Advancement.
It took Silas a second to recall what that word meant in the context of mysticism.
Basically, it meant consuming a higher-level potion to raise one's sequence.
For example, Dunn was Sequence 7 of the Sleepless pathway, a "Nightmare." In other words, he had successfully advanced twice.
By all rights, raising one's sequence should be a good thing. You'd gain more abilities and spirituality. But why was Dunn so opposed to it?
Dunn offered his explanation.
"For most sequences, advancement carries both risks and opportunities.
So as long as Nighthawks follow the regulations, earn sufficient merit, and pass the evaluations, they can consume the relevant potions and gain advancement. But the Secret Supplicant pathway is different."
He clasped his hands together, his right thumb rubbing back and forth over his left.
"According to our internal records, Sequence 8 of the Secret Supplicant pathway is called 'Listener.'
They can directly hear the whispers of hidden existences, thereby gaining powerful, twisted, and unique abilities. But as the price, they must advance within five years, or they will inevitably die miserably."
"I see, Captain."
Silas seemed to understand. "That does sound quite dangerous."
"It's not just that."
Dunn said, "The whispers will alter your cognition, twist your beliefs, and make you worship the True Creator.
Every single Listener, without exception, is completely insane. If one appears normal, then they're simply a madman who's hiding it extremely well."
Silas couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
"So you're saying... except for the very bottom, every other level of the Secret Supplicant pathway consists entirely of fanatical followers of an evil god?"
Evil gods really are ruthless!
"Exactly."
Dunn's gray eyes were filled with gravity. "I will not allow a follower of an evil god to exist in my team.
If one day you truly stray from the path and seek advancement to become a believer of an evil god, I will absolutely fulfill my duty as captain and personally purify you myself.
Those words may be harsh, but I have to say them upfront. Silas, do you understand?"
As he spoke, his expression was utterly serious, making it clear he wasn't joking in the slightest.
Silas straightened in his seat.
"I hear you, Captain. I definitely won't seek advancement."
"Good that you've agreed." Dunn nodded.
"There's one more thing.
Because you have a history of mental illness, after joining, you'll need to submit a recovery certificate issued by a psychiatric hospital."
"Easy. I know that place well."
Silas made a somewhat dark joke, then continued asking, "Captain, does this count as starting work? What do I do next?"
"You've had absolutely no contact with mysticism knowledge before, so what comes next is receiving training in that area.
You'll be taught personally by Old Neil, the most senior support staff member on our team.
Klein also needs to take mysticism courses, so you can just study together with him."
"Sounds good."
Sure enough, no matter where you go, new hires have to go through training first. Silas put away the contract and stood up. "Then I'll head out now, Captain."
"Wait a moment."
Just as he stood, he heard Dunn say, "There's one more thing.
Remember to get a revolver from Old Neil, then pick up thirty rounds of ammunition each day.
There's a shooting range on the street that's exclusively ours. Find time to go practice."
As he spoke, Dunn quickly wrote out a slip and signed and stamped it.
I can get a gun, and they provide free ammunition for practice?
Silas took the slip, his eyes lighting up. The Nighthawks' benefits really were excellent.
He thanked him, turned around, and had only taken a few steps.
"Wait again."
Dunn called him back once more.
The captain's memory really isn't very good, is it?
Silas immediately understood Klein and Leonard's state that night.
"Captain, is there something else?"
He asked with a smile.
"Old Neil holds class in the armory. If you don't know where it is, you can have Rozanne show you the way."
"Got it."
After answering, Silas was smart enough not to leave immediately.
Instead, he slowed his pace and waited a bit longer, only pushing the door open to leave after confirming Dunn wouldn't call him back again.
Leaving the captain's office, he returned to the lobby. Klein had probably gone to class.
Only Rozanne remained at the front desk. Seeing Silas look her way, she was so startled that she immediately stood up straight.
In fact, she stood so abruptly that her leg banged against the chair with a loud "thud."
"Is... is there something you need?"
Her eyes glistening with tears, she asked while rubbing her leg.
"The captain told me to find Mr. Neil in the armory. Could you show me the way?"
"Uh... no problem."
Rozanne's face was written all over with reluctance, but she still agreed miserably.
She walked past the partition and led Silas deeper into the corridor, eyes straight ahead, one leg seeming to limp slightly.
I should've just asked her to point out the way and gone myself.
Silas thought privately. Now it looks like I'm some kind of villain.
The two didn't exchange words, just made their way to the end of the corridor like that.
Rozanne pulled open a door, revealing not a room but a staircase spiraling downward.
Gas lamps hung on the walls on both sides, burning steadily and driving back the darkness in the depths below.
"You have to go down."
Rozanne pointed at the stairs.
The two descended the steps, their footsteps echoing in the enclosed space.
After going down roughly one or two floors' worth of height, the stairs leveled out, and a long, narrow corridor came into view.
Gas lamps and the Goddess's holy symbols alternated on the walls.
Though it was the height of summer, the temperature here was quite cool. Silas knew they'd reached the underground level.
So they've hidden things this deep down here. Well, there must be plenty of things that can't be kept out in the open.
"If you walk forward a bit, you'll see a crossroads.
Left goes to St. Selena's Cathedral, straight ahead is Chanis Gate, and on the right are the armory and archives."
Rozanne pointed ahead.
"Got it. I can go the rest of the way myself from here. Thank you very much, Miss Rozanne."
Hearing Silas say this, Rozanne looked as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
She practically flew back up the stairs, her hurried footsteps echoing through the spacious corridor.
She didn't need to be quite that rushed...
Silas shook his head and stepped forward.
Following Rozanne's directions, he turned right at the crossroads. At the end of the corridor, he saw two iron doors.
One of them was the armory where mysticism lectures were currently being held. He rapped his knuckles against the iron door.
"Come in."
An aged voice came from inside, somewhat muffled through the iron door.
Silas pushed the door open and walked in.
He saw Klein sitting and listening to the lesson, and behind the desk, an old man wearing a black classical robe. His hair was grizzled, and his wrinkles deep.
Beyond that, floating in the void behind him was a pair of transparent eyes without eyelashes.
BOOM!
The instant he saw those eyes, Silas felt an explosion in his brain, and blood instantly gushed from his nose.
---
The fact that "Listening" changes one's cognition can be referenced by Heath the Sanguine, who remained normal after skipping this stage.
۞۞۞۞
~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones