Old Neil is acting strange

Advancement.

Luther took a second to recall the occult meaning of this term. It roughly meant increasing one's Sequence by consuming a higher-level Potion. For instance, Dunn was a Sequence 7 "Nightmare" of the Unsleeping pathway. In other words, he had already successfully advanced twice.

Logically, increasing one's Sequence was a good thing, as it granted more abilities and spirituality. However, why would Dunn be so resistant to it?

Dunn provided his explanation.

"For most Sequences, advancement is a mix of risk and opportunity. Therefore, as long as Night Watchers follow regulations, earn enough merit, and pass the assessment, they can consume the corresponding Potion to advance. But the Black Knight pathway is different."

He interlaced his fingers, rubbing his right thumb against his left, "According to our internal files, the Sequence 8 of the Black Knight pathway is called 'Listener'. They can directly hear the whispers of hidden existences, thereby gaining powerful, twisted, and unique abilities. But as a price, they must advance within five years, or they will inevitably die a miserable death."

"So that's how it is, Captain."

Luther seemed to understand, "That does sound dangerous."

"It's more than that."

Dunn said, "The whispers will alter your cognition, twist your values, and make you worship the True Creator. Every single 'Listener', without exception, is a lunatic. If one appears normal, then they are simply a lunatic who is hiding it very deeply."

Luther couldn't help but gasp.

"So... in the Black Knight pathway, besides the very bottom, everyone else is a fanatic of an Evil God?"

They really are Evil Gods, truly ruthless!

"Correct."

Dunn's gray eyes were filled with seriousness, "I will not allow a believer of an Evil God in my team. If one day you truly go astray, seeking advancement and becoming a believer of an Evil God, I will absolutely fulfill my duty as captain and purify you with my own hands... This is harsh to hear, but I must say it upfront. Luther, do you understand?"

When he said this, his gaze was very earnest; it was clear he wasn't joking in the slightest.

Luther couldn't help but sit up straight as well.

"I hear you, Captain. I definitely won't seek advancement."

"I'm glad you agree." Dunn nodded, "There is one more thing. Because you have a history of mental illness, you need to submit a certificate of recovery after joining, issued by a psychiatric hospital."

"Simple, I'm familiar with that place."

Luther made a somewhat dark joke, then continued to ask, "Captain, does this mean I'm officially on the job? What should I do next?"

"You have never been exposed to occult knowledge before, so the next step is to receive training in this area, taught by Old Neil, the most senior support staff on our team. As it happens, Klein also needs to take occult classes, so you can just learn along with him."

"Understood."

Sure enough, no matter where you go, newcomers have to be trained first. Luther put away the contract and stood up, "Then I'll head out first, Captain."

"Wait a moment."

Just as he stood up, he heard Dunn say, "One more thing, remember to find Old Neil to collect a revolver, then collect thirty rounds of ammunition every day. We have an exclusive shooting range on the street; find some time to go practice."

As he spoke, Dunn quickly wrote out a slip, signed it, and stamped it.

I can get a gun and free ammo for practice?

Luther took the slip, his eyes lighting up. The benefits of being a Night Watcher are truly great.

He expressed his thanks and turned to walk away, having only taken a few steps.

"Wait again."

Dunn called out to him once more.

...The Captain's memory really isn't that great.

Luther could instantly understand the state Klein and Leonard were in that night.

"Captain, is there anything else?"

He asked with a smile.

"Old Neil's classroom is in the armory. If you don't know the location, you can have Roshan show you the way."

"Understood."

After answering, Luther became cautious. He didn't leave immediately but slowed his pace, waiting a moment longer for Dunn until he was certain he wouldn't be called again before pushing the door open and leaving.

He exited the captain's office and returned to the hall. Klein might have gone to class, as only Roshan remained at the front desk. Seeing Luther look over, she stood up straight in fright, and because she stood up too abruptly, her leg hit the chair with a "thud."

"Is, is there something?"

She asked, rubbing her leg with teary eyes.

"The Captain told me to go to the armory to find Mr. Neil. Could you please show me the way?"

"Uh... no problem."

Roshan's face was full of reluctance, but she still agreed with a bitter expression.

She walked past the partition and led Luther toward the depths of the corridor, eyes fixed forward, one of her legs seeming to limp slightly.

I should have just asked her for directions and gone myself.

Luther thought to himself, why does it feel like I'm some kind of villain now?

The two didn't converse, arriving at the end of the corridor just like that. Roshan pulled open the door, and what appeared inside wasn't a room, but a staircase spiraling downward. The gas lamps hanging on the walls on both sides burned steadily, dispelling the darkness deep within the stairs.

"We need to keep going down."

Roshan pointed toward the stairs and said.

The two of them followed the stairs downward, their footsteps echoing in the confined space. After descending about the height of one or two stories, the stairs leveled out, and a long, narrow corridor came into view, where gas lamps and the Goddess's Holy Emblem appeared alternately on the walls. Although it was summer, the temperature here was quite cool, and Luther knew they had already reached the underground.

To think it was hidden so deep... well, it makes sense; there must be many things that cannot be kept out in the open.

"Walk forward for a bit, and you will see a crossroads. To the left is St. Selena's Church, straight ahead is the Chanis Gate, and to the right are the armory and the archives."

Roshan pointed ahead and said.

"Understood. I can head over there on my own from here. Thank you very much, Miss Roshan."

Hearing Luther say this, Roshan looked relieved and scrambled up the stairs as if fleeing, her hurried footsteps echoing through the empty corridor.

There was no need to be in such a rush...

Luther shook his head and began to walk forward.

Following Roshan's directions, he turned right at the crossroads and saw two iron doors at the end of the corridor. One of them was the armory where the occult lecture was being held, and he knocked on the iron door with his knuckles.

"Please, come in."

An aged voice came from behind the door, sounding somewhat muffled.

Luther pushed the door open and walked inside, seeing Klein sitting there listening to the lecture, as well as an old man in a black classical robe sitting behind a desk. His hair was gray, and his wrinkles were deep.

Beyond that, a pair of transparent, lashless eyes floated in the void behind him.

BOOM!

The instant he saw those eyes, Luther felt a loud roar in his brain, and blood instantly gushed from his nose.