170 Copper Whistle (1/2)

Klein turned towards the Captain's office and saw that the door was wide open. Dunn Smith was leaning back in his chair, sniffing at his pipe.

When Dunn swept his gray eyes at him, he changed his seating posture.

”You seem to be in good shape, nothing like someone who had just consumed a potion.”

”This might be the advantage of fully digesting a potion before leveling up.” Klein closed the door behind him and took a seat.

He and Dunn both knew about the ”acting method,” so their oath didn't keep them from talking about the ”acting method” with each other. They could exchange their thoughts about it, but the two of them didn't bring it up with a tacit understanding. They fell silent at the same time after the exchange.

Klein thought and asked, ”Has His Grace left?”

”Yes, as a high-ranking deacon, he has other matters to take care of.” Dunn thought for a moment. ”Oh, he took the pair of red eyeballs that remained after Old Neil died.”

Klein was shocked and confused.

”Why?”

Dunn picked up his coffee and took a sip. He answered after a long silence, ”We shouldn't lie to ourselves. A Rampager is in fact already a monster, and as I told you before, monsters leave behind things that are rich with Beyonder powers after they die. When these relics can't be controlled, they have to be sealed. Yes, that is one of the most common origins of Sealed Artifacts. According to the Nighthawks' internal rules, the items left behind by Rampagers need to be stored elsewhere, so that they won't trigger their partners.”

”A logical rule.” Klein nodded heavily.

Suddenly, he sharply noticed that the Captain had missed out something. So, he asked curiously, ”What if the item left behind is controllable?”

Dunn looked at him, his gray eyes were deep like a quiet night.

He sighed and said, ”You wouldn't want to know the answer.”

Klein was taken aback before he suddenly realized a possibility.

Normal monsters left behind Beyonder ingredients which could be used to make potions.

But what of a Rampager who turned into a monster?

If they left behind controllable items, would those things be used as Beyonder ingredients?

Upon realizing that, Klein suddenly felt a strong sense of disgust. He couldn't help but turn his head to retch. Even his sight suddenly grew blurry.

This is such a terrifying theory… But it's an answer that's highly likely of being closer to the truth! In that instant, he had a deeper understanding of sayings like ”To fight against the abyss, we have to endure the corruption of the abyss,” and ”We are guardians, but also a bunch of miserable wretches that are constantly fighting against threats and madness.”

Would this be one of the reasons why the Church hides the ”acting method”? So that they can recycle a certain number of their own members for spare parts? But this will make members of the upper echelons reject the Church… Klein's face clearly reflected his changing expressions.

Upon seeing his response, Dunn suddenly laughed. There was a twinkling light in his gray eyes.

”Think about it on the brighter side of things, you can think of it as our teammates watching over us in a different form. They will be with us forever.”

After saying that, Dunn lowered his head, picked up his coffee, and brought it to his mouth.

After nearly twenty seconds of silence, he lifted his head and said, ”And you don't have to worry. As long as we can find sources of Beyonder ingredients, we wouldn't do what you were thinking about.

”Alright, according to the rules, you'll receive a day off since you just advanced. You can decide whether or not you want to go to your combat training this afternoon, but you have to inform Gawain either way.”

Klein gently nodded. Taking a deep breath, he straightened his back and said, ”Captain, I have finished my lessons on mysticism. I'd like to use my mornings to learn techniques such as tracking and monitoring.”

He paused and added with a serious expression, ”I'd like to fulfill my full duty as a Nighthawk soon.”

Dunn gave him a piercing look and sighed.

”You're tougher than I imagined. As you wish.”

”Yes, Captain!” Klein suddenly stood up and drew a crimson moon on his chest.

…

After leaving the Blackthorn Security Company, Klein didn't return home to rest, but instead, took the opportunity to take a trackless carriage to Azik's place.

Ding dong, ding dong.

As the doorbell rang clearly, Azik opened the door in a white shirt and black vest.

There was a gold watch chain hanging from his vest pocket.

”Don't you need to work?” Azik took a glance at the sky and realized that the sun had yet to climb to its peak.

”I actually have most of the day off due to some special circumstances,” Klein explained vaguely.

Azik looked at him and appeared to notice something as he nodded and made way for Klein's entry.

At the hallway, Klein set his cane aside, took off his hat, and followed Azik to the living room.

The living room was comfortably furnished with a fireplace, rocking chair, couches, and a coffee table. Klein sat at his usual spot.

Azik sat down opposite Klein and pointed at the cigars on the coffee table.

”Do you want one?”

”No.” Klein shook his head firmly.

Azik didn't attempt to persuade him as he struck a match and lit one of the cigars. At the same time, he asked casually, ”Have you taken care of the matter at Morse Town?”

”I have to thank you for that,” Klein replied sincerely.

At the same time, he secretly lampooned, Mr. Azik, before you lost your memories, you definitely must've left behind quite a sizable wealth for yourself. Otherwise, how could a teacher who isn't even an associate professor be able to enjoy cigars so frequently?

As Azik was fiddling with his cigar, Klein brought up a matter.