Chapter 121 – Leonards Hypothesis
Klein, Leonard, and Frye split up to investigate the workhouse in West Borough, searching for a link between the incidents. Leonard takes Klein aside, sharing his hypothesis that Mrs. Lauwis and Salus were people fated to die soon, and their “life force” had been shortened by a supernatural factor, stolen for summoning evil gods or devils or conducting terrifying curses. Leonard reveals his confidence in Klein, aware of his special abilities, and hints at having his own secrets, magical items, and a complex past.
As they converse, Klein realizes Leonard’s understanding of the situation, and they form an unspoken bond, agreeing to look past each other’s secrets and focus on actions and motives. Leonard’s charismatic personality shines through, referencing the “wheels of history” being set in motion, a phrase Klein recognizes from the Emperor Roselle. The investigation continues, with Klein analyzing the culprit’s thought process, understanding how they hid their murders by targeting people already close to death.
Leonard’s words echo in Klein’s mind, hinting at a larger, darker conspiracy, as they prepare to delve deeper into the mysteries of Tingen City, where special people like themselves operate in the shadows, hiding secrets and motives.
Chapter 122 – Target Building
Klein shares the details of his divination with Frye and Leonard, describing a grayish-blue two-story building with a gloomy garden, surrounded by brown soil and near a broad river. The trio agrees to narrow down the possible locations of the target through process of elimination, with Leonard suggesting they exclude areas where death incidents rose rapidly above average standards. Frye finds a region that matches the description, pinpointing the southwestern area of West Borough.
As they investigate further, they search the area in a two-wheeled carriage, inspecting houses until Klein spots the grayish-blue building from his dream. The dark curtains on the first floor confirm their suspicions, and they realize they’ve found the location of the evil altar. Instead of confronting the culprit, Leonard orders Klein to return to Zouteland Street and summon the Captain, citing Klein’s lack of combat experience and the danger of the situation.
Klein reluctantly agrees, aware that the Captain is the only one who can make the situation less terrifying. As he prepares to leave, he can’t help but appreciate Leonard’s concern for his safety, despite his own secrets and motives. The stage is set for a thrilling confrontation, with the Captain soon to arrive and the Nighthawks ready to face whatever darkness lies within the sinister building.
Chapter 123 – Beyonder Battle
Trissy, an ordinary-looking but strikingly beautiful Assassin, prepares for a stealthy mission by donning a black robe and casting a concealment spell. She seemingly disappears, intending to take out Corpse Collector Frye, who’s outside the sinister grayish-blue building. However, she’s suddenly back on the window sill, and the scene unfolds to reveal Frye and Leonard Mitchell, accompanied by Dunn Smith, aiming at her. The trio fires at the invisible target, shattering Trissy’s disguise and forcing her to flee.
Trissy, now exposed, navigates the building, dodging formless spirits and freezing winds. She reaches the sacrificial altar, where a bone-carved figurine of a deity sits, surrounded by creepy puppets. The figurine, adorned with hair-like tentacles, each with an eye at the tip, seems to exude an ominous aura. Trissy, determined, recites incantations, extinguishes the candles, and claims the figurine.
As Trissy executes her plan, the atmosphere inside the building intensifies. Frye, outside, feels an unseen force grabbing his heels, slowing him down. With his Corpse Collector abilities, he manages to shake off the numbness and readies his revolver to counter the unknown threat. As the tension builds, the stage is set for a thrilling confrontation between Trissy and the Nighthawks.
Chapter 124 – Wrapping Up Work
Klein, hiding in the shadows, hears gunshots and violent winds, and wonders if he should draw his gun or pretend he didn’t see the enemy. He’s relieved when no one runs towards him and instead hears Leonard Mitchell’s familiar tune, signaling a meeting. Klein approaches the target building, using his divination skills to confirm the singing wasn’t an illusion. As he enters the garden, he’s struck by an eerie atmosphere, with withered plants, fallen flowers, and frost-covered soil.
As Klein makes his way to the grayish-blue building, he’s startled by a flimsy branch and then confronted by faint sobs and blurry, translucent shadows that seem to swarm around him. He rushes into the building, where he finds Dunn, Frye, and Leonard amidst a round table of crudely made puppets and unlit candles. The atmosphere is tense, with restless shadows and an air of unease, but Leonard’s soothing recitation of a poem calms the scene.
Dunn explains that they’ve destroyed a terrifying curse and now need to comfort the remaining spirits and communicate with the dead to gather clues. Klein, relieved to no longer be a burden, takes charge, sweeping the puppets off the table and noticing each one has a name and message. The tension is palpable, and the Nighthawks are one step closer to uncovering the secrets of the sinister building.
Chapter 125 – Bold Idea
Klein, having sensed a strange familiarity, takes a detour from the ritual to investigate. He scribbles a note, recites it, and falls asleep, entering a hazy world where he encounters a young lady in a gray dress, shivering unnaturally. Recognizing her from a previous encounter on Daffodil Street, Klein’s eyes widen as he recalls chasing Instigator Tris.
As Klein shares his discovery with the group, they piece together the connection between the mysterious lady and Instigator Tris. Leonard’s bold theory suggests that Tris might have transformed into a woman, explaining the sudden loss of trail and failure to find any traces. The group is stunned, but Klein’s guess resonates, especially given the Demoness Sect’s all-female upper echelons.
As the Nighthawks digest this shocking revelation, they begin to unravel the mysteries of the Demoness Sect’s potions. Dunn tasks Klein with divining the target’s next location, and Klein obliges, spreading a dress on the carpet and focusing on the target’s features. The atmosphere remains tense as they edge closer to uncovering the secrets of the sinister building and the transformed Instigator Tris.
Chapter 126 – Divination Isnt All-Powerful
Klein hastens to divine Instigator Trissy’s whereabouts, using a silver knife and a spirituality wall to enter the lofty palace above the gray fog. He scribbles a divination statement, recites it, and enters a dream state, where he sees Trissy on a steam locomotive, but fails to discern the train number.
As he returns to the real world, Klein decides not to report the divination result to Dunn, fearing it might draw suspicion towards him. He chooses instead to let Dunn’s measures unfold, hoping Trissy will be placed on the wanted list throughout the country. With his mind preoccupied with thoughts of tasty mutton, Klein heads to the Blackthorn Security Company, only to find out that two police staff members with experience in supernatural incidents will be transferred as clerks.
Klein’s morning takes an intriguing turn as he exchanges pleasantries with Rozanne, then heads underground for mysticism lessons. He briefly checks on Dunn and the Nighthawks, only to discover they’ve still found nothing conclusive. Just as Klein is about to proceed with his day, he stops in his tracks, his eyebrows creasing as he realizes a grave mistake: he had subconsciously assumed the steam locomotive was operating at night, unaware that this world doesn’t have electric lights or night-traveling trains.
Chapter 127 – Laying the Foundations
Klein, now fully digested of the Seer potion, starts experimenting with a subtle way to activate his Spirit Vision, settling on clicking his left molar to activate and right molar to deactivate. He puts his new method to the test, ensuring it’s natural and easy to use, even with his hands occupied. Meanwhile, Old Neil, noticing Klein’s concern, offers him coffee and initiates their mysticism lesson for the day.
Klein is relieved to have avoided the risk of losing control but is frustrated that his plans and schedules have been disrupted. He decides to learn from Spirit Medium Daly, submit an application to the higher-ups, and use his contributions to obtain the recipe and extraordinary ingredients before officially advancing into a Sequence 8 Nighthawk. Klein plans to lay some foundations with Captain Dunn, feeding him subtle hints about his spirituality to reduce suspicion.
As Klein focuses on his mysticism lessons, Old Neil announces that their training will soon come to an end, and Klein will be able to create charms for himself. Klein is excited about the prospect, knowing that these charms will have unique abilities that can be used in battle, though they require ritualistic magic, have limitations, and need to be renewed every two weeks.
Chapter 128 – The Impoverished Fool
Klein rushes to the Shooting Club to practice his revolver skills, determined to impress Captain Dunn with his progress. After a grueling session, he heads to Gawain’s house for combat training, donning his knight training suit and pushing himself to exhaustion. He requests to learn swordsmanship, but Gawain dismisses the idea, deeming it outdated, and emphasizes the importance of guns.
Undeterred, Klein argues that combining gun and hand-to-hand combat can create a formidable force, envisioning a special task force that can outmaneuver enemies. Gawain is taken aback, his eyes sharpening as Klein’s words paint vivid scenarios. Though Gawain’s reaction is cryptic, Klein senses a spark of inspiration.
After a punishing training session, Klein visits the Evil Dragon Bar to inquire about Beyonder ingredients and purchase items for making charms, carefully budgeting his limited funds. As the sun dips below the horizon, Klein enters the underground market, driven by his determination to advance as a Nighthawk and create unique charms.
Chapter 129 – Rampager
Klein’s heart tightens as he nearly blurts out a question about losing control, recalling Captain Dunn’s warnings about the dangers of Beyonders losing control. Old Neil, however, springs into action, ready to help Swain deal with the Rampager. Klein is taken aback by Old Neil’s willingness to assist, realizing that despite their differences, Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, and Machinery Hivemind share a common goal: to protect the innocent and maintain peace.
As Swain leads the charge, Klein, Old Neil, and Swain rush to the harbor district, where a cargo ship is docking. Swain briefs them on the situation: two Mandated Punishers are circling the Rampager, preventing it from entering the Tussock River. Old Neil hands Klein a Slumber Charm, explaining its incantation and use. Klein feels moved by the trust placed in him, and as they approach the ship, he can hear the sounds of combat intensifying.
As they board the ship, Klein and Old Neil are met with a scene of chaos. A monster, over 1.8 meters tall, with scales, webbed limbs, and a sticky, corrosive liquid dripping from its body, is wreaking havoc. Swain is struggling to keep up with the creature, his punches and kicks landing but failing to cause significant harm. Klein readies his revolver, preparing to intervene as the monster makes a break for the opening, threatening to escape into the Tussock River. With his heart racing, Klein takes aim, pulling the trigger and firing a silver demon-hunting bullet at the monster.
Chapter 130 – Backlunds Secret Gathering
Klein’s gaze falls upon Swain standing before the monster’s corpse, and he can’t help but feel an indescribable sadness. As he watches the Mandated Punisher help his semi-conscious partner up, Klein is struck by the realization that members of the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, and Machinery Hivemind are never hailed as heroes, despite the dangers they face.
Old Neil lets out a sigh, and Klein notices the elderly gentleman is still holding his left hand, revealing a small cut from a shrapnel earlier. As they walk off, Klein comments on Old Neil’s calm demeanor during the chaos, prompting the veteran Nighthawk to share a terrifying story about encountering a zombie in Raphael Cemetery. Old Neil emphasizes the importance of trusting one’s teammates, and Klein nods sincerely, grateful for the wisdom.
As they part ways, Klein heads home, where he’s greeted by Melissa and the aroma of food. He’s surprised to find Benson cooking dinner, and the trio exchanges worried glances. Klein proposes hiring a maidservant, but Melissa objects, citing discomfort with having a stranger around. As Klein begins to undress, his expression freezes, hinting at a mysterious development on the horizon.
Chapter 131 – Transaction
Audrey Hall, accompanied by Fors and Xio Derecha, attends a secret gathering where powerful Beyonders trade valuable items. She’s astonished by the incredibly low prices of rare Beyonder ingredients, including a pair of eyes from a mature Manhal Fish and Emperor Roselle’s notebook pages. Audrey’s eyes sparkle as she sets her sights on acquiring the notebook, which she believes holds mysterious power. She eventually purchases three pages from a young man, who shares her enthusiasm for Roselle’s work.
As Audrey surveys the room, she notices the eclectic mix of Beyonders and notes the confidence exuded by the enigmatic Mr. A, the gathering’s host. She observes that Mr. A frequently gazes at the ladies present, including herself, making her feel uneasy and suspecting that he may be able to see through her disguise.
Audrey’s interactions with the attendees and her surroundings reveal her calculated and reserved nature, but also hint at her growing excitement and ambition. Meanwhile, the mysterious Mr. A remains an intriguing figure, shrouded in mystery and seeming to wield significant power.
Chapter 132 – Meeting the Monster Again
Audrey confides in Susie, her golden retriever, about the secret gathering she attended, where she purchased three pages of Emperor Roselle’s notebook. Susie, surprisingly, reveals her understanding of the Loen language and shares information about the King and Prime Minister’s plans to reform the government. Audrey rewards Susie with a dog biscuit, which she devours with gusto.
Meanwhile, Klein wakes up late after a night on duty and heads to the Evil Dragon Bar to investigate Monster Ademisaul’s strange behavior. He finds Ademisaul shivering in a corner, overcome with fear and anxiety. Using his Spirit Vision, Klein discovers Ademisaul’s unhealthy aura and his loss of rational thinking. Ademisaul’s incoherent ramblings about dreaming of corpses and blood only add to the mystery.
Klein’s attempt to interrogate Ademisaul is met with screams of terror, leaving him perplexed and unsure of how to proceed. He considers seeking advice from Mr. Azik but decides to report to Captain instead. With his private stash replenished, Klein can only window shop for rare Beyonder ingredients, limited by his budget.
Chapter 133 – Expensive Charms
Klein agrees to help Elizabeth uncover the reason behind her mysterious dreams, and she falls asleep at the Red Agate room, trusting him to divine the solution. As she sleeps, Klein observes her aura and emotions, waiting for the right moment to use his Dream Charm, which he had created earlier. He recites the activation incantation, and the charm envelops Elizabeth and himself in a serene black flame, allowing him to enter a state of Cogitation and access her dream.
In Elizabeth’s dream, Klein finds himself in a yellowish-brown plain littered with corpses and blood, where Elizabeth is lost and surprised to see him. She reveals that she had suspected Klein’s true identity as a divination club employee and had tried to find him multiple times. As the dream continues, a tall knight in black armor appears, dragging a broadsword and emitting a will of a wraith. Klein, still in his spirituality state, doesn’t need to activate his Spirit Vision to sense the knight’s malevolent presence.
As Klein continues to navigate Elizabeth’s dream, he’s drawn deeper into the mystery, and the stakes become clearer. The dream reveals everyone’s true nature, and Klein’s exceptional abilities allow him to uncover the hidden secrets. Meanwhile, the pace of the story accelerates, foreshadowing a complex and thrilling adventure that awaits Klein and his companions.
Chapter 134 – Its Been More Than A Minute
Klein confidently assures Dunn that he can pass the Holy Cathedral’s examination, attributing his newfound confidence to the name of the potion and his adherence to Seer principles. As they prepare to investigate Elizabeth’s dream, Dunn tasks Klein and Frye with resolving a wraith-related case. They retrieve the Mutated Sun Sacred Emblem, a Sealed Artifact from the Intis Republic, and set off towards Lamud Town, detouring to Daffodil Street along the way.
Upon arriving at Lamud Town, they head towards the castle ruins on the mountain, guided by local myths about a feudal lord from the Fourth Epoch. As they approach the ancient castle, Klein feels a piercing chill, and Frye detects the presence of a wraith. Dunn reassures Klein, citing their arsenal, including the Sacred Emblem and Frye’s Corpse Collector abilities.
As they venture into the ancient castle, Klein readies himself to respond to any threats, armed with his revolver, cane, and charms. With Dunn leading the way, they step into the unknown, prepared to face the wraith and uncover the secrets hidden within Elizabeth’s dream.
Chapter 135 – Portrait of a Baron
As Klein and Frye investigate the ancient castle with Dunn, they sense something evil and corrupted hidden in the living room. Dunn instructs Klein to divine whether their investigation would be successful, and Klein’s topaz bracelet indicates that they will succeed. With confidence, they proceed, and Dunn expertly searches for a mechanism, leading to the discovery of a hidden trap door.
As they explore the trap door, a cold and corrupted vibe emanates, but the Mutated Sun Sacred Emblem dispels the malevolent energy. Klein and Dunn carefully make their way down the stairs, relying on Klein’s Spirit Vision to navigate through the darkness. They find themselves in a damp basement, where they discover a black coffin with a headless corpse inside.
The atmosphere remains tense, but with the Emblem’s purity and warmth, the duo prepares to uncover the secrets hidden within the coffin and Elizabeth’s dream. Will they successfully unravel the mysteries, or will they face unforeseen challenges?