Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 15 Joining the Team
Upon hearing Dunn's invitation to join the team, Lu Ze paused for a second.

"Could it be that you're inviting me to become a night watchman?" He wondered if he had misheard, so he asked again to confirm.

"Yes."

"But you clearly said before that my path is very dangerous, so is it really appropriate for me to join your team?"

“The danger can be avoided if it’s handled properly.” Dunn’s eyes flickered. “Or do you actually prefer a life under supervision?”

"That's not true."

Lu Ze shook his head decisively, "I just feel it's too sudden, and I'm a little... at a loss."

"Haha, that's it."

Dunn smiled upon hearing this. "There are two main reasons for inviting you to join the team. First, I simply feel sympathy for your situation and hope you can have a better life. Second, your abilities and sequence are very useful to us. Currently, it's extremely rare to find a Mystic on our side. Especially your performance last night was outstanding. It's fair to say that without you, we would have lost two team members. Inviting you to join our Night Watchers is also my way of expressing my gratitude."

That seems to make sense.

Lu Ze nodded and looked at Cecilia. "Sister, what do you think?"

“I’ll listen to you,” Cecilia said. “I’ll choose either one, as long as we don’t separate.”

Sis, you need to think about it too.
Lu Ze was somewhat helpless and had no choice but to consider the pros and cons.

Dunn's two choices each had their advantages and disadvantages.

Choosing to be protected and kept under guard would offer the advantage of greater security, perhaps allowing him to live a peaceful life. However, it would also mean essentially saying goodbye to freedom. He had originally planned to be a plagiarist, but that would certainly be difficult to achieve under these circumstances. Moreover, he had already witnessed firsthand the fanaticism of those cult members; in the most extreme case, even those protecting him might not be able to save them.

As for becoming a Night Watcher, the advantages are greater freedom, official backing, and more opportunities to learn about the mysterious world—and who knows, maybe even find a way to travel back in time. They also receive a stable salary; although the exact amount is unknown, judging from the well-dressed and rosy-cheeked appearance of the Night Watchers, they are at least financially secure.

As for the downsides, it's the risk of encountering danger. For example, like last night, you might run into a crazed and out-of-control cult member, or some other unknown accident.

But the first choice also carries risks. Becoming a Night Watcher at least offers teammates to rely on. Moreover, Luze has that unidentified phantom that protects his mind, making him much safer than ordinary Mystics.

Thinking of this, he raised his head.

"Do you have any other questions?"

Dunn said.

"I'd like to ask, if I join the team, what will my main daily tasks be, and what will my salary and benefits be like?"

Lu Ze said frankly.

"The Night Watchers are mainly responsible for handling extraordinary cases involving devotees of the Goddess. Specifically, in our Tingen City Night Watch team, there are usually one or two cases per month. Moreover, these cases are relatively simple. What you encountered yesterday was a very rare situation."

"If you join the team, you will work as a support member among the official members. You will not need to actively engage the enemy, but you will provide services such as divination, spirit communication, and various rituals for the team. Of course, there will be professionals to train you in this part."

"As for the salary, I can give you a reference. The Klein Moretti you met just joined a few weeks ago. He's a Sequence 9 support staff member. Currently, his total weekly salary is around £6, and it will gradually increase every year thereafter."

£6 a week?
Lu Ze raised an eyebrow; this was significantly higher than he had anticipated. In Tingen, an average worker's weekly wage was no more than one pound. This night watchman's pay was equivalent to fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds in a city where the average wage was three or four thousand. However, considering the potential dangers of the job, the salary seemed perfectly reasonable.

But in any case, with this money, he could support his sister and live a comfortable life.

"That's about all I can say. I can only tell you the rest after you join the team," Dunn added. "I'm not forcing you to agree. You can think it over and give me your final answer. After all, once you join the team, your life may take a completely different path."

After he finished speaking, he looked calmly at Lu Ze with his gray eyes, without any intention of urging him.

Lu Ze thought for a moment, then turned to look at Cecilia. "How much money do you make when you paste a basket of matchboxes?" Cecilia was taken aback, then replied, "It used to be two and a quarter pence, but I haven't been doing any work lately, so I don't know the latest price."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ze remained silent for a few seconds before smiling. "Let's throw that brush away. We won't need it anymore."

After saying that, he stood up and extended his palm to Dunn, "I want to join the Night Watch team."

"welcome."

Dunn laughed and shook hands with him.

His palms were warm and strong.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Two days later, at No. 6 Narcissus Street.

Lu Ze, dressed in a brand-new suit, stood in his newly rented apartment, looking at himself in the mirror.

Shedding his usual restrictive attire, his handsome face, paired with well-tailored clothes, appeared exceptionally attractive. However, a hint of melancholy and sickness still lingered between his brows, adding an unusual air to his appearance.

It's quite conspicuous.

Lu Ze thought to himself.

After deciding to join the team that day, Dunn asked Mrs. Orianna, the team's accountant, to give him an advance of two weeks' wages as a settling-in allowance. Luze did not refuse, after all, the two siblings currently only had a broken suitcase as their possessions, and he urgently needed money to settle his sister and himself.

So for the next two days, he rented a place and bought clothes and necessities for himself and his sister. It wasn't until today that everything was finally settled and he had time to report to the team.

Lu Ze took a top hat from the coat rack, put it on his head, and then shouted upstairs, "Are you done yet?"

A timid figure appeared in front of the stairs. It was Cecilia, wearing a new dress and carrying a bag for books.

"Do you really want to go?"

She was a little uneasy.

“I’ve already paid your tuition, how could you not go?” Lu Ze laughed, patting Cecilia on the shoulder. “Just pay attention in class, my sister is so smart, she’ll definitely be fine.”

That's right, starting today, Cecilia will be going to school.

Before the family tragedy, the younger sister had been attending the goddess's church school for middle school and was an excellent student. If she had graduated smoothly, she would likely have found a good job. However, to take care of Luze, she had to drop out of school and return home, confined to a small room in the apartment.

As a Chinese citizen, Lu Ze valued education to the core. Now that he had the means, he had to ensure his sister received a proper education; she absolutely had to finish her studies. So, thanks to Dunn's connections, Cecilia easily regained her student status and officially returned to school.

"But Lu Ze, are you really not going to need my care?"

Cecilia was happy to be able to return to school, but she was still a little hesitant, worried that Luze would have a relapse.

"I'm cured, you've seen it yourself, and it hasn't recurred for so long." Lu Ze patted his chest confidently. "Alright, let's go, you don't want to be late on your first day of school, do you?"

Cecilia then happily went out the door.

After seeing his sister off, Lu Ze should also report to the team.

　I'm back to work today, so updates will be later. I hope you understand.

　　Damn it! Why are there no jobs that pay you even if you don't work?!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)