Chapter 19: Sealed Objects (Second update, requesting recommendation votes)

Chapter 19: Sealed Artifacts (Second update, requesting recommendation votes)

"We are guardians, but we are also a group of poor wretches constantly fighting against danger and madness."

Outside the window, the corridor was enclosed and the stone walls were cold; inside the room, the lamplight shone with a bright, yellowish hue. Dunn Smith's narration echoed in this environment, striking Klein's heart beat by beat, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Seeing Klein's silence, Dunn shook his head and smiled.

"Are you disappointed? Beyonders are not what you imagine. We are constantly walking alongside danger."

"Where there is gain, there must be a price," Klein replied, tempering his tone as he recovered from the shock.

He indeed hadn't expected that beyond the glory, extraordinary nature, and uniqueness of being a Beyonder, there would be such hidden perils. However, perhaps because he had only heard the descriptions and hadn't truly encountered them yet—or perhaps because he was already embroiled in this vortex and might face a bizarre incident at any moment—his fear, apprehension, and anxiety quickly subsided to a controllable level.

Of course, the thought of retreating was inevitable, lingering and refusing to leave.

"Not bad. Very mature, very rational..." Dunn finished the rest of his coffee and added, "Also, Beyonders are not as powerful as you think. Low-sequence Beyonders—ha, why do you think we use '1' for the highest grade and '9' for the lowest? It goes against intuition and logic. What we usually call 'low sequence' refers to low grades and high numbers; they are the starting point of the sequence chain."

"Alright, where was I? Right, Beyonders are not as powerful as you think. The 'strength' of a low-sequence Beyonder cannot compare to firearms, let alone cannons. They are simply more wondrous and harder to guard against in certain aspects. If you ever have the chance to become a Beyonder, you must think carefully about what I've said today. Do not choose recklessly."

Klein gave a self-deprecating smile.

"I don't even know when I'll have such a chance."

If he did have the chance, he felt he wouldn't miss it. Consuming the wrong potion or a potion of a higher sequence could be avoided to the greatest extent; the main hazards lay in the subtle influences inherent to the potions themselves and the unknown "dangers" one might hear or see after their spirituality increased.

As for the former, there were the experiences of generations of predecessors to serve as a reference. As long as he didn't advance impatiently and mastered his power steadily, the probability of losing control should remain relatively low. Furthermore, his primary goal was to resolve current potential dangers, understand the essence of mysticism, and find a way to travel back; he hadn't aimed for a high-sequence "position." If losing control truly was too easy, he could simply choose not to advance, stay at his current sequence, and rely on knowledge to plan his "way home."

The latter hazard went without saying. Klein still vividly remembered the whispers he heard while using the "Luck Enhancement Ritual," which had brought him close to madness and made his head feel like it was about to explode. This wasn't something that could be avoided simply by not becoming a Beyonder. Since that was the case, he might as well master some power to fight back.

Thinking of this, Klein felt the pros and cons were so clear that most of the retreating thoughts in his heart vanished.

Dunn picked up his pipe again, his gray eyes carrying a hint of a smile.

"I cannot give you a precise answer regarding that. To become a Beyonder, first, you must earn sufficient merit—perhaps tomorrow or the day after, you might decipher a key ancient text or provide very useful insights into our cases. Second, it depends on whether there are new ideas from above; no one can say for sure."

"Alright, I think you understand Beyonders well enough now and won't make impulsive choices in the future. Now, let me introduce the clerical work of our Nighthawks squad."

He stood up, paced to the door, and pointed in the opposite direction of the "Channes Gate."

"We have an accountant, and a staff member responsible for purchasing necessities, collecting supplies issued by the Church and the police department, and acting as a part-time driver. They are professionals and do not rotate. They rest every Sunday. The other three clerical staff members are Rosanne, Bright, and Old Neil. Their duties include: receiving visitors, cleaning rooms, writing case documents and item declaration lists, and guarding the armory, materials, and literature library, strictly maintaining logs for entry, exit, collection, and return. Each person has one day off per week besides Sunday, and there is also a rotation for night shifts and rest, which is negotiated among themselves."

"I'll be doing the same things as Rosanne and the others?" Klein set aside his thoughts on Beyonders to confirm his "job responsibilities."

"No, you don't need to. You are a professional, after all," Dunn smiled. "You currently have two tasks. First, every morning or afternoon, go for a walk. Focus on the various roads from Welch's residence to your home."

"Huh?" Klein looked bewildered.

What kind of "work" was this?

Was it very professional?

Dunn tucked his hands into the pockets of his black trench coat and said

"Once it is confirmed that you have truly lost your memory, the case of Welch and Naya will be considered closed. Similarly, that Antigonus family diary has completely disappeared. We suspect you might have taken it with you and hidden it on your way home, which is why we found no clues in your house. This should also be the possible reason why you weren't at the scene, but instead 'committed suicide' at home."

"Although you were influenced by mysticism and completely forgot this memory, the human spirit and brain are very wondrous. Perhaps some traces remain. Even if Daly could not obtain them through 'Spirit Medium' methods, it doesn't mean they absolutely do not exist. Perhaps in familiar places, or at key locations, you will experience a feeling of having seen something or having done something."

"That is the harvest we want."

"I understand." Klein had an epiphany.

The Nighthawks' deduction regarding the whereabouts of that diary was indeed logical.

Among those present at the time, he was the only one still alive, and he was the only one with the time and "motive" to take the diary and hide it midway!

"If you can find that diary like this, you should be able to earn enough merit to become a Beyonder," Dunn Smith encouraged him, indirectly revealing that the diary was quite important.

"I hope so." Klein nodded.

Dunn turned the topic back

"Second, you have one day off per week; for now, you can decide which day it is yourself. When you are not out, go to the armory and read the literature and classics we have preserved. This is the work of a history professional. Once you have finished reading everything, you will rotate with Old Neil and the others."

"Alright, no problem." Klein breathed a silent sigh of relief.

It wasn't anything too difficult...

At this moment, Dunn turned halfway, pointing toward the large black iron double doors engraved with seven holy symbols.

"This is the 'Channes' Gate, named after Archbishop Channes, the founder of the modern Nighthawk system. There is one in the basement of the central cathedral of every major city."

"It is guarded by rotating official members of the Nighthawks, and there are at least two 'Watchers' from within the Church inside, along with countless traps. Do not approach it casually, or you will invite misfortune."

"Sounds very impressive," Klein remarked.

"Inside, it is divided into several areas, preserving certain sequences of potion formulas and various mystical materials. It also temporarily detains heretics, abnormal species, cultists, and members of secret organizations. Heh, they will eventually be sent to the Holy Cathedral," Dunn introduced casually.

The Holy Cathedral? The headquarters of the Church of the Evernight Goddess located in Winter County in the north of the Kingdom, the "Church of Tranquility"? Klein nodded slightly as if in thought.

"Additionally, there are various high-security copies of literature and classics inside. Once your authority increases, you might have the chance to read them." Dunn paused and added, "In the basement behind the 'Channes Gate,' there are also some Sealed Artifacts."

"Sealed Artifacts?" Klein chewed on the term.

It sounded like a proper noun.

"Among the Beyonder items we collect and acquire, some are too important and too miraculous. If obtained by the wicked, they would cause immense destruction, so they must be kept strictly confidential and strictly guarded. Even we can only use them under specific circumstances, and..." Dunn Smith paused before continuing, "And some of the things in there are very special; they possess certain 'living' characteristics. They will lure watchers, affect their surroundings, escape on their own, and cause catastrophic consequences. They must be strictly controlled."

"Fascinating," Klein remarked with emotion.

"The Nighthawk headquarters divides these Sealed Artifacts into four grades. Grade '0' indicates extreme danger, the highest level of importance, and the highest level of secrecy. They cannot be inquired about, cannot be spread, cannot be described, and cannot be peered at; they can only be sealed beneath the 'Holy Cathedral,'" Dunn explained in detail. "'Grade 1' is highly dangerous and can be utilized with limitations. The secrecy level is for Diocesan Bishops, Nighthawk Deacons, and above. Central cathedrals in diocesan headquarters like Backlund can store one or two; the rest must be handed over to the 'Holy Cathedral.'"

"'Grade 2' is dangerous; they must be used with caution and moderation. The secrecy level is for Bishops, Nighthawk Squad Captains, and above. Central cathedrals in major cities can store three to five; others should be handed over to the 'Holy Cathedral' or the diocesan headquarters nearby. 'Grade 3' carries a certain level of danger and must be used carefully; an action involving three or more people must be requested. The secrecy level reaches the official members of the Nighthawks."

"In the future, when you see corresponding literature, you should understand what it represents through the numbers. For example, 2-125 would be the 125th Grade 2 Sealed Artifact."

As Dunn spoke, he suddenly turned, walked back into the room, and pulled a piece of paper from the bottom of a drawer.

"By the way, take a look at this. Three years ago, a newly appointed Archbishop lost control. Somehow, he bypassed layers of protection and mysteriously disappeared with a Grade '0' Sealed Artifact. Recognize his face. If you find anything, do not alert anyone, do not disturb him, just come back and report. Otherwise, you will be one thousand percent likely to die in the line of duty."

"What?" Klein took the paper and found it had no heading, only a black-and-white photograph and a few lines of text

"Ince Zangwill, male, forty years old, former Archbishop, a 'Gatekeeper' who failed his advancement, seduced by devils, fallen into evil, fled with Sealed Artifact '0-08.' Specific characteristics are..."

According to the photo and the description, Ince Zangwill wore a double-breasted, pure black clerical robe and a soft cap. His hair was dark gold, and his pupils were so blue they appeared almost black. He had a high bridge to his nose, tightly pressed lips, and features like a classical sculpture without a single wrinkle. His most striking feature was that he was blind in one eye.

"Detailed description for the fallen one, but only a code for the Sealed Artifact..." Klein expressed his first impression honestly.

"That is why it is the highest level of secrecy. Information regarding the search for the '0-08' Sealed Artifact is conveyed only orally and is not written down, and only a single detail is provided," Dunn sighed. "The appearance of '0-08' is that of a common quill pen, but it can write without needing ink. That is all."

Dunn did not say much more about it. Following the golden chain on his black trench coat, he took out a matching ornate pocket watch, clicked it open, glanced at it, and pointed toward the door.

"I have told you everything I need to. Go to the armory and find Old Neil; let him arrange specific literature reading for you. He is not an ordinary clerical staff member; he was once an official member. He is just old, never achieved advancement, and his health is poor, so he is no longer suited for handling cases. Moreover, he was unwilling to transfer to the internal 'Watchers' or simply retire at home; he only wishes to be accompanied by literature and classics."

PS: Second update, requesting recommendation votes.

(End of Chapter)