Chapter 22: Seers and Sanctuary
The morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft, golden hue across the small bedroom. Dipak blinked awake, feeling the lingering effects of the night before—the intruder, the tension, and Dunn's calm voice echoing in his mind.
He lay there for a moment, the revolver still tucked under his pillow, it's cold weight a constant reminder of the dangerous world he now inhabited. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that the ground beneath his feet was slowly crumbling. The comforting illusion of knowing the future—thanks to his fragmented memories of the Lord of the Mysteries novel—was coming to an end. Soon, he'd reach the point where he knew nothing at all.
He sighed, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing up. His body felt heavy, not with fatigue, but with the weight of the decision he knew he had to make soon.
"Seer or... nothing," Dipak muttered under his breath.
The memory of Dunn's offer replayed in his head. He had wanted power, to protect himself in this world. But now that the chance was here, the dangers seemed all too real. Could he handle it? Or would he spiral into madness like so many before him?
Dipak closed his eyes, focusing on his Novel Memory Recall skill. Fragments of information about Seers flooded his mind: astromancy, cartomancy, spiritual pendulums, scrying. The abilities seemed vast and mystical, but as Dunn had warned, they lacked direct combat applications. It was a path of knowledge and foresight, not of brute force.
As he dressed, Dipak's hand brushed against the ornate walking stick leaning against his bed. Its weight was a constant reminder of the role he now played, of the dangers that lurked in this world he was still learning to navigate.
By the time Dipak entered the small kitchen, Benson and Melissa were already seated at the table, eating rye bread and drinking tea. Benson looked up and smiled.
"Morning, Klein. I was just saying to Melissa, we should take a serious look at the housing options now that we've got a bit of money saved up. It's about time we moved to a place that isn't falling apart."
Melissa, ever the pragmatist, nodded. "We can't stay in this apartment forever. The bathroom alone is reason enough to leave."
Dipak smiled faintly, grabbing a slice of bread. His siblings' conversations felt like a soothing balm over the storm in his mind. For a brief moment, it felt like he could focus on something as mundane as house-hunting. But then, his mind drifted back to the events of the previous night—Dunn's offer, the Secret Order, the Antigonus notebook. His appetite vanished.
"Look at this," Benson said, flipping through the newspaper and pointing to an ad. "The Tingen City Housing Improvement Company has some options. They're one of those Five Percent Charities, you know."
Deepak's Cultural Adaptation skill kicked in, and he found himself nodding along. "Five Percent Charities? That's the one funded through donations, government grants, and investments, right?"
Benson looked impressed. "That's right. They give investors a 5% return on their investment. Hence the name."
"That sounds perfect," Melissa said, a rare hint of excitement in her voice. "Let's go check it out today."
"Yeah, sounds good," Dipak replied, though his mind was already elsewhere, thinking about what the Seer potion might do to him.
As they made their way to Daffodil Street, Dipak found himself hyper-aware of his surroundings. His Enhanced Perception skill seemed to be working overtime, noticing details he might have missed before—the subtle signs of poverty in the neighbourhoods they passed, the way people carried themselves, the hushed conversations about making ends meet.
Scarter, the agent from the Tingen City Housing Improvement Company, greeted them with a smile and quickly led them inside number 2 Daffodil Street. The house was far more spacious than their current apartment, and the golden rays of the sun bathed the living room, making it feel warm and inviting.
"This living room can be used as a guest hall," Scarter explained, gesturing toward the oriel window. "To the right is the dining room, and on the left, a fireplace for winter. Upstairs, you'll find six bedrooms and three bathrooms."
As Dipak wandered through the house with Benson and Melissa, he found his Negotiation Awareness skill kicking in. He observed the subtle cues in Scarter's body language, the way he emphasised certain features of the house. It was fascinating, almost like watching a performance.
While Benson discussed the details with Scarter, Dipak stood by one of the upstairs windows, looking out over the street. His reflection stared back at him, but all he could think about was the fleeting safety he felt. Even if they moved into this house, it wouldn't be enough. He was on borrowed time.
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A chill ran down his spine, triggering his Beyonder Risk Assessment skill. He found himself mentally listing the potential dangers of becoming a Seer: loss of control, mental instability, unwanted attention from other Beyonders. But with each risk, he also saw a potential benefit: power to protect himself and his siblings, the ability to uncover the truth about Klein's friends, a chance to advance in this dangerous world.
As they left the house, Benson was in high spirits. "We got it for twelve soli and three pence for the furniture," he said proudly. "Not bad, huh?"
Melissa smiled, a rare look of satisfaction on her face. "It's perfect."
Dipak nodded absently, still lost in his own thoughts. They had a new home—a place that would provide some stability—but his world was anything but stable.
The next day was spent moving their few belongings from the old apartment to their new home. Benson and Melissa were filled with excitement, talking about how they'd arrange the furniture and decorate the rooms. Dipak tried to join in, but his mind kept drifting back to the upcoming decision.
By the time the sun began to set, they had finished moving everything in. The house felt warm and lived in, and for a brief moment, Dipak allowed himself to relax. He sat on the edge of his bed, wiping sweat from his brow as he looked out the window. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, and for a fleeting moment, he felt a sense of peace.
But then the weight of Dunn's offer came crashing back.
Seer or nothing.
The next morning, Dipak found himself standing outside the Blackthorn Security Company. He smoothed out his freshly pressed shirt and adjusted his tie, his stomach churning with nervous energy. He discreetly checked his system interface:
```
Spiritual Power: 95% [Slightly improved after rest]
System Points Available: 4
Skills:
- Negotiation Awareness: Level 3 (Recently improved)
- Deduction: Level 3
- Calm Under Pressure: Level 2
```
He considered using a System Point to boost his Calm Under Pressure, but decided against it. 'What would Sherlock Holmes do?' he thought. 'Observe, deduce, then act.'
Inside, Rozanne greeted him with her usual cheerfulness. "Good morning, Klein! The Captain's waiting for you."
"Thanks," Dipak muttered, forcing a smile.
He made his way to Dunn's office, each step feeling heavier than the last. When he finally entered, Dunn was sitting behind his desk, his usual calm expression in place.
"Have you made your decision?" Dunn asked, his deep grey eyes watching him carefully.
Dipak swallowed hard, his thoughts racing. He knew this decision would change everything. There was no going back. He thought of his siblings, of the dangers that lurked in this world, of the mysteries he needed to uncover. He thought of the risks, of the potential for madness, of the unknown path that lay ahead.
But he also thought of the power he could gain, the ability to protect those he cared about, the chance to unravel the secrets of this world.
"Yes," he said, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. "I've made my decision."
Dunn sat up straighter, his expression serious. "Tell me your answer."
Dipak took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment press down on him. In that instant, he was acutely aware of everything—the tick of the clock on the wall, the muffled sounds of the city outside, the slight creak of the floorboards beneath his feet.
"Seer," he said, the word leaving his lips like a final verdict. "I choose to become a Seer."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Dipak felt a shift in the air, as if the very fabric of reality had acknowledged his choice. There was no turning back now. He was on the path to becoming a Beyonder, with all the wonders and dangers that entailed.
Dunn nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Very well. We'll begin your preparations immediately. Welcome to the world of Beyonders, Klein Moretti."
As Dipak left Dunn's office, his mind was already racing with the implications of his decision. He had taken the first step on a journey that would change him forever. The future was uncertain, filled with both promise and peril.
But one thing was clear: Dipak was no longer just an observer in this world. He was now a player in the grand, mysterious game of Beyonders. And he was determined to not just survive, but to thrive.
---
Status Update:
Name: Klein Moretti (Dipak)
Age: 22
Sequence: Fool's Path (Sequence 9)
Spiritual Power: 95% [Improved after rest, slightly drained by decision-making stress]
---
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. Seer Pathway Initiation (Level 1) [New]
21. Spirit Sense (Level 1)
22. Strategic Planning (Level 1)
23. Stress Management (Level 3)
24. Tactical Awareness (Level 2)
25. Tarot Knowledge (Level 1)
26. World Awareness (Level 5)
---
Physical Skills:
1. Beyonder Abilities (Level 2)
2. Culinary Improvisation (Level 2)
3. Evasion (Level 3)
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
Seer Pathway Initiate [New]
---
Condition:
Determined, Anxious, Curious about the future
---
New Perspectives Gained:
Beyonder Worldview
Sealed Artefacts Knowledge
Tactical Urban Navigation
Advanced Deductive Reasoning
Advanced Threat Assessment
Domestic Espionage Awareness
Seer Pathway Considerations
Negotiation Awareness
Housing Market Understanding [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
10. Enhance home security measures
11. Begin Seer training and potion preparation [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
Potential imminent danger in living quarters
Risk of losing control as Seer abilities develop [Updated]
---
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
Dunn Smith: Mentor, cautious trust [New]
---
Next Steps:
1. Confront and neutralise intruder (Completed)
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
8. Begin Seer potion preparation and training [New]
9. Adapt to new living situation [New]
---