Chapter 21: A Night of Shadows and Secrets
The quiet of the apartment was deceptive, masking the unease that settled deep in Kelin ’s mind. After the evening’s dinner with Benson and Melissa, he found himself lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts restless. Despite the warmth and comfort of his siblings’ company, the weight of the day still clung to him.
Was I really followed? he wondered, for what felt like the hundredth time. Every detail of the day replayed in his mind—the figures watching him from the street, the market stalls, the quiet streets of Tingen. It had all been too deliberate, too staged. And then, there was the question that gnawed at him the most: Why didn’t the observer make a move inside the cathedral?
There were no easy answers. His memories of the web novel were fragmented, more of a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces than a clear roadmap. What he did know was that Klein's world was full of shadows, dangers lurking behind every corner, and he was woefully underprepared for what lay ahead.
His hand brushed against the revolver beneath his pillow, its cold metal a reassuring presence. Even so, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. He turned onto his side, listening to the faint creaking of the old apartment, trying to let sleep take him. But the strange sense of dread refused to leave, wrapping around him like a cold fog.
---
Tap... tap... tap.
Kelin ’s eyes snapped open. He hadn’t realised he’d dozed off, but the faint sound of movement in the room jolted him awake. His heart began to pound in his chest as a chill ran down his spine. Someone was in the room.
For a moment, he stayed perfectly still, his mind racing. Am I imagining this? But the soft, deliberate footsteps continued—an intruder was moving about the room, their presence almost imperceptible.
His hand instinctively moved beneath the pillow, fingers curling around the grip of the revolver. Captain Dunn’s warning... Kelin thought, his pulse quickening. The intruder... he’s here.
Carefully, he shifted his gaze, allowing his eyes to adjust to the shadows. By the faint light of the moon filtering through the window, he saw it—the silhouette of a figure standing by his desk, rifling through his belongings with deliberate precision. Whoever it was, they were searching for something, and they hadn’t expected him to wake up.
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[Skill Activated: Enhanced Perception (Level 2)]
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His breathing slowed as he tried to calm his nerves. I need to handle this carefully, Kelin thought, calculating his next move. He couldn’t afford to panic, not when the intruder was within striking distance. Slowly, he began to lift the revolver, careful not to make any sudden noise.
The weight of the gun was familiar, but at this moment, it felt heavier than ever. He raised it, aiming the barrel squarely at the intruder’s back. His voice, though quiet, carried a deadly calm. “Don’t move. Hands where I can see them.”
The figure froze, their posture stiffening at the sound of Kelin ’s voice. For a brief moment, the room was deathly silent, and then the intruder’s hands slowly rose into the air, his back still turned to Kelin .
The tension was palpable. Kelin ’s eyes narrowed as he studied the figure—tall, thin, with the sharp silhouette of someone who knew how to move in the dark. This wasn’t an amateur. The man turned slowly, revealing a pair of cold, blue eyes that gleamed with a dangerous intensity.
“Well, well,” the intruder said, his tone mocking. “It seems Klein Moretti isn’t as soft as he looks.”
Kelin ’s heart raced, but he forced himself to remain calm. The man’s gaze was predatory, like a beast sizing up its prey. His every movement was calculated, his body coiled with the tension of someone who was ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
“Move toward the door,” Kelin ordered, his grip tightening on the revolver. “Slowly.”
The man didn’t hesitate. He began to take slow, deliberate steps toward the door, his hands still raised. But as he reached for the handle, his body suddenly dropped into a low roll, darting out of the room with surprising agility. The door slammed shut with a loud bang, causing the walls to shudder.
---
Before Kelin could react, a soft, calming melody filled the air, washing over the room like a wave of tranquillity.
“Oh, the threat of horror, the hope of crimson cries...”
The sound was familiar, its soothing notes easing the tension from Kelin ’s body. He could feel the weight of Captain Dunn’s Beyonder ability working on him, and above, Benson’s soft snoring resumed, undisturbed by the chaos that had unfolded.
Kelin lowered the revolver, his mind racing, but his body relaxed. Dunn...
The apartment fell back into a deep silence, broken only by the fading melody of the poem. Minutes passed before Dunn Smith’s calm voice broke the stillness. “It’s settled.”
Kelin opened the door carefully and found Dunn standing in the hallway, his windbreaker draped over his tall frame, and his halved top hat casting shadows across his calm, grey eyes.
“What was he after?” Kelin asked, his voice low but steady.
Dunn's gaze didn’t waver. “The intruder was a member of the Secret Order. They’re after the Antigonus family’s notebook, believing it to be in your possession.”
Kelin 's pulse quickened. The Secret Order... He remembered fragments from the novel—a dangerous, ancient organisation tied to the Solomon Empire, powerful enough to cause endless trouble for anyone who crossed their path. And now they're after me?
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Dunn's calm demeanour remained unchanged. “They believed the notebook was still here. We’ll have to keep a close watch. For now, you should be cautious.”
Kelin nodded, but the weight of Dunn’s words sank deeper than expected. He was now embroiled in a situation far more dangerous than he had ever anticipated. He had limited memory of the full scope of the novel, but even the fragmented knowledge he retained told him that dealing with the Secret Order was not something to be taken lightly.
---
Later, after Dunn had left, Kelin found himself sitting at the edge of his bed, the revolver still resting on his lap. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying the events of the night, the confrontation with the intruder, and Dunn’s words about the Secret Order.
I need to get stronger... The realisation hit him with a force that left him breathless. He wasn’t strong enough—not yet. The Secret Order was after him, and he was barely scraping by as it was. But how could he survive in this world without power?
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[Skill Activated: Stress Management (Level 3)]
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Seer Pathway Introduction:
Dunn’s expression from earlier flashed in his mind, his words lingering. “If you want to navigate this world and survive, becoming a Beyonder might be your best option.”
Kelin remained silent, even in his thoughts, recalling the proposition.
“The Church offers several pathways, but the one most fitting for you might be the Seer pathway. It’s dangerous, like all pathways, but it will grant you insight and foresight. You’ll be able to see things others can’t.”
The Seer... the word echoed in his mind. In his previous life, he had read up to around Chapter 30 of "Lord of the Mysteries," just enough to remember a critical piece of information: Emperor Roselle had once regretted not choosing the Seer pathway. It was a rare path, but one that offered glimpses into the future, the ability to predict events, to see what others couldn’t.
That kind of power could change everything.
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[Skill Activated: Novel Memory Recall (Level 6)]
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Dunn had made it sound simple—just a choice. But Kelin knew better. Once he stepped onto this path, there was no turning back. The risks were immense, and the lifespan of a Beyonder was often short and violent. But what choice did he have? The world he had entered was dangerous, filled with mysteries and powers far beyond his current comprehension. Without the power of a Beyonder, he would be crushed under its weight.
Seer... Kelin thought again, rolling the word over in his mind. Could he handle the responsibility? Could he survive the dangers that came with the power?
You don’t need to decide right now, Dunn had said. Think about it.
But the truth was, Kelin had already made up his mind. He needed power—desperately. He was no longer just Kelin , the physiology student. He was Klein Moretti, a man caught in the web of the Beyonder world, and he needed to be able to defend himself.
Tomorrow, he decided. I’ll take the next step tomorrow.
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As the night deepened, the city outside his window grew quiet once more. The streets of Tingen were shrouded in shadows, the faint glow of lamplights casting long, eerie shadows across the cobblestones. Kelin lay back down in bed, his mind still racing, but with a newfound sense of resolve.
He wasn’t sure what the future held, but one thing was certain: if he was going to survive in this world, he would need the power of a Beyonder.
But becoming a Seer... The thought lingered like a whisper in his mind, carrying the weight of a thousand possibilities, each more dangerous than the last.
He shifted beneath the covers, feeling the revolver still beneath his pillow—a reminder of the life-or-death decisions that lay ahead. His mind was a torrent of fragmented memories, scrambled plans, and the looming presence of the Secret Order. He was playing a game with the highest stakes, where a single wrong move could mean his end.
Tomorrow, Kelin reassured himself again. Tomorrow, I’ll decide what to do about the Seer pathway.
He needed more time, more knowledge. For now, all he could do was prepare for the challenges to come.
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[System Notification: Status Screen Updated]
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Kelin sighed, his body finally beginning to relax. His muscles ached from the tension of the evening’s events, and the adrenaline that had carried him through the night was finally wearing off. He closed his eyes, letting the stillness of the room wash over him.
But his mind didn’t quiet down.
The weight of Dunn’s offer still lingered. As a Seer, he would gain the ability to foresee certain events—an advantage that could keep him alive in this dangerous world. But the risks... The memory of Roselle's regret echoed in his mind. There had to be a reason Roselle had hesitated. What could go wrong with becoming a Seer?
Was the danger truly worth the reward?
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[Skill Activated: Beyonder Knowledge (Level 4)]
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Kelin recalled the fragments of knowledge he had gained from the original Klein’s memories, along with his own. The Seer pathway was not just about predicting the future; it involved interacting with dangerous forces that existed beyond normal comprehension. Visions could be misleading. The future could be murky, filled with traps and unknown consequences. Every choice a Seer made had the potential to ripple through the web of fate, sometimes leading to disaster.
But without power, he wouldn’t survive long enough to regret his decision.
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He lay there for what felt like hours, his mind churning through the possibilities, weighing the risks and benefits over and over again. The night outside was still, but inside, Kelin felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. In the morning, he would need to be ready to face whatever came next.
For now, he allowed sleep to claim him, though his dreams were filled with images of shadowy figures, swirling mists, and the faint glow of the crimson moon.
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Status Update
Name: Klein Moretti (Dipak )
Age: 22
Sequence: Fool's Path (Sequence 9)
Spiritual Power: 85% [Drained slightly by heightened stress and system activity]
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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) [Improved]
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]
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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)
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Status Effects:
Nighthawk Initiate
Contract Bound: 5 Years
Increased Mental Stress
Heightened Alertness [New]
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Condition: Determined, Cautious, Intellectually Stimulated
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New Perspectives Gained:
Beyonder Worldview
Sealed Artefacts Knowledge
Tactical Urban Navigation
Advanced Deductive Reasoning
Advanced Threat Assessment
Domestic Espionage Awareness
Secret Order Knowledge [New]
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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
10. Enhance home security measures
11. Decide on becoming a Seer [New]
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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
Potential imminent danger in living quarters
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Current Equipment:
Revolver
Walking Stick (Heavy, ornate)
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Relationships:
Melissa: Stable, protective
Benson: Stable, supportive
Professor Azik: Curious, potentially suspicious
Nighthawks: Neutral, pending first day of work
Unknown Pursuers: Hostile, intent unknown
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Next Steps:
1. Confront and neutralise intruder (Completed)
2. Investigate connection between pursuers and
intruder (Ongoing)
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
8. Consider Dunn's offer to become a Seer [New]
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As Kelin drifted off to sleep, his mind finally quieted, settling on one last thought: Tomorrow, the real journey begins.