"I made it! I made big money!"
In his soul form, Lofan looked at his newly arrived points, and this ti he truly showed a brilliant smile from the bottom of his heart.
This ti, Lofan had earned a staggering 5,000 points in one go. After deducting the 300-point cost of this body, the profit was simply too good to be true.
Don't be deceived by the idea that jumping from a building with a ten-point body could net over a hundred points. This was reality, not a ga. If he tried that maneuver a few more tis, Fontaine's managent would undoubtedly take action, making future jumps far more difficult.
Moreover, if he really jumped dozens more tis, Fontaine's streets would likely beco completely deserted.
What pleased Lofan even more was that this action was rely one part of his plan. If everything went according to his sche, he could easily earn five-digit point rewards.
The only thing that made Lofan feel slightly guilty was Charlotte's face, which hadn't shown a smile in ages. He had chosen her partly because he understood her professional capabilities. As an excellent journalist, Charlotte wouldn't overlook any detail, giving him ample room to maneuver.
Lofan would need Charlotte's help to achieve his goals in the future. This ti, he simply wanted to give her an early taste of the treacherous nature of human relationships, so she could maintain proper vigilance when dealing with people in the future.
On the other hand, Lofan was preparing to test whether drawing the attention of important characters would yield more point rewards.
For instance, when he first died while acting heroically, the witnesses were just ordinary passersby. If any of those bystanders had possessed a Vision, would that have granted him more points?
The answer seed likely to be yes. The disparity between the points he'd earned from the previous suicide attempt and this recent death was too great. If points could be equated with attention or influence, the key difference must lie in the presence of several important figures during this Trial.
Oh, and perhaps his dying declaration had played a role too.
He was indeed from the House of the Hearth, a mber of the Fatui. Wasn't it natural for him to pledge loyalty to the Empress of Snezhnaya?
As for how this act might affect the Fatui, well, he couldn't be blad for that. He'd already died, after all. Having served the Fatui diligently for so many years, couldn't he at least enjoy a bit of posthumous attention before passing?
However, one thing did surprise Lofan: the Chief Justice turned out to be just an ordinary character. He had carefully observed the man earlier, and based on his imposing presence, high status, and handso looks, he shouldn't have been a minor role. Yet Lofan couldn't find any Vision on him.
"Huh? It's raining now?"
While pondering, Lofan followed Charlotte to the Opera Epiclese, where they found light rain falling outside.
"I rember it was sunny just a mont ago... Oh well, must be Fontaine's weather pattern."
With that thought, Lofan let the matter go and addressed Charlotte, who stood gazing blankly at the drizzling sky.
"I'm off. Though I used you, you've gained quite the reputation. Back at the Steam Bird, you'll probably get a raise. The Maison Gardiennage might even give you a comndation flag."
Though Lofan knew Charlotte couldn't hear or see him in his current state, he still waved goodbye.
"See you next ti! I'll need your help with my points in the future!"
In the next mont, Lofan chose to respawn without hesitation, once again selecting a body worth three hundred points.
After examining this body's mories, Lofan found little of use. The owner was just an ordinary citizen of Fontaine - and a poor one at that.
With roughly a month's worth of living expenses in hand, Lofan decided to venture out and find a safe place to hide his money.
Absolutely can't put it in a box, he thought. So Yellow haired lackey will definitely find it and pocket it for himself!
And I can't deposit it in a Northern Bank or similar institution either. My characters keep changing, and that could easily cause unnecessary trouble.
So Lofan found a secluded spot and buried all his money. After finishing, he dusted off his hands, feeling the body's extre exhaustion.
Since I'm tired, I should rest properly!
Lofan made his way to a familiar high point. From here, he could see most of Fontaine, though he wasn't here to enjoy the view.
Lofan scanned the bustling crowd. The recent unrest had thinned the streets, but now that the mastermind behind the chaos had been captured, tried, and executed, Fontaine Street had regained its forr liveliness.
"How wonderful it is to live in peaceful tis!" Lofan mused. Without hesitation, he vaulted over the railing and plumted toward the ground below, drawing gasps from the pedestrians below...
"Lofan, I hope you find redemption in your next life."
Charlotte placed the floral bouquet before Lofan's grave. Her heart had finally settled into calm.
"I'll do my utmost to aid those at society's lowest rungs. I don't want to encounter another you."
"By the way, this is my final visit. I won't return here again."
Having spoken her last words, Charlotte turned on her heel without pause. Only after putting considerable distance between herself and the cetery did her body collapse like a deflated balloon, as if all strength had been drained from her limbs.
Charlotte couldn't rember how she'd returned to the Steam Bird. When she appeared at the newspaper's entrance, she once again regretted the day she'd bumped into Lofan, an incident that had haunted her thoughts countless tis over the past few days.
If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be suffering like this now.
Shaking her head vigorously, Charlotte banished the thought. Without that initial encounter, the victims of the serial suicide case would keep piling up. She couldn't afford such distractions.
With a sigh, she stepped inside the Steam Bird. No sooner had she entered than the editor-in-chief hurried toward her. His eyes lit up upon seeing her, and he quickened his pace.
"Charlotte, you're here! I need to tell you sothing urgent."
"The serial suicide case has another victim!"
At these words, Charlotte's body froze completely...
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