A few days later, Caesar was once again called into Dunn's office.
"Lanevus swindled over ten thousand pounds. If it weren't for you, many citizens in Tingen City would have been ruined overnight," he told Caesar, handing him ten 10-pound banknotes. "Although a small portion of the cash hasn't been recovered, the victims still want to express their gratitude. They pooled together 100 pounds, hoping to give it to you."
Caesar took the banknotes, counted out five, and returned them to Dunn. "Captain, I need you to do me a favor. Please give this money to the family of the deceased guard on my behalf."
Thanks to Old Neil's property and his regular salary, he wasn't short on money recently, so he decided to be generous and show some consideration for the unfortunate deceased guard.
Dunn looked deeply at Caesar, took back the banknotes, and said, "I understand."
He suddenly let out a low laugh. "Heh, it's really ironic. I told you before that Tingen is very safe, with only a few cases a month, but you've encountered Beyonder events continuously within days of joining."
Caesar was also a bit speechless. Could it be that he had some innate constitution that attracted evil gods? Not long after transmigrating, he had been constantly pursued and entangled by various subordinates of evil gods.
"Indeed, for self-preservation, you should still learn close-quarters combat. If you had known close-quarters combat at the time, this incident wouldn't have been so dangerous," Dunn said. "Klein is also undergoing training, so you can go with him."
"Understood, Captain."
Caesar also had an urgent desire to become stronger, so he immediately nodded when he heard him say that.
"Is there anything else?"
After they finished talking, he didn't get up but continued to ask.
"Hmm."
Dunn rubbed his forehead, pondering for a moment. "Our Tingen City has a team tradition: new recruits must complete a task independently to gain the recognition of the team members. Given that you essentially completed this incident independently and made a significant contribution, I will consider it your independently completed task. I'm sure the others won't object."
That means there was supposed to be a solo mission, but now I don't have to do it, right?
Caesar nodded thoughtfully.
But he still didn't move; he sat in place, looking at Dunn as if silently asking him, "Anything else?"
Seeing this, Dunn couldn't help but smile wryly. "There really isn't anything else."
— — — —
"Teacher Gawain was once a knight, and his personality is quite strict. Don't try to challenge him; just do as he asks."
In the afternoon, on the way to the combat teacher's residence, Klein cautioned him. He had started training a few weeks before Caesar and was already familiar with the combat teacher's temper and personality.
"What if he makes things difficult for me?"
"He won't make things difficult; Teacher Gawain is just very strict."
Klein seemed to recall something, a smile appearing on his face. "Oh, by the way, tonight is your welcome dinner. Remember to eat a lot."
Due to the pursuit of Lanevus, the banquet originally scheduled for Friday was changed to tonight. The dinner location was Old Weil Restaurant, where they usually ordered meals, and the cost was covered by the team's public funds.
Just a meal, is there any need to be so happy?
Caesar gave Klein a strange look and nodded.
Soon, they arrived at their destination, a two-story building on the outskirts of the North District. The exterior of the house was not very attractive; the garden and lawn had not been tended to for a long time, and weeds grew thick and wild.
Pushing open the rusty iron gate and walking along the path wide enough for two people to the front door of the house, they pushed the door open. A tall man stood with his back to them, staring at the empty fireplace.
Hearing the door open, Gawain turned his head, first glancing at Klein, then looking at Caesar.
"Who is he?"
He was already old, with graying temples and very prominent nasolabial folds on his face, but only his eyes remained very sharp. Under his gaze, Caesar felt a sense of crisis, like being stared at by an old lion.
"Teacher, his name is Caesar Cardini, and he is our newly joined colleague," Klein explained. "I hope you can, according to the contract, teach him combat techniques just as you taught me."
Gawain scrutinized Caesar for a moment, then snorted, "He's even thinner than you!"
What's wrong with being thin? Can you really ask a lunatic to exercise?
Caesar thought to himself, meeting his gaze openly.
After sizing up Caesar, Gawain suddenly asked him, "If I were to suddenly attack you now, intending to kill you, how would you respond?"
"Shoot."
Caesar immediately replied.
"Assume you don't have a gun."
Gawain frowned.
"Immediately run into the street and shout for help."
"Don't leave the house! Assume we are both in this room, and you must fight me!"
Gawain said angrily.
"Then I definitely can't beat you," Caesar said frankly. "I can only try to create distance between us, use a long weapon to entangle you, and prioritize attacking your weak points, such as your groin, eyes, etc. If I really can't beat you, and you really intend to kill me, then I might open the gas valve to release gas and then light it, perishing with you. I've already observed that your house's gas valve is an old model and very easy to open."
He openly stated his plan, and Klein's expression, which had originally been one of watching the show, gradually turned to astonishment.
Gawain stared at him coldly. After a moment, he sneered contemptuously.
"Only resorting to despicable acts. Heh, but the willingness to fight to the death with an enemy is somewhat commendable."
"So I can train, right?"
Caesar asked.
Then he saw Gawain point to the other side of the living room. "There are practice knight suits over there. After you change, go do the most basic strength training. Your colleague will tell you how to do it. Understood!"
Gawain suddenly raised his voice, roaring with extreme authority.
"Yes!"
Both of them instinctively straightened their bodies and answered loudly.
So, for the next three hours, Caesar, under Klein's guidance, began to get intimately acquainted with dumbbells and jump ropes.
— — — —
That night, Old Weil Restaurant.
Except for the team members on duty at Chanis Gate, all members of Blackthorn Security Company were present, including administrative staff and Nighthawks.
Tempting delicacies were beautifully arranged on plates, covering the entire dining table, with each person's place fully laden.
Unfortunately, Caesar had no appetite. For three full hours that afternoon, he had been intensely trained, and fatigue and exhaustion filled his body. Just seeing these delicacies and smelling their aroma made him want to vomit.
Only then did he realize what Klein's meaningful smile had truly meant.
"Come, let us welcome our new official member, Caesar Cardini! He has just joined the team and has already made a great contribution to our Tingen City Nighthawks team. Let us all thank him and toast!"
"Clink!"
Everyone's glasses clinked together, making a pleasant sound.
*********
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