Settled

The descriptions related to the Open Source Patient made Yi Chen recall what had happened at the lake, and the terrifying existence he had encountered in the Fish Scale Abyss.

However,

Based on Yi Chen's recollection of that scene,

the existence within the abyss had probably reached a Rank even higher than Open Source... a deeper, more ancient, and more special Rank.

It seemed to bear some connection to the origin of Disease.

Snap!

The supervisor snapped his fingers.

This signaled that the hourglass had finished counting down. At the same time, he sealed the file.

"As you've seen, the 'False Moon Incident' involved an Open Source Patient behind the scenes. Its Diseased Trait was closely related to the 'moon,' making it a rare special species.

Its concealment abilities surpassed all conventional standards, allowing it to hide completely among humanity and eventually cause a terrifying disaster that nearly destroyed an entire city.

However,

the Open Source Patient has been slain, and the False Moon Incident ended two months ago. A cleanup was carried out one week ago.

You only need to go to the abandoned clinic and confirm whether the final bottle of secret medicine still exists."

Captain Edmund tried asking something more in-depth:

"Can you provide us with information about the secret medicine?"

"Only after you successfully bring back the secret medicine and complete the mission will you be told 'part of the information' concerning whether it is compatible with you.

The only thing I can tell you at present is this:

The secret medicine developed by the Twilight Clinic has been listed as an important secret among organizations because of its 'special effects.'"

As he spoke, the supervisor took out four instant cameras and an important photograph.

The photograph showed the secret medicine specially developed by the Twilight Clinic.

The mottled glass bottle was filled with silver liquid. Disgusting stains covered the cork at its mouth, while a line of crooked handwritten words could vaguely be seen on the bottle's yellowed label.

"Twilight Clinic's original creation—Twilight Silver Liquid"—Doctor D. M. Maco.

The supervisor's fingers tapped repeatedly against the surface of the photograph like a telegraph operator:

"Use the style of the medicine bottle in the photograph to find the remaining secret medicine... If you search the entire clinic and still find nothing, photograph every corner to prove that the secret medicine has been stolen.

It's that simple. If there are no problems, you can set out now."

Edmund immediately replied, "We're planning to set out tomorrow."

"No problem. You're newcomers, after all! As long as you finish this mission before the end of the month... If there's nothing else, then our conversation ends here.

Good luck!"

Just as everyone was about to rise from the table,

Yi Chen, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke up:

"I have a question... Is all the content in this report accurate?"

The supervisor, who had already turned his back, paused slightly before turning around again:

"Oh? Do you think the information I personally provided contains falsehoods?"

"It just feels vaguely incongruous when viewed as a whole."

"What I gave you is only 'partial information.' Many confidential details have been removed. To fill the gaps and keep the report readable, some artificial modifications and additions were necessary... A slight sense of incongruity is perfectly normal.

"Any other questions?"

"No."

The supervisor was actually quite a good person. He personally escorted the four of them out of Gentleman Hall and waved to them in a friendly manner when they parted.

Watching the four figures disappear, he muttered softly:

"The First Gentleman's chosen one and three outstanding newcomers who received Blue Letters... Just how far will they be able to go?"

He subtly adjusted the tilt of his top hat,

then turned and returned to Gentleman Hall.

Just as the supervisor reached the upper level,

Professor Chamberson, with an owl perched on his shoulder, was already waiting there.

"Oh? Isn't this the famous White Owl? What brings you here? Are you thinking of taking on a dark mission?"

Chamberson did not respond. Instead, he asked directly:

"I heard you assigned the mission involving the 'False Moon Incident' to William, Edmund, and the others?"

"I merely provided an option. They made the choice themselves."

Upon hearing this, Chamberson strode directly in front of the supervisor.

Although the two men were about the same height, Chamberson's aura completely overwhelmed the other man.

"Aige, we've known each other for quite some time.

As the supervisor of the hall, you should understand the importance of talent better than I do... The False Moon Incident hasn't completely ended. Even if there's only the 'slightest possibility,' the moment something happens, they'll all certainly die."

Supervisor Aige leaned back slightly and replied with a smile:

"I only arranged the mission according to the 'algorithm.' Their team's level meets the requirements for the secret medicine retrieval mission. That's all.

"Of course, considering the minuscule potential risk involved,

I'll arrange for an available high-ranking gentleman to observe them from the shadows. If a danger far beyond the scope of the mission really appears, I'll do everything possible to ensure their safety."

"No need to arrange anyone. I'll handle it myself... Wait!"

Chamberson suddenly realized something. "You brat, you guessed from the beginning that I would interfere in this matter, didn't you?"

Supervisor Aige hurriedly raised both hands, looking innocent. "Huh? I didn't say anything! Since Professor Chamberson happens to have time, I won't need to arrange anyone else."

Snap!

A claw-like hand clamped onto the supervisor's shoulder.

"Aige, you seem rather free lately, don't you? You even have time to come downstairs and personally receive the New Gentlemen... How about the two of us jointly guarantee these youngsters' safety?

"They're only going to the Twilight Clinic to retrieve a bottle of secret medicine. It won't delay us for long."

Aige had been about to find an excuse to refuse when he suddenly sensed a Killing Intent Fluctuation.

"Hmm~ That works! I've indeed been fairly free lately.

"These youngsters won't be setting out until tomorrow. Let me off for tonight, Professor Chamberson?"

As soon as he finished speaking,

only a single white feather drifted down onto the supervisor's shoulder. Chamberson had already vanished.

"Ah~ I miscalculated slightly.

"I never expected this White Owl to value his student so highly. It seems the young man who took half a year off really does conceal some special qualities I failed to notice.

"Forget it~ I'll indulge my curiosity and go play escort for these young people."

"Street District"

Edmund paid out of his own pocket to prepare the supplies the team needed to leave the city, including various potions, compressed food, camping tents, and so on.

As Edmund was about to buy replacement fuel for a Kerosene Lamp,

he suddenly noticed that the "Kerosene Lamp" hanging at Yi Chen's waist was merely an ordinary civilian model, unsuitable for gentlemanly combat.

"William! You need to replace this Kerosene Lamp with a new one.

"These old-fashioned Kerosene Lamps are easily damaged in battle... Besides, the place we're going this time has been completely abandoned. We'll often need a Kerosene Lamp to provide long-lasting illumination."

However,

Yi Chen was still immersed in his thoughts about the mission and only came back to himself after a while.

"Hm? Kerosene Lamps... Is there more to them than that?"

"Of course! In a terrible world like this, any investigation into the outside world could plunge us into complete darkness. A Kerosene Lamp is an indispensable item to carry.

"It's also one of the organization's officially recognized essentials for gentlemen.

"There are quite a few shops in Zion that specialize in selling Kerosene Lamps. There's still plenty of time today. Let's pick one out together?"

"A high-quality Kerosene Lamp must be expensive, right?"

Edmund thumped his chest. "It doesn't matter~ If you don't have enough money, I can cover the rest."

"I'll pay you back later."

Yi Chen did not refuse.

Ever since he was born in the Cemetery, he had understood the importance of a "Kerosene Lamp."

Looking at his own lamp, which was covered in rust, somewhat oversized, and creaked whenever he ran, he agreed that it was time to replace it.

They entered a lamp shop called Helios' Sacred Fire.

Yi Chen swept his gaze across the price tags beneath the lamps, then touched the few remaining Silver Coins at his waist. The urge to flee quickly arose in his mind.