Inside his pocket, there was nothing but a few gold pounds of small denominations.
This was all money, a large sum of money.
Beyonder characteristics, especially in the early stages when there are no stable channels, are not cheap.
Nairn calculated in his mind.
The "Spectator" characteristic is used to learn acting, observing, and analyzing social role templates.
The "Cold-blooded One" characteristic requires an instinct that disregards order and seeks excitement. Isn't that the entry-level fuel for a [Fun-seeker]?
These two Sequence 9 characteristics are still manageable, but what about after that? sequence 8 Beyonder characteristics have already begun to move beyond the reach of normal people.
Of course, it doesn't have to be Beyonder characteristics; Beyonder materials work as well.
But in reality, there's no difference.
Being poor is the number one problem. It seems that making money is the most urgent matter at hand.
Besides the issue of advancement, there's a more long-term hidden danger—the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence.
In today's matter, he was able to scare off Nester by relying on information asymmetry and a Demigod Trial Card. But thinking about it from Nester's perspective, this matter reeks of something bizarre.
A demigod, the King of the Five Seas, randomly picks a ship at sea to rob, only to run headfirst into another demigod with a weird aura and unfathomable depth?
The probability of this isn't much higher than being struck by lightning while walking.
Nester has lived for so long; suspicions like "fishing" or "conspiracy" must have popped into his head.
Although the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence is a fundamental rule that attracts the strong to one another, it doesn't work like this, bringing two demigods face-to-face so directly.
It's too coincidental. Coincidental to the point of being abnormal.
His final choice to retreat certainly had an element of caution, but more likely, he was probably stunned by this "coincidence" and didn't want to step easily into an unknown trap.
But Nairn knew in his heart that this really wasn't some conspiracy, at least not someone else's conspiracy.
This was determined by the characteristics of his two Pathways.
[Player] and [Fun-seeker].
One represents a variable in the narrative, and the other represents an accident outside the rules.
How could a qualified [Player] let the stage go cold?
How could a qualified [Fun-seeker] tolerate a dull and boring plot?
He, this "anomaly" from outside the world, was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, born to stir up waves. Until he reached his destination, he shouldn't expect any peaceful days.
Trouble will automatically find its way to him, and the drama will take the initiative to open its curtains.
Or rather, his very existence would "create" trouble and drama.
Thinking of this, instead of feeling anxious, Nairn grinned, revealing a smile that could be described as manic.
His wicked nature, hidden deep in his bones and fearing only a lack of chaos in the world, was completely revived at this moment.
This transmigration seems... to be getting more and more interesting.
He even began to crave, to crave the staging of a grander, more absurd, and more unexpected "drama"... The next few days of the voyage were unexpectedly calm. The Black Emperor did not appear again, order on the ship returned to normal, and there were no deviations or delays in the itinerary.
Nairn was happy to have the peace and quiet.
In these few days, besides eating, he basically locked himself in his room.
On one hand, he was planning his subsequent advancement route and money-making schemes; on the other hand, he was studying the new changes to his "thousand faces" persona.
He discovered that this fictional character, activated through the "Name Sealing" ritual, was practically like an upgradeable "game account."
Specifically, that Instigator named Tris was simply a super "experience pack."
Every time Tris filled in the blanks for "thousand faces" in his mind, every time he deepened his "cognition," it would make the character of "thousand faces" itself more "real," even deriving some new minor characteristics.
For instance, over the past two days, Tris had presumably been in his cabin, repeatedly imagining the concept that "The Great One is omniscient and all-knowing."
As a result, Nairn was pleasantly surprised to find that the [Insight] ability on the "thousand faces" character card seemed to have actually received a negligible boost.
Now, just by listening to the footsteps in the hallway with his ears, he could roughly judge whether the other person's mood was anxious or relaxed.
"Holy crap, isn't this 'Word as Law' (Imagination Version)?"
This discovery made Nairn ecstatic.
This meant that as long as he continued to maintain the profound and unfathomable persona of "thousand faces" and constantly "manifested divinity" before Tris, or more "believers" in the future, this persona would snowball and get stronger and stronger!
This was a growth-type cheat with infinite potential!
A Sequence 4 demigod ability, just by creating an account and Name Sealing, could obtain an "avatar" that could continuously grow.
This ability is way too BUGged!
Nairn even associated it with—"My persona unknowingly became the final BOSS"?
Thinking this way, he instantly understood why the Sequence 4 Identity Planning itself didn't have any direct offensive Beyonder abilities.
With just this ability to create a "growth-type avatar," if it were paired with some powerful offensive means, then this Sequence wouldn't just be overpowered, it would simply break the game balance!
How could other Pathways, especially the Warrior Pathway, even play anymore?
Just as Nairn was immersed in the joy of studying his new ability, a soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound was very light, carrying obvious respect and hesitation.
Nairn didn't even lift an eyelid; he knew who it was.
Except for that Tris, whom he had already completely fooled, it wouldn't be anyone else.
He didn't make a sound, just waited quietly.
The person outside the door seemed very nervous, standing in place for a full half-minute before finally summoning the courage to speak cautiously, with a voice suppressing excitement and awe.
"Great... Sir, I am very sorry to disturb your rest."
"May I... may I have the honor of taking a moment of your time?"
Outside the door, Tris's voice carried an imperceptible tremor.
These past few days, he had spent every day in torment and fanaticism.
On one hand, the fear of the "Demoness" fate gnawed at his heart like a poisonous snake.
On the other hand, his worship and awe of Nairn, this mysterious existence, gave him a glimpse of the only hope to escape this terrible fate.
He recalled the scene from that day over and over—the instant reveal of the chaotic Mythical Creature form, that question "Do I look... like a human, or like a god?", and that terrifying Dread that made even the King of the Five Seas retreat.
All of this proved that he had encountered a great existence that could not be measured by common sense! A deity walking among mortals!
He knew the other party had seen through all his secrets, including the deepest curse of the "Assassin" Pathway.
So, did this existence also possess a way to solve this curse?
This thought grew like weeds in his heart, finally prompting him to muster all his courage and come to this door.
Inside the room, Nairn still did not respond.
For a smart and suspicious person like Tris, the more enthusiastic you are, the more cautious he becomes.
Only this unfathomable, uncaring posture could make him complete all the psychological activities himself and convince himself.
Sure enough, Tris outside the door became even more nervous; he could even hear the "thump-thump" of his own heart racing.
Is he angered by my presumptuous disturbance? Or is it that a mortal like me simply has no right to speak with Him?
Just as Tris was overthinking and almost about to retreat in despair, a flat and indifferent admonition finally came from inside the door.
"Look, you're getting anxious again."