"But it’s a pity; these beautiful and majestic insects have already gone extinct on the island."
The old man’s words suddenly carried a hint of lancholy.
Hearing this, Alka quickly asked, "Extinct? Why?"
The old man appeared sowhat indignant at Alka’s question.
But his voice carried a trace of helplessness as he said, "Did you see the avenue covered in flowers when you entered the city?
"Many of those flowers were transplanted from other islands, so of which are quite beautiful, but their pollen is lethal to the Golden Horn Hamr.
"This caused an ecological imbalance on the island, but those noblen wouldn’t care about such things."
"Sigh." He couldn’t help but let out a sigh at this point.
Alka could only nod in understanding.
But he asked, "Then when did this insect beco extinct?"
"Probably over 20 years ago."
Upon hearing this, Alka felt a bad premonition. According to the Treasure Information, unlocking Treasure Vault 5 might require this Golden Horn Hamr. He didn’t know if it was symbolic, if he really needed a living Golden Horn Hamr, or if a specin would still work. But in this situation, Alka had no choice but to prepare on multiple fronts.
After frowning in thought for a mont, he asked, "Besides this island, is there any other island with the Golden Horn Hamr?"
Seeing Alka seem genuinely interested in the insect, the old man’s eyes lit up sowhat.
He directly grabbed Alka’s wrist, leading him to the counter inside.
"Co, co, I once collected an album that ntioned an island having this kind."
With that, he pulled Alka along.
Upon reaching the counter, he rummaged around underneath, then put on gloves and took out a well-preserved book of insect illustrations from a wooden box. He carefully flipped through it.
Alka saw that each page of the insect illustrations was so lifelike, as if they were photographs, and their rarity was evident.
Midway through, the old man turned the book over, pointed at one, and said, "It’s this one."
Looking at the drawing and description, Alka wanted to reach out and touch it, but his hand stopped halfway.
Seeing this gesture, the old man nodded, even more satisfied, his gaze towards Alka growing increasingly amiable.
He proceeded to explain, "The Golden Horn Hamr, due to its beautiful appearance, is often a collector’s item for insect enthusiasts.
"However, most enthusiasts intentionally protect them. Records indicate that on Antefos-Saint Armor Island, this insect exists; it’s a sanctuary for enthusiasts.
"If I were only a bit younger, that would be great. A sea journey isn’t suitable for an old fellow like now."
Hearing the desired information, Alka quickly morized it.
After chatting with the old man a bit more, he bade farewell and left.
Observing it wasn’t yet dusk outside, he continued to wander around like a tourist.
While strolling, he noticed a crowd gathered, seemingly watching sothing. Alka’s curiosity was piqued, and he glanced over.
He saw a man dressed like a clown in slightly exaggerated fashion, performing acrobatics and magic for the crowd.
Magic!
Seeing the situation, Alka couldn’t help moving closer to watch.
After watching a performance, the clown took a bow.
The crowd took out so coins, tossing them into the box in front of the clown.
Alka’s eyes shone slightly as he saw the coins piling up in the box. Soone even tossed a Silver Snake inside.
In his view, the clown’s magic was just so-so. He could completely see through all the magic techniques.
Looking at the money, he couldn’t help but consider his own situation.
Due to an accident, he didn’t have much money with him. If he ran out, it would be very detrintal to his disguise. Perhaps he could perform like this too. Since learning magic, he had never truly perford for outsiders.
Observing the clown leaving to perform elsewhere, Alka ventured into a different restaurant to dine.
After finishing his al, during the sunset’s afterglow, he walked along a neat and attractive stone path towards the villa. He happened to see Mrs. Anda chatting with a group of won and greeted her.
「After returning to the villa.」
After so light tidying up, he headed to his room. He took the Magic Mirror from the wardrobe again and placed it on the bedside table. With so light lingering outside, he lit the oil lamp.
At this mont, Alka felt the pocket watch in his pocket vibrating slightly.
Opening it, he saw it was the embedded blue Crystal Slab on the watch cover that was vibrating.
He imdiately crouched down and felt under the bed, retrieving the chanical spider.
"Alka, Alka..."
"I’m here."
"We are ready and plan to head to the location you ntioned at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow night. Do you want to co?"
Alka pushed the watch cover aside and checked.
Calculating the itinerary for tomorrow, he replied, "No problem. Tomorrow night, I’ll join you."
"Alright, it’s settled then. Rember to stay safe."
"Mm."
He then stuffed the spider back under the bed. He sat by the bedside table, watching the Magic Mirror on it and waiting for night to fall. While waiting, Alka’s hands moved up and down as he practiced magic, simultaneously working on the flexibility of his hands.
The bright full moon hung high in the sky.
By now, the surroundings had already fallen silent.
Through the drawn curtain, Alka observed the Magic Mirror, but it showed no sign of any unusual activity. He frowned slightly. After thinking for a mont, he put it back in the wardrobe. Then he extinguished the oil lamp and went to bed.
Before long, the sound of Alka’s even breathing arose.
In the darkness, Alka heard a distant, vague voice. So soft it was threadlike, an extrely faint sound like a thread winding around Alka’s ear.
"Help... help , help..."
In the darkness, hearing the faint cry for help, Alka wanted to open his eyes, move his hands, twist his body. But undoubtedly, he couldn’t. In the dark, it was as if his body was no longer under his brain’s control. His consciousness and sense of touch could still perceive his body, but it felt as if he had lost all command over it. He could only listen to the cry for help, unable to react, as if still in a deep sleep.
Helplessly, after roughly understanding the plea for help, Alka had no choice but to repeat questions in his mind.
Who are you? Are you trapped in the Magic Mirror? How can I save you?
The three questions repeated in his mind.
It seed the voice had indeed received the information from Alka’s mind. The vague voice began to change.
"Magic Power... touch... touch... help..."
Various words repeated, combining around his ears.
Akka generally understood what it wanted to convey. It seed to want him to use Magic Power to beco a "Toucher" and release it from the Magic Mirror. That was probably the aning.
No problem. If it’s possible, I’ll save you. But can you release first? I’d like to get so proper sleep.
This ti, the entity seed to understand Alka’s intended ssage much more easily.
"Alright... promise..."
Okay, I promise. If it’s possible, when I beco a Toucher, I’ll find a way to free you from the Magic Mirror.
Alka conveyed this sincerely in his thoughts.
Finally, he seed to regain control over his body. No longer buried in darkness, he imdiately opened his eyes. By moonlight, he looked at his room. He quickly got up and lit the oil lamp by the bed. He opened the wardrobe. He looked at the Magic Mirror, which was simply placed inside.
At this mont, the pattern on the back of the Magic Mirror was faintly glowing, just like the moonlight outside.
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