Hearing Dunn's invitation to join the team, Caesar froze for a second.
"Are you inviting me to become a Nighthawk?" He suspected he had misheard and asked again for confirmation.
"That's right."
"But you clearly said before that my Pathway is very dangerous... Is it really appropriate for me to join your team?"
"As long as it's properly controlled, danger can be avoided." Dunn's eyes flickered. "Or do you actually prefer to live under supervision?"
"Not at all."
Caesar shook his head decisively. "I just feel it's too sudden, a bit... at a loss."
"Heh heh, so that's how it is."
Dunn smiled upon hearing that. "There are two main reasons for inviting you to join the team. The first is pure sympathy for your situation, hoping you two can have a better life; the second is that your abilities and Sequence are very useful to us. Currently, Secrets Suppliants on our side are extremely rare. Especially your outstanding performance last night, it can be said that if it weren't for you, we would have lost two team members... Inviting you to join our Nighthawks is also my way of expressing gratitude."
This seemed to make sense.
Caesar nodded. He looked at Cecilia. "Sister, what do you think?"
"I'll listen to you," Cecilia said. "Either choice is fine, as long as we're not separated."
Sister, you should think too...
Caesar was a bit helpless and could only consider the pros and cons.
The two choices Dunn offered each had their own advantages and disadvantages.
If he chose to be protected and supervised, the benefit would be higher safety, perhaps allowing him to live a stable life. However, he would likely bid farewell to freedom for the rest of his days. He had originally thought of becoming a plagiarist, which would certainly not be allowed under such circumstances. Not only that, he had already witnessed how insane those cultists were; in the most extreme cases, those protecting him might not be able to keep them safe.
As for becoming a Nighthawk, the advantages were greater freedom, official backing, and more opportunities to learn about the mysterious world—perhaps even finding a way to return. Moreover, he would receive a stable salary. Although he didn't know the exact amount, seeing how well-dressed and healthy the Nighthawks looked, they were at least free from worries about food and clothing.
As for the disadvantages... there would be dangers. For example, like last night, encountering crazed and out-of-control cultists, or other unforeseen accidents.
But the first choice would also have dangers. If he became a Nighthawk, at least he would have teammates to rely on. Moreover, Caesar also had that unknown illusion that could protect his mind, making him much safer than ordinary Secrets Suppliants.
Thinking of this, he raised his head.
"Any other questions?"
Dunn asked.
"I'd like to ask, if I join the team, what will my main work be, and what about the salary and benefits?"
Caesar asked frankly.
"Nighthawks are mainly responsible for handling Beyonder cases related to the Goddess's believers. Specifically for our Tingen City Nighthawks team, there are usually one to two cases per month. And these cases are relatively simple; what you encountered yesterday was a very rare situation."
"If you join the team, you will participate in the work as an auxiliary member among the official team. You won't need to actively engage in combat, but you will provide divination, psychometry, and various ritual services to the team... Heh heh, of course, this part will have professionals training you."
"As for the salary, I can give you a reference. Klein Moretti, whom you met, just started a few weeks ago. He is a Sequence 9 auxiliary member. Currently, his weekly salary totals around 6 pounds, and it will gradually increase each year thereafter."
6 pounds a week?
Caesar raised an eyebrow. This was much higher than he had imagined. An ordinary worker in Tingen City earned at most one pound for a full week's work. This Nighthawk salary was equivalent to earning fifteen or sixteen thousand in a city where the average income was three or four thousand. However, considering the potential dangers of this job, this salary seemed very reasonable.
But no matter what, with this money, he would be able to support his sister and live a prosperous life.
"That's pretty much all I can tell you. Other details can only be disclosed after you join the team," Dunn added. "I'm not forcing you to agree. You can consider it and then give me your final answer. After all, once you join, your future life might take a completely different path."
After speaking, his gray eyes calmly looked at Caesar, without any hint of urging.
Caesar thought for a moment, then turned to Cecilia. "How much did you earn making matchboxes again?"
Cecilia paused, then replied, "It used to be two and a quarter pence, but I haven't done piecework recently, so I don't know the latest price."
Upon hearing this, Caesar was silent for a few seconds before smiling. "Throw away that brush, we won't need it anymore."
With that, he stood up and extended his hand to Dunn. "I wish to join the Nighthawks team."
"Welcome."
Dunn also smiled and shook his hand.
His palm was warm and strong.
---
Two mornings later, Narcissus Street, No. 6.
Caesar, in a brand new formal suit, stood in his newly rented house, looking at himself in the mirror.
Having shed his usual restrictive clothes, his handsome face, combined with well-tailored garments, made him exceptionally attractive. However, there still seemed to be a hint of gloom and sickness hidden between his brows, adding a peculiar aura to him.
A bit too eye-catching.
Caesar thought to himself.
After deciding to join the team that day, Dunn had Mrs. Orianna, the team's accountant, advance him two weeks' salary as a settling-in allowance. Caesar did not decline, as the two siblings currently only possessed a broken suitcase, and he urgently needed money to settle himself and his sister.
So, for the next two days, he rented a house, bought new clothes for himself and his sister, and purchased necessary items. It wasn't until today that everything was sorted, and he had time to report to the team.
Caesar took his top hat from the coat rack and put it on his head, then called upstairs, "Are you ready?"
A timid figure appeared at the stairs; it was Cecilia in a new dress, carrying a book bag in her hand.
"Do we really have to go?"
She was a little uneasy.
"I've already paid your tuition, how can you not go?" Caesar said with a smile, patting Cecilia's shoulder. "Just listen carefully in class, my sister is so smart, there will definitely be no problem."
That's right, starting today, Cecilia was going to school.
Before the family's misfortune, his sister had been attending middle school at the Goddess's church school and had excellent grades. If she could graduate smoothly, she would likely find a good job. However, to take care of Caesar, she had no choice but to drop out and stay cooped up in the small apartment room.
As a person from the modern world, Caesar's emphasis on education was ingrained in his bones. Now that conditions allowed, he had to arrange everything for his sister; no matter what, she had to finish her studies. So, with Dunn's connections, Cecilia easily regained her student status and officially returned to school.
"But Caesar, do you really not need me to take care of you anymore?"
Cecilia was quite happy to return to school, but she was still hesitant, worried that Caesar might have an episode.
"My illness is cured, haven't you seen it? It hasn't recurred for such a long time." Caesar confidently patted his chest. "Alright, let's go quickly, you don't want to be late on your first day of school, do you?"
Cecilia then happily left the house.
After seeing his sister off, Caesar also had to report to the team.