Chapter 20: Echoes of Suspicion

Klein stepped out of Saint Selena Cathedral, the weight of his new walking stick a comforting presence in his hand. The moment he crossed the threshold, that familiar prickling sensation returned—eyes watching his every move. He didn't immediately react, instead casually adjusting his hat and surveying the bustling street. His enhanced perception, honed by recent experiences, picked up subtle details—a figure lingering too long at a newspaper stand, a woman whose gaze followed him a beat too long.

"Time to put those detective skills to use," Klein muttered to himself, his tone casual, but his mind racing through possible escape routes and contingencies.

As he strolled down the boulevard, he began testing his theory. He slowed his pace, pretending to admire the window display of a nearby shop. A glint from the glass reflection caught his eye—a man, lingering at the corner. The man wasn't looking directly at him, but there was something deliberate about his positioning.

Klein kept his expression neutral, drawing on the original Klein's acting skills and his own poker face. His mind quickly processed the situation: one visible follower, but likely more in the shadows. They wouldn't risk exposing themselves so easily.

Deciding to force their hand, Klein altered his route. Instead of heading straight to the public carriage stop, he turned down a side street that led toward the market district. The streets narrowed, filled with vendors and shoppers. Anyone tailing him would have to adapt quickly.

[Skill Activated: Enhanced Perception (Level 2)]

[Skill Activated: Tactical Awareness (Level 2)]

As he navigated the crowded market, Klein's steps became more deliberate. His eyes scanned the crowd, noting the familiar patterns of movement. He observed how people interacted, the flow of the crowd, and where someone trying to follow him would have to manoeuvre.

He moved toward a vendor's stall, feigning interest in a collection of trinkets. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the same man from earlier. The follower was closer now, navigating through the crowd, but trying too hard not to be noticed.

"Interesting," Klein thought. "Not an amateur, but not exactly invisible either."

Klein moved deeper into the market, slowing his pace even more. He needed to see if the man would continue following him through the denser crowd. His fingers brushed the edge of his cane, ready to use it as a weapon if necessary.

[Skill Improvement: Evasion has reached Level 3]

After a calculated evasion and eventually losing the pursuers, Klein made his way home, cautious but no longer feeling the oppressive weight of being observed. He approached his apartment building, his senses on high alert, but this time, the sight that greeted him at the door brought a different sense of comfort.

Benson, his elder brother, stood at the door with a grin. "Good afternoon, Klein. How was the interview?"

Klein relaxed slightly but remained cautious. "Horrible," he replied, deadpan.

When he saw Benson's stunned expression, Klein chuckled and added, "In fact, I didn't even participate in the interview. I found a job ahead of the interview, and it pays three pounds a week."

He repeated the cover story, watching Benson's reactions carefully.

[Skill Activated: Acting (Level 5)]

Benson's expression calmed as he shook his head with a laugh. "It feels like I'm seeing a child grow up... Well, this job is pretty good." He sighed and said, "It's great that the first thing I heard is such good news after being away for work. Let's celebrate tonight and buy some beef?"

Klein smiled, genuinely touched by his 'brother's' enthusiasm. "Sure, but I believe Melissa will feel the pinch. Let's buy some ingredients later in the afternoon?"

As they discussed the details, Klein's mind wandered. Despite the lighthearted conversation, the weight of the day still clung to him, and the strange sensation of being watched wasn't entirely gone from his thoughts. But for now, he chose to focus on the present.

---

Later that evening, the Moretti siblings gathered around the small table in their apartment. The rich aroma of stewed chicken meat and fried Tussock fish filled the air, mixed with the earthy scents of potatoes and peas. Klein had made a quick trip to the market earlier, spending their remaining soli on ingredients for a celebratory dinner. Benson and Melissa sat across from him, eyes eagerly taking in the feast.

Benson chuckled, his stomach growling audibly. "I must admit, it's been a while since we had a meal this good."

Klein, sleeves rolled up, carefully set a plate of crispy fish onto the table. The golden-brown crust crackled under the light, and the scent of cumin and rosemary filled the air. "Well, we have to celebrate the new job properly."

Benson raised his glass of ginger beer, the light from the nearby gas lamp catching the amber liquid. "To Klein! Congratulations on your new job."

Melissa, seated primly, lifted her cup of lemon pudding, though her expression was as serious as ever. "Praise the Lady."

The three clinked their drinks together, and for a brief moment, Klein allowed himself to relax. The warmth of the food, the easy conversation, and the familiar company dulled the edge of his anxiety. Even the lingering memory of his earlier pursuers faded, replaced by the simple satisfaction of a meal well-earned.

[Skill Activated: Stress Management (Level 3)]

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"Melissa, you should try the beef," Klein suggested, watching as his younger sister carefully examined the contents of the bowl in front of her.

Melissa, ever the practical one, forked a piece of beef, her face impassive as she chewed slowly. "It's... acceptable," she muttered, though Klein could tell she was enjoying it.

Benson, less reserved, dug into the mashed potatoes, letting out a satisfied groan. "Much better than the rations I get at work. Who knew my little brother would become a master chef?"

Klein laughed. "It's just a simple recipe from Welch's cook. Nothing fancy."

The conversation continued, light and playful, with Benson cracking jokes and Melissa responding with her usual deadpan wit. They reminisced about past meals and joked about the foolishness of Tingen's coin system, with Benson delivering another of his sharp-edged quips.

"You know," Klein said between bites, "the coin system here is absurd. A pound exchanges for twenty soli, and each soli breaks down into twelve pence. They even have halfpence and quarterpence. It's like they've designed the most convoluted system possible."

Benson, playing along, shook his head. "No, not one of the most foolish—it is the most foolish."

The siblings shared a laugh, the easy camaraderie easing the tension that had weighed on Klein all day. For a moment, it felt as if the worries of being followed, the mysteries of the Beyonder world, and the weight of his new responsibilities could be set aside. In this small apartment, surrounded by family, Klein felt something akin to normalcy.

As the meal wound down, Klein found himself studying his siblings' faces, committing every detail to memory. Benson's easy smile, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Melissa's serious demeanour, softened slightly by the warmth of the evening. These were the moments he needed to hold onto, to remind himself of what he was fighting for.

---

After dinner, the three of them cleaned up, the clinking of dishes and low murmurs filling the quiet apartment. When Benson and Melissa finally retired for the night, Klein remained by the window, staring out into the dark streets of Tingen.

The earlier sense of being watched had faded, but Klein couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming—something bigger than just the shadows tailing him. His mind drifted to the Nighthawks, to the mysterious notebook, and to the growing web of intrigue surrounding him. He was walking a dangerous path, and tonight had been a brief respite in what was sure to be a much more perilous journey ahead.

[Skill Improvement: World Awareness has reached Level 5]

The lamplights flickered faintly, casting long, eerie shadows along the cobblestone roads. Klein's fingers absentmindedly traced the silver handle of his walking stick, the familiar weight grounding him as his thoughts drifted back to the events of the day.

As the night deepened, the city grew quiet. Klein's room was shrouded in shadows, the faint glow of the moon filtering through the thin curtains. He finally settled into bed, his muscles tired but his mind still racing. Sleep would not come easily tonight, not with so many uncertainties hanging over him.

He closed his eyes, forcing his mind to quiet down. The familiar weight of his revolver beneath his pillow provided some comfort, but even then, he felt the world slipping away as sleep finally claimed him.

---

[Dream State Activated: Chance of prophetic visions increased]

Klein found himself standing in a grey, fog-shrouded space. The world around him seemed muted, distant, and for a moment, he didn't recognize where he was. The air was thick, heavy with the sense of something unseen, something lurking just out of sight. His heart began to race, but then, through the haze, a figure emerged.

Captain Dunn Smith.

The man stood before Klein, his tall frame shrouded in his signature black windbreaker, his grey eyes calm and unreadable. His halved top hat sat neatly on his head, a sharp contrast to the shadowed world they occupied.

Klein immediately recognized the dream for what it was—another prophetic message, another intrusion into his subconscious. But the presence of Captain Dunn meant something more. This was not just a random vision. This was a warning.

[Skill Activated: Spirit Sense (Level 1)]

"Captain," Klein said, his voice steady, though his heart was pounding in his chest. "What's happening?"

Dunn's expression remained calm, his voice as gentle and authoritative as ever. "Someone has entered your room, Klein."

The words sent a chill down Klein's spine, his body tensing as the reality of the situation settled in. An intruder. Someone had finally acted, breaking into his home while he slept.

"Who?" Klein asked, his mind racing. "Who is it?"

Dunn didn't answer the question directly. Instead, his grey eyes met Klein's, calm yet firm. "There's no time to explain. Pick up your revolver and force them into the corridor. We'll handle the rest."

The urgency in Dunn's voice left no room for doubt. Klein nodded, his body already moving, preparing to act.

"Alright," he said, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "I'll do it."

The dream world began to dissolve, colours bleeding into one another like ink in water. The figure of Captain Dunn faded, leaving Klein alone in the swirling void. As the vision dissipated, Klein's senses jolted awake, the weight of reality crashing down on him.

---

[Status Effect: Heightened Alertness activated]

Klein's eyes snapped open, his body tense and alert. The familiar darkness of his bedroom surrounded him, but something was different. He could feel it—the subtle shift in the air, the faint rustling near his desk. He turned his head slowly, his heart hammering in his chest.

[Skill Activated: Enhanced Perception (Level 2)]

There, standing with his back to Klein, was a shadowy figure, rummaging silently through his belongings.

For a moment, Klein's mind raced with the implications. The observer from earlier had taken action. Whoever it was, they were no longer content to simply watch. They were searching for something, and they had broken into his room to find it.

Quietly, Klein reached beneath his pillow, his fingers curling around the cold, reassuring weight of his revolver. Dunn's words echoed in his mind: "Force them into the corridor."

He could hear the faint sound of the intruder's movements, careful but hurried. Klein's pulse quickened, but he kept his breathing steady. There would only be one chance to catch the intruder off guard, and he couldn't afford to hesitate.

Gripping the revolver tightly, Klein shifted silently in the bed, preparing to confront the unknown threat. The night was still, the only sound the faint creaking of floorboards as the intruder moved closer.

"Now," Klein thought, his body coiled like a spring, ready to act.

In one fluid motion, he sat up, levelling the revolver at the intruder's back. His voice, when it came, was low and deadly calm. "Don't move. Hands where I can see them."

The figure froze, tension radiating from every line of their body. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, slowly, deliberately, the intruder began to turn...

---

Status Update

- Name: Klein

- Age: 22

- Sequence: Fool's Path (Sequence 9)

- Spiritual Power: 90% [Drained slightly by heightened stress and dream vision]

**Attributes:**

- Strength: 6

- Agility: 6

- Constitution: 7

- Intelligence: 10

- Spirituality: 8

- Luck: ?

**Mental Skills:**

1. Acting (Level 5)

2. Authority (Level 2)

3. Beyonder Knowledge (Level 4)

4. Beyonder Risk Assessment (Level 2)

5. Cultural Adaptation (Level 3)

6. Deception (Level 4)

7. Dream Manipulation (Level 1)

8. Enhanced Perception (Level 2)

9. Genre Savviness (Level 3)

10. Historical Analysis (Level 3)

11. Investigation (Level 3)

12. Negotiation (Level 3)

13. Novel Memory Recall (Level 6)

14. Observation (Level 4)

15. Occult Knowledge (Level 4)

16. Power Assessment (Level 2)

17. Quick Thinking (Level 4)

18. Risk Manipulation (Level 2)

19. Self-Awareness (Level 3)

20. Spirit Sense (Level 1)

21. Strategic Planning (Level 1)

22. Stress Management (Level 3)

23. Tactical Awareness (Level 2)

24. Tarot Knowledge (Level 1)

25. World Awareness (Level 5) [Improved]

**Physical Skills:**

1. Beyonder Abilities (Level 2)

2. Culinary Improvisation (Level 2)

3. Evasion (Level 3) [Improved]

4. Fog Manipulation (Level 3)

5. Gathering Management (Level 1)

6. History (Advanced)

7. Marksmanship (Level 3)

8. Mystical Identity (Level 1)

9. Precognition (Level 1)

10. Talisman Making (Novice)

11. Walking Stick Proficiency (Level 2)

**Status Effects:**

- Nighthawk Initiate

- Contract Bound: 5 Years

- Increased Mental Stress

- Heightened Alertness [New]

**Condition:** Determined, Cautious, Intellectually Stimulated

**New Perspectives Gained:**

- Beyonder Worldview

- Sealed Artefacts Knowledge

- Tactical Urban Navigation

- Advanced Deductive Reasoning

- Advanced Threat Assessment [New]

- Domestic Espionage Awareness [New]

**Objectives:**

1. Uncover the truth behind Klein Moretti's friends' deaths

2. Gain power and advance in Sequence

3. Find a way back to original world

4. Maintain cover story with family and friends

5. Investigate 4th Era notebooks

6. Research Augustus family history

7. Uncover the identity of "Roselle"

8. Prepare for Nighthawk duties

9. Identify and investigate pursuers [New]

10. Enhance home security measures [New]

**Warnings:**

- Increased risk of mental instability

- Long-term goals may conflict with immediate safety

- High-level threat: Ince Zangwill (avoid engagement)

- Potential memory discrepancy detected

- Caution advised when investigating historical mysteries

- Unknown faction surveillance detected [New]

- Potential imminent danger in living quarters [New]

**Current Equipment:**

- Revolver

- Walking Stick (Heavy, ornate)

**Relationships:**

- Melissa: Stable, protective

- Benson: Stable, supportive

- Professor Azik: Curious, potentially suspicious

- Nighthawks: Neutral, pending first day of work

- Unknown Pursuers: Hostile, intent unknown

**Next Steps:**

1. Confront and neutralise intruder

2. Investigate

connection between pursuers and intruder

3. Develop counter-surveillance techniques

4. Strengthen relationships with siblings as potential allies

5. Begin Nighthawk duties

6. Discreetly research newly acquired information

7. Continue firearms training