Chapter 22: Starting Sequence

After he went up the stairs and returned to the reception hall, Klein

was about to bid Rozanne farewell when he heard the brown-haired girl

mention briskly, "Captain says that you can come on Monday. He wants you

to settle your household affairs first."

"...Alright." Klein never expected the Nighthawks' management to be so

humane and accommodating. It made him feel a little grateful.

He was planning on waking early the next morning and making use of the

opportunity to "wander around" to visit Tingen University. He planned on

informing the staff in charge of the interview that he was not

participating in the follow-up interviews. After all, he had originally

obtained the opportunity to make the interview because of his

professor's recommendation letter. Regardless, it was basic courtesy to

have formal closure. Even if it was not for himself, he had to respect

his mentor's efforts.

And in a world without telephones, where telegrams were charged by the

character, and the fact that it would be too late to send a letter, he

felt that taking the public carriage to the university was the most

economical and suitable solution.

Having received the Captain's special approval, Klein did not need to

tire himself out. He could wake up late and still make his way there on

time.

Klein was just about to take off his hat to bid Rozanne farewell when he

suddenly thought of something. He looked around and suppressed his

voice. "Rozanne, do you know what the starting point of the Church's

complete Sequence is?"

He had forgotten to ask Old Neil.

Rozanne's eyes widened as she looked at Klein in astonishment. "You wish

to become a Beyonder?"

Was I that obvious? Klein's body language betrayed him as he

answered in embarrassment, "Having learned that extraordinary and

mysterious powers exist in the world, it's inevitable that I have some

yearnings for it."

"Oh my Goddess. Do you know how dangerous it is? Didn't Captain tell

you? The enemies of Beyonders are not just cultists or dark warlocks,

but themselves! People lose control nearly every year. Some even end up

sacrificing themselves! Aren't you going to consider how your family

will feel?" Rozanne's hand gestures amplified her tone as her reaction

appeared overly agitated. "Klein, I think the better choice is to be a

civilian staff. There's nearly no danger, and our salary increases every

year. After a few years of work, you will have saved up much money,

allowing you to rent a bungalow in the North Borough or in the suburbs.

You can then marry a rich and charming lady and have a wonderful family,

having adorable and naughty little angels..."

"Rozanne, stop! Hold up!" Klein hurriedly stopped her in exasperation

when he realized that she was changing the subject. "I just want to...

to, well, understand the basics for now."

"Alright..." Rozanne fell silent for a few seconds as she lowered her

gaze, feeling somewhat sorry. "Due to what happened to my father,

whenever I face similar problems, I tend to be... well, you know, a

little agitated. However, to be honest, I'm filled with respect towards

any man or woman who willingly wishes to be a Nighthawk."

"I understand, I understand," echoed Klein.

Rozanne blinked her light brown eyes and added, "My father once said

that one should never think that they can resolve hidden risks or combat

danger by simply becoming more powerful or a higher Sequencer. In fact,

it's the opposite. They will encounter more terrifying matters. When

facing the unknown or a terrifying existence, death and insanity are the

only two outcomes. Heh, he ended up sacrificing himself two weeks after

saying that... Klein, don't look at me with pity. My life is great now,

really great! It's only right to feel fear towards these matters!"

"I only want to know the basics..." Klein repeated his previous reply,

not sure whether he should laugh or cry.

*Captain explained it more clearly than you. And even if I do not become

a Beyonder, I have already encountered something

extraordinary...* "Alright," said Rozanne ruminatively. "I've

heard Captain's and Old Neil's conversation before. As extraordinary

creatures are declining or going extinct, few high Sequencers exist in

this era. It's already very impressive to become a Beyonder! Combining

our Tingen City and the suburbs, there are hundreds of thousands of

people or maybe even more. Yet, there are only about thirty plus

Beyonders. Well, it's just my guess... I'm not counting the cultists and

dark warlocks who hide in the dark..."

Without waiting for Klein's reply, she seemed to regain her vibrancy as

she clenched her fist and brought it to her chest.

"And among these thirty plus Beyonders, most of them are at Sequence 9!

Uh, it seems I have gone off topic..."

"It's okay. That was something I wanted to know as well." Klein wished

that Rozanne could be like her usual self, revealing more information as

she rambled on.

"Anyways, it's already very, very impressive to become a Beyonder!"

Rozanne repeated herself. "The starting Sequence of our Church's

complete Sequence is Sleepless: Sequence 9, Sleepless!"

Indeed... Klein nodded as he watched Rozanne finding it hard

to stop herself from describing in detail.

"You should be able to guess from the name. A Sleepless is someone who

does not need to sleep at night. Three to four hours of rest in the day

would be sufficient. Man, I'm so envious... No, not at all! Sleep is a

gift bestowed upon us by the Goddess. It's the truest bliss!

"Where was I? Ah, right. A Sleepless can see through the darkness even

without any lights. The deeper into the night, the more powerful they

become. I mean more powerful in the aspects of their physical strength,

their intuition, and their mental capabilities. However, although they

can detect unknown dangers that lurk in the dark, they will still rely

on demon hunting bullets and other items to handle monsters they are

unable to deal with via normal means. My father was once a Sleepless."

Without waiting for Klein to press on, Rozanne continued, "After that,

it's Sequence 8's Midnight Poet, and one level higher is Sequence 7's

Nightmare."

Nightmare? Klein instantly recalled that Dunn Smith had guided

his dreams. He asked as a confirmation, "Captain?"

"You know about it?" Rozanne's mouth nearly turned into an "O" shape.

"Captain once entered my dream..." Klein glanced around as he lowered

his voice once more.

"Got it..." Rozanne was enlightened as she answered with a whisper.

She picked up a coffee cup beside her and took a sip before saying

wistfully, "There are only two Sequence 7 Beyonders in our Tingen City's

Church. It's likely that Captain is one of them. Even if he goes to a

large diocese like Backlund, he is still an impressive figure. Some

deacons might not even be stronger than he is!"

"So Captain is that impressive." Klein echoed with a smile.

Frankly, Dunn Smith's appearance last night had left a deep impression

on him. He had basically believed that Dunn was an extremely powerful

Beyonder.

"Of course!" Rozanne proudly straightened her back.

In moments, the scatterbrained her said with a vexed expression, "As for

what's above Sequence 7, I have no idea. Among all the Nighthawks,

perhaps only Captain will know."

"Then what about other starting Sequences? The ones that aren't

complete?" Klein was satisfied as he changed the subject.

It had to be said that Rozanne's description of Sleepless did match his

imaginations and expectations of Beyonders. However, it was not the kind

he wished to become. The perfect Sequence 9 was likely one that could

study and grasp more knowledge of the mystery. By doing so, he could

leverage on them to figure out the reason for his transmigration and lay

the foundations of his future transmigration back.

Rozanne thought for a moment before saying with a sigh, "I'm not that

interested in this aspect. I only know we have more than other churches.

After all, the Goddess is the Mother of Concealment... Well, there

should be two or three. Some of our teammates are cold and distant,

making me fear them. They also have a strange smell to them. Some

members... Well, I mean you should talk to Old Neil. He knows a lot, as

well as quite a number of interesting magical rituals. Let me think. He

once mentioned his Sequence 9 title, which is also the name of the

potion formula... Ah, yes, it's called Mystery Pryer."

*Quite a number of interesting magical rituals? Mystery Pryer sounds

very close to what I want...* Klein was slightly delighted.

"In addition, I also know of the name of a Sequence 7, the kind that's

incomplete!" Rozanne said with a flaunting tone. She had just thought of

it while recollecting.

"What is it?" Klein was abnormally curious.

In a world where high Sequencers were scarce to the point of them

possibly not existing, Sequence 7 was probably considered quite a potent

force in the Church.

Rozanne revealed a sweet smile as she replied smugly, "Spirit Medium!"

"Ma'am Daly?" asked Klein subconsciously.

After his initial surprise, he realized that it was nothing unexpected.

Only a Sequence 7 Beyonder could achieve such an impressive performance

as a medium!

Rozanne's eyes widened once again as she said in disbelief, "H-how do

you know of that too?"

"I've met Ma'am Daly." Klein did not hide the matter.

"Alright," said Rozanne with an envious tone. "If I can become a Spirit

Medium, one just like Ma'am Daly, then I'll be willing to be a Beyonder.

No, I'll consider it carefully for ten minutes..."

"Yes, Ma'am Daly fulfills all my imaginations as a Beyonder," echoed

Klein in a slightly exaggerated manner.

Having fulfilled his goals, he chatted idly with Rozanne for a few

minutes until he realized he was not getting any new information. He

took off his hat and bowed before leaving.

As he walked down the stairs, Klein suddenly stopped after taking a few

steps. He reached out to pat the notes in his inner pocket.

Immediately following that, he took out twelve gold pound notes and

clenched then tightly in his left palm. Then, he reached his hand into

his pocket and refused to release or pull them out again. Without

realizing it, a smile appeared on his face.

According to the customs of the Foodaholic Empire---China---a treat to

dinner was in order after earning money!

It's time to give Melissa a treat tonight!