The "Veteran's" Trial

Lin Jie had originally assumed that with Marcus as his reluctant "bodyguard," his first mission would unfold in this slightly awkward silence.

However, when he finished packing his gear early the next morning and prepared to head toward the West India Docks, he realized that the level of "importance" the I.A.R.C. placed on him—or perhaps their "lack of trust"—far exceeded his imagination.

Barton's figure appeared once again at the entrance of the inn.

And standing beside him was a stranger.

It was a white man who looked to be around forty years old, not particularly tall, but exceptionally sturdy.

His face was weathered by the elements, and an old scar stretching from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth added a touch of ferocity to his appearance.

His eyes were as calm as a deep pool, devoid of any emotion; he merely lifted his eyelids slightly when he saw Lin Jie, then offered no further reaction.

He wore a highly practical khaki hunting outfit, and in the holster at his waist sat a Colt Single Action Army revolver with an exceptionally long barrel—a weapon known at the time for its precision and power.

Most striking of all was the innate military bearing he carried.

Even while standing casually, his spine was held perfectly straight, and he looked like a rifle ready to be fired at any moment, filled with restrained and dangerous power.

"Mr. Lin, let me introduce you." Barton smiled, breaking the silence. "This is Sergeant William Keane, a Level 5 investigator for the Association. He will serve as your mission partner and join you in completing this investigation of the West India Docks."

A partner?

Lin Jie's brow furrowed slightly.

He looked at Barton, his eyes filled with inquiry.

Yesterday, it was clearly agreed that he would complete the mission independently, and that Marcus would not assist in the investigation but merely observe from a distance as a bodyguard. Why was there an extra partner out of thin air today?

Barton saw through his thoughts and explained calmly: "This is the latest decision from headquarters. They believe that, considering your excellent intelligence analysis capabilities and your relatively... lacking practical combat experience, equipping you with an experienced combatant is a more reasonable configuration."

"This will not only ensure the success rate of the mission but also allow you to familiarize yourself with the basic workflow of a hunter more quickly."

He added, "Please rest assured, according to the 'Free Hunter Agreement,' you remain the 'tactical lead' of this temporary squad during the mission."

"Sergeant William's task is to provide you with combat support, execute your plans, and, when necessary, correct some of your unrealistic 'rookie ideas.' He will not interfere with your core decisions."

These words were airtight, emphasizing Lin Jie's leading position while clearly defining the new partner's role as both "instructor" and "muscle."

Lin Jie knew that behind this lay the Association's further "assessment" of his abilities.

Having a battle-hardened veteran evaluate the caliber of this "interpreter" at close range was undoubtedly the most direct and effective method.

Lin Jie did not raise any further objections.

Until he could truly prove himself with his strength, any protest would be pale and powerless.

He turned around and extended his hand to the sergeant named William.

"Hello, I am Lin Jie. I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."

William's calm, stagnant eyes lingered on Lin Jie for a moment.

He did not shake Lin Jie's hand, but said in an extremely concise tone: "Just call me William. During the mission, stay close to me, don't run around, and don't make unnecessary noise. If you encounter danger, get down, and leave the rest to me."

After finishing these words, which could be described as "orders," he said nothing more, as if he had completed all the necessary communication for the trip.

The pride of a veteran and the distrust of a rookie that permeated his very bones were undisguised.

Beside them, Marcus's constipated expression eased significantly when he saw William appear.

He patted Lin Jie on the shoulder with schadenfreude, the force so great it nearly made him stumble.

"Kid, you're in luck. Sergeant William is one of the best 'trackers' in our London branch."

"Back when he was fighting the Zulus in South Africa, he could track a combat squad across the grasslands for three days and three nights all by himself. With him around, your little life is as good as saved."

A veteran who participated in the Zulu War? Lin Jie's heart tightened slightly.

That was a colonial war known for its bloodiness and cruelty; anyone who could survive that kind of hell was certainly no pushover.

The danger level of this taciturn Sergeant William was likely far above that of his crude and direct "bodyguard," Marcus.

And so, a rather peculiar temporary squad of three was officially formed.

A Chinese newcomer acting as the "tactical brain" but with a mysterious combat record.

A British veteran acting as the "combat expert" but full of suspicion toward the newcomer.

And a burly guardian acting as the "final insurance" who only wanted to watch the show.

They took a carriage and arrived at their destination in silence—the West India Docks.

Quite different from the bustle of central London, this was a massive steel forest composed of towering warehouses and crisscrossing railway tracks.

The air was filled with the distinct scent of seawater, coal smoke, and a mixture of spices, tea, and timber shipped from distant colonies.

Even in the daylight, the place appeared somewhat empty and oppressive, with the massive warehouses crouching like silent beasts along the banks of the River Thames.

Their first stop was the office of the "United Spice and Textile Company" mentioned in the commission.

There, a manager with a worried face received them.

Lin Jie and his team did not reveal their I.A.R.C. identities, instead posing as "private detectives" hired by the company's major shareholders to investigate the theft.

The manager led them to the scene of the incident, Warehouse No. 3.

This was a massive structure built of red brick and steel, standing several stories high and appearing incredibly sturdy.

The warehouse gate was secured by a giant brass padlock, upon which a seal from Scotland Yard was affixed.

"This is the place, gentlemen." The manager wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, his voice trembling slightly. "Ever since Billy, the last night watchman, went missing last week, no one has dared to come near here at night."

"When we took inventory during the day, we discovered that... more things had gone missing from the warehouse. Yet, this lock and all the windows show no signs of being pried open. Those items, it's as if... as if they just grew legs and ran away on their own!"

Lin Jie did not enter the warehouse immediately.

He circled the massive building, beginning a meticulous external inspection.

William followed silently behind him, his calm eyes scanning every detail of the surrounding environment like a hawk.

Lin Jie noticed several small ventilation windows high up on the warehouse walls; although they were fitted with iron bars, the gaps between them were not entirely impassable.

He also discovered that the rear wall of the warehouse was adjacent to the entrance of a drainage channel leading to the underground water system of the docks.

The entrance was sealed by an iron grate, but a few of the bars at the bottom appeared to have been forcibly bent by some unknown object.

None of these findings escaped William's eyes.

When Lin Jie's gaze lingered on the drainage entrance, William, who had been silent until now, spoke up for the first time.

"There are scratches on the grate, very fresh. Not rust, but something left by metal or... hard claws." He crouched down, touched the soil at the base of the grate with his finger, and sniffed it. "There's something in the dirt, a scent like a mixture of machine oil and rot. It's faint, but it's definitely there."

Lin Jie looked at William in surprise.

He had not expected this veteran to possess such keen observational and tracking skills in addition to his combat experience.

His own basic analysis from moments ago seemed so amateurish in the face of such professional investigation.

William did not seem to notice Lin Jie's surprise.

He stood up, brushed the dirt from his hands, and looked at Lin Jie, saying slowly, "Now, Mr. Detective, you've seen what you wanted to see. Tell me, what is your plan?"

He placed Lin Jie in the position of a "decision-maker" with his question.

This was not just a question; it was a test.

Lin Jie met his calm, pressure-filled gaze and took a deep breath.

Every word he spoke next would determine whether this silent partner would become his most reliable ally or a bystander who questioned him at every turn.