The Deceitful One

Benny tilted his head and innocently replied, 'I guess?'

Bryan was greatly astounded just by thinking about the possibilities one could have with this ability. If one could enter someone else's dream then everything about them could be laid bare!

The person would be able to understand their thoughts and emotions as they explored their subconscious through their dream. Every memory, from birth to the present, could be unearthed through this ability.

After all, dreams were said to be the window to the subconscious mind. Moreover, this could also prove to be a very useful investigation tool.

And that was not all. Through manipulating one's dreams, one could effectively influence their actions in real life after the person wakes up!

Thinking till here, Bryan couldn't help but involuntarily gulp. Just thinking about the wide applications of this unique otherworldly ability sent chills down his spine.

Benny looked at Bryan and asked telepathically, 'What is it, Bryan? You don't look so good.'

Bryan snapped out of his daze as he looked into Benny's eyes with a solemn expression, 'It's nothing Benny. You must use this ability of yours wisely. And under no circumstances can you let others know of this. That would only spell trouble, do you understand?'

Benny nodded ever so slightly as he replied, 'Don't worry. I promise I'll behave.'

Bryan smiled warmly as he picked up Benny in his arms and patted his head, 'Good boy!'

The duo then made their way to the practice area together. Meanwhile, Robert was standing outside his office entrance as he stared at Benny for a long time.

He then thought pensively, 'Trying to read his thoughts instantly triggered my spiritual warning… what a strange cat!'

Unknowingly, his palms had already begun to sweat as he looked at the departing back of Bryan who was carrying Benny.

…

At six in the evening, Bryan came out of the Sofia Public Library along with Andrew and Elijah. The trio stopped in front of the entrance as Bryan took out his silver cigarette case from his coat's inner pocket.

He then put a cigarette between his lips, lit it, and began to smoke with enjoyment. Benny who was sitting atop Bryan's shoulder took a sniff of the smoke and his face crunched up. He immediately jumped off Bryan's shoulders and into Elijah's arms.

Elijah caught Benny in his embrace and rubbed his head, "Poor Benny."

He then looked at Bryan and reprimanded, "Look, even Benny can't stand you smoking cigarettes. You should really quit."

Benny nodded his head, "Meow!"

Bryan rolled his eyes as he took yet another puff off the cigarette, "It's all right. He'll get used to it eventually."

Andrew suddenly asked, "What are your guys' plans? Do you want to have dinner together?"

Elijah shook his head as he sighed, "No, I have to go back home and finish up some of my father's leftover work. He has gone on a vacation along with my mother, so I have been looking after the business lately."

Andrew nodded and then turned to look at Bryan, "What about you, Bryan?"

Bryan took a puff of the cigarette and blew the smoke into the air as he replied, "I'm heading to a Transcendent convention right now."

"Oh?" Andrew raised his eyebrow, "The one at the construction site?"

"Nope." Bryan shook his head, "It's the one in the middle-class neighborhood."

"Ah, I see." Andrew nodded his head and shrugged, "I guess, I'll see you both tomorrow then."

The three then bid farewell as each went their separate ways. Bryan called for a public horse-drawn carriage as he instructed the driver to head to 95 West 10th Street.

Inside the carriage, Bryan looked at Benny who was snoozing on his lap, and inquired telepathically, 'Benny, that place you keep vanishing to, can you go there at will?'

Benny looked at Bryan as he tilted his head, 'You mean home?'

Bryan nodded his head, 'That's right.'

Benny's eyes began to turn teary as he asked, 'Bryan, do you not want me around you anymore?'

Bryan patted his head and smiled warmly, 'Don't be silly, it's not that. You see, I'm currently going to a place where I must keep my identity a secret at all costs.

If they take notice of you inside, they might recognize me outside if they see me together with you. Do you understand?'

Benny nodded his head, 'Okay! Just call me in your mind whenever you're done. I'll be able to hear your call no matter how far we are from each other,'

Bryan nodded with a smile, 'All right, I will!'

The next moment, Benny waved his tiny black paw and ripped open a tear in the space in front of him. He then immediately jumped off of Bryan's lap and entered through the tear!

Bryan who saw this happen, had his eyes widened in shock and jaws dropped, enough to fit an egg inside.

Moreover, for some reason, the place behind the tear in the space seemed very familiar to him! No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't remember where he had seen it before.

It took him a while to come to his senses. He then thought incredulously, 'Just how strong is Benny!? He can causally tear the fabric of space!'

Bryan gathered his thoughts as he began to think about the reason why he was visiting the secret gathering tonight.

Over the last few times that he had visited the different secret gatherings in the city, he had placed his order for the second main ingredient of the Theft Path Rank 1 potion: 10 ml of Sea Kolag's Blood.

A seller at the secret gathering he was going to tonight, had an extremely high chance of gathering this main ingredient. Hence, Bryan was hoping he could buy it tonight, if possible.

This way, he would have both the main ingredients for his potion recipes. All he needed to buy were the remaining supplementary ingredients which he could easily get from the local apothecary store that Livia had suggested to him.

'I've already carved 49 mind runes and soon I'll have all the ingredients pertaining to the potion recipe for my advancement!' Bryan clenched his fists in excitement as his eyes shone brightly.