Chapter 39: An Interesting Trick

Chapter 39: An Interesting Trick

In fact, I don't know whether that notebook was destroyed or hidden... However, I can reason backward: if the intention was to destroy it, it could have been done on the spot; there was no need to have me take it away first... Hearing Leonard's question, Klein instantly switched into "Keyboard Detective" mode, pondering before saying

"Perhaps the unknown existence that Welch and Naya encountered both enjoyed the 'sacrifice' of life and wished for similar occurrences to continue. Therefore, knowing the 'suicide incident' would inevitably be discovered, they had me take the notebook away to hide it, preparing for a second 'enjoyment.' It's just that something went wrong during the process, and I ultimately failed to commit suicide."

This was a reasonable guess made by Klein based on the materials, novels, movies, and TV shows involving evil rituals he had seen in his previous life.

As for what went wrong during the process, he knew very well: it was the addition of himself, the "variable" known as a transmigrator.

"A good explanation, but I think there might be another possibility. The suicidal sacrifice of Welch and Naya made it possible for that unknown existence to descend. That notebook might be carrying or nurturing evil; having you take it away to hide it was to prevent us from discovering and destroying it directly before it could 'be born' or become 'powerful,'" Leonard Mitchell elaborated on another possibility.

At this point, he stared into Klein's eyes and smiled slightly

"Of course, the notebook might have already been destroyed to cover up its contents and conceal the object truly carrying or nurturing the evil. That way, your failed suicide would have a sufficient explanation."

What does that mean? Is he suspecting me? Suspecting that the original owner's body is carrying or nurturing evil? No, what it's carrying or nurturing is a transmigrator... "Nurturing" is a decent word... Klein froze for a moment, complaining inwardly while choosing his words carefully

"I won't defend myself, as I truly have forgotten that memory. But whether it's the Captain or Ms. Daly, they have both confirmed I have no other issues. Your joke isn't funny."

"I am merely exploring a possibility. We cannot rule out that the unknown existence encountered a setback during its descent, leading to your failed suicide. We must believe that the Goddess is always protecting us." Leonard smiled and changed the subject. "What did you discover this afternoon?"

After the recent conversation and previous events, Klein felt a deep sense of wariness toward Leonard, but he answered composedly on the surface

"Nothing. I'll have to take a different route tomorrow afternoon."

He pointed toward the partition and said

"I need to go to the armory to collect bullets."

The "Shooting Club" stayed open until nine in the evening, as many of its members were only free after work.

"May the Goddess protect you." Leonard smiled and traced a circle in the air in front of his chest, symbolizing the Crimson Moon.

Watching Klein pass through the partition and listening to the sound of his footsteps descending the stairs, the smile on Leonard's face gradually faded, replaced by confusion in his emerald eyes.

He muttered something under his breath, his tone sounding somewhat dissatisfied.

...

After descending the stairs, Klein turned toward the armory, materials, and archives along the corridor illuminated by the quiet glow of gas lamps.

The iron doors were open, and the brown-haired girl, Roselle, was standing before a long table, conversing with a middle-aged man with a thick black beard and a half-top hat.

"Good afternoon—no, good evening. It always feels like midnight here. Klein, I heard from Old Neil that you've become a Beyonder? Something called a 'Seer'?" Roselle turned her head and asked in a rapid-fire manner.

She made no attempt to hide her curiosity and concern.

Klein nodded with a smile

"Good afternoon, Miss Roselle. Although it is always night here, it feels peaceful. Your description wasn't quite accurate; it should be said that the name of the Sequence potion I consumed is 'Seer'."

"You still chose to become a Beyonder..." Roselle sighed, falling into a momentary silence.

Klein looked toward the middle-aged man beside her and asked politely

"And this is?"

Another Nighthawk member, or one of the two other clerks I haven't met?

Roselle pursed her lips and said

"Bright, our colleague. He wants to swap shifts with me to free up the night after tomorrow. He wants to take his wife to the North District Grand Theater to see *The Proud One* to celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary. What a romantic gentleman."

Bright smiled and extended his hand

"With Miss Roselle here, there's no need to repeat everything. Hello, Klein. I didn't expect you to become a Beyonder so quickly. As for me, ha, perhaps I will never have that kind of courage."

"It's probably just the ignorance that breeds fearlessness," Klein quipped self-deprecatingly, reaching out to shake his hand.

"That's not a bad thing," Bright shook his head and laughed. "A Beyonder once told me before he died: never go investigating strange and dangerous things. The less you know, the longer you live."

At that moment, Roselle interjected

"Klein, don't take it too much to heart. I heard from Old Neil that your 'Seer' is a support type, which is relatively safer. As long as you don't try to communicate with unknown existences. Why are you wearing such clothes? Not gentlemanly at all! What are you doing here?"

"Collecting thirty bullets for today." Klein did not answer Roselle's previous question.

He believed the girl would soon forget about it.

"Alright." Roselle pointed to the table. "Bright, I'll leave it all to you. You should know where the keys and bullets are. Sigh, Old Neil is so stingy; he didn't even leave any coffee grounds behind. He promised I could drink my fill today..."

While she rambled, Klein collected his bullets.

The two left the underground together and parted ways on Zotlan Street—one taking a public carriage home, the other walking into the "Shooting Club."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Grip the gun, raise the arm, shoot, eject the cylinder, eject the shell, load the bullet... Klein repeated this process over and over, familiarizing himself with and memorizing the sensation of shooting.

Of course, he took several breaks in between to summarize and correct his technique.

Once the practice was finished, Klein utilized the facility to perform various exercises similar to push-ups, working hard to train his body and improve his physical constitution.

By the time everything was finished and he had taken an omnibus back home, he realized it was nearly seven o'clock and the sky was already dark.

Just as Klein was planning to go to the market or a street vendor to buy ingredients for dinner, he found the door open and Melissa returning with a bag of stationery and books.

In addition, she was carrying quite a few groceries.

"...I thought you and Benson would both be back late today. I took 1 Sol from where you hide your money this morning," Melissa explained earnestly, as was her habit, upon seeing her brother's puzzled look.

"Since you took the money, why didn't you take an omnibus to school?" Prompted by her explanation, Klein remembered the morning's events.

Melissa frowned slightly and said

"Why would I take an omnibus? It costs 4 pence to get to school, so 8 pence round trip. Including you and Benson, we would spend 24 pence a day on omnibuses—a full 2 Sol. In a week—well, not counting Sunday—that's 12 Sol, which is roughly equal to our rent!"

Stop, stop, stop, don't show off your math skills... Klein pressed his hand against his forehead, amused.

Melissa paused, then added

"Walking to school is fine. The teacher said everyone needs regular exercise, and I can also pick up some broken parts on the way."

Klein chuckled and said

"Then let's calculate again. Omnibus costs are 12 Sol, rent is 12 Sol and 3 pence. That's only 1 Pound, 4 Sol, and 3 pence in total. Benson's salary can cover it, with plenty left over. Um, he received last week's salary... And I receive 1 Pound and 10 Sol every week. Even if we eat meat every day, even accounting for gas, coal, wood, and seasonings, if we are frugal with lunch, there will still be a surplus. We could even subscribe to a morning newspaper; it's only 1 penny a day."

"In two months, once I've made up for my advanced salary, I can save money to buy new clothes for Benson and you."

"But, but, we have to consider emergencies," Melissa insisted on her viewpoint.

Klein looked at her with a smile and said

"Then we can eat less meat. Don't you think spending fifty—no, a hundred minutes on the road every day is a waste of time? You could use that time to read more books, think more deeply, and improve your grades."

"That way, Melissa, you can graduate with excellent grades and find a job with a good salary. When that time comes, what will there be to worry about?"

"..."

Drawing on his experience debating people on forums in his past life, he finally convinced Melissa, getting her to agree to take the omnibus to school.

Phew, finally managed to hoodwink her—no, how can I call it hoodwinking? It's called winning people over with reason... Klein grumbled inwardly. He took the groceries Melissa had bought and sighed

"Remember to buy beef, mutton, or chicken tomorrow... Eat well and eat enough so you can have a healthy body and a smart brain to handle your difficult studies."

Just talking about it made his mouth water...

Melissa pursed her lips, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said

"Alright."

...

The next morning, after supervising Melissa onto the omnibus, Klein and Benson parted ways at the street corner and headed to their respective workplaces.

As soon as Klein stepped through the entrance, he saw Old Neil and Roselle chatting at the reception desk. The former was still dressed in his classical black robe, completely unbothered by the gaze of others, while the latter had changed into a light, pale yellow dress.

"Good morning, Mr. Neil, Miss Roselle," Klein said, removing his hat in greeting.

Old Neil gave him a mischievous look

"Good morning. You didn't hear any sounds you shouldn't have heard last night, did you?"

"No, I slept very well." Klein also found this quite strange.

He could only attribute it to his spirituality not being high enough yet...

"Haha, don't worry about it, it's actually not that easy to hear," Old Neil said, pointing toward the partition. "Go to the armory; we will continue our 'Mysticism Course' this morning."

Klein nodded and followed Old Neil down the stairs into the underground area. He arrived at the armory and replaced Bright, who had been on duty last night.

"What do we need to learn today?" Klein asked curiously.

Old Neil gave a long "Mhm" and said

"Complex, fundamental knowledge. But before that, I will teach you an interesting trick."

He pointed to a silver chain wrapped around his wrist, from which hung a pure white crystal.

(End of Chapter)