Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 91 The Night Watchman's Invitation

Green gazed at the burning fire in the stove, lost in thought.

An unprecedented sense of urgency weighed heavily on his heart.

strength.

This word has never been clearer than it is now.

Aside from the life-saving and stealth-enhancing skill "Open Door," the Sequence 9 "Apprentice" is practically useless in real combat.

Needless to say, even Emily, who is also a Sequence 9 and has not yet fully mastered her abilities, could not directly confront Veronica, who is at a high sequence level, or Mariana, who is at an activated state.

To put it more bluntly, if a direct battle were to occur and escape was not an option, he wouldn't even qualify to be cannon fodder.

If it weren't for that strange brooch last night... no, it should be that mysterious sigh and the gray mist power that followed, he, Clarice, and all the survivors would probably have become part of that blasphemous ritual, nourishment for the other side.

Protect your family?

It's laughable that he couldn't even protect himself in the face of that level of power.

Aunt Sylvia's breakdown, Emily's loss of control and hatred, are certainly rooted in the cult's conspiracy and Uncle's stubbornness, but aren't they also due to his own insignificance?

If he were stronger and had more resources, could he have prevented the tragedy earlier and in more ways?

He slowly raised his hand and took out the brooch from the inside pocket of his shirt.

It lay quietly in his palm, its dark silver material gleaming with a restrained luster in the dim light.

The bas-relief with its eyes closed has now become an open one. An "eye" without a pupil, outlined only by simple lines, seems to be staring blankly at the ceiling, looking towards some unknown dimension.

This seemingly insignificant little thing pierced Marianna's chest in her desperate situation, attracting the gray fog that annihilated everything.

It saved his life and eliminated a terrifying entity that could have wiped out the entire Night's Watch squad.

But... what will be the price?

Green stared at it, recalling the distant, indifferent sigh that seemed to come from the end of time that had echoed in his mind last night.

The threads of fate have tightened another link.

Who is sighing?

Is it the will inherent in this brooch itself?

Or is it some higher being that casts a glance through the brooch?

Is it a deity? Or some other indescribable thing?

This power is clearly the complete opposite of the filthy divine power of the 'Mother Tree of Desire,' and even possesses a certain characteristic of 'restraint' or 'erasure.'

Where did it come from? And how did Henry obtain it? How could a port authority administrator possess an item involving this level of power?

Questions, like vines, entwined his thoughts. This brooch was a lifeline, or perhaps the entrance to a much larger, more unknown vortex.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door, with a light, rhythmic beat.

Green pulled himself together, got up, and opened the door. The person standing outside made him pause slightly.

Alvin leaned against the door frame, his thick overcoat open and a gray scarf casually draped around his neck.

He was holding a half-eaten apple in his hand, his cheeks bulging. When he saw Green, he mumbled an unclear "hmm," chewed a few times quickly, and swallowed it.

"Good afternoon, our hero who escaped death!"

His tone was light, not at all like someone who had just gone through a fierce battle. "Mind if I come in and sit down for a bit? It's freezing outside. The radiator in the night watchman's office is out of order today. It's practically murdering the inspiration of the 'midnight poet'."

This image is completely different from the "midnight poet" who sang war songs and had sharp eyes last night.

Green stepped aside to let him in: "Please, make yourself at home. Tea or coffee, please?"

"Coffee, thank you, the stronger the better."

Alvin walked in without any ceremony, as if he were in his own home, and went straight to the softest single sofa by the fireplace. He sighed comfortably and casually tossed the apple core into the wastebasket in the corner.

"This place is nice, much better than our gloomy basement. Henry knows how to suck up, doesn't he?"

Green silently brewed coffee without saying a word. Judging from the other person's demeanor, the Night's Watch had probably already figured him out.

Alvin curled up on the sofa like a lazy cat, his fingers tapping incessantly on his knees.

Is this guy really the night watchman who assisted Rex and tried to comfort Emily last night?

The aroma of coffee filled the air. Green carried two cups over and sat down opposite him.

Erwin took it, blew on it to cool it down, took a sip, and squinted his eyes in satisfaction:

"They're alive again... Before we get down to business, let's gossip a bit."

He suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Miss Anaïs didn't come today? I noticed the way she looked at you last night was a little different. A hero saves a damsel in distress, true friendship is revealed in times of trouble, my friend!"

Green nearly choked on his coffee, and gave him a helpless look: "Mr. Irwin..."

"Just call me Alvin. We've been through thick and thin together, so don't be so formal."

Alvin waved his hand, his smile unchanged. "Alright, alright, let's get down to business. First, I guess you're still thinking about Clarice. Let me tell you straight, she needs to rest for a few days and has a lot to report to the church. You know how big of a deal last night was."

"Let me tell you, the church headquarters was greatly shocked and, after consideration, classified it as a near-demigod incident. They were also quite surprised that we were all alive; tsk, judging from their tone, it sounded like they'd rather we were all dead."

"The captain is still unconscious, but thankfully he hasn't been corrupted. He's just spiritually exhausted, so he won't die. His family's heirloom livelihood is broken, and he'll probably be heartbroken for the rest of his life."

"That guy, Rick, is tough and energetic. As for me?"

He pointed to the bandaged wound on his arm, "A little souvenir, it won't stop me from appreciating poetry and pretty girls."

His tone was so relaxed that Green even had the feeling that he might be possessed.

"Secondly," Alvin put down his coffee cup, looked at Green, and his entire demeanor underwent a subtle change.

That lazy, unreliable exterior softened slightly, revealing a businesslike attitude.

"On behalf of the Oberhafen Watch and the Church of the Night, I formally extend this invitation to you."

"We invite you to join us and become a full member."

"An invitation?" Green paused, sipping his coffee, and looked at Alvin.

"Yes," Alvin took out an employment document for St. George's Hospice from his pocket. Green knew that this was the normal identity of a Night's Watchman.

"Although, according to standard procedures, Extraordinary individuals typically join by starting as peripheral members, undergoing rigorous evaluation and training. Contributors outside of Extraordinary individuals often begin with clerical or support work. However..."

"The events that occurred at Fairfax Manor last night were so heinous, so large in scale, and so powerful that they far exceeded the capabilities of our small squad, or even the regular forces of the Oberhafen Parish, to handle them."

"Your courage, decisiveness, and crucial role at the critical moment in ultimately disrupting the core of the ritual and preventing the worst outcome are invaluable. After an emergency review, the higher-ups have recognized your worth."

"Therefore, the Church has decided to make an exception and recruit you as a full member of the Night Watch. This means that you will enjoy the privileges and resources of a full member, and you can systematically learn the knowledge that the Church of the Night possesses regarding extraordinary pathways, sealed artifacts, historical secrets, combat techniques, and most importantly... the 'playing method'."

"This is a dream opportunity for any wild extraordinary individual, which can greatly enhance your survival ability and growth rate, and prevent you from going astray or losing control prematurely."

Alvin's meaning was direct and persuasive.

Joining the Night's Watch and receiving proper instruction and resources is undoubtedly a godsend for Grimm, who urgently needs to improve his strength but knows very little about the Extraordinary World.

This not only addresses his urgent needs for 'knowledge' and 'security,' but also provides him with a solid backing and identity.

Green weighed the options in his mind, and this was undoubtedly what he needed most right now.

"It sounds like I have no reason to refuse." Green nodded. "Thank you for your recognition."

"The choice of a smart person." Alvin smiled, but there was something else in that smile.

He leaned forward slightly, his fingers interlaced on his knees, and his previous nonchalance completely disappeared.

"However, Green, those old guys in the church who spend all their time around 'Charnis Gate,' who have a sniff of ancient objects and supernatural forces like hounds... they're very, very interested in how they cleaned up the scene last night."

He paused, making sure Green understood his implication.

"An item that can instantly disintegrate evil objects of that level, and whose power is completely different from known methods... its research value and potential risks are of the highest priority."

"According to the charter, the church has the right to require the holder to cooperate in the identification and evaluation, and, if necessary, to keep it in custody until its safety is confirmed and its association is clarified."

Elwin's wording became very precise, fully revealing his official identity as a member of the Night's Watch.

He was no longer the poet who ate apples while enjoying the warmth of the heater, but the messenger of the will of the Church of the Night.

"Your contributions have been recognized by the higher-ups. Exceptional admission and preferential resource allocation are among the rewards for this achievement."

"But the handling of that item may need to be discussed separately. This is not to question your qualifications, but based on the possibility that it might implicate a larger conspiracy that goes far beyond last night's events."

The study fell silent, save for the crackling of the fireplace. Irwin leaned slightly forward, awaiting Green's response.

Green sneered and glanced at him: "I knew it wouldn't be that good."

"I understand the church's concerns. That thing... I also have many questions and anxieties about it. It is my duty to cooperate in the research, find out the truth, and avoid danger."

He put down his coffee cup and turned to Alvin. "But it saved my life, and it seems to have some kind of connection with me. I want to retain custody until I fully understand what it is and how it affects me."

"Of course, we can conduct any necessary research under the strict supervision and guidance of the church, and fully cooperate with them. My continuous observation and feedback as the 'contact person' may be more effective in uncovering problems than simply conducting research in isolation."

Negotiations cannot be conducted by simply accepting whatever the other party says. Nor can one outright refuse, because it is clear that he cannot stand against the entire Church of the Night.

Sometimes being tactful is beneficial for everyone.

"As for joining the Night's Watch, I accept. But I hope the Church recognizes me as Grimm Morris, and the contributions I can make in the future, not just as an object I acquired by chance."

Alvin listened quietly, his face expressionless.

After a long while, he said calmly, "I will convey your stance."

Alvin leaned back on the sofa, resuming his lazy demeanor. "Actually, I know that those old guys went a bit too far. Everyone has something to save their life, and if they hand it all over, they'll all be dead when something happens."

"Back then, we demanded that the captain hand over that family heirloom, but what happened? If we had handed it over then, the captain wouldn't have come back yesterday, and we might all have been killed there."

"You...you're serious?" Green looked at the vomiting Alvin.

Alvin was taken aback, then gave an awkward laugh. "Just kidding, just kidding."

After saying this, he quickly stood up, then knelt down with a thud, clasping his hands together. "Great goddess of the night, guardian of endless secrets, giver of sleep and tranquility. I was just talking nonsense. Please pretend you didn't hear me and don't take it to heart! I promise I'll keep my mouth shut from now on!"

After completing the entire routine, Erwin immediately reverted to his lazy demeanor, grabbed his now-cold coffee, took a large gulp, and smacked his lips.

"Alright, alright."

"That's it?"

"Of course! The goddess is too busy to bother with my nonsense."

As the two were talking, the door was suddenly pushed open again.

It's Anaïs.

She changed back into her usual work uniform, and upon entering the room, she froze on the spot, completely stunned.

Anaïs's gaze shifted back and forth between Alvin, kneeling on the ground with a coffee cup in an odd posture, and Green, sitting opposite her with a subtle expression. Her lips were slightly parted, and her brain was clearly struggling to process the surreal scene before her.

Alvin reacted swiftly. He remained kneeling, but quickly switched the coffee cup to his left hand, and with his right hand drew a standard black emblem on his chest. His expression instantly became incredibly devout and solemn, and he said in a deep voice:

"Praise be to the goddess! May her secret protection always be with us!"

After saying that, he stood up nonchalantly, patted non-existent dust off his knees, as if he had just been performing a perfectly normal daily prayer.

He turned to Anaïs, giving her a slightly apologetic smile: "Ah, Miss Anaïs, good morning."

"Mr. Morris and I have just finished a... well, a brief exchange about faith. You know, after something like last night, there's always a need for some spiritual comfort and... well, reflection."

Anaïs blinked, the confusion on her face fading, replaced by an expression that said, "I understand, I get it, but something still feels off."

She bowed slightly. "Good morning, Mr. Alvin. Thank you for your shelter last night, and it's nice to see you... uh... in good spirits."

"Of course, the grace of the goddess is everywhere."

Alvin answered without changing his expression, then quickly turned to Green, "Well then, Mr. Morris, regarding the 'job opportunity' we just discussed, I will convey your reply and... additional conditions to the relevant person in charge as soon as possible. I believe there will be formal notification and arrangements soon."

He deliberately emphasized the "job opportunity" and the "attached conditions," both explaining part of the situation to Anaïs and hinting at Green's stance on the brooch.

Green understood and nodded: "Thank you for your help, Mr. Irwin. I look forward to further news."

"No trouble at all, it's my job."

Irwin picked up the scarf draped over the sofa armrest and casually wrapped it around his neck. "Then I won't bother you any longer. Miss Anaïs, I hope to see you again."

"Mr. Morris, stay in touch."

He nodded to the two of them, walked briskly towards the door, and just before leaving, turned back and winked at Green, mouthing a silent message:

Keep your "little secrets" to yourself.

The door closed gently.

The study returned to silence, with only the crackling of the fireplace and the soft breathing of the two people.