Mystery: From the Shadow World

Chapter 9 Nighthawks

Philip had no choice but to smell the calming aroma in the car and relax. "What will happen to me next?"

He didn't think he would be executed or tried, nor did he think he would be imprisoned in darkness. After all, although he was a member of the Rose School, he was only "half-Beyond", and strictly speaking, he still belonged to the category of ordinary people.

"Well, that's a very direct question."

Dunn looked into Philip's eyes, his tone gradually becoming serious. "Your situation is very special, but since you're not yet a Beyonder, you currently have two options."

"First, hide your identity and live in Tingen from now on, or travel to another city with the help of the church. Give up the idea of becoming a Beyonder. We will take special care of you to prevent you from being involved in similar Beyonder incidents again."

"Wait." Philip was confused. "Extraordinary event, me?"

"That's right." Leonard turned around at some point, leaning back in his chair leisurely, and began to explain, "To be precise, it's a supernormal case. The black-robed individual you just encountered is a Sequence 8 Beyonder named 'Broken Winged Angel', from the Blood Worship Cult."

"He's in a very bad state. Oh, let's put it another way. We've been targeting him for a long time, and we only found an opportunity today when he came here. By the way, this guy's goal is to hunt others, and Extraordinary people are given priority."

Hunting Extraordinary People. If I really go there, I will probably be hunted. Even if I give up, they will definitely follow me and look for an opportunity to kill me. Philip felt a chill down his spine and nodded.

"Okay, what about the other option?"

"The second option is to join the Nighthawks." Dunn Smith took out his pipe, but didn't light the tobacco. He just held it to the tip of his nose and sniffed it gently, his tone softening slightly.
"You are not truly an ordinary person. You possess extraordinary abilities and are involved in extraordinary cases. Inviting you does not violate the confidentiality clause. In addition, since you want to become an extraordinary person through the 'prisoner' path and have the conditions, we cannot allow you to do so."

Indeed, the prisoner Philip sighed silently in his heart, "I understand."

It seems that I can only join first.

At least life safety can be guaranteed.

He thought so in his heart, but he did not feel any worry or dissatisfaction. He just pursed his lips and asked a little embarrassedly: "May I ask how much control will be given to me after becoming a Nighthawk? By the way, if the salary is okay..."

Dunn was stunned for two seconds, then the corners of his mouth curled up slightly and he slowly said:
"If you're a civil servant, the weekly rate is 2 pounds 10 soli, plus a confidentiality and risk allowance of 3 pounds. Once you mix and consume the potion to become a Beyonder, the rate will increase to 6 pounds. But before that, I hope you'll consider it carefully."

"As for freedom, well, you'll have your own life in Tingen on weekdays, and we won't interfere too much. However, this job doesn't have any Sundays off, only rotating days off. Well, at least for now."

Philip ruffled his short golden hair and stretched. "Does this mean that after I become a Beyonder, I'll face some special treatment?"

"That's right. After all, I'm a prisoner. Freedom is an inevitable sacrifice. I'm in."

Pop, pop, pop!

A dull and subtle clapping sounded, and Leonard Mitchell had an unreal smile on his face. "Wow, it looks like we'll have new teammates soon. Welcome to join us."

"Colleague, he's not a Beyonder yet," Dunn corrected him, then continued with the same expression.
"We don't have a corresponding potion recipe for the 'Prisoner' route, but based on your performance, that doesn't seem to be a problem. You can ask me for the ingredient list later and apply for it yourself through the merit application process."

Surprisingly, this is quite humane. Philip nodded, then seemed to think of something. "Well, if I provide the Sequence 9 potion formula through normal channels, will that count as a merit? I promise, it won't be a 'prisoner' or anything like that."

Dunn looked at him deeply, his already weathered eyes now even more unreadable. "Of course there's no problem, but it will take time to prove its effectiveness."

"Until then, get ready for the job."

As the sunset's afterglow fell, a four-wheeled police carriage stopped at 36 Zolant Street. Three men slowly stepped out of it and ascended the stairs to the second floor. They arrived in front of a vertical sign that read:

Blackthorn Security Company.

Is this a disguise for the Nighthawks? Well, if there's a security company in this remote place that should be openly operating, wouldn't it be discovered by someone with ulterior motives? Philip complained inwardly, but he remained silent and followed Dunn who opened the door.

Next to the wooden coffee table in the middle of the room, a brown-haired girl was half lying on a soft armchair, her hands holding a newspaper to cover her face hung limply.

Dunn rubbed his brow at this. Leonard, on the other hand, smiled heartlessly, but still reminded, "Rosanne, take charge of welcoming the new colleagues."

"Wow!"

There was only a cry of surprise, and the girl named Luo Shan sat up, looked at the three people who walked in, covered her chest and breathed a sigh of relief: "Huh, Captain, listen to my explanation."

"Go get an employment contract." Dunn seemed to have long been accustomed to it. He just made a simple request and then said to Philip:
"You can sit here and wait for a while. Leonard and I need to go change our clothes."

Change your clothes. Are they dirty now?

Philip's eyes swept over Dunn's black windbreaker and Leonard's untucked white shirt. Although he felt a little strange, he nodded and sat down obediently on the classic sofa used to receive guests.

Then the two of them followed the anxious Luo Shan's lead and pushed the door open from the next room, entering the inner room and stopping.

Philip, who was sitting alone, looked around and then looked at the empty coffee table with a speechless expression. "By the way, you didn't even pour a glass of water?"

With this level of reception, we can only say that there is much room for improvement.

A few minutes passed in a flash, and Luo Shan rushed out again, placing two copies of the contract, a dark red pen, and ink on the coffee table. "This, this is your employment contract, huh."

"Well, thank you."

Philip suppressed his inner complaints, took the two contracts in his hands, and examined them roughly.

Not long after, Dunn and Leonard, who had already changed their clothes, walked out from behind the door. They were wearing black and white checkered uniforms and police badge hats, and their epaulettes also had two or three silver six-pointed stars on them, symbolizing their status as police inspectors.

Well, Dunn is the one with three.

(End of this chapter)