Chapter 16: Familiar Strangers
Klein awoke with a start, his mind still swirling with dreams of cosmic horror and mystical powers. As he blinked away the last vestiges of sleep, a familiar blue glow caught his eye.
```
[Good morning, Klein Moretti. Today is your first day as a Nighthawk.]
[Spiritual Power: 100%]
[Objectives: Report to Captain Dunn Smith, Begin Nighthawk training]
```
"Right," Klein muttered, stretching as he climbed out of bed. "No pressure or anything."
As he dressed, Klein couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was it—his first real step into the world of Beyonders. He adjusted his collar, trying to look as professional as possible.
The walk to the Blackthorn Security Company seemed shorter than before, each step bringing him closer to his new life. As he approached the weathered door, Klein took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Captain Dunn Smith was waiting for him, a distracted look on his face. "Ah, Klein! Good, you're here. Now, first things first..."
What followed was a whirlwind of instructions, each punctuated by Dunn suddenly remembering something he'd forgotten to mention.
```
[New Task: Collect advance payment from Mrs. Orianna]
[New Task: Gather demon hunting bullets from Old Neil]
[New Task: Practice shooting at designated range]
[Skill Activated: Quick Thinking (Level 3)]
```
By the third time Dunn called him back, Klein was struggling to keep a straight face.
"Oh, and Klein," Dunn said, looking slightly embarrassed, "make sure to collect your advance payment from Mrs. Orianna. Twelve pounds should help you improve your living conditions and attire."
Klein felt a twinge of discomfort at the idea of taking money in advance but nodded politely. "Thank you, Captain. I appreciate the consideration."
Mrs. Orianna, it turned out, was a stern-looking woman with kind eyes. As she counted out the money, she shared a chilling story about surviving an encounter with a Beyonder serial killer.
```
[New Knowledge Acquired: Tingen City Dangers]
[Finances Updated: +12 pounds]
```
Next stop was Old Neil's workshop, a cluttered space filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder and something Klein couldn't quite identify.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Ah, the new recruit!" Old Neil grinned, his weathered face crinkling. "Here for the demon hunting bullets, eh?"
After a brief assessment of Klein's shooting skills (or lack thereof), Old Neil handed him a box of regular bullets instead. "Practice with these first, lad. Don't want you wasting the good stuff."
```
[New Skill Unlocked: Firearms Proficiency (Level 1)]
[Inventory Updated: Regular Bullets x50]
```
As Klein was about to leave, something caught his eye—a worn leather-bound book, its pages yellowed with age. The script on its cover was unmistakable.
"Is that... Chinese?" Klein murmured, reaching for the book.
Old Neil raised an eyebrow. "You can identify that gibberish? It's some old diary we found. Thought it might be important, but none of us can make heads or tails of it."
Klein's heart raced as he opened the diary. The familiar characters danced before his eyes, tantalizingly close to understanding.
```
[Significant Discovery: Ancient Chinese Diary]
[Possible connection to another transmigrator detected]
[Skill Activated: Script Recognition (Level 1)]
```
"I... I can't read it," Klein admitted, his mind whirling. "But I recognize the script. It's Chinese."
Old Neil shrugged. "Well, if you ever figure it out, let us know. Now, about those shooting lessons..."
As Old Neil rambled on about the declining Beyonder population and the disappearance of mythical creatures, Klein's mind was elsewhere. Another transmigrator? Here, in this world?
```
[New Option Available: Convert Spiritual Power to System Points]
[Warning: Conversion may temporarily reduce overall capabilities]
```
Klein's eyes widened at the notification. Could he use this to read the diary? The temptation was overwhelming.
"I'll be right back," he told Old Neil, ducking into a quiet corner. Closing his eyes, Klein focused on his Spiritual Power, willing it to transform.
```
[Converting Spiritual Power...]
[5 System Points generated]
[Spiritual Power reduced to 80%]
```
With bated breath, Klein selected the option to use his newly acquired points.
```
[Temporary Skill Activated: Chinese Language Comprehension (Duration: 10 minutes)]
[3 System Points consumed]
```
The characters in the diary suddenly shifted, becoming clear as day. Klein's eyes darted across the page, absorbing as much as he could in the limited time.
"...the key to mastering these potions lies in digesting and acting... beware the hidden dangers of the Forsaken Land of the Gods..."
Before he could read more, the words blurred, returning to indecipherable script.
```
[Temporary Skill: Chinese Language Comprehension has expired]
```
Klein closed the diary, his mind reeling. Digesting and acting? The Forsaken Land of the Gods? He had more questions now than ever before.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Klein received his demon-hunting bullets and a holster from Old Neil, learned about the surprisingly mundane lives of most Beyonders, and even met Leonard Mitchell, the enigmatic Midnight Poet.
As Klein prepared to leave for the day, Leonard gave him a curious look. "You know, there's something special about you, Klein Moretti. I can't quite put my finger on it, but... well, I look forward to working with you."
```
[Relationship Update: Leonard Mitchell - Intrigued]
[Warning: Maintain cover. Avoid suspicious behavior.]
```
Back in the privacy of his office, Klein slumped into his chair, exhausted but exhilarated. He closed his eyes, calling up his status screen:
```
[Status Screen Updated]
Name: Klein Moretti (Dipak)
Age: 22
Sequence: Fool's Path (Sequence 9)
Spiritual Power: 80% [Partially depleted]
Attributes:
Strength: 6
Agility: 6
Constitution: 7
Intelligence: 10 (+2)
Spirituality: 8 (+3)
Luck: ?
Mental Skills:
- Acting (Level 5)
- Authority (Level 2)
- Beyonder Knowledge (Level 4)
- Beyonder Risk Assessment (Level 2)
- Cultural Adaptation (Level 2)
- Deception (Level 4)
- Dream Manipulation (Level 1)
- Firearms Proficiency (Level 1) [New Skill]
- Genre Savviness (Level 2)
- Historical Analysis (Level 3)
- Investigation (Level 2)
- Negotiation (Level 2)
- Novel Memory Recall (Level 5)
- Occult Knowledge (Level 4)
- Power Assessment (Level 1)
- Quick Thinking (Level 3)
- Script Recognition (Level 1) [New Skill]
- Self-Awareness (Level 3)
- Spirit Sense (Level 1)
- Stress Management (Level 3)
- Tarot Knowledge (Level 1)
- World Awareness (Level 4)
Physical Skills:
- Beyonder Abilities (Level 2)
- Culinary Improvisation (Level 2)
- Fog Manipulation (Level 3)
- Gathering Management (Level 1)
- History (Advanced)
- Mystical Identity (Level 1)
- Precognition (Level 1)
- Talisman Making (Novice)
Status Effects:
- Nighthawk Initiate
- Contract Bound: 5 Years
- Increased Mental Stress
Condition: Excited, Mentally Fatigued
New Knowledge Gained:
- Tingen City Dangers
- Beyonder Daily Life
- Partial Diary Contents
Inventory Updates:
- Regular Bullets x50
- Demon-hunting Bullets x10
- Holster
- 12 pounds (advance payment)
System Points: 2
Objectives:
- Master shooting skills
- Decipher more of the mysterious diary
- Maintain cover as Klein Moretti
- Investigate the concept of "digesting and acting" with potions
- Learn more about the Forsaken Land of the Gods
Warnings:
- Spiritual Power depleted, may affect performance
- Maintain cover, avoid arousing suspicion
```
Klein stared at the screen, a mix of excitement and trepidation washing over him. So much had happened in just one day, and he knew this was only the beginning. As he prepared to head home, he couldn't help but wonder what other mysteries and challenges awaited him in this strange new world.