Hearing Dunn's invitation to join the team, Silas froze for a second.
"Are you saying you're inviting me to become a Nighthawk?" Suspecting he'd misheard, he asked again to confirm.
"That's right."
"But you said before that my pathway is very dangerous. Is it really appropriate to have me join your squad?"
"As long as it's properly controlled, the danger can be avoided." Dunn's eyes flickered. "Or would you actually prefer a life under supervision?"
"Not at all."
Silas shook his head decisively. "I just think it's too sudden. I'm somewhat... at a loss."
"Haha, I see."
Dunn smiled at his words.
"There are two main reasons for inviting you to join the team. First, I simply sympathize with your situation and hope you both can have a better life.
Second, your abilities and sequence are very useful to us. Currently, Secrets Suppliants on our side are extremely rare. Especially given your outstanding performance last night.
I can say that without you, we would have lost two team members. Inviting you to join us Nighthawks is also my way of expressing gratitude."
That seems to make sense.
Silas nodded. He looked at Cecilia. "Sister, what do you think?"
"I'll follow your decision," Cecilia said. "Either choice is fine, as long as we're not separated."
Sister, you need to think about this too...
Silas felt helpless and could only consider the pros and cons himself.
The two choices Dunn offered each had their advantages and disadvantages.
If he chose to be protected and supervised, the benefit was that safety would be higher, and he might live out his life peacefully.
But his future days would basically bid farewell to freedom. He'd originally wanted to be a plagiarist, which certainly wouldn't be allowed under such circumstances.
Not only that, he'd already seen firsthand how insane those cultists were. In the most extreme case, those protecting them might not be able to keep them safe.
As for becoming a Nighthawk, the advantages were more freedom, official backing, and more opportunities to learn about the mystical world. Who knows, he might even find a way to transmigrate back.
Plus he'd receive a stable salary. Though he didn't know exactly how much, judging by how the Nighthawks were all well-dressed and healthy-looking, at least food and clothing would be guaranteed.
As for the downsides... there would be danger. Like last night, encountering crazed, out-of-control cultists, or other unknown accidents.
But the first choice also had dangers! If he became a Nighthawk, at least he'd have teammates to rely on.
Moreover, Silas had that unknown phantom thing protecting his mind, making him much safer than an ordinary Secrets Suppliant.
Thinking this far, he raised his head.
"Do you have any other questions?"
Dunn asked.
"I'd like to ask, if I join the team, what would my main duties be, and what about compensation?"
Silas asked frankly.
"Nighthawks are mainly responsible for handling extraordinary cases involving the Goddess's followers.
Specifically for our Tingen City Nighthawks squad, there are generally one to two cases per month.
And these cases are all relatively simple. What you encountered yesterday was an extremely rare situation."
"If you join the team, you'll participate as support personnel among the official members.
You won't need to actively engage the enemy, but you'll need to provide divination, spirit channeling, and various ritual services to the team. Haha, of course, professionals will train you in these areas."
"As for salary, I can give you a reference. That Klein Moretti you met joined just a few weeks ago. He's a Sequence 9 support staff member. Currently his total weekly salary is about 6 pounds, which will gradually increase each year."
Six pounds a week?
Silas raised his eyebrows. This was considerably higher than he'd imagined.
Ordinary workers in Tingen City working a full week earned at most one pound. This Nighthawk salary was equivalent to earning fifteen or sixteen thousand in a city where the average was three or four thousand.
Though considering the dangers this job might entail, the salary seemed very reasonable.
But regardless, with this money, he'd be able to support his sister and live a prosperous life.
"That's about all I can tell you. Other details can only be disclosed after you join the team." Dunn added, "I don't mean to force you to agree. You can think it over and give me your final answer. After all, once you join, your life may take a completely different path."
After speaking, his gray eyes calmly watched Silas without the slightest hint of pressure.
Silas thought for a moment, then turned to look at Cecilia. "How much could you earn pasting a basket of matchboxes?"
Cecilia was startled, then replied, "It used to be two and a quarter pence, but I haven't done piecework in a while, so I don't know the current rate."
Hearing this, Silas fell silent for a few seconds before smiling. "Throw that brush away. We won't need it anymore."
With that, he stood up and extended his hand toward Dunn. "I wish to join the Nighthawks squad."
"Welcome."
Dunn also smiled and reached out to shake his hand.
His palm was warm and firm.
---
Two mornings later, at 6 Daffodil Street.
Dressed in brand new formal attire, Silas stood in his newly rented house, looking at himself in the mirror.
Having shed his old restraint jacket, his handsome features paired with well-tailored clothing made him particularly attractive.
Only a hint of gloom and sickness still seemed hidden between his brows, adding a touch of unusual quality to his bearing.
A bit conspicuous.
Silas thought to himself.
After deciding to join that day, Dunn had the team's accountant, Mrs. Orianna, advance him two weeks' salary as settling-in money.
Silas didn't refuse, since the siblings currently owned only a broken suitcase's worth of possessions, and he urgently needed money to settle both his sister and himself.
So over the next two days, he'd been renting a house, getting outfits for both himself and his sister, and purchasing necessary items.
Only today had everything finally been sorted out, giving him time to report to the team.
Silas took his hat from the coat rack and placed it on his head, then called upstairs, "Are you ready yet?"
A figure appeared timidly at the stairs. It was Cecilia in a new dress, carrying a book bag in her hand.
"Do I really have to go?"
She was somewhat uneasy.
"I've already paid your tuition. How can you not go?"
Silas smiled and patted Cecilia's shoulder. "Just listen in class. My sister is so smart, there definitely won't be any problems."
That's right. Starting today, Cecilia would be attending school.
Before the family tragedy, his sister had been attending middle school at the Goddess's church school with excellent grades.
If she could graduate smoothly, she'd very likely find a good job. But to take care of Silas, she'd had no choice but to drop out and return home, trapped in their apartment's small room.
As someone from modern earth, Silas's emphasis on education was ingrained in his bones.
Now that they had the means, he absolutely had to arrange everything for his sister. Whatever happened, she had to finish her education.
So using Dunn's connections, Cecilia had easily restored her student status and officially returned to school.
"But Silas, are you sure you don't need me to take care of you?"
Being able to return to school made Cecilia quite happy, but she still hesitated, worried about Silas having an episode.
"My illness is cured. You've seen it yourself, haven't you? I haven't had another attack this whole time."
Silas confidently patted his chest. "Come on, let's go. You don't want to be late on your first day back at school, do you?"
Only then did Cecilia happily head out the door.
After seeing off his sister, it was time for Silas to report to the team.