Promotion.
Lu Ze took a second to recall the meaning of this word in mysticism. It roughly meant to advance one's Sequence by consuming a higher-level Beyonder characteristic. For example, Dunn was a Sequence 7, Nightmare, of the Sleepless Pathway. This meant he had successfully been promoted twice.
Logically speaking, advancing a Sequence was a good thing, as it granted more abilities and spirituality. But why was Dunn so resistant?
Dunn offered his explanation.
"For ordinary Sequences, promotion is a mix of risk and opportunity. So Nighthawks, as long as they follow regulations, earn enough merit, and pass the assessment, can consume the relevant Beyonder characteristic and achieve promotion. But the Secret Supplicant Pathway is different."
He clasped his hands, his right thumb rubbing back and forth over his left thumb. "According to our internal material, the Sequence 8 of the Secret Supplicant Pathway is called the Listener. They can directly hear the whispers of hidden existences, thereby gaining powerful, twisted, and unique abilities. But as a price, they must be promoted within five years, otherwise they will inevitably die miserably."
"I see, Captain."
Lu Ze seemed to understand. "It sounds really dangerous."
"It's more than that."
Dunn said, "The whispers will alter your cognition, twist your beliefs, and make you worship the True Creator. All Listeners, without exception, are Lunatics. If they appear normal, then they are Lunatics who are extremely good at hiding it."
Lu Ze couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"So, this Secret Supplicant Pathway, except for the very lowest level, are all fanatical believers of an evil god?"
As expected of an evil god, truly ruthless!
"That's right."
Dunn's gray eyes were filled with seriousness. "I will not allow worshippers of an evil god to appear in my team. If one day you truly go astray, seek promotion, and become a believer of an evil god, I will absolutely fulfill my responsibility as Captain and personally purify you. Although these words are unpleasant, I must say them upfront. Lu Ze, do you understand?"
When he said this, his gaze was very serious, clearly not joking in the slightest.
Lu Ze couldn't help but sit up straighter.
"I understand, Captain, I definitely won't seek promotion."
"It's good that you agree." Dunn nodded. "There's one more thing. Because you have a history of mental illness, you'll need to submit a recovery certificate from a mental hospital after you start working."
"Easy, I'm familiar with that place."
Lu Ze made a somewhat dark joke, then continued to ask, "Captain, I'm considered employed now, what should I do next?"
"You haven't had any contact with knowledge of mysticism before, so what you need to do next is receive training in this area, taught personally by Old Neil, the most senior auxiliary staff member in our team. Coincidentally, Klein also needs to take mysticism classes, so you can just learn with him."
"Alright."
Indeed, no matter where you go, new recruits always need training first. Lu Ze put away the contract, stood up, "Then I'll go out first, Captain."
"Wait a moment."
As soon as he stood up, he heard Dunn say, "One more thing, remember to get a revolver from Old Neil, and then receive thirty bullets daily. There's our exclusive shooting range on the street, take some time to practice."
As he spoke, Dunn quickly wrote a note, signed, and stamped it.
Can I get a gun, and free bullets for practice?
Lu Ze took the note, his eyes lit up. The Nighthawks' benefits were really good.
He thanked him and turned to walk a few steps.
"Wait again."
Dunn called out to him again.
The Captain's memory really isn't very good.
Lu Ze could immediately understand Klein and Leonard's state that night.
"Captain, is there anything else?"
He asked with a smile.
"Old Neil's class is in the armory. If you don't know the way, you can ask Rosanne to lead you."
"Alright."
After Lu Ze replied, he became more mindful, not leaving immediately. Instead, he slowed his pace and waited for Dunn a while longer, until he was sure he wouldn't be called again, before pushing the Door open and leaving.
Exiting the Captain's office and returning to the hall. Klein might have gone to class, and only Rosanne was left at the front desk. Seeing Lu Ze look over, she immediately stood up straight in fright, even bumping her leg against the chair with a "thud" because she stood up too quickly.
"I-is there something?"
She asked, rubbing her leg with tearful eyes.
"The Captain asked me to find Mr. Neil in the armory. Could you please lead the way?"
"Uh, no problem."
Rosanne's face was filled with reluctance, but she still reluctantly agreed.
She walked past the partition, leading Lu Ze deeper into the corridor, not looking sideways. One of her legs seemed to be limping slightly.
I should have just asked her for directions and gone myself.
Lu Ze thought to himself, why does it feel like I'm some kind of bad guy now?
The two didn't speak, and just like that, they arrived at the end of the corridor. Rosanne pulled open the Door, and what appeared inside was not a room, but a spiraling staircase leading downwards. The gas lamps hanging on the walls on both sides burned steadily, dispelling the Darkness in the depths of the staircase.
"We still need to go down."
Rosanne said, pointing at the stairs.
The two descended the stairs, their footsteps echoing in the enclosed space. After descending about one or two floors, the staircase leveled out, and a long, narrow passageway came into view. Gas lamps and the Goddess's holy emblem alternated on the walls. Although it was summer, the temperature here was very cool. Lu Ze knew they were already underground.
To hide so deeply underground… Well, there must be many things that cannot be out in the open.
"Walk straight for a while, and you'll see a crossroads. To the left is Saint Selena Cathedral, straight ahead is Charnes Gate, and to the right are the armory and the archives."
Rosanne said, pointing ahead.
"Alright, then I can go by myself from here. Thank you very much, Miss Rosanne."
Hearing Lu Ze say this, Rosanne was relieved, and she scurried up the stairs and left, her hurried footsteps echoing in the empty passageway.
No need to be so rushed, really.
Lu Ze shook his head and stepped forward.
Following Rosanne's directions, he turned right at the crossroads and saw two iron Doors at the end of the passageway. One of them was the armory where the mysticism lecture was being held. He tapped on the iron Door with his knuckles.
"Come in."
An old voice came, somewhat muffled through the iron Door.
Lu Ze pushed the Door open and walked in, seeing Klein sitting and Listening to the lecture, and an old man in a black classical robe behind the table. His hair was gray, and his wrinkles were deep.
Besides that, a pair of transparent, lashless eyes floated in the void behind him.
Boom!
The moment he saw those eyes, Lu Ze felt a huge roar in his head, and nosebleed instantly gushed out.
The fact that Listening changes cognition can be seen in Heath, the Bloodless, who remained normal after skipping this stage.
Stopped
patreon.com/Itsdragonking for more chapters