The Glorious Evolution

Levi swiftly shook his head in rejection of his own suggestions... he knew that selling some of Alzhukar’s artifacts might backfire on him in case the Supervising Radian still sought after the S+ Grade Helio Fusion Cannon.

Since most of Alzhukar’s treasures were registered under his name, the moment any of his items hit the market... or even the black market... someone as authoritative as the Supervising Radian would be able to get the information in no time.

Supervising Radians possessed immense reach within their Dimensional Sector and even in the Boundless Expanse... Levi had no intentions of poking the nest any time soon.

As for selling the rest of the unregistered treasures, like potions, materials, and such... Levi planned on putting them in his shop to bolster the sales and bring in more attention. Selling them in the market willy-nilly just seemed like a waste of such rare and ancient treasures.

”Spinning wheel isn’t a great option either,” Levi murmured as he checked on The Dealer and Madam Future’s messages tab... he wanted to set up a meeting to revisit the favor of helping him minimize the odds of landing on the Trap Section of the wheel.

He hadn’t forgotten about what happened to Ash’Kral’s previous partner... he told him that the moment his partner landed on the trap section, he found himself sent to a Death Game with barely any minutes to read the rules and prepare... why? Because the original Rifter hadn’t turned up to the game in time (died), forcing the System to reach out to the most available replacement that fit the conditions of the game.

”Although the Wheel of Fortune and Madness traps aren’t exclusive to last-minute fill-ins, I doubt the rest of the options will be any less dangerous.”

Following his remark, Levi pulled out the dimensional screen of the Wheel of Fortune and Madness... Just like the first time, Levi was left awed at the sight of the randomized rewards he had the chance to win:

A 95% discount rate in the Infinity Shop for one item... 20 Citadel-graded fragments... an ’A’ Grade ten-token package... and most significantly, an SS-Grade Recovery Totem.

But his excitement was extinguished a little after seeing the six trap cards placed between the rewards.

”Ahh... It’s too damn risky.” Levi smiled wryly.

He knew that it was going to be a serious struggle to survive getting thrown into a Baron-rank Death Game while he still hadn’t unlocked his Dominion.

Since The Dealer and Madam Future wouldn’t guarantee him success, he just couldn’t risk it... not now at least.

”Wait...”

Suddenly, Levi raised a brow in surprise after remembering that he might have just the right cheat code to guarantee him a win!

”Omnithar... is there a possibility to fulfill a wish that can guarantee me winning the SS Grade Recovery Totem despite the imposed limitations? If so, what’s the price?” Levi wondered, his tone hopeful.

The Omnithar Genie remained silent for a few moments, appearing to be doing some calculations.

After some time, he lifted his head and answered calmly, ”It’s impossible to fulfill a wish that allows me to interact with the Wheel’s mechanism in my current condition...”

”Sigh... thought s...”

However, before Levi could sink into disappointment, the Genie continued.

”Unless... you can wish to breathe a temporary soul into the Wheel, which you can command to stop at your desired card.”

Levi was a little surprised, not expecting such an option to be available... he thought that Wheels of Fortune and Madness were operated by the System, which shouldn’t make the wish possible, unless...

”The price will be about five million AU minimum, and it will increase depending on the longevity of the soul.”

”You don’t say?” Levi’s brows twitched.

Five million AU? Levi was certain that even if he won all the rewards from the wheel, it wouldn’t cover the cost!

But, he understood the pricing, considering that the wish needed to add detection protection from the System.

”My apologies for not being much of a help...” The Omnithar Genie lowered his head, ”I am bound by the laws... always.”

”No need for apologies... we will make it work somehow.”

Levi waved his hand dismissively, not taking his vexation out on the Genie... he might seem useless, and everything he said was overpriced as hell, but Levi knew that a time would come when he would be grateful to have him on his side.

Realizing that his options had gotten slimmer and that everything related to money was halted by his nonexistent business, Levi figured out that he had only one move forward... a move with minimal sacrifice.

”Fuck ’em...” He sneered indifferently, ”I am postponing the meeting schedule until I get my business up and running to collect the resources needed for the wish.”

Levi truly tried his best to figure out a way not to reschedule for a second time... it wasn’t like he cared about losing the Bishop’s respect, but he knew that it would paint him as someone who had no word and was untrustworthy.

He didn’t want to give this impression right away... but now? He couldn’t care less. If he was going to work with a Bishop, he would do it on his own terms.

Levi felt this way only after the extra spicy Sun corruption invaded his main soul... now, once his pride was threatened, it awakened to set him straight... or worsen his situation more than he could ever imagine.

Without hesitation, Levi sent another D-mail to Wei-Lan, and then he reopened the dimensional real estate market in Nocturn’s Heart City.

...

As he was browsing through the listed properties for a decent-sized store, Bishop Va’ren was standing in his dimly lit lab, his eyes fixed on a bubbling bronze cauldron.

The liquid inside was a dark shade of purple, emitting a thick, sweet-smelling steam. He held a small vial of crushed silver herbs, waiting for the exact moment the potion reached a simmer.

”Just a few more seconds,” he muttered to himself, fully concentrated.

Just as he was about to pour the crushed herbs, a soft chime echoed in his mind... then, an automatic dimensional notification appeared in the air, glowing with the symbol of a D-mail. It had been forwarded to him by Wei-Lan.

Bishop Va’ren didn’t look away from his work.

”Open it,” he commanded, slightly irritated at being disturbed at such a critical moment.

It wasn’t like he didn’t turn off his notifications before entering the lab... he did for almost everyone, except Wei-Lan.

In case of this...

The mail expanded, displaying Levi’s message... As Bishop Va’ren read the lines, his hand paused mid-air. His brow furrowed, and the composed expression he usually wore vanished.

”Rescheduled for another month... why?” he whispered.

The potion in the cauldron began to sizzle as a spark of orange light flickered in the purple liquid... a sign that the temperature was rising too fast.

Still as calm as ever, Bishop Va’ren brought the temperature back to normal and closed the lid on the cauldron... then, he sat on the chair and placed one leg over the other, the mail still open in front of him.

”Is he having second thoughts? Or, is he doing this to see if I will show my true colors?”

Bishop Va’ren tapped his finger on his elbow, deep in thought. After a moment or two, he shrugged while glancing at the cauldron.

”This works too, I guess... I have more time to finish my backup plan.”

Bishop Va’ren’s smile stretched from ear to ear, a bit sinisterly... as he looked at the cauldron’s surface, the reflection showed an image of Levi walking through a storm while engulfed in green ethereal flames.

”The boy is the key to my ascension. The Glorious Evolution... It’s no longer just a dream; it’s finally within sight.” He mumbled to himself, his eyes gleaming with a flicker of unpredictable madness.