Chapter 17: The Path of the Beyonder
As Klein stepped out of Captain Dunn's office, his mind was still reeling from the day's events. The weight of his new responsibilities as a Nighthawk pressed upon him, mingling with the excitement of uncovering more about this world's mysteries. The memory of the Chinese diary he'd briefly deciphered earlier lingered in his thoughts, its cryptic mentions of "digesting and acting" and the "Forsaken Land of the Gods" echoing in his mind.
```
[Objective Updated: Learn more about Beyonder Sequences]
[Skill Activated: Information Gathering (Level 3)]
[Skill Activated: Novel Memory Recall (Level 5)]
```
As he approached Rozanne at the reception desk, a fragment of memory from the original novel surfaced in his mind. Something about Seers and... a grapevine? The details were frustratingly vague, like trying to recall a dream upon waking. Klein rubbed his temples, willing the pieces to fall into place.
"Mr. Moretti," Rozanne greeted him, her voice cutting through his reverie. "Captain Dunn asked me to inform you that you're officially cleared to start work on Monday. He wants to give you time to settle your personal affairs."
Klein felt a wave of relief wash over him. "That's... surprisingly considerate," he said, genuinely touched by the gesture. He couldn't help but wonder if the original Klein would have reacted differently. Would he have been eager to start immediately? Or would he have appreciated the time to prepare? The constant juggling of identities was starting to wear on him.
Rozanne nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. "The Nighthawks may deal with dangerous and otherworldly matters, but we're not inhuman. We understand the importance of personal life."
```
[Relationship Update: Nighthawks Organization - Positive]
[New Task: Settle personal affairs before Monday]
[Warning: Conflicting information detected]
```
Klein's mind raced, considering his next steps. He needed to visit Tingen University to decline any further interviews for a faculty position. It was the respectful thing to do, given his professor's recommendation. But more pressingly, he needed to find a way to reconcile his fragmented knowledge with the reality he was facing.
"Rozanne," he began, an idea forming, "what's the best way to get to Tingen University? I need to inform them about my new... career path."
She thought for a moment. "Well, there's no telephone, and telegrams are quite expensive. A letter would take too long. I'd recommend taking a public carriage. It's affordable and relatively quick."
Klein nodded, making a mental note. As he was about to leave, a question that had been nagging at him all day bubbled to the surface. He hesitated, then decided to probe further. "Rozanne, if you don't mind me asking... what's the starting point for becoming a Beyonder in the Church's Sequence system?"
The receptionist's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and concern crossing her face. "Mr. Moretti, are you... considering becoming a Beyonder?"
Klein tried to keep his expression neutral, but he could feel the system buzzing with activity. His palms began to sweat as he realized the potential danger of his question.
```
[Warning: Potential cover compromise]
[Skill Activated: Deception (Level 4)]
```
"I'm just curious," he said, trying to sound casual. "It's all so new and fascinating. I want to understand the world I'm now part of. For instance, I've heard something about Seers... and grapevines?" He added the last part tentatively, hoping to trigger more information or perhaps jog his own memory.
Rozanne's brow furrowed, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Seers? I'm not familiar with that term in relation to Beyonders. As for grapevines... are you referring to the Spectator pathway? They have an ability called 'Grapevine Telegraph'."
Klein's heart raced. This was new information, but it felt... off somehow. The dissonance between his fragmented memories and the information he was receiving was growing stronger. He pressed on, trying to hide his growing unease. "What about the Church of the Evernight Goddess's Sequence system?"
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Rozanne sighed, relenting. "The Church's Sequence system starts with Sequence 9: Sleepless."
```
[New Knowledge Acquired: Sequence 9 - Sleepless]
[Skill Improved: Beyonder Knowledge (Level 5)]
[Warning: Inconsistency detected between novel memory and current information]
```
Klein listened intently as Rozanne explained the abilities of Sleepless Beyonders: needing little sleep, seeing in the dark, growing stronger at night. But they still relied on special items like demon-hunting bullets for certain threats. His mind worked overtime, trying to reconcile this new information with his fragmented memories of the novel.
"There are only about thirty Beyonders in Tingen," Rozanne continued, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "Most are Sequence 9, with only a few reaching higher ranks."
A shadow passed over her face. "My father was a Sleepless. He... he died two weeks after warning me about the dangers of being a Beyonder."
Klein felt a chill run down his spine. The system flashed a warning:
```
[Warning: High mortality rate among Beyonders detected]
[Recommendation: Proceed with extreme caution]
```
"I'm sorry for your loss," Klein said softly, genuine empathy in his voice. "Thank you for sharing this with me."
Rozanne nodded, composing herself. "The next rank is Sequence 8: Midnight Poet. Then Sequence 7: Nightmare."
Klein's mind flashed back to Dunn entering his dreams. "So Captain Dunn is a Nightmare?"
"Yes," Rozanne confirmed. "There are only two Sequence 7 Beyonders in Tingen, and he's one of them. Even in larger cities, he'd be considered powerful."
```
[New Knowledge Acquired: Beyonder hierarchy in Tingen]
[Skill Improved: Power Assessment (Level 2)]
```
Klein's curiosity was far from sated. The information he was receiving seemed to contradict his vague memories of the novel. Where did Seers fit into all of this? And what about the cryptic mentions in the Chinese diary? He decided to push a little further.
"Are there other Sequences in the Church's system?" he asked, hoping to uncover more clues.
Rozanne hesitated, her eyes darting around as if checking for eavesdroppers. "I don't know much about the others. There's Sequence 9: Mystery Pryer, which Old Neil mentioned once."
Klein's interest piqued. A knowledge-focused Beyonder? That sounded more up his alley, and possibly closer to what he remembered about Seers.
"Oh, and Sequence 7: Spirit Medium," Rozanne added. "Like Mdm. Daly, the powerful medium you met before."
```
[New Knowledge Acquired: Mystery Pryer, Spirit Medium Sequences]
[Objective Updated: Investigate Mystery Pryer Sequence]
[Warning: No mention of Seer pathway detected]
```
As Klein left the headquarters, his mind was buzzing with conflicting information. He descended the stairs, lost in thought about the world of Beyonders he was slowly uncovering. The weight of the twelve pounds in his pocket reminded him of the advance payment, grounding him momentarily in the present.
The streets of Tingen seemed different now, charged with an energy he hadn't noticed before. Every passerby could be a Beyonder, every shadow potentially hiding supernatural threats. Klein found himself hyper-aware of his surroundings, his newfound knowledge both a blessing and a curse.
As he made his way home, Klein's thoughts raced. If he was supposed to be a Seer, why was Rozanne talking about Sleepless? Was his memory faulty, or was there more to this than met the eye? The mention of the Mystery Pryer sequence intrigued him. Could that be related to the Seer pathway he vaguely remembered?
Then there was the matter of the Chinese diary. Its mentions of "digesting and acting" and the "Forsaken Land of the Gods" seemed to hint at a deeper, more complex system of Beyonder abilities. How did that fit into the Sequence system Rozanne had described?
```
[Objective Updated: Investigate discrepancies between novel memory and current reality]
[Skill Activated: Critical Thinking (Level 3)]
```
Klein arrived home to find Melissa in the kitchen, preparing a simple dinner. The sight of her, so normal and unaware of the supernatural world he was now part of, made Klein's heart ache with a mixture of love and guilt. How could he protect her from a world he barely understood himself?
"Melissa," he called out, forcing cheer into his voice. "How about we go out for dinner tonight? My treat."
His sister turned, surprise and delight lighting up her face. "Really? What's the occasion?"
Klein grinned, patting his pocket. "I got an advance on my new job. I thought we could celebrate."
As they walked to a nearby restaurant, arm in arm, Klein felt a renewed sense of purpose, tinged with uncertainty. Yes, he was on a dangerous path, but he had people to protect, mysteries to solve, and a whole new world to navigate - one that didn't quite match his expectations.
The restaurant was busy, filled with the chatter of diners and the clinking of cutlery. As they settled into their seats, Klein found himself scanning the room, wondering if any of these normal-looking people could be Beyonders. Could that elderly gentleman in the corner be a powerful Sequence 7? Was the waitress perhaps a Sleepless, working through the night with ease?
"Klein? Are you alright?" Melissa's voice cut through his thoughts. "You seem... distracted."
He forced a smile. "Just thinking about the new job. It's going to be quite a change."
Melissa reached across the table, squeezing his hand. "I'm proud of you, you know. Taking on this new role, supporting us... You've been so strong since..." She trailed off, but Klein knew she was thinking of their parents.
Guilt gnawed at him. Here he was, an impostor in Klein Moretti's life, potentially putting his family at risk. But as he looked at Melissa's trusting face, he made a silent vow. He would unravel the mysteries of this world, master the Beyonder path, and find a way to protect her - no matter the cost.
```
[Status Update]
Name: Klein Moretti (Dipak)
Sequence: Unknown (Possibly Seer? Conflicting information)
Spiritual Power: 85% [Slowly Regenerating]
Mental Skills:
- Beyonder Knowledge (Level 5) [Improved]
- Information Gathering (Level 3)
- Deception (Level 4)
- Power Assessment (Level 2) [Improved]
- Critical Thinking (Level 3)
- Novel Memory Recall (Level 5)
New Knowledge:
- Sequence 9: Sleepless
- Sequence 8: Midnight Poet
- Sequence 7: Nightmare
- Sequence 9: Mystery Pryer
- Sequence 7: Spirit Medium
- Beyonder hierarchy in Tingen
- Possible existence of Spectator pathway
Objectives:
- Investigate Mystery Pryer Sequence
- Settle personal affairs before Monday
- Maintain cover as Klein Moretti
- Investigate discrepancies between novel memory and current reality
- Decipher more of the Chinese diary's contents
Warnings:
- High mortality rate among Beyonders
- Proceed with extreme caution in Beyonder pursuits
- Inconsistency detected between novel memory and current information
Relationships:
- Nighthawks Organization: Positive
- Melissa: Strong, protective
Current Task: Treat Melissa to a special meal
```
As they enjoyed their meal, Klein's mind continued to race with questions and theories. The world of Beyonders was vast and complex, filled with dangers he was only beginning to understand. But as he watched Melissa laugh at one of his jokes, he felt a surge of determination.
He would uncover the truth about the Seer pathway, decipher the cryptic messages in the Chinese diary, and navigate the treacherous waters of Beyonder politics. And through it all, he would protect Melissa and honor the memory of the real Klein Moretti.
The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and mystery. But as Klein raised his glass in a toast to his sister, he knew one thing for certain: his journey as a Beyonder had only just begun.