Combat Instructor and Dinner Party

Several days after the incident, Luther was summoned into Dunn's office again.

"Lanevus swindled more than ten thousand pounds. If not for you, many citizens of Tingen City might have gone bankrupt overnight," Dunn said to Luther, handing him ten ten-pound notes. "Although a small portion of the cash has yet to be recovered, the victims still wished to express their gratitude. They pooled together a total of one hundred pounds and hoped to give it to you."

Luther took the notes, counted out five, and handed them back to Dunn. "Captain, could you do me a favor? Please give this money to the family of the guard who died."

Thanks to Old Neil's property and his usual salary, he had not been short of money lately. He might as well be generous and show some regard for the unfortunate guard who had died.

Dunn gave Luther a long look, then took the money back. "I understand."

He suddenly chuckled softly. "Ah, it's truly ironic. I was just telling you that Tingen City is very safe and scarcely sees a few cases a month, yet you haven't been on the job for more than a few days, and you've already run into Beyonder incidents back-to-back..."

Luther was rather speechless as well. Was I somehow born with a physique that attracted evil gods? I hadn't been transmigrated for long, yet their lackeys kept coming after me.

"Sure enough, for your own protection, you should still learn close-quarters combat. If you had known it back then, this incident would not have been nearly so dangerous," Dunn said. "Klein happens to be undergoing training too, so you can go with him."

"Yes, Captain."

Luther was also eager to become stronger, so he immediately nodded at those words.

"Is there anything else?"

After they finished talking, he did not get up and leave. Instead, he continued asking.

"Mm..."

Dunn rubbed his temples and pondered for a moment. "Our Tingen City Nighthawks Squad has a tradition. After a newcomer joins, he must independently complete a mission to earn the squad members' recognition. Considering that you basically handled this incident on your own and made a major contribution, I'll count it as your independently completed mission. I imagine the others will have no objections."

So there was supposed to be a solo mission, but I don't need to do it now, right?

Luther nodded thoughtfully.

Yet he still did not move. He remained seated, looking at Dunn as though silently asking, "Anything else?"

Seeing this, Dunn could not help but smile wryly. "There really is nothing else."

"Mr. Gawain used to be a knight, and he has a rather strict temperament. Don't try to challenge him. Just do as he says."

That afternoon, on their way to the combat instructor's residence, Klein gave him this advice. Klein had started training several weeks before Luther and was already familiar with the instructor's temper and personality.

"What if he makes things difficult for me?"

"He probably won't make things difficult for you. Mr. Gawain is simply very strict."

Klein seemed to recall something, and a smile appeared on his face. "Oh, right. Your welcome dinner is tonight. Remember to eat plenty."

Because of the pursuit of Lanevus, the dinner originally scheduled for Friday had been moved to that evening. It would be held at Old Verne's Restaurant, where they usually ordered meals, with the cost covered by the squad's public funds.

It's only a meal. Was there really any need to be this happy?

Luther gave Klein a strange look, then nodded.

They soon arrived at their destination: a two-story building on the outskirts of North Borough. The house was not particularly attractive, and its garden and lawn had gone untended for a long time, weeds growing lush and wild.

They pushed open the rusted iron gate, followed a path wide enough for two people to walk abreast, and entered through the front door. A tall man stood with his back to them, staring at the empty fireplace.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Gawain turned around. He first glanced at Klein, then looked at Luther.

"Who is he?"

He was already quite old, with white hair at his temples and pronounced nasolabial folds on his face. Only his eyes remained exceptionally sharp. Under his gaze, Luther felt the danger of being watched by an old lion.

"Teacher, his name is Luther Rondal. He's our newly hired colleague," Klein explained. "We hope that, in accordance with the contract, you can teach him combat skills as you taught me."

Gawain sized Luther up for a while, then snorted coldly. "He's even skinnier than you!"

What was wrong with being skinny? Did he expect a lunatic to work out?

Luther thought to himself, meeting his gaze openly.

After examining Luther, Gawain suddenly asked, "If I were to attack you right now and kill you, how would you respond?"

"Shoot you."

Luther answered immediately.

"Assume you don't have a gun."

Gawain frowned.

"Run into the street immediately while shouting for help."

"You are not allowed to leave the house! Assume the two of us are inside this house, and you must fight me!"

Gawain snapped angrily.

"Then I definitely can't beat you," Luther said frankly. "I can only try to keep my distance, harass you with a long weapon, and prioritize your weak points, such as your groin and eyes... If I truly can't beat you and you really intend to kill me, then I might open the gas valve, release the gas, and set it alight so we die together. I've already observed that the gas valve in your home is an old-fashioned one. It's very easy to open."

He laid out his plan openly. Beside him, Klein's expression gradually shifted from watching the show with amusement to stunned disbelief.

Gawain stared at him coldly. After a moment, he gave a disdainful smile.

"Only capable of resorting to such despicable methods... Heh, but at least you have the nerve to risk your life against an enemy."

"So I can stay, right?"

Luther asked.

Then he saw Gawain point toward the other side of the living room. "There are practice knight uniforms over there. Change into one, then go do the most basic strength training... Have your colleague tell you exactly what to do. Understood?"

Gawain suddenly raised his voice, roaring with tremendous authority.

"Yes!"

The two of them instinctively straightened up and answered loudly.

Thus, for the next three hours, under Klein's guidance, Luther became intimately acquainted with dumbbells and jump ropes...

That night, at Old Verne's Restaurant.

Apart from the squad members assigned to guard Chanis Gate, everyone from Blackthorn Security Company was present, including the clerical staff and the Nighthawks.

Tempting dishes were beautifully arranged on plates, covering the entire dining table, with every place setting piled high.

Unfortunately, Luther had little appetite. He had undergone three full hours of intense training that afternoon, his body filled with exhaustion and strain. Just seeing the food and smelling its aroma made him want to throw up.

Only then did he understand the meaning behind Klein's knowing smile.

"Come, let us welcome our newly joined official member, Luther Rondal. He has only just joined the squad, yet he has already made a great contribution to our Tingen City Nighthawks Squad. Let us thank him together. Cheers!"

Clink!

Everyone's glasses met, producing a pleasant sound.