Joining I.A.R.C.

When Barton's gloved hand clasped Lin Jie's, the atmosphere in the underground safe house underwent a fundamental shift.

Marcus's tower-like frame relaxed, and while his gaze toward Lin Jie remained filled with curiosity, the hostility had vanished entirely.

Lin Jie had not only cleared his name, but more importantly, he had successfully presented a high-value "resume" to the vast occult organization known as the I.A.R.C.

"Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, according to the rules, I should return the Cartographer Karl's relics to the Association." Lin Jie did not greedily keep the diary and the pistol for himself; instead, with an air of complete composure, he took the initiative to place these two priceless items on the long table.

This crisp, decisive action clearly boosted Barton's favorable impression of him once again.

Hoarding Association assets was a grave offense, and by returning them voluntarily, Lin Jie had undoubtedly expressed his goodwill.

Barton picked up the thick German diary, his fingertips gently stroking the familiar cover as a flicker of remembrance for his fallen comrade crossed his eyes.

He then picked up the Webley revolver, inspected it carefully, and looked up at Lin Jie.

"Mr. Lin, according to the Association's regulations, returning relics is indeed a necessary procedure. However," Barton's tone shifted, a shrewd smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "there is another clause: any 'external collaborator' who provides critical intelligence to the Association or makes a decisive contribution during the hunt for a high-risk UMA is entitled to a corresponding reward of equal value."

He slowly pushed the revolver back toward Lin Jie.

"This gun was Karl's sidearm, and it was also his first 'Grotesque Armament'. We call it the 'Heart of Serenity'."

"Embedded in its grip is the auditory ossicle of a deep-sea UMA from the Norwegian Sea. Its property is the ability to resist the vast majority of low-level mental shocks and fear auras, while enhancing the wielder's reaction time slightly. I believe you have already experienced its effects firsthand."

Barton paused, then continued: "During the hunt for the Mist Walker, you broke through its camouflage and discovered its fatal weakness, preventing what could have been even greater casualties for the Association."

"Your contribution is worthy of this weapon. So, from now on, it belongs to you. This is a trophy you have earned."

Lin Jie's heart skipped a beat.

He had not expected the other party to so readily gift him such a powerful Grotesque Armament.

The so-called "handing over" was merely a gesture, a test.

If he had shown even a hint of greed or hesitation just now, he feared the other party's assessment of him would have dropped a level immediately.

He did not decline again, accepting the revolver that held such significant meaning for him with calm grace.

"Then, I shall accept it without false modesty."

"As for this diary," Barton said, holding the book without any intention of returning it, "its strategic value is too high; it must be recovered and kept by the Association. However, as compensation, the Association will provide you with a 'translation service'."

"What does that mean?" Lin Jie asked.

"It means that while we keep the original, the Association's linguistics department will translate all the German content into English, word for word, and provide you with a complete copy. Of course," Barton added, "for parts involving the Association's highest secrets, we may have to... redact them slightly."

"But you will be able to read all the knowledge regarding UMAs and Mr. Karl's hunting experience. To you, this should be far more valuable than holding an original you cannot read, right?"

Lin Jie's eyes lit up.

This was an unexpected windfall!

His biggest headache was the German language, and now the I.A.R.C. was actually willing to mobilize its organizational resources to solve his greatest difficulty.

Trading a "dragon-slaying technique" he couldn't read for a detailed "Chinese instruction manual"—this deal was a massive profit!

"I have no objections." Lin Jie nodded in immediate agreement.

Barton smiled with satisfaction; he knew he had successfully demonstrated the sincerity and strength of the I.A.R.C. to this "interpreter" of infinite potential with two gifts that could not be refused.

"Very well." Barton carefully put the diary away and took out a transmitter modified from a telegraph machine from his coat.

"Please wait a moment. I need to report everything that happened tonight, along with my assessment of your value, to the Geneva headquarters. This concerns your future standing within the Association and the level of resource access you will be granted. This is very important."

With that, he began to skillfully tap out the telegraph code, and strings of invisible messages were transmitted rapidly through a secret global network to the headquarters of that mysterious organization located in the world's neutral center.

The basement fell into silence once more.

Marcus looked at Lin Jie with curiosity; the shock this Easterner had brought him tonight was simply too great.

Lin Jie sat quietly in his chair, wiping down his newly acquired "Heart of Serenity," patiently waiting for the verdict from across the ocean.

These few short minutes would completely determine his future fate.

He was no longer a laborer struggling to survive, nor was he a fugitive living on the edge.

His future would be inextricably linked to this vast organization known as the I.A.R.C.

Time ticked by, second by second.

On the other end of the transmitter, it seemed that a lengthy discussion and evaluation had taken place.

Finally, after a flurry of rapid "dit-dit-dah-dah" sounds, Barton stopped tapping. He looked up, his face wearing a complex expression that mixed a sense of "as expected" with a hint of surprise.

"The reply from headquarters has arrived." Barton's gaze lingered on Lin Jie for a moment. "Their reaction is even more... intense than I anticipated."

"First, the report on the Cartographer Karl's death in the line of duty has been confirmed. Headquarters expresses their regrets regarding your encounter and has officially rescinded the 'arrest warrant' against you. You are now free, and a friend of the Association."

Lin Jie let out a long sigh of relief; the heaviest stone hanging in his heart had finally fallen.

"Secondly, headquarters has given the highest possible rating to the rare 'Retrograde Induction' ability you displayed, as well as your exceptional tactical analytical mind." Barton's tone turned serious. "They believe that the value of such a 'talent' as you exceeds even that of a field team in certain specific missions."

Hearing this, Lin Jie's heart rate accelerated once more.

Beside him, Marcus wore an expression of utter disbelief.

He could not imagine that this young man, who appeared to have no strength to truss a chicken, was considered more important in the headquarters' assessment than a battle-hardened Kingdom Rank UMA hunter like himself.

Barton cleared his throat and continued, "Based on this valuation, the Geneva headquarters held an emergency meeting and tailored a... special cooperation agreement for you. It is extremely rare in the history of the Association."

He took a parchment document sealed with wax from a locked filing cabinet and pushed it toward Lin Jie.

"You can choose to become an official member of the Association, starting as a lowest-tier Level 6 Investigator, and follow the standard path of training and promotion. You will receive a stable salary, a safe shelter, and all the resources available to new recruits. This is the safest choice."

"Or..." A strange light flickered in Barton's eyes, "you can choose to sign this 'Free Hunter Agreement'."

"Signing this agreement means you are not an official employee of the Association. You do not need to abide by the vast majority of the Association's red tape, you do not need to accept fixed assignments, and you possess a high degree of freedom of action."

"You can view the Association as a... platform. You can use this platform to accept various commissions issued by the Association, or utilize the Association's intelligence network to investigate events that interest you."

"Each time you complete a commission, you will receive corresponding bounties and points. Points will be the sole standard for raising your 'authority level' within the Association."

"A higher level means you can access more confidential intelligence, utilize higher-level resources, and even have the right to commission 'Armed Craftsmen' to create 'Grotesque Armament' exclusive to you."

"Simply put," Barton summarized, "this agreement positions you as a powerful 'contracted hitter' or 'problem solver'."

"But the risk is relatively high, because the Association will not provide any direct armed support when you are executing non-official commissions. However, in contrast, your earnings will also have no upper limit. Everything depends on your own ability."

The basement was so quiet that they could hear each other's breathing.

Lin Jie looked at the agreement in front of him, which exuded the scent of ink, and his fingers trembled slightly.

This was not just a contract, but a ticket to a brand-new life.

Freedom, or stability?