Letter

Putting in the effort and receiving the reward one deserves,

this is one of the basic elements needed to build a society—"fairness."

The goal Yi Chen had fought for with all his might, risking his life to achieve in Green Lake Town, had finally received a fitting reward... The excitement was indescribable. In his previous life, there had been many times when his desperate efforts had earned him nothing but pitiful, miserable results.

However,

although Yi Chen had obtained the highest-grade "Gentleman's Skin," he had no idea what it was actually used for.

"Mr. Chamberson, what is this skin for? Does it allow me to obtain the power contained within it through a ritual?"

"It seems Wilbert didn't tell you anything... He didn't even give you the most basic training before sending you straight to us. That really is in keeping with his style.

The skin will allow you to officially become a 'gentleman.'

Everyone else is waiting for you. Let's walk and talk."

After returning to the main hall of Divine Skin Manor,

they followed the large staircase covered by a flesh-colored carpet toward the side corridor on the second floor.

Before reaching the area where the ritual was to take place, Yi Chen had one more question to confirm.

"If I obtain some kind of ability from Skin-Limbo, will it conflict with the 'Diseased Trait' I already possess?"

Chamberson, who was always stern, seemed exceptionally patient at this moment.

"Not at all.

The 'Gentleman's Skin' will not grant you any particular ability.

Its essence is that of a medium.

Once it is activated through the ritual,

the Gentleman's Skin will establish a connection between you and a 'growth system' capable of transcending human limits.

It is precisely because of this connection that the organization exists, that we gather in Zion City, and that humanity has caught a glimpse of hope for surviving in this world.

For that, we are willing to pay any price."

"A medium... It connects me to some kind of growth system?" Yi Chen could more or less understand what he meant. Put simply, he would be able to gradually grow stronger through the skin.

Chamberson continued:

"Whether it is the skin issued to the other examinees or the skin you received from the First Gentleman,

once it is activated,

your 'Consciousness Body' will be guided to the Old Hall through the skin's mediating effect.

You will receive one to three letters there. The number depends on your individual traits, and you may choose only one of them.

Each letter represents a profession and determines your future path as a gentleman.

Among them,

the color and nature of the letters are extremely important. Since time is short, I will only explain them once, so remember carefully!"

"Understood!"

"There are four colors of letters in total: white, blue, black, and purple.

Among them,

1. White letters are the most common. They correspond to 'Common Professions' and are the primary choice of the vast gentleman population.

Although they are common, Zion City is by no means lacking in outstanding individuals.

2. Blue letters are relatively rare. They correspond to 'Rare Professions,' which often possess exceptional talents in a certain area.

By training them according to their special characteristics, these gentlemen can often become the axles connecting the organization.

Some Rare Professions may develop into doctors.

3. The appearance of black letters is related to an individual's temperament. They correspond to 'Nightmare Professions.' These professions tend toward darkness and evil, conflicting with the ideals of some gentlemen.

As early as a hundred years ago, the organization established a special department specifically to accept and train gentlemen who chose Nightmare Professions.

They often possess powerful excision abilities and serve as the organization's executioners.

Some powerful gentlemen who chose black letters have become famous and are often called Chief Surgeons.

4. The appearance of purple letters is likewise related to the individual, but we have no idea what that connection specifically is.

They correspond to 'Unique Professions.'

Unlike the other three types, the professions granted by purple letters are specially designed for the individual—unique and one of a kind.

These professions are shrouded in mystery and filled with tremendous uncertainty. There have even been outstanding gentlemen who chose purple letters but spent their entire lives in Zion City, powerless to excise the Pathogens outside.

In short,

regardless of the letter,

its cover will bear an emblem representing the profession. Be sure to identify it clearly before making your choice."

This kind of substantive profession granting was far more real than the artificially defined professions of his previous world.

Yi Chen grew even more excited just listening to the explanation.

Chamberson continued:

"The skin you received came from the First Gentleman. Its mediating effect will reach its maximum, which means there is a higher probability of a blue letter appearing.

Of course, if a black letter appears as well, you can choose according to the circumstances."

"What if there's a purple one?"

"The uncertainty is too great. Personally, I don't recommend it... But this is your decision. Don't let my words influence you."

"Understood."

During Yi Chen's conversation with Chamberson,

Little Grape, hidden within his body, had thoughts of its own.

I'm really looking forward to this~ William, what kind of path will you choose? If it's too conservative and boring, I might just sneak away on my own.

The Ritual Chamber

Inside the spacious circular hall,

eleven priests from the manor had already drawn a ritual array using some kind of viscous, flesh-colored liquid.

Embedded within it were a total of seventeen small ring seals, corresponding precisely to the number of examinees.

As Chamberson led Yi Chen through the door,

everyone's eyes fell on the black box in Yi Chen's hands. A faint hint of greed could be found among them.

The blond Edmund, however, did not seem to care. He hurriedly waved.

"William, hurry~ Everyone's waiting for you."

"Mm."

Yi Chen quickly stepped onto the final ring seal in the array.

Following the priests' instructions,

he took the "Gentleman's Skin" from inside the box

and draped it over his head like a hood.

The ritual began.

Each priest chanted a different, incomprehensible fragment of ancient speech.

However,

the overlapping tones caused the broken ancient words to combine, forming a complete and powerful incantation that drove the ritual array into operation.

Buzz!

Yi Chen had experienced this sensation once before at the bottom of the lake.

It was the subtle feeling of his consciousness being drawn out of his body.

The difference was that this time, he was doing it willingly. There was no discomfort or pain at all.

It was like a completely wet bar of soap slipping from one's palm by accident, landing precisely in the toilet, and being flushed away in one smooth process.

When he opened his eyes again,

he was already inside a circular stone chamber overflowing with an ancient aura.

There were none of the complicated structures, hollow carvings, or lavish decorations found inside Divine Skin Manor.

It resembled a simple cave dug out by human hands.

Only a stone platform stood in the center. Nothing else was there.

The other examinees and priests had all disappeared. Yi Chen was the only one left.

The "Gentleman's Skin" that had originally covered his head had somehow moved to the surface of the stone platform.

The skin writhed, seemingly trying to conceal something... Based on Chamberson's earlier explanation, Yi Chen could already guess what it was.

"I wonder what the letters will be like."

He took a deep breath,

then stepped forward.

When his fingers touched the Gentleman's Skin covering the letters, he could feel the vitality flowing through it.

He exerted force and lifted it.

Blue—a copperplate-paper envelope with a ring of evergreen vines printed on its surface and a jigsaw of humanoid branches inside.

Black—a parchment envelope bearing the image of a skeleton riding in a boat.

Purple—a white cardstock envelope with an open book printed on its surface, tiny words invisible to the naked eye engraved within.

Three envelopes of different colors appeared before his eyes.

If the other gentlemen of Zion City saw this scene, every one of them would be too shocked to speak.

The mere appearance of a blue envelope was already extremely rare.

Not to mention the simultaneous appearance of three special letters.

Perhaps nothing like this had happened in the past several decades.

"This..."

Even Yi Chen, who had never suffered from indecisiveness, was completely stunned at this moment.

It's the weekend, so as usual, there's only one update today! If you have time, remember to show the characters some love. Monthly tickets would be even better. My house is pretty big, so anyone who sends a monthly ticket is welcome to come over and sleep here.