Study?

"But what could I even do? I can't exactly go there just to clean up after you all, can I?"

Lynch thought about his own situation and asked with a hint of distress.

The Nighthawks had recruited Klein because he had a background in history, but what about him?

Although his job at that import-export company sounded decent as a clerk, it was only because the original owner had taught himself how to read and write. Among a crowd of people who couldn't even write a single word, he was considered quite impressive.

But were there really so few people among the Nighthawks who could read?

What would they want with an ordinary clerk like him?

Would he be a mascot?

"That will require your own effort. I hope you can get into Tingen University and graduate within five years. During this time, you will be paid to study while helping out with tasks you are capable of. If you fail to achieve this, you will have to leave the Nighthawks."

Dunn wore a gloating expression for the first time.

Lynch felt as if the sky had collapsed.

Study?

It had been so many years since he graduated; they wanted him to study now?

"I've investigated. You have a strong aptitude for learning and even taught yourself two languages. That is a powerful talent—do you really want to waste it? Don't you want to make up for the regret of not having attended university in the past?"

He didn't, not even a little bit!

Lynch really wanted to shout that out loud.

But the moment Dunn mentioned his weekly salary, he immediately compromised.

"Our salary is two pounds and ten Sule per week, with an additional ten Sule as a confidentiality fee, making it three pounds a week."

Lynch raised his head. "I'm willing! I am willing to strive for the Nighthawks!"

Life, after all!

What's the difference between a person who doesn't work hard and a salted fish?

"Don't be so hasty. Think about it some more. You should know that once you agree, you will be stepping into a very dangerous environment. Joining us doesn't just mean a high salary and good benefits; it also means the constant fear of encountering danger."

That was true, but Lynch didn't care.

In this world, being an ordinary person was just as dangerous.

Besides, he wasn't exactly a pure, ordinary person anyway.

However, if he told Dunn he had already made up his mind right now, the man might think he was immature. It would be better to go over with Klein later; that way, they could look out for each other.

Mentioning Klein, Lynch noticed that Dunn was already explaining the benefits to him.

It was the same salary as Lynch's, also as a clerk.

The specific job details would only be revealed once they were hired; Dunn only emphasized how dangerous the world of Beyonders was.

"Alright, I need to send you two back. Get on the carriage! You can think about it some more, there's no rush. If you agree, go to the Hound Tavern on Bessek Street, find the boss, and tell him you want to buy his mercenary squad a drink."

Klein and Lynch returned to the house, by which time Dunn had already driven the carriage away.

"What do you think? Are you going to work there?"

Klein turned to look at Lynch to seek his opinion. He hadn't made up his mind yet, but it seemed like Lynch already had some ideas.

"Of course I'm willing. A three-pound weekly salary means I can move out of the place I was renting and go rent an apartment on Daffodil Street. It has a private bathroom, so I won't have to squeeze in with other tenants every day. Plus, there's a separate kitchen, and I could even hire a maid. Just thinking about it makes it sound more comfortable than now!"

Klein might still be worried about the risks, but Lynch wasn't concerned in the slightest.

He remembered that in the original plot, the most dangerous thing in Tingen was the descent of the deity orchestrated by Lanreus.

But that could be avoided; as long as he was on leave that day or out on a mission, it wouldn't be a problem.

After Klein and Leonard—those two guys with protagonist templates—left, wouldn't he be like a fish in water in Tingen?

He wasn't afraid at all.

"What about you?"

He asked Klein, who shook his head.

"I don't know. I need to think about it more. The job as a university lecturer has no risks and is quite relaxed."

He muttered, but Lynch knew that Klein would definitely choose to join the Beyonder team in the end.

He might say he didn't want to, but in the end, he would run further than anyone else.

"Then take your time to think about it. No need to rush; you can decide whenever."

Lynch casually comforted Klein and pushed open the door to Klein's room.

Then he saw Melissa standing at the doorway, her raised hand looking as if she were about to open the door and come out.

"Sorry, I was looking for Klein earlier and couldn't find him, so I had to knock on your door. The door opened, and I didn't mean to walk in."

Melissa said awkwardly.

Although this was Klein's room, Lynch was staying here now, so her barging in was indeed quite inappropriate.

"Oh, it's fine, though I think you should be sleeping right now."

Lynch looked at the sky outside; it had to be around five in the morning. Why was this girl running around at this hour?

"I was sleeping, but I woke up halfway through to go to the washroom, and then I discovered Klein wasn't in his bed, so I wanted to come and ask you, only to find you weren't here either."

As Melissa said this, her eyes turned somewhat accusatory.

Before entering, she had knocked on the door and called out to Lynch several times. Finding no response, she had assumed Lynch had fainted again, which was why she had rushed in so recklessly, never expecting that this guy had gone out with Klein.

"It was Klein. He couldn't sleep and asked me to accompany him for a walk. You know how it is, he has an interview coming up, so the pressure is quite high."

Under Klein's shocked gaze, Lynch pushed all the responsibility onto him, providing a reason that Klein couldn't even refute.

Unless he wanted to tell Melissa that he and Lynch had been dragged off to assist in an investigation, he had no choice but to accept the excuse Lynch had concocted.

"Ahem, yeah, that's right!"

Klein gave Lynch a speechless look. This guy had just risked his life for him, only to turn around and make him the scapegoat.

"Klein, you could have just gone for a walk by yourself. Why did you have to drag Mr. Trance along? He's still recovering!"

Melissa complained.

This Mr. Trance cost five pounds just for medical treatment!

If he fainted at their doorstep again, they would truly go bankrupt.

Of course, she also felt bad for her brother.

"Actually, Klein, there's no need for you to be under so much pressure. Your abilities are definitely enough to qualify you as a lecturer at Tingen University, and even if you don't succeed, you can find something better."

She comforted Klein before turning her gaze back to Lynch.

Just as she was about to tell this money-pit to hurry inside and rest, she noticed a tear in his shirt.

"What is this?"

Melissa asked, though she quickly realized it must have happened while Lynch was out with Klein.

So, without waiting for Lynch to reply, she gestured for him to go change his clothes.

"I will mend it, but it will take some time. After all, you wouldn't want others to notice your shirt is torn, so if you have other clothes, you can change into them first. If not, you'll have to go back and get some, though you'll have to wait until daybreak."

Melissa said this in a businesslike tone.

Lynch hesitated. This shirt had been torn for a long time; the original owner didn't know how to sew, but as a bachelor, it didn't matter.

As for the current Lynch, he planned to wear the shirt often, especially after joining the Nighthawks, so he could find a way to list it as a mission-related expense.

But if he refused Melissa, would it seem a bit ungrateful?

Especially with Klein glaring at him right now, he felt that in the next second, Klein might just come at him with his fists.

"Alright, but don't sew it too well, just mess around with it a bit!"

Don't ruin his chances for reimbursement later.