The Mystic's Door

Kraun took out a battered wooden box the size of a computer tower and lined it with a layer of soft cloth.

He then placed the finished Potions he had brewed over the past few days inside at intervals, stuffing strips of torn fabric between them.

These glass test tubes were terribly fragile. Without proper protection, they could easily all be ruined.

Once everything was ready, he slung the box over his back, picked up his Revolver and the backpack containing two hundred Bullets, and strode out the door.

He had barely locked up when a voice came from behind him. "Where are you off to?"

The voice was not loud, but it carried authority.

Kraun turned toward the sound, a smile immediately spreading across his face. "Father, what brings you here? Please, come inside."

Lost in thought just moments ago, he had failed to notice his creditor coming to call. Still, he knew perfectly well why the man had come.

He reopened the door and invited Father inside to talk.

"I hear you've been doing quite well these past few days."

Nick's voice was low, giving away neither pleasure nor anger.

Of course, Kraun caught the implication: Doing well, are you? Then hurry up and repay your debt!

He answered gently, without the slightest embarrassment at being caught out.

"To be honest, I owe Father far too much. When your debts pile up, you stop worrying about them; when you have too many lice, you stop itching."

Father snorted. "Should I take that as you openly refusing to repay your debt? No one in the kingdom dares owe the church money for Holy Baptism materials."

"It's not that I refuse to repay it. I want to, but I can't afford to!"

Kraun spread his hands and forced a bitter smile. "For the past few days, I've been practicing Potion-making day and night."

He patted the box. "These are the results! I was just about to head to Ronnie's Farm to sell this batch of Potions. Only by constantly improving my Potion-making skills can I keep earning money to repay Father."

"Then why did I hear that someone goes to the Patrol Squad every afternoon to shoot, firing two or three hundred Bullets at a time?"

"I lack a sense of security. I also need to go into the mountains often to gather herbs. Without excellent Marksmanship, forget those strange Monsters—even ordinary wild beasts would be impossible to deal with."

Kraun answered smoothly. He had prepared for these questions long ago.

As he spoke, he unbuttoned his coat.

After fumbling around inside the lining for a moment, he placed all the Gold Shields he had not yet spent on the table.

"There was no one at home a few days ago, and I think a thief broke in. This is all I can offer."

Nick reached out, grabbed the coins, and lightly tossed them twice in his hand. "Only eight Gold Shields? You owe the church one hundred Gold Shields."

I owe the church? More like I owe you, Father!

Kraun curled his lip and changed the subject. "Have you caught the Evil Spirit responsible for those recent crimes?"

Without changing expression, Father slipped the Gold Shields into his pocket. "We are narrowing down its location."

So you still have no clue where the enemy is!

Kraun fell silent for several seconds before speaking again. "Father, when facing an enemy like that, do ordinary people have any way to deal with it?"

"You may pray to the Lord of Flame!"

There was a trace of discomfort in Nick's voice.

Kraun paused at that. "Father, do you have a way to deal with Evil Spirits?"

"Of course I do. I am an Exorcist Priest. Every church is now equipped with an Exorcist Priest. Dealing with Evil Spirits is no trouble at all. But first, we need to find those maggots hiding in the gutters, and tracking is not my specialty."

An Exorcist Priest!

Hearing a new term, Kraun grew somewhat excited. "Father, do you think I have a chance of becoming an Exorcist Priest?"

"Exorcist Priests are selected from devout young believers and undergo at least ten years of rigorous training before they can qualify. You are too old. Some of the training can no longer be undertaken."

Kraun refused to give up and pressed on. "Do ordinary followers of the Lord of Flame have no choice but to pray for some illusory miracle and wait with their eyes closed for death when faced with evil?"

His emotions were faintly rising.

Nick narrowed his eyes, looking at him somewhat differently.

When most ordinary people faced evil creatures, they only knew how to pray passively and wait for salvation. They had completely lost the courage to resist.

This young man had experienced a Mystic incident, yet still possessed such determination to fight. That was rare indeed.

Nick had been born into an ordinary believer's family. After enduring grueling training, he had become a glorious Exorcist Priest, only to be assigned to the church in this remote little town.

Why? Wasn't it simply because he had no backing?

Every Exorcist Priest was supposed to be assigned two Crusader Order Warriors to assist the Priest in slaying evil creatures and protecting the parish. Yet he had none. The bishop in charge of personnel assignments had called it this: even if evil appeared in such a poor backwater, it would only be weak trash. One Exorcist Priest was more than enough to handle it.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would most likely be stationed in this town for a long time. Since the church would not assign him any Crusader Order Warriors, why not try cultivating one himself?

Nick's thoughts raced as his fingers tapped rhythmically against the table.

Seeing Father sink into thought, Kraun held his breath and sat upright.

Father's next answer would determine whether he could gain access to a higher level of power. His heart began to beat faster without his noticing.

After a long while, Nick slowly spoke in a low voice. "The church has methods to train ordinary people into Warriors who protect the lambs of the Lord of Flame. I also possess such a method."

Without hesitation, Kraun declared in a firm, ringing voice, "Father, I am willing to become the Sharp Sword in the Lord's hand!"

"Heh." Nick gave him a meaningful glance.

"It is not impossible. If you are willing to become a guardian of the church, bear the cost of your own training, and unconditionally answer my summons whenever evil creatures threaten the believers of this parish, I am willing to guide you."

Kraun understood. He would bring his own provisions to become Father's enforcer. When danger came, he would go first; when benefits came, Father would take them.

He said hesitantly, "Purely selfless service?"

If Father refused to compromise, he would still agree.

As long as he could gain access to higher-level power and practice it until he got started, his goal would be achieved.

As for the restrictive conditions, he would always find a way to remove those hidden dangers.

Nick assumed he cared about money. "Evil creatures also possess many valuable materials worth a considerable sum. As long as you work diligently, you may take twenty percent of any gains. Are you willing?"

He was not the sort of miser who wanted the horse to run fast without feeding it. With a capable assistant, he would have an easier time as well.

Based on his work experience in Zack Town over the past few years, the world's spirituality was becoming increasingly active. Evil creatures would inevitably grow more numerous too.

He had long considered training a group of Crusader Order Warriors, but the church always rejected his requests on the grounds of insufficient funding.

Most families in town that could afford the costs of training had already moved to Rhine City, leaving him alone even now.

"I am willing to become the Sharp Sword that protects the church."

Before Kraun could finish, Nick interrupted him. "First, you must prove that you can afford the cost of training. The church will not pay for it. I'll give you two months—no, three months. If you can repay the cost of the Holy Baptism materials, I am willing to guide you into becoming a glorious Crusader Order Warrior."

Nick rose to his feet and patted his pocket. "These Gold Shields will count as interest. Three months, one hundred Gold Shields. Young man, the door to a world of mysterious power has opened before you. Whether you can seize the opportunity depends on you."