Chapter 22: Sequence Commencement

Chapter 22: The Starting Sequence

Having climbed the stairs and returned to the reception hall, Klein was just about to bid Rosanne farewell when he heard the brown-haired girl speak in a lighthearted tone

"The Captain wants you to come back on Monday. Take care of your household chores first."

"...Alright." Klein hadn't expected the management of a Nighthawk squad to be so humane, and he felt a momentary sense of gratitude.

He had originally planned to wake up early tomorrow and take advantage of his morning "wandering" job to visit Tingen University. He intended to find the faculty member in charge of interviews and reception to inform them that he would not be participating in the subsequent stages. After all, the original owner of this body had entered the interview using a recommendation letter from a mentor; regardless of the circumstances, providing a proper conclusion was basic politeness. Even if not for his own sake, he owed it to respect the mentor's connection.

In a situation where there were no telephones, telegrams were charged per letter, and sending a letter would clearly be too slow, taking a public carriage directly there was the most economical and appropriate method.

Now that he had the Captain's special permission, Klein didn't need to push himself so hard. He could sleep in and head over leisurely.

Just as Klein was about to tip his hat in farewell, he suddenly remembered something. He glanced around and lowered his voice

"Rosanne, do you know what the starting sequence of the complete pathway controlled by the Church is?"

This was something he had forgotten to ask Old Neil just now.

Rosanne's eyes widened, and she looked at Klein in surprise

"You want to become a Beyonder?"

*Am I being that obvious?* Klein touched the corner of his mouth and replied with a hint of embarrassment

"After learning that supernatural and mysterious powers truly exist in this world, it's inevitable to feel a bit of longing."

"My Goddess! Do you know how dangerous that is? Didn't the Captain tell you? A Beyonder's enemies aren't just cultists and warlocks, but themselves! Almost every year, someone loses control, and someone sacrifices themselves! Don't you consider your family's feelings?" Rosanne used gestures to emphasize her tone, her reaction slightly excessive. "Klein, I think being an honest clerk is a better choice. There's almost no danger, and your salary increases every year. After working for a few years and saving up, you can rent a detached house in the North District or near the suburbs, start a happy family with a charming lady, and have lovely, mischievous little angels..."

"Rosanne, stop! Stop right there!" Seeing the brown-haired girl's words drifting further and further away, Klein hurriedly interrupted, breaking into a cold sweat. "For now, I just want to... to, um, yes, understand the basic common knowledge."

"Alright..." Rosanne fell silent for a few seconds, lowered her gaze, and said somewhat sheepishly, "Because of what happened to my father, I always get, um, you understand, a bit emotional regarding similar topics. But, to be honest, I have nothing but admiration for every gentleman and lady who volunteers to become a Nighthawk."

"I understand, I understand," Klein quickly chimed in.

Rosanne blinked her light brown eyes and added

"My father once said that you shouldn't think that becoming more powerful or reaching a higher sequence will solve hidden dangers or help you fight off peril. In fact, quite the opposite—you will encounter increasingly terrifying things. When encountering certain unknown, horrific existences, madness and death are the only two outcomes. Heh, he died just two weeks after saying that... Klein, don't look at me with pity. I'm living very well now, truly very well! You should be feeling afraid of these things instead!"

"I just want to understand the basic common knowledge..." Klein repeated his previous answer, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

*The Captain explained it much more clearly and thoroughly than you, and even without becoming a Beyonder, I've already encountered something extraordinary...*

"Fine." Rosanne said, looking thoughtful. "I've heard the Captain and Old Neil mention it. Because of the reduction and extinction of supernatural species, high-sequence powerhouses almost don't exist in this era. Being able to become a Beyonder is already very, very impressive! In our Tingen City and the surrounding suburbs, there are hundreds of thousands of people—probably more, maybe—but there are only about thirty-odd Beyonders. Um, I'm guessing... um, I haven't counted the cultists and warlocks living in the dark corners..."

Before Klein could speak, she seemed to regain her energy, clenching her fist against her chest

"And among those thirty-odd Beyonders, most are Sequence 9! Er, I think I've gone off-topic..."

"It's fine. These are also the common knowledge I want to understand." Klein hoped Rosanne would continue to ramble and reveal more information as she usually did.

"Anyway, being able to become a Beyonder is already very, very impressive!" Rosanne repeated. "The starting sequence of the complete pathway belonging to our Church is 'Sleepless,' Sequence 9: 'Sleepless'!"

*As expected...* Klein nodded imperceptibly, listening as Miss Rosanne's mouth moved uncontrollably to describe further

"You can guess from the name. A 'Sleepless' person doesn't need to sleep at night, and during the day, three to four hours of rest is enough. Phew, I'm so envious... No, I'm not envious at all! Sleep is the Goddess's grace and the happiest thing!"

"Where was I? Ah, right. 'Sleepless' can see through the darkness even without light. The deeper the night, the stronger they become—I mean strong in all aspects, including their power, their spirituality, and their thinking. However, although they can discover unknown dangers hidden in the dark, when they encounter monsters that cannot be solved by normal means, they still have to rely on items like Demon Hunter Bullets. My father was once a 'Sleepless'."

Before Klein could ask more, Rosanne continued on her own

"After that is Sequence 8, 'Midnight Poet,' and above that is Sequence 7, 'Nightmare'."

*Nightmare?* Klein immediately thought of how Dunn Smith had guided him through his dreams, and asked in confirmation

"The Captain?"

"You know?" Miss Rosanne's mouth almost formed an 'O' shape.

"The Captain once entered my dream..." Klein glanced left and right, lowering his voice again.

"I see..." Rosanne realized, responding in a whisper.

She picked up the coffee cup beside her, took a sip, and then sighed sentimentally

"There are only two Sequence 7s in our Tingen City in total. I believe the Captain is one of them. Even if he went to a major archdiocese like Backlund, he would be a very significant figure. Some Deacons might not even be stronger than him!"

"So the Captain is that amazing," Klein agreed with a smile.

To be honest, Dunn Smith's appearance in the middle of last night had left a deep impression; he had almost instinctively believed that the man was a very powerful Beyonder.

"Of course!" Rosanne straightened her back proudly.

Then, her thoughts jumped, and she said with a troubled expression, "I don't know what lies above Sequence 7. Perhaps only the Captain knows within the entire Nighthawk squad."

"What about the other sequence starts? The incomplete ones," Klein shifted the topic with satisfaction.

It had to be said that the "Sleepless" Rosanne described did indeed match some of his imaginations and expectations of Beyonders, but it wasn't the kind he hoped to become. The perfect "Sequence 9" in his mind should be able to learn and master a vast amount of mysterious knowledge, providing a foundation for figuring out the reason for his transmigration and his eventual return.

Rosanne thought for a moment and sighed

"I'm not very interested in that side of things. I only know there are more than other Churches, since the Goddess is the Mother of Mystery after all... Um, there should be two or three types. Because some members are always cold and scary, and they smell strange. Some members, um, I mean Old Neil, he knew a lot and knew quite a few interesting magic rituals. Let me think, let me think... he once mentioned his Sequence 9 title, which is also the name of the potion formula... Ah, right, it's called 'Mystery Pryer'!"

*Quite a few interesting magic rituals? Mystery Pryer? That sounds very close to what I want...* Klein felt a slight surge of joy.

"Also, I know the name of another Sequence 7, one where the pathway is incomplete!" Rosanne, triggered by her previous memory, spoke in a boastful tone.

"What is it?" Klein was exceptionally curious.

In an era where high-sequence powerhouses were scarce or perhaps non-existent, a Sequence 7 could be considered the backbone of the Church, right?

Rosanne flashed a sweet smile and answered with a hint of pride

"Spirit Medium!"

"Miss Daly?" Klein asked back instinctively.

After his initial surprise, he actually felt that this wasn't that unexpected. Only a Sequence 7 powerhouse could achieve the mediumistic manifestations that Miss Daly displayed!

Rosanne's eyes widened once more, and she spoke in disbelief

"How... how do you know that again?"

"I've met Miss Daly," Klein did not hide it.

"Alright," Rosanne said in a longing tone, "if I could directly become a Spirit Medium, a Spirit Medium like Miss Daly, then I would be willing to become a Beyonder. No, I would seriously consider it for ten minutes..."

"Yes, Miss Daly fulfilled all my imaginations of a Beyonder," Klein added with a touch of exaggeration.

Having achieved his intended purpose, he chatted with Rosanne for a few more minutes. Seeing there was no more information, he tipped his hat in a formal salute, said his goodbyes, and stepped out.

Walking down the stairs, Klein took a few steps before suddenly stopping. He reached out to feel the banknotes in his inner pocket again.

Immediately after, he took out the 12 gold pound note, gripped it tightly in his left palm, and then shoved his hand into his trouser pocket, refusing to let go or pull it out. A smile unconsciously spread across his face.

According to the customs of the great-eating nation, once you get money, you have to go out for a feast!

Tonight, I'll treat my sister to a good meal!