A cemetery in the outskirts of Tingen City.
Klein was squatting in a corner, waiting for someone to arrive.
"Klein?"
Suddenly, he heard someone calling his name. He looked up and saw a dark-skinned figure.
"Mr. Azik."
"Yes, it's me. I rushed over after receiving your letter." Azik emerged from the shadows.
"So what exactly happened?"
"I…" Klein's lips twitched, unable to speak for a moment.
Yes, what exactly have I experienced during this time? An inexplicable transmigration, an inexplicable report, an inexplicable detention, and inexplicably becoming a "fugitive."
Klein recalled his transmigration life and couldn't help but sigh deeply in his heart.
Actually, before being reported, my transmigration life was quite good.
I had a sister, a brother, a high-income job, and it was even the kind of "iron rice bowl" I had dreamed of before transmigrating.
The Nighthawks' salary was quite high in this era, truly belonging to the high-income group.
Alas…
Recalling what he had experienced these past few days, Klein suddenly felt a little wronged, as if he had fallen from heaven to hell.
He slowly began to tell Azik about the recent events. Aside from matters concerning the gray fog and the Tarot Club, he told him everything he could, including Luo En's matter.
His tone went from slow to hurried, his expression from dazed to angry, like a confession and also like an outburst.
Azik didn't speak, only nodded slightly, listening to the other party's words.
He knew Klein was not feeling well right now. Having experienced such a major upheaval in such a short time, he could be considered strong for not breaking down.
"So much has happened…" Hearing Klein's account, Azik nodded. He hadn't expected his student to experience so much in such a short period.
"Mr. Azik, aren't you surprised?"
"I often wake up in different coffins myself; I haven't experienced any fewer strange things than you."
That's true, Mr. Azik is a High Sequence after all. Even if he has lost some memories, he definitely has more experience than me… Klein didn't say much more.
"Actually, you should have contacted me earlier." Azik looked at Klein, his tone gentle.
I wanted to, but I've been staying behind Chanis Gate recently and didn't dare to summon a messenger with the copper whistle… Klein had a helpless expression.
"Lorne Disonke…" Azik began to ponder the name Klein mentioned and his recent experiences.
"I don't have any impression of that name. Based on your description, he is probably just a low-Sequence Beyonder, but he might have some special characteristics."
"It could be that he has the blessings or gazes of some high-level existence, or perhaps some special connection in mysticism…"
"Special characteristics…" Klein was noncommittal. Recalling Luo En's performance, he indeed didn't seem like an experienced Beyonder. And if he had to say so, he himself was also a low-Sequence Beyonder with special characteristics.
…
Then Azik analyzed the various accidents the Nighthawks team had recently encountered.
"The things you've recently encountered are full of various coincidences. I even think my departure was also a coincidence."
"As for the Beyonder who attacked you at the end, judging by your description, they are most likely a Beyonder of the Corpse Collector Pathway."
Sure enough! That person was the renegade former bishop Ince Zangwill; he is a Sequence 5 of the Corpse Collector Pathway…
Klein had performed another divination before Azik arrived, barely confirming the identity of the person who attacked him last—it was the former bishop who absconded with 0-08.
He had seen Ince Zangwill's wanted poster before, but he hadn't expected the other party to come to Tingen.
"You seem to know who the mastermind is?" Azik asked softly, seeing Klein's thoughtful expression.
"Yes." Klein nodded, carefully choosing his words to inform Azik about Ince Zangwill.
"Hmm… A 'Gatekeeper,' a former bishop of the Church of Evernight, couldn't arrange these coincidences, but a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact indeed might cause all of this."
"As for why the other party would do such a thing, I also have some clues."
"Really? Mr. Azik."
"Yes."
After Klein recovered from his surprise, Azik looked at him and asked, like a teacher, "Do you know that certain Pathways can be interconverted?"
"Yes, I know some concepts." Klein nodded. He had indeed obtained some information about Pathway exchange from rosell's diary previously.
"Then do you know what a Beyonder characteristic is?"
Klein shook his head. The moment he heard this term, he actually guessed its general meaning, but he wasn't entirely sure.
"These days, I've recalled many past events, including some knowledge about the Beyonder domain."
"In the Beyonder domain, there is a very important law called the Law of Beyonder characteristic Indestructibility."
"Indestructibility…" Klein savored the word, and many things instantly appeared in his mind.
"Beyonder characteristics do not perish, nor do they diminish; they merely transfer from one carrier to another." Azik continued to impart knowledge, as if he had reverted to being the university professor he once was.
Klein's eyes widened instantly, then he suddenly understood, and thoughtfully asked in return:
"For example, out-of-control Beyonders will leave behind Sealed Artifacts, Mystical Items, or the main ingredients for potions?"
"Precisely." Azik nodded, affirming Klein's words, then continued.
"Actually, it's not just out-of-control Beyonders; normal Beyonders also leave behind Beyonder characteristics upon death, but compared to out-of-control Beyonders, their characteristics are purer."
"Almost like the potion itself."
Almost like the potion itself… This sentence suddenly made Klein understand many things, understanding why Beyonder Pathways wouldn't be cut off even if materials were exhausted.
"The Sleepless Pathway and the Corpse Collector Pathway are adjacent Pathways. That Ince Zangwill caused such a major incident, it must have been to seize something from the Nighthawks headquarters in Tingen City." Azik continued to state his view.
"Saint Selena's ashes."
Having gained so much knowledge, Klein instantly understood the other party's goal.
The Captain had told him that Saint Selena's ashes were the core of Chanis Gate and currently seemed to be the only valuable thing to be coveted.
Moreover, Saint Selena's ashes were indeed taken by him… Klein recalled the chaos behind Chanis Gate.
After failing to advance, Ince Zangwill, in order to advance again, set his sights on Saint Selena's ashes, which belonged to an adjacent Pathway.
He first used 0-08 to create various accidents, including but not limited to the departure of the Captain and Miss Daily, Ke Enli's injury, and Old Neil's black magic incident, thereby weakening the Nighthawks team's combat capabilities.
Could the report against me also have been arranged by him…? Klein couldn't help but wonder.
Speaking of which, he was quite "kind," arranging so many accidents without causing any deaths.
But this doesn't match the personality he finally revealed, does it? Klein fell into deep thought.
What's certain is that after his goal was largely achieved, Ince Zangwill created another incident at the end, drawing everyone's attention, which is also why Frey and the others weren't at the company.
He planned everything, but he forgot about me, perhaps because I'm just a sequence 8, not worth worrying about at all.
Accident…
Accident!
"Oh, right, it seems a serious Beyonder accident occurred in Tingen." Klein suddenly remembered something.
"Mr. Azik, do you know how the Nighthawks are doing?"
"No one died." Azik's answer was short and clear.
Hearing this, Klein breathed a sigh of relief. That's great, it's good that everyone is fine.
…
"What are your plans for the future?" Azik asked, looking at the silent Klein.
"I…" Klein wasn't sure. He couldn't go back to the Nighthawks team; he couldn't explain what had happened to him.
As for his family… Melissa, Benson… Klein clenched his fists.
He couldn't go back for now either…
Everyone in the Nighthawks team was a good person; they shouldn't make things difficult for Benson and Melissa, right?
If I had died in action, they might even receive a pension, but with my current situation…
Thinking of his family, Klein suddenly felt a little melancholic.
No, I can't be so dispirited… Klein made up his mind and looked at Azik.
"I will personally catch the culprit. I did a divination, and there might be clues about him in Backlund."
"Do you need my help?" Azik knew that his student had a significant secret and it wasn't strange that he could divine some information. He didn't press further but asked with concern.
"This is my own matter. There's no need to trouble you, Mr. Azik. You've already helped me a lot…" Klein lowered his head. He couldn't let this teacher be in danger because of his own affairs.
As if seeing Klein's persistence, Azik suddenly chuckled softly.
"Alright, I respect your choice."
"But if you encounter any trouble and need help, you can write to me."
"No matter when, I will always be your teacher."
"Thank you, Mr. Azik." Klein thanked him from the bottom of his heart, and at that moment, tears welled up in his eyes.
"Oh, by the way, if you want to go to Backlund, I can give you a ride."
"Give me a ride." Klein was a little confused.
"Yes, your current situation is special; you probably can't take public transportation."
"This… seems to be true."
Klein recalled his current predicament. If he was lucky, he might just be a missing member. If he was unlucky, he might already be a fugitive, on a wanted list.
Although he could disguise himself, there was still a risk of exposure.
I won't be considered an accomplice of Ince Zangwill, will I…? Klein thought of the worst possible scenario.
It shouldn't be that bad!
Becoming a heinous criminal, being wanted by the Church or something, that's too exciting…
No matter what, I've bled for the Goddess; I shouldn't really be on a wanted list, right…? Klein's mouth twitched, a little uncertain.
His current situation was indeed very awkward.
Everything that happened had nothing to do with him, but because he had secrets, he just couldn't explain it.
He couldn't explain the report, nor could he explain injuring Ince Zangwill.
Seeing Klein's changing expression, Azik comforted him: "Don't worry, misunderstandings will always be cleared up someday. I believe it won't take much time."
"Yes."
"Then I'll trouble you to take me to Backlund."
"Alright." Azik pressed his shoulder.
"I've only recently recalled this ability of mine, so it might be a bit bumpy. Bear with it."
Bumpy… Klein was a little confused until he saw countless vivid colors suddenly appear before his eyes.