Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 17 Old Neil is in bad shape

Promotion.

Luze took a second to recall the meaning of this term in mysticism. It roughly meant raising one's sequence by consuming a higher-level potion. For example, Dunn was Sequence 7 of the Sleepless Path, "Nightmare." In other words, he had already successfully advanced twice.

Logically, advancing in rank is a good thing, granting more abilities and spirituality. So why is Dunn so resistant?
Dunn offered his explanation.

"For regular ranks, promotion is a combination of risk and opportunity. So, as long as Night Watchers follow the rules, earn enough merit, and pass the test, they can take the relevant potion and be promoted. But the path for 'Secret Prayer' is different."

He clasped his hands together, rubbing his right thumb against his left thumb. “According to our internal data, the Sequence 8 of the Mystic Path is called ‘The Listener.’ They can directly hear the whispers of hidden beings, thus gaining powerful, twisted, and unique abilities. But in return, they must advance within five years, or they will inevitably die a miserable death.”

"I see, Captain."

Lu Ze seemed to understand. "That does sound very dangerous."

"It's more than that."

Dunn said, “Whispers can change your perception, distort your beliefs, and make you believe in a real Creator. Without exception, all ‘listeners’ are madmen. If they act normal, then they are madmen who are very well hidden.”

Lu Ze couldn't help but gasp.

"So, this means that, apart from the lowest level, everyone else on the 'Secret Prayer' path is a fanatical follower of an evil god?"

He really is an evil god, so ruthless!

"Yes."

Dunn's grey eyes were filled with seriousness. "I will not allow any believers of evil gods to appear in my team. If one day you really go astray, seek advancement and become a follower of evil gods, I will absolutely take responsibility as captain and purify you myself. This may be harsh, but I have to say it first. Luze, do you understand?"

As he said this, his eyes were very serious, and it was clear that he wasn't joking at all.

Lu Ze couldn't help but sit up straight as well.

"I heard you, Captain. I definitely won't seek a promotion."

“It’s good that you agreed.” Dunn nodded. “There’s one more thing. Because you have a history of mental illness, you’ll need to submit a rehabilitation certificate after you start working. It needs to be issued by a mental hospital.”

"Simple, I know that place well."

Lu Ze made a somewhat morbid joke, then asked, "Captain, now that I'm officially on duty, what's next?"

“You have absolutely no prior knowledge of occultism, so what you need to do next is receive training in this area, taught personally by Old Neil, the most senior support member in our team. Klein also needs to take occultism courses, so you can learn along with him.”

"Ok."

Sure enough, no matter where you go, newcomers always need training first. Lu Ze put away the contract, stood up, and said, "Then I'll head out now, Captain."

"Wait a moment."

He had just stood up when he heard Dunn say, "There's one more thing. Remember to ask Old Neil for a revolver, and get thirty bullets every day. There's a shooting range on the street that's our own. Go practice there when you have time."

As they were talking, Dunn quickly wrote out a form and then signed and stamped it.

You can get a gun and even practice with free ammo?

Lu Ze took the order and his eyes lit up. The perks for night watchmen are really good.

He thanked him, turned around, and took a few steps.

"Wait a moment."

Dunn called him back again.

The captain's memory is really not very good.

Luze immediately understood Klein and Leonard's state that night. "Captain, is there anything else?"

he asked with a smile.

"Old Neil's class is held in the armory. If you don't know the location, you can ask Rosanne to show you the way."

"Ok."

After answering, Lu Ze became more cautious and didn't leave immediately. Instead, he slowed down and waited for Dunn for a while until he was sure that Dunn wouldn't call him again before pushing open the door and leaving.

After leaving the captain's office, they returned to the lobby. Klein was probably in class, so only Rosanne was at the front desk. When she saw Luze looking over, she was so startled that she immediately stood up straight, and her leg even bumped against the chair with a "thud" because she stood up too abruptly.

"Yes, what's the matter?"

She rubbed her leg, tears welling in her eyes, and asked.

"The captain asked me to go to the armory to find Mr. Neil. Could you please show me the way?"

"Uh, no problem."

Rosanne's face was full of reluctance, but she still reluctantly agreed.

She walked past the partition and led Lu Ze deeper into the corridor, her eyes fixed straight ahead, one of her legs appearing to be slightly lame.

I should have asked her for directions, and then I would have gone there myself.

Lu Ze thought to himself, "Why do I seem like some kind of bad guy now?"

The two didn't speak, and simply walked to the end of the corridor. Rosanne opened the door, but instead of a room, she found herself on a spiral staircase leading downwards. Gas lamps hanging on the walls burned steadily, dispelling the darkness deep within the staircase.

"We still need to go down."

Rosanne pointed to the steps.

The two descended the steps, their footsteps echoing in the enclosed space. After descending about one or two floors, the steps leveled out, revealing a narrow passageway where gas lamps and the emblem of the Virgin Mary alternated on the walls. Despite it being summer, the temperature here was quite cool, and Luze knew they had reached the underground.

It's surprising that it was hidden so deep down there; there must be many things that can't be shown in the open.

"Walk forward a little while and you'll see a crossroads. To the left is the Church of St. Serena, straight ahead is the Chanis Gate, and to the right are the Armory and Archives."

Rosanne pointed ahead.

“Okay, I’ll go there myself from now on. Thank you very much, Miss Rosanne.”

Hearing Lu Ze say that, Luo Shan felt relieved and quickly climbed the steps to leave, her hurried footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.

There's no need to be in such a hurry.
Lu Ze shook his head and walked forward.

Following Rosanne's directions, he turned right at the intersection and saw two iron gates at the end of the passageway. One of them was the armory where the occult lectures were being held. He knocked on the iron gate with his finger.

"Please come in."

An old voice came from behind the iron gate, somewhat indistinct.

Luze pushed open the door and went in, where he saw Klein sitting and listening to the lecture, and an old man in a black classical robe behind the table. His hair was gray and his wrinkles were deep.

In addition, a pair of transparent eyes without eyelashes floated in the void behind him.

boom!
The moment Lu Ze saw those eyes, he felt a loud bang in his head, and blood gushed from his nose.

　The idea that "listening" can change one's perception can be seen in the case of Heath, the bloodless man who remained normal after skipping this stage.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)