The Innkeeper

Chapter 2196: Compass

Lex forced himself to accept that it was impossible to keep Liz inside the Inn forever. While the Midnight Realm was more than sufficient to provide someone with a lifetime of experiences and opportunities, it also allowed them to interact with beings from across the universe. Naturally, there would be times when a person might be tempted by the unique opportunities available elsewhere.

If Liz wanted to help people, there were entire civilizations inside the Midnight realm who might benefit from her help. In fact, Lex had detected something sinister going on within the realm - something that he was unable to pinpoint the origin of. Figuring that out would also be an opportunity to help countless beings.

While Lex could direct her towards these things since she wanted to explore helping people, he knew that it would not be the same. For one, following a friend changed the whole experience. Beyond that, interacting with the Tower of Providence may really end up being beneficial for her in the long term.

Although the tower’s agenda of promoting order may end up putting Liz in danger, Lex had to have faith in her. More importantly, she and Nemo needed to be tested, and needed to learn to control their power.

Besides, just because they were leaving the Midnight Inn did not mean that Lex could not keep an eye on them. Secretly, Lex attached a karmic knot to Liz, undetected by all save Nemo. The knot would untie itself if ever Liz was in lethal danger, and release whatever strength Lex had locked in there.

Unfortunately, since Lex was acting via a Karmic clone, the strength he could tie in was limited. However, it should be enough to help her escape under almost any circumstance as long as the opponent’s strength does not touch the Dao level.

"Since you’re going to the Dream realm, there’s a favor I have to ask you," said Lex as he thought things through. While there were quite a few options available to him in the universal shop, very few could help him in his current predicament. The ones that could help him immediately rescue Almira, and the others, were entirely out of his budget.

There were, however, a few options that could help him, but they would take some time.

"What is it?" Liz asked, suppressing her excitement. If Lex was asking for her help, the task would probably be extremely difficult, no?

"For various complex reasons, I cannot leave the Inn," Lex said, opting not to reveal that he was a clone. He had learned well enough that some secrets, mentioned even once, would leave behind traces. For those who knew what to look for, even the subtlest hints could reveal the truth.

"However, a number of Inn workers have gotten lost within the Dream realm. If you could find them and rescue them, bringing them back to the tavern, I’d really appreciate it. Besides them, the daughter of one of our workers, a mere baby, has also been taken into the Dream realm. I am most concerned about her, so if you could help find her, I would be most grateful."

As soon as Lex was done speaking, he held out his hand and began using his powers. Though he was merely a Karmic clone, forming a simple, low level treasure was still within his means. It would not be extremely powerful, but it would do its job.

In mere seconds, a simple compass appeared in Lex’s hands.

"The Dream realm is unusual, in the sense that it does not have proper space, even if it may not appear so when you’re inside. Thus, this compass does not have a physical range. Instead, it will work based on your spirit sense. Its range will be ten times whatever the range of your spirit sense is, and will lock onto anyone who has the aura or karma of the Midnight Inn on them. This will help you with your search."

Liz accepted the compass, stunned at what she had seen. If it weren’t for the fact that bonding with Nemo allowed an incredible amount of insight into whatever she saw, she would have believed that Lex merely summoned that compass from somewhere instead of making it from scratch right in front of her.

"I’ll do my best," said Liz as she grabbed the compass, in awe of the small treasure she held in her hand. She could feel that the compass also provided her with a faint protective aura, keeping her safe from various abstract and difficult to detect threats. It also continuously provided her with spiritual energy, keeping her in top shape.

These weren’t even the primary functions of the compass, merely a result of the materials it was made from. The level of Lex’s insight and skill in treasure crafting blew her away.

"Before you go, drop by the Midnight Tailor. Geeve’s will make you something to help you out."

Liz could see that the more Lex spoke, the more exhausted he got, even though he was doing his best to hide it. She only saw as much because Nemo was sharing his vision with her, allowing her to sense that he was truly in a difficult spot at the moment.

Suddenly, she forgot all her previous thoughts about personal fulfillment and purpose. The only reason she even felt all that was because of the complete lack of pressure she felt, protected by the Inn.

But while she did not feel pressure, it did not mean that there was no pressure at all. It was just that someone else was bearing it for her. She did not know what difficulties Lex was facing, but she resolved herself to help him however she could.

Before going out to save the rest of the universe, she had to focus on things right in front of her.

Meanwhile, Lex allowed his clone to fade away, returning to its bead state. He allowed the rest of his focus to return to the panel in front of him. He had finally decided on what he was going to buy.