"We are guardians, but also a bunch of miserable wretches that are constantly fighting against threats and madness."
The outside was still, its walls exudes frail coldness while the room paints a golden yellow bloom casting from the iron gridded wall-lamps. Dunn Smith's words was like a noise reverberating across a majestic hall.
It echoed and settled deeply in the heart of the lady in front of him. Selina stayed quiet.
Seeing the lovely lady's demeanor wavered for once. Dunn immediately shook his head and smiled warmly.
"I'm surprised you didn't know any of this... However, now, do you regret delving yourself into this world?"
Instead of responding, Selina mused inwardly, just to ease her tension. It wasn't partly my choice in the end Mr. Smith... Ah! I meant captain...
"The beyonder world treads itself into boundless thorns... Every decision requires prices to be paid." Selina slowly recovered and quickly forced herself to spoke normally amidst the quivering voice.
It was clear that the former Selina saw this opportunity as light. Her regrets were cast aside just to hold a sliver of hope, disregarding any consideration for what road it paves.
However, now with experience, she finally understood what becoming a beyonder means, even if the former is already gone. Selina soon brought her tension, fear and apprehension into control.
Of course the thought still lingered inevitably; refusing to leave.
Dunn puffed his pipe, his voice softened. "Your demeanor captures your presence; mature and rational."
"Heh, as you have known, beyonders aren't as powerful, starting at low Sequences." Dunn's eye's returned its luster. "We use 1 to represent the highest grade and 9 the lowest. You might think this is against intuition and logic. Well, low Sequences we often mention refers to a low grade or a high number. They are the starting point of the Sequence chain.
"Beyonders somewhere in a specific levels near 9 are the low-Sequence group. Let's take your situation as an example. Right now you're..." Dunn paused, he smiled convincingly at Selina.
Catching the hint. Selina sighed quietly and responded. "A Sequence 9 Apothecary."
"I know, heh heh." Dunn attempted to ease Selina. "However, I still wanted to hear it from you."
Quite the jester... Selina wished she had her father's revolver at this moment. However, she fought it as Dunn is clearly more experienced than her.
"It's good that we now have a 'medicine doctor' in our unit. As for why I made you confess despite my awareness. It is to be certain that you have no problem cooperating with us." Dunn took a whiff after a bit of explanation.
Selina remained silent, she only nodded when Dunn finished his sentence.
"Now, where was I?" Dunn suddenly paused mid-way.
"Using me as an example for low-sequences Mr. Smith..." Selina politely guided him back.
"Ah. Yes, as you may have already noticed, you are not far from the capabilities of regular people at your stage. Although some pathways bestow changes right away, they were often unremarkable or are still in the limit of conventional. In essence, they're still humans, fragile against guns and other means of infliction."
Dunn's voice carried pleasantry as he adds, "Which is why we allow our beyonders to advance, through a manner of contributions. This is one of the reasons why I asked your potion's name as it have close relations with the Fertility Order of the Earth Mother."
My potion... The Fertility Order? Earth Mother? Selina instinctively straightened her body. "What do you mean by close relations?"
Noticing the lady's impulse as if he had struck a string. Dunn calmly said. "The churches each had a complete sequence pathways within their jurisdiction. For reference, the church of the Evernight hold a complete sequence of the Sleepless pathway, starting at 9 to 1. This is to establish systematic hierarchy and power to better deal with beyonder incidents."
"Sometimes, there might even be two complete pathways just like the church of The Earth Mother with the Planter, as for the other it is the Apothecary. With enough contributions, we can file a request for the subsequent formula through the other allied factions for your advancement if you ever wish."
Selina felt as if opportunity laid itself before her. The issue for her advancement was now resolved through a manner of contribution.
However, unlike before, she wasn't in a rush now as it gradually became clearer that her goal wasn't to reach a higher sequence.
Of course she's still eager to return, to meet her parents, friends, and former life once more. But after her confrontation with Deimsfel, she realized how being urgent would only invite riskier attempts, raising the possibility of losing control.
Her days of gambling her own life was slowly being eclipsed. She was content with staying in low to mid sequences as long as she can provide resources and power through the Child of God's faction for Mr. Fool, aiding Him in his recovery. Furthermore, there was no requirement needed for her to return or figure out the nature of her transmigration.
This was a safer and much more effective method to seek her way back.
With this in mind. Selina felt her priorities quietly settle. It made her thoughts for urgency slowly withdraw.
"Very well." She finally replied, her voice wasn't in a hurry.
Dunn picked up his pipe again as his gray eyes carried a smiling trace to them.
"I cannot give you an accurate answer on this. To receive promotion for advancement, firstly, you must make enough contributions. Perhaps tomorrow or the day after, you would be able to interpret critical ancient documents. Maybe you would be able to give us valuable ideas for one of our cases. Secondly, it depends on the arrangements of the higher-ups. No one can be sure.
"Alright, I believe you should know quite a bit about Beyonders now. In the future, do not make rash decisions. Now, I'll introduce you to our Nighthawk team's civilian jobs."
He stood up and walked to the door. He pointed in the opposite direction of Chanis Gate and said, "We have an accountant and someone else who is in charge of procuring necessities and collecting supplies handed out by the Church and the police department while standing in as a carriage driver. They are professionals and do not need to take shifts, so they can rest on weekends. The other three civilian staff are Rozanne, Bredt, and Old Neil. Their jobs include: attending to visitors, cleaning the rooms, and writing case files and inventory registration lists. They also guard the armory, storeroom, and the archives, strictly enforcing the registration should someone wish to enter, take out or return an item. Each of them has one day off a week, other than Sundays. They negotiate among themselves on the arrangement of night shifts and rest days."
"Then, what about my job?" Selina set her thoughts about Beyonders aside as she tried to clarify her role and responsibilities.
"There's no need for that. You are a Professional." Dunn said with a smile. "You can patrol around the streets of Tingen, at every morning or noon. Join the others for operations or take any jobs that requires handling in the company."
"...Pardon?" Selina instinctively raised a brow.
Is this their definition of professional?
Isn't this like telling me 'to do anything you want because we just need to monitor you'?
At least cover it appropriately and not make me a filler!
Dunn inserted his hand into the pockets of his windbreaker and said. "That is, if you want. However, it seems you're adept at making medicines with restoration properties, suggested by your frequent visits at Lawson's Folk Herb Shop. Are you perhaps an assistant? Or an apprentice?"
How rude... Stalking a lady's daily life... Selina sighed inwardly. "I'm in a mentorship for exactly seven days. The payment is weekly, I won't be taking any more lessons until I paid the previous week."
"Then I highly suggest taking that role. Health and well-being of our teammates is our priority. So please, consider applying your experience in this job as well." Dunn asked warmly with a smile.
Selina wasn't troubled by this. Rather, it even established another place for her acting. However, what bothers her is how she will get the chance to be mentored by Old Neil as well. Her mysticism foundation had only reached the basics of languages and rituals, in doing so might even open her eyes to this world's mysteries.
With this in mind. Selina posed a request she'd been wanting to include. "Mr. Smi- I mean Captain... Can I... By any chance, be taught mysticism by Mr. Old Neil?"
Dunn brought his pipe, took a quick whiff and replied. "Heh, I plan to add you in his Mysticism lectures eventually. This is to help you get a better grasp in the world of beyonders, it also benefits our team the more you're experienced."
Half-turning his body, he continued. "Ah, right. Along with Klein Moretti. The two of you will receive daily lectures until you're satisfied with the knowledge you obtained."
"I don't have any issues with that." Selina gave a genial smile.
It's nice to have a fellow learner after awhile...
At this moment, Dunn turned his body halfway and pointed to the black outward-swinging gates that was engraved with seven sacred emblems.
"This is Chanis Gate. It is named after the creator of the modern Nighthawk system, Archbishop Chanis. There is one under the central cathedral of every major city.
"It is guarded by formal Nighthawk members on rotation. Inside, there are at least two 'Keepers' who are sent by the Church, as well as countless traps. You must not approach it under any circumstance; otherwise, misfortune will befall you."
"Quite haunting..." Selina expressed her thoughts in a low voice.
"The area inside is divided into a few zones. Stored within are certain potion formulas for certain Sequences and other magical materials. It is also used to temporarily hold heretics, mutants, cultists, and members of secret organizations. Heh heh, they will eventually be sent to the Holy Cathedral," introduced Dunn in passing.
Holy Cathedral... It must be the Church of Evernight's headquarters located north of Loen Kingdom, in Winter County. I believe it is called Cathedral of Serenity? Selina let her thought drift as she ponder over the matter.
"In addition, there are all sorts of classified documents and records inside. When you gain a higher clearance, you might have a chance of reading them." Dunn hesitated for a moment before adding, "Behind the Chanis Gate, there are also Sealed Artifacts in the basement."
"Sealed... Artifacts?" Selina ruminated over the term.
A term that somewhat connects to her idea of mystical items. She was already exposed to the latter evident by her past, so defining the former wasn't too difficult for Selina.
She asked with curiosity. "Is it a classified term for mystical items?"
Dunn returned with a question. "Was that how you perceive them?"
I... really don't know how to call them...
"Well, wild beyonders do refer to them as mystical items or artifacts." Dunn explained upon seeing Selina's attentiveness. "These are extraordinary items which exhibits great importance and power. Too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, we have to keep it strictly confidential and watch them carefully. Even we can only use it under special circumstances. Not only that..."
With that said, Dunn paused for a moment before continuing, " Some things inside are very special. They had certain 'living' characteristics which can entice the Keepers. It would influence the surroundings, attempt escape, and cause catastrophic outcomes. They have to be strictly controlled."
Selina can very well picture the destructiveness of these items through the Rose School of Thought's practice of using them. This includes Deimsfel's strange mask during her wedding escape.
Perhaps... That mask also had 'living' characteristics? It wriggled before Deimsfel could manifest it... Selina suddenly recalled that point in her memory.
"The Nighthawk headquarters have categorized these Sealed Artifacts into four grades. Grade 0 represents Extremely Dangerous. They are of the highest importance and of the highest confidentiality. They are not to be inquired, disseminated, described, or spied. They can only be sealed in the basement of the Holy Cathedral," described Dunn in detail. "Grade 1 is Highly Dangerous. They can be used in limited ways. Their security clearance is limited to diocesan bishops or Nighthawk deacons and above. The central cathedral of diocese headquarters like Backlund can store one to two artifacts. The rest will be handed over to the Holy Cathedral.
"Grade 2 is Dangerous. They can be used with care and moderation. The security clearance requires one to be a bishop or a Nighthawk team's captain and above. The central cathedrals in the various cities can store three to five artifacts. The rest will be turned into the Holy Cathedral or the diocese headquarters. Grade 3 is Considerably Dangerous. They have to be used carefully. It can only be applied for operations that require three or more people. The security clearance requires one to be a formal member of the Nighthawks."
"In the future, you will see the corresponding documents. Through the numbers, you can understand what they represent. For instance, 2-125 means that it is a Dangerous grade Sealed Artifact No. 125."
As Dunn went on, he suddenly turned around and returned to his room. He pulled out a piece of paper from the bottom of the drawer.
"By the way, take a look at this." He gave the paper to Selina for inspection. "Three years ago, a newly appointed archbishop lost control. For some unknown reason, he stormed through the various levels of protection and vanished mysteriously with a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact. Memorize this photo. If you discover him, do not alert or disturb him. Return to report it immediately or the chance of you dying in the line of duty is a thousand percent."
Huh? Selina cast her gaze onto the paper's black and white photo upon receiving it.
On its surface, it only bore a few lines of words:
"Ince Zangwill. Male. Forty years old. Former archbishop. A Gatekeeper who failed in his promotion and was enticed by the devil and was corrupted. He escaped with Sealed Artifact 0-08. Particular traits are..."
The picture depicted Ince Zangwill as wearing an all-black clergyman robe with buttons on both sides and a soft cap. His hair was dark blonde and his pupils were so blue that it was nearly black. He had a high nose and his lips were tightly pursed. His facial features were like a classic sculpture without any wrinkles. The most striking characteristic was that he was blind in one eye.
The description for the person was very detailed. However, the sealed artifact only possesses its coding... Selina noticed it quickly.
Dunn continued. "The rest of the Nighthawks are already aware of this corrupted clergy, so when you spot him, immediately retreat and report."
Why...? Selina couldn't help but knit her brows. She pressed. "Mister... I mean captain. Why are there no details for the artifact?"
"It is at the highest security clearance. The search for Sealed Artifact No. 0-08 is only described verbally and never written in words. Even so, the description will be little," said Dunn with a sigh. "0-08 appears to be a common quill, but it does not need ink to write. That's all."
Dunn did not dive deeper into the topic. He tugged at the golden chain on his black windbreaker and took out a gorgeous pocket watch of the same color. He clicked it open and took a glance before pointing outside.
"I've told you all you need to know. Go and find Old Neil and tell him to arrange the documents that you need to read. He is no ordinary civilian clerk. He was once a formal member, but due to his advanced age, he failed to be promoted. His health is ailing, so it's no longer suitable for him to handle cases. Furthermore, he does not wish to become an internal Keeper or rest at home. All he wishes is to be accompanied by documents and records."
"He should be in the alchemy room, teaching." Dunn quickly added. "Oh! And while you're on your way. Seeka Tron should be exiting the area in Chanis Gate with a batch of materials. Please help her if you two ever encountered."
Selina stood up from her seat and took a brief courtesy before Dunn. She replied amiably, "Very well. Thank you for everything captain."