath was already the most powerful Polymath in Rain Town; theoretically, she should have been able to hold a decent civil official position in the capital. He just didn't know why she chose to stay in Rain Town.

Lu Cang arrived at the top floor of the library, in the attic room.

"Pally."

"Come in."

A Level 4 Polymath has a photographic memory. Anything they have seen once, they can recognize at a single glance. The derivation of various theoretical knowledge also requires the help of a Polymath; although they lack combat power, they are a class with maximized knowledge and wisdom.

"Oh, the magic genius is here."

"Speak." Pally seemed to have anticipated Lu Cang's arrival.

Pally didn't receive just anyone; she only received intelligent people. And as a magic genius, Lu Cang was naturally a guest she was willing to see.

"Pally, do you know the name 'Mese'?"

Upon hearing that name, Pally's hand paused while turning a page. "Continue."

Lu Cang continued, "Yesterday, someone suddenly came to find me, wanting me to learn a spell... He said his name was Mese."

Pally closed her book and looked Lu Cang straight in the eye. "Did you learn it?"

Lu Cang shook his head. "No."

Pally looked behind Lu Cang. "Although I really want to tell you to run, running probably won't help."

Hearing this, cold sweat instantly broke out on Lu Cang's skin. He whipped around instantly.

However, there was nothing behind him. It was empty.

Pally: "And? What else did he say?"

Lu Cang: "Pally, can't you tell me who he actually is first?"

Pally replied calmly, "If I don't say it, I won't invite death upon myself. Just continue answering my questions."

Lu Cang hesitated, but answered, "He also said that if I want to learn spells, I should look for him."

"Since he didn't attack you, it means you are temporarily safe. Forget that he came to see me today."

As soon as Pally finished speaking, the door shut.

Lu Cang was rejected outside the door.

Although Pally hadn't revealed Mese's identity, he at least gained one piece of information: Mese was a very dangerous person.

It seemed being cautious was the right move.

Wait! I haven't appraised my Secret Scroll yet!

Lu Cang remembered he had another reason for visiting Pally: the appraisal.

Lu Cang went to knock again, but the door suddenly opened.

Pally was already wearing a sun hat. Moreover, she was dragging a massive suitcase; the books that used to fill her room had completely vanished.

Had they all been packed into the suitcase?

Lu Cang didn't doubt for a second that this suitcase could hold an entire library...

Lu Cang: "Pally?"

Pally: "I'm going traveling for a while."

*Aren't you being a bit too hasty? Was my question really that dangerous? Everyone knows you're a shut-in who spends all day reading in this attic; if you say you're going traveling, who are you trying to fool?*

"By the way, here is my resignation letter. Please hand it to the Mayor. I'll have to trouble you to handle the security of Rain Town from now on."

"Huh?"

Pally handed Lu Cang the resignation letter. Then, with a loud *clatter-clatter-clatter*, she dragged her suitcase away, the heavy thumping sound clashing discordantly with the silence of the library.

"Wait, Pally..."

"One of your Secret Scrolls is 'Death Priest,' and the other is an ancient profession... 'Decryption Scholar.' The one Mese gave you is 'Decryption Scholar.'"

Death Priest? Isn't that a taboo profession?

Lu Cang: "How do you know?"

Pally answered as she walked, "My primary profession is Diviner."

"Primary profession?"

"Sister Pally, isn't your primary profession Polymath?"

Pally did not respond.

Lu Cang asked again, "Sister Pally, what level is your Diviner?"

Pally: "Level 10."

What?

Pally looked back coldly. "Do you believe me?"

Lu Cang: "..."

The level cap in the books is Level 9. Besides, if you really were a Level 10 Diviner, you should have known everything about what I asked regarding Mese without me even opening my mouth.

Lu Cang gave a bright smile. "I believe you."

Pally: "I'm lying to you."

He felt an inexplicable surge of anger.

"Although I'm not that high level, it's enough for you. You'll be able to use the spell Mese gave you. Go to the western town gate now; monsters are gathering in swarms. They are about to invade Rain Town. Don't let hesitation turn into regret."

After leaving the library, Pally dragged her suitcase toward the east.

Lu Cang glanced at the western sky. He hadn't looked for just ten minutes, yet why had the clouds there become so eerie? Black-red clouds flickered with faint red lightning. It looked like a very dangerous scene.

A monster swarm? Why was Rain Town suddenly about to be invaded by a swarm? Things were changing too fast.

*Sorry, Pally. I'm not as altruistic as you think. I'll help where I can, but if I'm not strong enough, I'm not going to throw my life away.*

With that thought, Lu Cang caught up to Pally.

"No, Sister Pally, I'll go with you."

Pally remained expressionless. "Oh."

"Don't you care what Iz and the others think? If they return to find Rain Town reduced to ruins and see that you became a deserter at a time like this, will you have the face to see them?"

*You already said Rain Town would be in ruins. Even those Level 5 adventurers couldn't hold it; what difference would one more combatant make? I'm not invincible yet.*

"Haha, Iz and the others..."

Lu Cang wanted to say they wouldn't blame a child, but the words wouldn't come out. He instead asked Pally, "Then since you know a beast tide is invading, why aren't you going to fight?"

Pally: "I have no combat ability. I can't even beat a slime."

Lu Cang: "..."

That was a perfect excuse.

Pally stopped walking and said calmly, "Lu Cang, there are some things that can only be done by you. I play a role that is dispensable, but you are indispensable... Think carefully about which decision is true to your heart. If you decide to go, I can teach you a few incantations."

Lu Cang fell silent for a moment. He asked, "Pally, how is my fortune today?"

Pally glanced at the sky. "Extreme Auspicious accompanied by Supreme Misfortune."

*Supreme Auspicious.*

He had heard that was the highest level of luck. But the nonsense of a Diviner felt very hard to trust...

Lu Cang: "Sister Pally, is your divination accurate?"

Pally: "Very accurate."

"And if I don't go?"

"Minor luck accompanied by Great Misfortune."

"Fine, I'm going."

Although he didn't want to believe a Diviner's bluff, this was an otherworldly realm where magic actually existed, so he gritted his teeth and believed her. Between "Supreme Auspicious accompanied by Great Misfortune" and "Minor Luck accompanied by Great Misfortune," Lu Cang wasn't stupid; he knew which one to pick.

Lu Cang left.

Pally did not look back at his retreating figure, merely muttering under her breath, "Extreme Misfortune accompanied by Supreme Auspicious... what an eerie fate."

It was indeed Supreme Auspicious accompanied by Misfortune, except... it was *Extreme* Misfortune.

*Little brother, it seems no one told you: never blindly trust a stranger who claims to be a Diviner.*