The Deceitful One

'You will find the potion recipes, meditation technique, as well as the spells from Rank 1 to Rank 3 compatible with the Theft Path of our Medici Family inside the black book that I've stored in the pocket watch.

This black book was written by our founding ancestor, Medici, and my great-grandfather was fortunate enough to obtain it when he migrated from the Central Continent to the Belize Kingdom here in the Western Continent.

It is a very special book that can only be opened by descendants of the Medici Family. And the key to opening it is the blood of Medici that runs through your veins…'

Bryan turned his gaze to look at the ancient black book lying on the bed. He reached out for it and tried to open it. And as expected, it wouldn't even budge.

'Looks like it can be only opened with my blood.' Bryan thought inwardly and then turned his attention back to the letter,

'Along with this letter and the black book, I have also stored an artifact that belonged to our founding ancestor. Bryan, this artifact is very special and I believe it will be very helpful to you.

In his prime, it is said that our founding ancestor, Medici, wielded 6 God-level artifacts. Some of them have been passed down to the surviving descendants. While some are in the hands of outsiders.

The one that I have kept inside the pocket watch is one of the 6 God-level artifacts, the mask called Deceit. It is a Transformation Path artifact that can allow its wearer to change their appearance, body structure, voice, as well as soul fluctuations.

With this artifact, you can change faces to suit your needs and become anyone at any time. Always remember this, Bryan, this mask will help you deceive everyone else but you must never forget your true self.

As a descendant of the Medici Family, it will be very easy for you to refine this artifact once you imbue it with a drop of your blood…'

Bryan picked up the greenish-brown wooden mask and looked at it silently. The mask looked so ordinary that one could never imagine even in their wildest dreams that it was in fact a God-level artifact.

Artifacts were also divided into ranks like Transcendents. Rank 1 Artifact, Rank 2 Artifact, and so on. Bryan believed that God-level artifact referred to a Rank 8 Artifact or maybe even the legendary Rank-9 Artifact!

He continued to read the letter as he became emotional. This was because his mother's final letter was coming to an end,

'I sincerely hope that these items along with the silver pocket watch, which is a space-type storage artifact, help you in your journey. The Transcendent world is full of danger, so you must be careful, my son. Nothing else matters other than your safety.

Lastly, as a mother, there are important things that I must remind you of. Make sure to eat lots of healthy food and not just sweets that you always used to have as a little boy. Get plenty of rest and do not overwork yourself.

Make friends that you can trust and rely on. And most importantly, find yourself a good wife and start a family. I'll be very glad knowing that in the future I will be having lots of grandchildren.

And take care of your father for me. After my passing, you both must continue to support each other. I wish that I could have seen you grow up, my child. But know that you will always find me in your heart.

Live well, my sweetheart.

Mom loves you the most.'

Large drops of tears fell on the parchment paper as Bryan sobbed silently on the bed, his body trembling. The moonlight shone through the window and cast a pale light upon his lonely back.

"Mom… Dad has passed away too. I pray to the Goddess that you two are together wherever you are. If there is a next life, I pray that you both find each other again." Bryan mumbled as his tears kept on flowing.

He could no longer control his emotions and broke down, wailing loudly on the bed. The feeling of loneliness and the deep emotions that he had buried deep down in his heart for all these years, finally resurfaced like a dam bursting open.

He cried until his throat went dry and could no longer produce any sound. Bryan lay on his bed as he kept staring at the ceiling in a daze. He lay there for a long while even after the tears had dried up on his face.

Then, a thought that gave him a sense of warmth and comfort appeared in his mind. It was of Detective Watson gently smiling at him and teaching him how to read. Bryan couldn't help but faintly smile as he thought of him.

"That's right. I still have my teacher." Bryan mumbled as he sat up on his bed. In his heart, he had long since treated Detective Watson as his family. After all, he was the only person who had extended a helping hand to him when he was at his lowest.

Bryan got off his bed and went to the bathroom to wash his face. On the way, he stopped by the kitchen to burn the last letter his mother had left him. Needless to say, he had to destroy it since it contained so many secrets.

It pained him to watch the letter slowly burn over the gas stove. But Bryan knew that this had to be done. If by chance, someone found this letter, it would be the death of him.

A few minutes later, Bryan exited the bathroom after having washed his face. He had now already calmed his emotions to the best of his ability and was back to his usual self.

He then sat on the bed, grabbed the ancient-looking black book, and placed it on his lap. The thickness of the book was the length of his pinky finger and the surface of the book was pitch black in color.

Bryan bit on his thumb in order to squeeze out a bit of his blood. He soon frowned and mumbled, "The fuck? Why won't any blood come out? Since when has biting fingers become so hard?"

He tried a few more times but still failed. Bryan, then grumpily got off the bed and took the book to his study table. He sat on the chair and then reached out for his quill.

After slightly piercing his thumb with the quill, finally he could see a tiny bit of blood seeping from the wound. He placed his hand over the black book and then squeezed his thumb with his index finger.

As soon as a few drops of his blood landed on the black book, it began to slightly tremble, and then black light shone from the surface of the book.

'This is it! The Path that I must embark on.' Bryan thought in his heart as his eyes shone with anticipation.