"They're here. Not only Nighthawks, but Punishers as well."
From the deep blue astral light like seawater in his spirit vision, Beyonders of the "Sailor" pathway comprised about a quarter of the group. Considering the dock area was under Punisher management, Roger immediately determined this was joint law enforcement.
Before long, a gentleman around 30 with deep gray eyes casually checked his pocket watch and walked slowly from across the street, feigning nonchalance. Behind him were Klein Moretti, a black-haired, green-eyed handsome young man with a romantic poet's aura, and another outstanding-looking young woman resembling a literary figure.
"Captain Dunn... and Leonard. That lady should be Seeka Tron, the part-time writer."
Roger carefully observed these Nighthawks team members. They all met up with the Punishers at the crossroads, then "coincidentally" walked toward that unnamed large building.
Seeing they were about to leave his sight, Roger quickly finished his last piece of cod, picked up the remaining half bottle of sparkling water, tucked the banknotes into the leather folder the waiter had brought, and followed.
Klein and the others were now at the entrance of a dock warehouse. The streets here were quite secluded with no one around. Even slightly louder voices seemed exceptionally noisy.
"Captain, there are guards at the entrance."
Klein put away his clockwise-swinging pendulum and whispered to Dunn.
"Mm, the Aurora Order gathered over a hundred missing people here but didn't kill or sacrifice them. This itself is suspicious."
Dunn nodded lightly.
"Those madmen must be preparing some evil ritual," a nearby dark-skinned, tall middle-aged "Punisher" said through gritted teeth.
"That possibility can't be ruled out. Also, your voice is too loud," Dunn replied noncommittally.
Seeing his pocket watch's second hand reach the predetermined time, Dunn Smith closed his eyes. After just a few seconds, sounds of falling came from inside the warehouse door.
This was the "Sleepless" pathway Sequence 7 "Nightmare" ability: Forced Sleep!
Seeing Dunn act, the ready Seeka Tron and Leonard Mitchell simultaneously rushed into the warehouse's front yard. Melodious and peaceful music immediately rang out:
"Ah, threat of fear, crimson hope! At least one thing is true: this life flies by..."
With two "Midnight Poets" controlling the field, the "Punishers" who had long suppressed their anger rushed in. For a time, shouts and gunshots echoed throughout the warehouse.
The battle came quickly and ended quickly. Soon the entire street became quiet again.
"Looks like it's resolved."
Roger, leaning against a nearby street corner disguised as an ordinary drunk, nodded to himself. But he remained uneasy and took out his pendulum.
"Is James Willis safe?"
The pendulum swung clockwise with considerable amplitude.
Seeing this, Roger put away the pendulum and took out the penny coin Klein had given him.
"Has Klein Moretti completed the task I gave him?"
The coin flew up and fell down. The result was the king's portrait face up.
Getting double confirmation, Roger finally relaxed. He finished the last sip of sparkling water, stood up, and left.
"It's raining, Bandit. We need to walk faster."
Half an hour later, in the banquet hall of a high-end hotel, Mr. Willis wore a suit and gold-rimmed glasses, faint dark circles under his eyes. He listened to the melodious orchestra music while toasting and chatting with other successful people.
"Mr. Willis, I heard about James. You don't need to worry too much. The Goddess will surely bless him."
Faced with others' polite comfort, Willis just nodded absentmindedly, occasionally glancing at the rain outside the window, extremely anxious inside. By tomorrow afternoon, the three-day deadline would be up.
Though he had originally commissioned the so-called Seer Metts Bonway as a desperate measure, he inevitably had some expectations.
"Could I have been deceived? Could James already be dead?"
Just as Willis couldn't control his wild thoughts, an anxious female voice suddenly came from the banquet hall entrance.
"Really no, sir. Pets cannot be brought into the banquet hall."
"Pets?" Willis's heart shook, immediately thinking of something.
When he had previously commissioned Roger to investigate James's whereabouts, he had given this young Seer with a cat the hotel's address.
Willis didn't even bother to apologize, directly ignoring a beautiful lady who wanted to toast him. He ran toward the hall entrance like a small jog, pushing open the door.
There, a hostess was pulling at Roger, whose coat had water stains and who had a silver tabby cat on his shoulder, looking anxious.
"Wait, wait." Willis was out of breath. "He's my guest. Mr. Bonway, let's speak privately."
He quickly led Roger aside and asked with a trembling voice, "Mr. Bonway, little James..."
"Found him. I asked my friend who works at a security company to rescue James. He was locked up with many missing citizens." Roger brushed raindrops from his hair and replied.
He had rushed here in the rain to see Willis to complete the task delivery before James returned to find his father. This way, the credit for completing the task would solidly fall on him.
"Really?" Willis grabbed Roger's arm, then realized his impropriety and let go.
"It's true. Little James should be back soon. We can wait and see."
Roger replied simply.
Willis nodded and had a nearby waiter bring Roger a cocktail. The two stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, waiting silently.
After about another hour, Willis, who was almost about to fall into uncertainty again and was preparing to question Roger, suddenly saw a carriage bearing Tingen City police badges approaching from a distant street corner.
Soon, the carriage stopped at the hotel entrance. A young man wearing a dirty white shirt with several bruises on his face got off the carriage, accompanied by a middle-aged police officer.
Under Roger's gaze, Willis rushed into the rain without thinking, embracing his son with tears in his eyes, then thanking the police. That posture didn't look like a profit-seeking businessman, but more like an ordinary father.
Soon, the radiant Willis returned with James and solemnly shook hands with Roger.
"Mr. Bonway, you are truly a great Seer. Please allow me to introduce you to Tingen's elite."
Seeing Roger had no objection, Willis straightened his clothes, ignored the hostess's obstruction, directly pushed open the door, and walked in with Roger and James.
"Everyone!" Willis was quite emotional. He shouted loudly, quickly attracting everyone's attention at the banquet. Even the orchestra temporarily stopped playing.
Everyone looked at him suspiciously, as well as the two strangely different young men behind him.
"Many guests here should have heard that my son James went missing a few days ago. But today, he miraculously returned to my side!"
The scene immediately had many informed people discussing in low voices, and many voiced congratulations to Willis. He pressed down with both hands, indicating he had more to say.
Then, under everyone's gaze, Willis pulled Roger, who had Bandit on his shoulder, to his side.
"Here, allow me to introduce a friend of mine to everyone: Seer Mr. Metts Bonway from Tingen City Divination Club. It was he who, with his magical divination, helped me find my son!"
"To be honest, in the past I was always skeptical about divination and even lacked trust in deities. But through this incident, Mr. Bonway greatly changed my perspective. He made me believe that miracles truly exist in this world!"
After Willis finished speaking, he raised his wine glass with unprecedented sincerity and devotion. "Steam be praised!"
The guests present had various expressions, and some even discussed among themselves. But out of politeness, they still raised their glasses in congratulation, saying different prayers.
Feeling these people's gazes of curiosity, awe, or skepticism directed at him, Roger also smiled.
Because at this moment, he felt something inside him make a clear breaking sound.
The "Attention Seeker" potion was completely digested.