Preet Kingdom, Iggwente Upper City.
In the early morning, on the apartment building on Nanyang Flower Road, Gregorius woke up leisurely from his sleep. Then he sat on the bed, looking at his hands, recalling what had happened in his dream last night.
'Thanks to Mr. James and their help, my Spirituality increased a lot last night. If I keep this up, it won't take long to fill up my Spirituality.'
Gregorius thought to himself. In the past two months or so, he would go to the Dream World every day to hunt Dream World creatures and absorb their Spirituality to prepare for upgrading.
At first, when he was alone, he could only catch small Dream World creatures like rabbits and mice, and the speed of accumulating Spirituality was very slow. But fortunately, later, with the help of colleagues, he was able to hunt slightly larger Dream World creatures together, and the speed increased a lot.
'Let's keep up the good work... The sooner I fill it up, the sooner I can go to the Directorate General to be promoted... The sooner I can see Dorothy again. I'm still a little worried about her being in Tivian alone...'
Thinking this in his heart, Gregorius began to get up. After changing his clothes, he walked out of the bedroom and into the living room. After washing up in the washroom, he went to the door and brought in the breakfast prepared by Mrs. Hark downstairs. After putting it on the coffee table, he began to eat by himself.
While eating sandwiches and grilled sausages, Gregorius looked around the empty living room and cast his gaze on a closed door on the wall of the living room. That was originally Dorothy's room.
'I've been alone recently...'
Gregorius thought to himself. Looking at the empty room and recalling the days when he used to eat breakfast with his sister, he couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness. This place was originally rented according to the standard for two people, but now that he was living alone, it seemed a bit too empty.
Gregorius looked relaxed and ate his breakfast slowly. As the backlog of work from the An Yin Bureau was gradually dealt with, and no major new events occurred, coupled with the demise of the Holy Communion Society, which was the source of the turmoil in the Igwinte hidden world, he had been quite relaxed recently.
Gregorius had not worked overtime for three consecutive weeks, and even when he was at work, there wasn't much to do. Compared to the non-stop overtime life he had before, such a relaxed life even made Gregorius a little unaccustomed to it for a while.
'When Dorothy was here, there were always a lot of things, which made me work overtime all day and didn't have much time to spend with her. Now that I'm relaxed, she's gone again. It's a shame.'
With such a sigh in his heart, Gregorius finished his breakfast. After a simple tidying up, he opened the door and left home. Then he walked down the stairs to the ground floor of the apartment building, and then, as usual, walked along the way to work.
Soon, Gregorius arrived at the Cypress Fir Building. After entering the lobby, he came to the front desk where Aida was and greeted her, saying,
"Hey, Miss Ada, good morning."
"Oh... Good morning, Gregorius. Just in time, Mr. James is looking for you. Go to his office after you go downstairs in a while." The old Aida handed the key to Gregorius. Gregorius took it and asked with some doubt.
"Mr. James, is he looking for me for something?"
"I don't know, maybe it's related to your promotion. Anyway, you'll know when you go."
"Alright, thanks, Miss Ada." Saying that, Gregorius took the key handed over by Aida, and after saying thank you as usual, he walked away and entered the Iggwente Secret Agency under the Cypress Fir Building through a secret door.
Upon arriving at the An Yin Bureau, Gregorius greeted a few colleagues and then walked all the way to James's office. When passing by James's original large office, he waved and greeted the twisting vine plant behind the glass window, and the plant also shook its leaves in response.
Arriving at James's office, Gregorius tidied his collar, then gently knocked on the office door. After hearing a response from inside, he pushed the door open. After closing the door, he said to James, who was sitting behind his desk,
"Mr. James, are you looking for me for something?"
"It's about your promotion. Have a seat first." James replied. Following James's words, Gregorius sat opposite James. After looking at Gregorius, James asked again,
"Gregorius, how is your Spirituality accumulation now?"
"Excluding the auxiliary Spirituality that the Directorate General will provide me, my main Spirituality, which is'Shadow', has accumulated more than half. The wild boar last night provided a lot of Spirituality. If there are four or five more Dream World creatures like that, I feel that my'Shadow' will be full."
"If I had known earlier that I would have the opportunity to be promoted so quickly, I would have started to focus my main energy on Spirituality accumulation. The current situation would be better."
Gregorius responded like this. He had only been the Captain of the Iggwente Hunter Squad and an Extraordinary of the Student Rank for about a year. He was so young and had little experience. Theoretically, it was impossible for him to have the opportunity to advance to the Black Rank so quickly. In the entire Preet An Yin Bureau system, the Black Rank could already serve as the director of an ordinary city. There were many Student Captains in their forties and fifties who had not made it for decades.
Therefore, when Gregorius was just promoted to Student, he didn't consider the next step of advancement at all. In his opinion, it would take at least ten years of work, with experience and some small achievements, to have a chance to advance. So he didn't put much effort into accumulating Spirituality at all. But who knew that this opportunity would fall from the sky, and he would suddenly have the opportunity to be promoted after only one year of work? This was something Gregorius had never expected.
Because he hadn't paid much attention to Spirituality accumulation before, he now suddenly had the opportunity to be promoted but was short of Spirituality. Although in the past two months, with the help of the director and colleagues, his Spirituality had accumulated very quickly, and after collectively hunting a relatively strong Dream World creature last night, his main Spirituality had accumulated more than half, but it was still far from enough.
"Hmm... It is indeed difficult to accumulate so much Spirituality in a short time. When I got the opportunity to be promoted, I also lacked Spirituality and it took me more than half a year to accumulate it with help from various sources."
"Large Dream World creatures are not that easy to find. Creatures like the wild boar last night are not easy to find. The few of us in the An Yin Bureau don't often operate in the Dream World and are not clear about the situation. It will probably be more difficult to find such creatures next time."
James said to Gregorius, and after listening to James's words, Gregorius couldn't help but look serious.
"That's true... There aren't many Dream World creatures that are suitable for our hunting like last night... Either they are too powerful to defeat at all, or they are too weak to even fill our teeth... Accumulating Spirituality in dreams is indeed a bit troublesome. I don't know when this Spirituality will be accumulated."
Gregorius said slowly with a hint of worry, and then James spoke again.
"You don't need to worry too much. I can tell you that there is a special Dream World Hunter Squad at the Tivian Headquarters. They are familiar with the situation in the Dream World and are very good at tracking and hunting Dream World creatures. They were specially formed by the An Yin Bureau to collect Spirituality. Newcomers who need to be promoted can hunt with them. With their professionalism, the speed of obtaining Spirituality is much higher than if we do it ourselves."
"Dream World Hunter Squad? Does the headquarters have such an organization?" Listening to James's words, Gregorius asked curiously, and James said with some surprise.
"Yes, after all, the mainstream Extraordinaries in our An Yin Bureau are Extraordinaries of'Shadow' Spirituality. It is very necessary to organize a special Hunter Squad in the Dream World."
"Many times, members of these Hunter Squads will also come out alone to lead those who have the opportunity to be promoted in various branches to hunt Spirituality and help them accumulate Spirituality, and right now I happen to have such an opportunity."
Saying that, James looked at Gregorius more seriously, and then continued to speak.
"Gregorius, I have already applied for you to have the opportunity to hunt Spirituality in the Dream World with members of the Hunter Squad. The response has come down, and my application has been approved. In the next week, you can go to the Dream World to hunt Spirituality with members of the Directorate General's Hunter Squad. If you are lucky, you might get rich Spirituality in a week."
James said slowly. Listening to James's words, Gregorius's eyes lit up, and then he immediately said happily,
"Really? Then I am truly grateful to you, Mr. James. I don't know how to repay your kindness!"
Gregorius said with a moved tone. James could be said to have given him great support. It was he who reported Gregorius's achievements to the headquarters, and it was also he who applied for Gregorius's opportunity to accumulate Spirituality. Gregorius was already full of gratitude for the other party.
"There's no need to thank me. It is my duty to select excellent talents for the superiors..." James said while taking out a dream cocoon from the drawer and handing it to Gregorius.
"This is the Dream World coordinate for the next assembly of the bureau's Dream World Hunter Squad, and also the starting point for their next hunt. The assembly time is exactly 10 o'clock tonight, and the password is 'Frontier'. At that time, the Hunter Squad members from the Directorate General of Tivian will hunt with those who have the promotion qualifications from the various branch bureaus. Perform well then, and you will gain more Spirituality. Don't embarrass our Igwinte."
Mr. James looked at Gregorius and spoke directly. After listening to Mr. James's words, Gregorius took the talisman seal that was handed over, nodded seriously, and then said,
"I understand, Mr. James!"
...
Time flew by. The white sun in the sky quickly slipped below the horizon. Soon, day passed and night came.
After getting off work, Gregorius, who didn't work overtime, hurried back home early. After eating something simple at a restaurant outside, he returned to Nanyang Flower Road and went up to his apartment building.
After returning home, Gregorius took a shower and then brewed a cup of black tea. Afterward, he comfortably lay on the sofa and started reading books and newspapers, especially the novels he bought from the bookstore. When he was busy some time ago, he would almost fall asleep as soon as he got home, with no free time to do these things at all.
He kept reading novels until around 9:30 in the evening. Gregorius looked at the clock on the wall, stretched greatly, put away the novel, changed into his pajamas, and prepared to go to sleep.
Lying on the bed, Gregorius placed the dream anchor talisman seal that Mr. James had given him during the day on his forehead. After using it, the talisman seal burned out. Then he pulled up the quilt, closed his eyes, and quickly fell into a deep sleep using the method of entering a dream.
Entering the dream, Gregorius woke up in his dream room. After chanting the incantation he learned at the bureau, his body underwent rapid changes, finally turning into a Black Dog in a halo of light.
Gregorius, in the form of a Black Dog, roared loudly into the air, opening the illusory door to the Dream World. After crossing the door, he arrived in the Dream World Woodland with towering trees, standing on his dream cocoon. In front of him was another Dream World teleportation gate leading to an unknown place, which was just opened by the Dream World talisman seal Gregorius had used.
Without hesitation, Gregorius, transformed into a Black Dog, leaped into the teleportation gate opened by the dream anchor talisman seal. After a burst of dazzling light, his feet touched solid ground and landed in a new location.
This was still part of the Woodland, on the colorful lawn beneath the towering trees. As soon as Gregorius was teleported to the new location, what appeared before him were numerous Black Dogs just like himself.
There were about ten or so of these Black Dogs in front of him. At this time, they were all sitting on the grass resting. When Gregorius arrived, some of the Black Dogs shifted their gaze over. The expressions in their eyes varied, some with vigilance, others with curiosity, and Gregorius also looked at everything in front of him with curious eyes.
'So many Black Dog forms... Are these all people from the An Yin Bureau across the country who need to be promoted? There are quite a few...'
Looking at the scene in front of him, Gregorius thought to himself. The Black Dog form is the most commonly used Dream World form by the middle and lower-level Extraordinary in the Preet An Yin Bureau.
Since the Extraordinary in the An Yin Bureau generally use dream hunting to accumulate Spirituality, the activities of the Black Dog form in the Woodland are also quite active and widespread, often having conflicts and contact with the forms of Extraordinary from other organizations. Coupled with the fact that the Hunter's uniform itself is black, many organizations dissatisfied with the An Yin Bureau also directly refer to the An Yin Bureau or the Hunter as Black Dog in reality.
Just as Gregorius was carefully observing the area in front of him, suddenly, there was a sound of wind coming from the air. Gregorius looked up and saw a black figure flying down at high speed in front of him. Gregorius looked closely with vigilance and found that it was indeed a Black Dog with wings.
The form of this Black Dog was very similar to the one Gregorius had taken, but its size was almost twice as large, appearing even more ferocious, and on the back of this Black Dog, there was a pair of large fleshy wings.
"Which bureau are you from? What's your name? Who recommended you? What is the password for this hunt?"
The large Black Dog with wings spoke to Gregorius in a serious tone. Gregorius was slightly taken aback by the other party's imposing manner, and then replied,
"I am Gregorius Meshaus from the Igwinte Branch Bureau. I was recommended by our Director, Mr. James. The password for this hunt is 'Frontier'."
"Igwinte? Heh... That's quite far. My name is Fulandi, Fulandi from the Directorate General of Tivian... I am the Captain of this collective hunt. After this, everything will be under my command. Don't think about acting on your own, unless you want to be bitten to pieces by me.
"Now go to the side and rest. The hunt will start soon, kid from Igwinte."
The winged Hunter named Fulandi instructed Gregorius. After confirming Gregorius's identity, he flapped his wings and flew upwards, landing on a branch, overlooking the assembly point below and keeping watch.
Looking at Fulandi flying away, Gregorius paused slightly, then walked to the grass on the side and lay down to rest. He looked around at the Black Dogs like himself, and then looked at the one on the branch high up that looked very arrogant.
"Is this someone from the Directorate General of Tivian? Heh... They're really impressive..."
"Yes, very impressive, looks a bit annoying, but annoying is annoying, don't really disobey his command, otherwise it will be very dangerous."
At this time, a voice came from beside Gregorius. Gregorius looked to his side and saw a Black Dog similar to him looking at him calmly.
"You are..."
"Thomas from the North Card Branch Bureau, nice to meet you~" The Black Dog said to Gregorius, and Gregorius immediately responded.
"Nice to meet you, I am Gregorius from Igwinte."
"Oh, Igwinte? I heard the Red Leaf Wine there is good. I'll decide to buy two bottles someday."
"Red Leaf Wine? Haha... Buy as much as you want, I don't think it will disappoint you." Gregorius said, greeting the unfamiliar dog in front of him in a friendly manner, and then immediately brought the topic back.
"By the way, you just said it would be dangerous not to listen to that Fulandi? Do you mean he will punish those who don't listen to him?" Gregorius asked Thomas, as Fulandi had made threatening remarks when greeting him, so his impression of Fulandi was not good.
"Punish? Yes, if you make him angry, he will indeed do that, but that's also understandable. He is not only the person with the highest level of form among us, but also the one with rich experience in Woodland hunting here. The Woodland is full of dangers, especially this area. If you don't want your form body to be destroyed, lose Spirituality, and lie in bed for more than a month, you'd better not disobey him."
Thomas continued to speak to Gregorius, who asked with more curiosity.
"Is the Woodland in this area very dangerous?"
"Of course it's very dangerous. If it weren't dangerous, why would so many of us come here? Isn't it because there are many Dream World creatures here? There are dangers and opportunities." Thomas replied, and Gregorius nodded and said,
"I see, it seems like the dream creatures here are very strong..."
Hearing Gregorius's words, Thomas paused slightly, looked around, and whispered to Gregorius,
"It's not just because the Dream World creatures here are very strong. In this area, there are also unknown dangers."
"Unknown dangers?" Gregorius said in confusion, and Thomas continued mysteriously.
"Yes, let me tell you, this area is very strange. It is said that in the past, there weren't so many Dream World creatures gathered here. The number of Dream World creatures here suddenly surged a few months ago."
"Suddenly surged... Why is that?"
"The specific reason is still unclear, but according to some buddies working at the Directorate General of Tivian, the reason why the Dream World creatures here suddenly increased is likely because they were driven away..."
"Driven away?"
"Yes, someone found that many of the Dream World creatures here migrated in large numbers from the same direction. Looking at them, it seems they were hiding from something out of fear."