In the Talisman arc, sometimes it was one talisman per episode, sometimes two, and occasionally one took two episodes.
But in the real world, it could take three to five days at best, or one to two weeks at worst, to find a clue about a talisman—sometimes even longer.
This wasn't Moss's speculation; it was something she concluded after asking Jackie and the others in Section 13.
Just collecting the Rooster, Ox, Snake, and Rabbit Talismans took an entire month!
But Moss didn't have that kind of time. She could only stay in this world for one month. If she followed the original plot progression step by step, she likely wouldn't get to the Tiger Talisman in time.
That's why she chose to work with the Demon Sorcerer—or rather, to use each other.
In short, it was about speeding up the collection of the Talismans.
After accepting the Demon Sorcerer's offer, Moss casually—though intentionally—remarked, "Time's about up, I've got to get back to Jackie."
The Demon Sorcerer was surprised: "You came from Jackie's place?"
Moss smiled slyly. "Yup. They trust me completely. Getting Talismans from them is easy."
As she said this, she raised the Rabbit Talisman in her hand, as if to say, "See? I got this one through trust."
—This angel is definitely shady!
The Demon Sorcerer thought to himself: "They would never suspect that this angel who appears all holy and pure is actually ambitious enough to covet the Book of Ages and even willing to collaborate with a demon like me."
This angel, while problematic, essentially served as an undercover agent within Jackie's camp.
That meant the Talismans held by Section 13 were practically already his!
Realizing this, the Demon Sorcerer was pleasantly surprised by this unexpected gain. This angel was far more useful than Valmont and his goons!
Of course, no matter how useful she was, it wouldn't stop him from breaking his promise afterward.
If there's one thing he was consistent about—it was being inconsistent with promises.
So the Demon Sorcerer said, "Angel, go ahead and bring me all the Talismans from Section 13."
Moss replied, "It's not hard to take them, but that might alert them. Instead of going for what's already secured, we should focus on Talismans whose whereabouts are unknown."
"You're right—haste makes waste," said the Demon Sorcerer, realizing he was being too hasty. He'd waited millennia already; there was no need to rush now.
Since the current Talismans were already as good as his, they could stay in Section 13 for now.
The priority was tracking down the missing ones.
"I'm off," said Moss.
Gripping the Rabbit Talisman, she took off like a gale from the Dark Hand's HQ.
The Demon Sorcerer watched her use the Rabbit Talisman's power right in front of him but didn't mind. That power would eventually return to him anyway.
He called out, "Valmont, what are you staring at?"
Valmont peeked his head in cautiously, "She's gone?"
Seeing no one else inside, he adjusted his collar, strutted in, and grumbled, "Demon Sorcerer, I overheard you agreeing to work with that woman. That's not what we agreed on! I've invested a lot of money to find your twelve Talismans!"
—Money, money, money! That's all you care about!
And you think you'll get the Golden Rooster King's treasure?
That's my treasure!
Mine alone!
While the Demon Sorcerer thought this, he still fed Valmont a promise: "Relax, Valmont. As long as you help me find the remaining Talismans, the treasure is yours."
"That's better."
Unaware of the Demon Sorcerer's true nature, Valmont was relieved. As long as he got the Talismans, his investment would pay off a hundredfold.
"Where are Tohru and the others?"
When it came to tracking Talismans, he still needed his underlings. He wasn't about to get his hands dirty himself.
But three days passed and Tohru and the others were still nowhere to be found.
Valmont frowned. "Could they be lost in the past?"
He had sent them back in time to search for the Rabbit Talisman. Now that the Talisman had returned without them, there was only one explanation—they were stuck in the past.
Valmont felt a bit melancholy. Though they weren't blood brothers, they'd been through a lot together.
If he'd known, he wouldn't have sent them…
The Demon Sorcerer cut in, "Valmont, you'll need new underlings."
As a noble dragon and a demon sorcerer, he wasn't one to get sentimental. He needed tools to get the job done.
"…Got it," Valmont sighed, suppressing his emotions. He had no idea Tohru and the others were currently in Section 13 munching on donuts.
Without minions, he couldn't move forward. Valmont went off to hire new help.
Coincidentally, someone named "Ah Fong" could really fight.
…
Days later, on a moving train, Jackie pried open a wooden crate with a crowbar. Inside was an octagonal stone.
Delighted, he exclaimed, "Jackie has found a little sheep."
The Sheep Talisman!
As Jackie tucked it away, a red-haired brute jumped down from the roof of the train car.
Unfamiliar with the man, Jackie asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Black Tiger Ah Fong. Prepare to die!"
He lunged at Jackie with a punch to the chest, shouting: "Black Tiger Heart Strike!"
"Twin Dragons Play with Pearl!"
"Mantis Fist!"
"Snake Steps!"
"Lotus Dart!"
Each of Ah Fong's moves had a dramatic name, but they were all just regular attacks.
"Crow Sits on Plane!"
"Aaaah! Trouble, trouble, trouble!"
Jackie scrambled to dodge and counter. At first, unfamiliar with Ah Fong's style, he was on the losing end. Fortunately, it was a freight car full of props. He fought while retreating, gaining the upper hand with clever use of his surroundings.
Eventually, he returned safely to Uncle's Antique Shop with the Sheep Talisman.
"This is the Sheep Talisman."
In the original series, its power wasn't identified right away, causing all sorts of chaos—like the Demon Sorcerer possessing Jade's body.
But Moss was here, and she directly stated its power: "It allows astral projection. The soul can leave the body, pass through walls, and even send dreams."
"I see. Can you deliver it to Section 13 for me? I need to rest," Jackie said with a yawn, handing her the talisman.
Moss accepted the Sheep Talisman.
But she didn't head to Section 13—she had another destination in mind: the Dark Hand headquarters!
Just as she was about to depart, Angewomon spoke up, "Moss, I want to see your soul."
Moss paused. "There's really nothing special to see."
"…," Angewomon was disheartened, assuming that was a rejection.
But Moss continued, "But since you want to see it, alright."
Angewomon brightened, as if the clouds had parted.
Moss went upstairs to a couch in the antique shop's second floor, sat down, and gripped the Sheep Talisman.
As its magic activated, two souls emerged—both identical Angewomons.
"You look just like me," Angewomon said as she gently touched Moss's face. Not only their appearance but their clothes, wings, ribbons, and masks were all the same—as if gazing into a mirror.
But she knew this couldn't be Moss's original form.
Moss herself hadn't expected even her soul to look like Angewomon. She chuckled, "Maybe my soul is like water—it takes the shape of whatever container it's in."
Angewomon lowered her head, a bit downcast. "Then I'll never get to see your true self?"
Seeing the emotional knot in her, Moss softly cupped Angewomon's cheek and said gently, "Right now, we're both wandering souls, but I can touch you and you can touch me. Isn't that real enough?"
Angewomon looked up and smiled with sudden clarity. "Yes, we're both real."
Seeing Angewomon's relief, Moss smiled warmly. "Let's go back. We've got a long road ahead."
She reached out her right hand.
Angewomon understood, and placed her left hand into it.
The two of them shared a smile, hand in hand, as they returned to their bodies.
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Each 10 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapters)
BONUS (were at 100 powerstones)