One day later.
Max received a package.
It was labeled: "Custom Order – 557 Items."
His hand trembled slightly. He wasn't sure he wanted to open it.
They had just been tricked by Jehfrit, and *he* had suffered the most—because he'd traded every last item in his shop for those cursed figurines. Jehfrit never acted without solid evidence and total confidence, so Max hadn't dared to keep even one!
But now, the supplier had sent over the second batch.
Thinking back on the delivery schedule, it *was* supposed to arrive around this time, but…
"Why aren't you opening it, Max?" Jehfrit's calm voice came from behind.
"I'll just take it home," Max replied shakily.
"Is it something embarrassing to show people?" Jehfrit asked.
"No! Absolutely not!" Max quickly denied. "Just some figurines."
"So what's the problem with opening it here? Unless… you have secrets you don't want anyone to find out." Jehfrit smiled.
"No, no, nothing like that!" Max wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Then go ahead and open it. It might be something surprising! I'm curious too," Jehfrit said cheerfully.
"You're a demon!"
Everyone watching couldn't help but mentally groan.
But as they looked at Max, there was no sympathy in their eyes.
Five hundred new cursed figurines—all traded to Jehfrit, with a 20% handling fee per item.
What a sweet deal!
All of this mess was your fault—Max!
You opened the floodgates of chaos!
If you hadn't sold those things, would we have bought them?
And if we hadn't bought them, would all this have happened?!
With trembling hands, Max tore open a corner of the package.
"Huh?"
He let out a surprised sound and ripped it fully open.
*Clatter, clatter, clatter.*
Figurines spilled across the floor.
Everyone inhaled sharply.
Because every single one of them was—a Max cursed figurine!
"Wow, quite the narcissist, huh Max? Buying so many of your own figures," Jehfrit chuckled, twirling his cane before walking off with a cheerful step—clearly in high spirits.
Max stood frozen, tears welling up but unable to fall.
The second-generation figurines were better made, more detailed—upgraded materials, built-in voice functions, and motion features. Naturally, they were far more expensive than the first batch. The cost alone was equal to all the profits he'd made since opening his store.
He had taken a risk investing in them, confident they'd sell.
But now…
Max stared blankly into space, his dream of becoming a wealthy merchant shattered.
All that work—wasted!
Total loss—of both goods and money.
In a nearby corner, Jehfrit pulled out a communication crystal.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Jehfrit! I honestly didn't think the customer would agree to such a high wholesale price," said the rotund merchant on the other end, visibly excited.
A while ago, the client who had ordered a large number of custom figurines wanted a second batch. Originally, the plan was just to upgrade the materials and improve craftsmanship slightly—so the wholesale price would rise, but not this much.
Later, Jehfrit contacted him, asking him to change the figure design and add voice and movement features—like kneeling and apologizing—and to sell it under a product code instead of a name.
The merchant thought the deal was doomed to fail—no one would willingly buy such an expensive, strange product.
But Jehfrit insisted the buyer wouldn't dare return it once they realized what it was.
And indeed, after hesitating briefly, the client placed the order anyway!
Unbelievable!
"You're welcome," Jehfrit said with a smile.
He stood in the shadow of a corner, sunlight bending around the wall, casting not a single ray upon him.
---
That night.
A flash of blades.
An enemy collapsed.
"Heh… heh…"
A woman knelt on one knee, panting heavily as she leaned on her long blade. She wore plain clothes and no makeup, yet still radiated beauty.
Her pink hair was tied in a neat ponytail, but blood had dyed half of it red, matted together like a crimson stick.
She pulled open her collar, revealing old wounds beneath the blood-soaked bandages.
"Sister Ikuto!"
A child ran up and hugged her tightly, crying.
"Ana, don't cry. Be strong. I don't have time to comfort you right now," Ikuto said softly.
*Drip. Drip. Drip.*
Footsteps echoed in the distance before a voice rang out.
"Well well, if it isn't Ikuto, former S-Class mage and leader of the Trinity Raven."
Bancho turned to face the speaker.
"Jerryce."
From the shadows stepped a muscular woman wielding a scythe, smirking. "You faked your death to escape, so why come back? You're just asking to die."
"Still, you put up a good fight. Took down a lot of our guys."
"A shame."
"You won't leave here alive."
Ikuto took a deep breath, forcing herself upright as she pushed Ana behind her. "I thought if I sacrificed myself, my family would be safe. But I never expected this was part of the plan!"
"That bastard Wolfheim —he kidnapped so many people for experiments!"
"I will never forgive him!"
Jerryce laughed. "You won't get the chance to see the guild master, Ikuto. You're tired. Rest here."
*Clang!*
The battle began.
---
In a hidden underground passage.
*Tap tap tap.*
Footsteps echoed, accompanied by low voices.
"The magical equipment has been upgraded. We can now communicate using magical feedback, completely bypassing sensory limitations."
"That Jehfrit killed Puden so fast—he is dangerous."
"He must be eliminated. He threatens peace."
"Destroy him. Destroy him!"
"The Deception Magic will be mine!"
---
Unlike last time, the train tracks weren't destroyed, so there was no need to travel early.
Only a few days before the event did Jehfrit and the others finally set off.
Destination: Aharnita Town.
Event: The Alex Machine Exhibition.
It wasn't just three people going this time.
Jehfrit had scoped out the town beforehand—it had plenty of shops and attractions. So when Juvia asked to tag along, he agreed.
Natsu grinned widely, showing off his big front teeth. "Bring Lucy too!"
Juvia pleaded, "Please allow me to join, Mr. Jehfrit."
"Fine," Jehfrit said simply.
Erza chimed in, "Aharnita Town, huh? I've heard it's nice. I'll go too."