Chapter 25: Magician's Hand

Gasping loudly, Charles opened his eyes and soon clutched his right arm as he felt immense pain from his right hand. He hurriedly looked at his hand and then held his breath for a second.

'How did I get injured in the physical world?... Could it be that strange dream's doing?... Can the dream really influence reality?' He silently sat on the soft bed for few more seconds in shock and soon heaved a heavy sigh.

'That was dangerous. I shouldn't have acted carelessly. But, man, who would have thought that strange dream world would really influence the reality itself? I actually thought of searching for some clue about Eddie Nightwind. But, I ended up meeting some strange humanoid monster.' He paused for a moment and soon realized that he was missing some memories from the dream world.

'Wait... I can't recall that monster's clear appearance! What is it?... Is it also entered into that dream world through some strange skill or object? Hmm, I should act carefully from now on.' He muttered inwardly and placed the 'Nightmare Stone' in the cabinet. After that, he took out a notebook, ink bottle, and a golden quill from the cupboard and started writing everything about the strange dream world. He had a feeling that he might completely forget about the dream-world incident if he didn't record it.

'If some monster killed me in the nightmare world, would I also die in reality?' While he was writing, an absurd thought appeared in his mind.

'Unlike others, I didn't run out of luck. It must be the artifact's doing.' Charles nodded as he finished his writing and soon turned his attention towards the interface.

'Hmm, I have 1,378 Experience points. I should spend 200 Experience points and merge [Trickster's Hand] and [Snatch] skills.' He thought for a while and soon spent 200 exp.

[200 Experience points have been deduced!]

[Merging [Snatch] and [Trickster's Hand] skills!]

[Merging Successful!]

[Unique skill [Magician's Hand] has been created!]

...

A moment later, some information about the [Magician's Hand] skill appeared in his mind, causing him a little discomfort. Groaning slightly, Charles clutched his head for a second and soon read the newly obtained information.

'Magician's Hand... This skill looks similar to Earth Magician's [Sleight of Hand] skill...An ultimate skill used to deceive countless audiences... If I concentrate carefully, I can even move objects from afar... Telekinesis?' He was stunned for a moment and soon noticed that it was not.

'Magician's Hand can move objects through a strange invisible string. Once I activate this skill, my hand will release an invisible string, and that string will move according to my thought.'

'If I upgrade this Magician's Hand skill further, I can even turn other objects to become invisible...' He curled his lips upward and soon turned his attention towards the game interface.

'I still have 1178 Exp. Before I chose any random spell model, I need to learn about my weakness.' He thought for a moment and soon recalled the previous incident.

'I'm more or less vulnerable to mind or dream-related things. Are there any mind-reading-like fire spell models in the spellbook?' He skimmed through the skill book and soon groaned as he saw only one mind-related spell in the fire skill book.

'But It doesn't look like a good one, though. As for other spells, most of them are attack spell models, supportive spell models, and defensive spell models. It looks like I need to adapt to the situation and start learning mind-controlling skills. Although it is a time-consuming process, I think I can achieve it in a year or two. If not, I will have to buy some mind-related artifacts from the black market.' He muttered inwardly and then thought about his unique skills.

'[Conceal] and [Inspect] skills are good for now. [Snatch] skill is already merged with [Trickster's Hand] skill, so all that left is [Dark Vision] skill. Hmm, I don't think I need to spend any more skill points on this skill.' He nodded thoughtfully.

'As for the [Sharpshooting] skill, I still didn't see it on the interface. Hmm, once I use the Ember Pistol, I will get the [Sharpshooting] skill. If my luck is good, I might get the [Sniping] skill instead of the [Sharpshooting] skill.'

'Should I construct the [Flame Body] spell model now?' He thought for a while and soon dismissed that idea.

'I will do it after I get my hands on the Runal language book.' He made up his mind and then stood up from his bed. He then opened the cub-board and took out a silver pocket watch. After that, he opened the case front and glanced inside.

'It's already 5.40 P.M.'

After checking the time, he closed the pocket watch with a click and placed it on the wooden table. Charles then took out the small book, which Russell gave him earlier, and put it beside the silver pocket watch.

He then went to the shower to wash his face and soon walked out of it in casual clothes. After taking the pocket watch and the small book, he walked out of the bedroom and soon entered his study, located opposite the storeroom.

Once he walked in, he locked the door from inside and seated on the Wingback Chair.

Leaning forward a little, he placed the small book on the wooden table and then put the pocket watch in his shirt pocket.

He then took the wooden box that was placed on the table and opened it.

A savory aroma assaulted his nose as he opened the lunch box. He inhaled deeply with a pleasant smile before placing the napkin on his lap and took the fork from the table. He then glanced inside the wooden box and noticed a few fried chicken pieces, three sandwiches, and two egg toasts placed inside. Pressing his lips together, he picked the fried chicken piece using the fork and took a bite.

A crispy, juicy flesh entered his mouth as he chewed the tasty fried chicken for a while and then gulped it down. He then picked the egg toast and ate it slowly. After swallowing the final bite, he took the sandwich pieces one by one and started eating them. By the time he finished his lunch, it was already 6.15 P.M.

After closing the wooden lunch box, he cleaned the table and placed the lunch box outside the study room. He then closed the study room door from inside and sat on the Wingback Chair.

Following that, he opened the small black-covered book and started reading the title.

"Abnormal Mystics- By Russell."

'Did he really write a detailed book about mystics?' He stared at the book in surprise for a moment and soon turned the page.

"Current Name: Lucas King

Original Name: Unknown

Age: 34

Sex: Male

Occupation: Librarian

Class Name and strength: ??? (Possibly a Reader- Rank 2 Mystic.)

Abnormalities: None.

Facial description: Short blonde hair, wide-set hazel eyes, square face, and around 176 cm high.

Residential Address: 355A Olive Street, Riverdale City.

Danger level: Medium...

...

Current Name: Mateo Torris

Original Name: Unknown

Age: 29

Sex: Male

Occupation: Carpenter

Class Name and strength: ??? (Possibly a Dream Walker- Rank 3 Mystic.)

Abnormalities: None.

Facial description: Short grey hair, deep-set blue eyes, an oval face, and around 185 cm high.

Residential Address No.1: 456 Ivy Street, Riverdale City.

Residential Address No.2: 22A Bell Street, Commoners' Borough, Royal Capital, Arc Kingdom.

Danger level: Unknown.

...

Charles memorized the names and descriptions one by one and soon stopped his hands as he saw his own mother's name on some random page.

...

Current Name: Eve Miller

Original Name: ???? (Eve Nightwind)

Age: 35

Sex: Female

Occupation: Diviner

Class Name and strength: ??? (Possible a Prognosticator- Rank 2 Mystic.)

Abnormalities: Involved in a kidnapping incident.

Physical appearance: Blue eyes, short eyebrows, long deep-blue hair, fleshy nose, and olive skin.

Residential Address: 45 El Street, Riverdale City.

Danger Level- Medium

...

'As expected, they were monitoring our movements all this time. But even they found out about our family background only after this kidnapping incident... Then, who is the real culprit behind the kidnapping incident? Who leaked the information about our location to the Nightwind family... Is it the Red-Haired man?' He abruptly froze for a second and soon started flipping his page one by one. Instead of memorizing the names and their abilities, he focused his attention on their physical appearance.

After an hour, he completely checked the book and then wrote numbers on black paper using a black quill.

Real Charles got this quill pen as a present for his last birthday from his archaeological classmate Derrick. Derrick was also his close friend... Because of his selfishness, Charles joined the archaeological department instead of the Healers Department after they finished their Basic school studies. Shaking those useless thoughts away from his head, Charles dipped the black quill into the opened ink bottle and then started writing.

"Mystics with red-hair.

Page no- 24, Name- Austin Thomas

Page No- 32, Name- Declan Mitchell

Page No- 45, Name- Addie Baker

Page No- 64, Name- Ayden Green

Page No- 69, Name- Cole Rivera

Page No- 87, Name- Luis Ramirez."

'Austin, Declan, Addie, Ayden... Addie? I think I heard of this name before... But where did I hear it?' Charles raised his eyebrows for a moment and soon started recalling his memories. After thinking for a moment, he flipped the page to 45 and soon widened his eyes.

...

Current Name: Addie Baker

Original Name: Unknown

Age: 30

Sex: Male

Occupation: Tycoon

Class Name and strength: ??? (We knew nothing about his class.)

Abnormalities: None.

Physical appearance: Short red hair, around 30-years-old with a slightly obese body, crimson eyes, an oval face, skinny eyebrows, and strange bluish teethes.

Residential address no 1: Evergreen Mansion, 57A Lost Street, Riverdale City, Arc Kingdom.

Residential address no 2: Windy Residency, 84 Gold Street, Riverdale City, Arc Kingdom.

Residential address no 3: Mangrove House, 112A Brook's Street, Riverdale City, Arc Kingdom.

Residential Address no 4: Mad House, 158C Amber Street, Nobles' Borough, Royal Capital, Arc Kingdom...

...

Charles's complexion turned gloomy as he stared at the page.

'No doubt about it. Addie is the red-haired man!' He got stunned for a moment and soon frowned.

'If he had read my memory, then he should have known that Mr. Hunt had already told me about him, right?' He creased his eyebrows in suspicion for a second and soon thought of another possibility.

'What if he didn't read my memory and only learned through hypnosis-like skill? Possible... Then, did he know about my transmigration? If so, why didn't he abduct me to search for more clues?' He thought for a moment and soon made a guess.

'He might not have known anything about my transmigration. Although mind-related skills look fearsome, they are not omnipotent skills. There may be some restrictions.' He nodded thoughtfully and then fell into deep thoughts.

'Even though I learned the identity of my enemy, I don't have the power to control my life.' He heaved a heavy sigh and lamented in depression.

'There are two ways to gain experience points. One is by participating in the regular mission. Unfortunately, Russell won't allow me to do that. He might have already suspected that my sudden increase in strength is somehow related to the Holem's Crown. If he had known about Holem's Crown's miracle ability, then I'm damn sure that he would put me in house arrest.' He shook his head.

'The second option is a very dangerous one, and that is to enter the Dream World. If I enter the Dream World using the 'Nightmare Stone,' I don't need to worry about the prying eyes and gain hundreds of experience points in a single day. But the problem is the dangers hidden in that Dreamworld. Those monstrous birds and other creatures are not something I can easily mess with. If I made a single mistake, I might even end up dead in the real world.' A wry smile appeared on his face as he thought of his current predicament.

'I will explore the Woolgather World after I get the Ember Pistol.' He turned his face serious and then shifted his attention to the small book.

'It's time for me to memorize this book.' He mumbled inwardly and started flipping the pages once again.

The sky turned darker, and soon the three ominous red moons painted the sky with dark-red lights. In the meantime, Charles lit the magic lamp and continued his study.

Around 9 P.M, he went downstairs to have dinner and then returned in 30 minutes. He continued studying the list for another two hours and finally finished the whole book around midnight. He then went to his bedroom and rested for the next four hours.

...