Daly repeatedly described the process and emphasized:
"Remember not to change the specific description casually or you might attract terrifying monsters."
"Yes," Clayne replied honestly.
Thinking quickly, Clayne wondered:
"What would happen if I changed the description to 'the Fool from a different era, the mysterious sovereign above the mists, the king of fortune with yellow and black dominion'?"
Would it be ineffective, or would gray mists suddenly descend on me? Or should I respond in that mystical space?
Would this help me more in accessing the powers above the mists?
Could something terrifying happen as a chain reaction?
Clayne, still recovering from his recent misfortune with the "Mutated Solar Seal," decided to first consult the mists and then decide whether he wanted to try.
He asked interestedly:
"Lady, how long would it take to go from sequence 8 to 7 and from 7 to 6 if I strictly follow 'acting'?"
"According to my records, going from sequence 8 to 7 might take a few months, while advancing from 7 to 6 could be a year or more," Daly said.
Clayne nodded. "Thank you for your help."
Daly smiled and left, saying, "Good night."
"You’ll have a good dream tonight," Clayne said with a bow.
"No, not tonight. I need to return to Blackkland; it’s no pleasant experience like being intimate with someone you dislike..."
Daly's voice grew softer as the translucent face slowly retreated into the wall, leaving no trace.
The gas lamp brightened suddenly, and all the greenish shades vanished.
Clayne, who had been using spiritual vision, was momentarily stunned. He regained his composure after a while.
"Seer, or Necromancer—so powerful to create spirits from beyond the mists... I wonder what my sequence 7 and 6 will have in store for me..." he muttered silently before quickly removing the spiritual barrier and turning off the gas lamp in his bedroom. He quietly lay down on the bed.
Clayne did not plan to go to the mists tonight; he needed to be cautious of Daly's sudden return, using Dune Smith’s classic saying: "By the way, I forgot something."
If that happened, he wouldn’t even dare to kill her!
---
The next day, Clayne entered Blackthorn Security Company three minutes early.
"Good morning, Clayne. A new administrative staff has arrived!" Rosanne greeted with a radiant smile.
Clayne sincerely wished her well:
"Congratulations, Rosanne. Our Lady heard your prayers."
Rosanne nodded excitedly. "My skin condition will get better!"
After exchanging pleasantries, Clayne walked to the partition and knocked on Captain Dune's office door.
"Come in," Dune’s deep voice responded.
Clayne pushed open the door and saw Dune instinctively sitting up straighter, his gray eyes becoming more profound. He was preparing for a visitor.
"Ahem." Clayne cleared his throat, sat down with his hat and cane, and began speaking, "Captain, I have something to report."
"What is it?" Dune asked in a low, serious tone as he clasped his hands together.