**The Keeper of Secrets?**
Gord muttered this word, which he had heard for the first time, and etched it firmly in his mind.
Then, he asked directly.
"Can people with insufficient talent, or no talent at all, still use 'extraordinary powers'?"
Gord had asked this question before.
And this time, Morey's answer was still affirmative.
However, it was more detailed.
"Of course!"
"But it requires a considerable amount of time and effort, even enduring extreme pain, and then... you'll find that the reward is completely disproportionate to the effort!"
"People without talent, even after the 'baptism,' will only be slightly stronger and faster than ordinary people. If you invest the same amount of time and energy into something else, you will achieve much greater rewards."
"So, most 'apprentice Keepers of Secrets' who go to the headquarters and are found to have no talent are assigned to support or logistics teams."
At this point, Morey glanced at Gord, who was frowning and silent, and continued.
"In fact, many 'apprentice Keepers of Secrets' with no talent or insufficient talent are unwilling to accept it. They all try, and then some of them realize the reality, and some..."
"What happened to them?" Gord asked, following the flow.
"They died!" Morey said solemnly.
Immediately, Gord narrowed his eyes.
By now, Gord was convinced that Morey would not deceive him.
But from the information in front of him, obtaining extraordinary power was even more difficult and dangerous than he had imagined!
And, more importantly...
He was likely without talent!
Involuntarily, Gord glanced at the [Heart] attribute in his status bar!
The glaring 0 was particularly eye-catching at this moment.
Gord's intuition told him that [Heart] was closely related to the 'extraordinary.'
If that's the case, then things were really bad!
Gord's frown deepened.
Seeing this, Morey immediately comforted him.
"This world is not fair."
"Even when it seems fair, there are hidden prices."
"Therefore, we just need to do our best!"
"Besides..."
"I have faith in you!"
Morey forcefully patted Gord on the shoulder and smiled, saying, "You give me a very special feeling, a feeling that only those with 'talent' have."
"So, just take it easy for now!"
"After all, you're about to enter a period that will be quite long and extremely dangerous."
"The 'apprenticeship of the Keeper of Secrets'?"
Gord immediately guessed what Morey was referring to.
As for the special feeling Morey mentioned?
He took it as comfort.
"Yes."
"A probationary period when a guide is injured and cannot support you immediately is far more dangerous than you can imagine!"
Morey emphasized.
Then, before Gord could speak, Morey added.
"But precisely because of this, your weekly salary is 4 Gold Coins, and you have a monthly reimbursement limit of 50 Gold Coins. Also, I will find you a teacher to learn the 'extraordinary language'—Kyle will be studying with you."
"He is the peer you met at Black Sail Security this morning."
"He's a good young man, just like you."
Good?
Gord recalled the indifference and hostility of the young man this morning and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
But Morey seemed oblivious and continued to remind him.
"I need about a month to recover from my injuries. During the next month, you and Kyle will be responsible for handling any 'special cases' that occur in Luster."
"If you encounter something you can't handle, publish a missing cat notice in the *Luster Daily* on the same day—look for a seven-year-old pure black cat, reward 1 Gold Coin, 11 Silver Sox, and 7 Copper Bits, signed 'xyz.'"
"When I see it, I'll come find you."
"Do you have any other questions?"
After finishing, Morey looked at Gord.
"Should we check the lair of the 'Fog Killer' one more time?"
Gord asked.
Immediately, a smile appeared on Morey's face. In the eyes of this official in charge of the extraordinary in Luster, there was a look of appreciation.
"At No. 32 Little Durian Street."
As he spoke, Morey walked to the window and opened it.
But just before climbing out, he seemed to remember something and added, "Starting tomorrow, make sure to go to No. 10 Feffery Street at 3 PM. Mrs. Pence will teach you the 'extraordinary language.' Don't be late!"
With that, he leaped out of the window.
By the time Gord rushed to the window, Morey had already vanished into the night.
This was the 8th floor!
And Morey was injured!
Yet, even so, he managed to do something that an ordinary person could never accomplish!
"Is this the power of the extraordinary?"
Gord muttered softly.
Deep down, his desire for this power grew stronger.
Even if he likely had no talent.
Gord was not the type to give up without trying.
Besides, even if he failed, Gord still had one trump card...
**[Bloody Honor]!**
Even if he couldn't gain extraordinary power, it would still allow him to protect himself at this stage!
Gord glanced at the [Bloody Honor] he had left, only one use remaining. He immediately grabbed his coat, checked his two revolvers, bullets, and the dagger hidden in his pant leg, and headed downstairs.
He was going to No. 32 Little Durian Street.
When Gord asked Morey about the lair of the "Fog Killer," it wasn't out of a sense of duty. Gord was hoping to find more [Bloody Honor], and what better place to look than the lair of the Fog Killer?
He was even prepared to find his "relative's corpse" there.
When Gord arrived at No. 32 Little Durian Street in the Mulberry Hotel's carriage, he was surprised to find that Swart was already at the scene.
The sheriff didn't look too happy, with a somber expression and bandages wrapped around his head.
When he saw Gord approach, his grim face managed to squeeze out a smile.
"Hi, Gord."
He greeted.
Gord nodded and glanced at the bandages.
At once, the sheriff sighed.
"I didn't see Miss Scylla. As soon as I entered the room, I was knocked out. When I woke up, my own men were reviving me. They said you sent them to rescue me."
The sheriff spoke with a face full of regret.
"Quite lucky!"
Gord couldn't help but marvel at how Swart, completely distracted by Miss Scylla's presence, had entirely forgotten the risks he might face.
Gord had originally assumed that Swart was probably a goner.
Even if he had survived, he would at least be gravely injured. But here he was, with just a few scrapes.
Swart, however, didn't notice Gord's amazement and continued speaking.
"Then, I received orders from the station, instructing me to assist you and Kyle in handling special cases."
Swart looked at Gord with questioning eyes.
As for suspicion?
Swart wasn't foolish. He naturally guessed that something had transpired between Gord and Morey.
And as for him?
He just needed to cooperate.
Gord, on the other hand, was surprised by Morey's quick action.
"Perhaps..."
"Morey might have arranged everything before he even met me."
Realizing this, Gord was momentarily stunned but quickly returned to normal.
Morey's actions didn't bother Gord.
In fact, the more Morey acted this way, the more it solidified their "partnership."
And that was exactly what Gord wanted.
At least...
For now.
Seeing that Swart roughly understood the situation, Gord didn't bother explaining further.
His attention was entirely focused on No. 32 Little Durian Street.
It was only one block away from Durian Street.
The prosperity of Durian Street was somewhat reflected here as well.
However, unlike the vibrant nightlife of Durian Street, this place was likely bustling during the day, with rows of tightly packed shops and storefronts, neatly paved stone ground, and towering gas lamps.
But now, the gas lamp in front of No. 32 was bent over ninety degrees, and the entire building was in shambles. The sign of the "Bearded General Store" was broken into three pieces, the second floor had partially collapsed, and the first floor was riddled with holes, as if two enraged bulls had been unleashed inside, wreaking havoc for a day and a night.
Inside the building, blood was everywhere, and five bodies lay scattered among the debris.
Gord stepped inside.
He first carefully examined the surroundings, then crouched down to inspect the five bodies.
After that, Gord looked up to survey the area.
The next moment, Gord frowned.
Something wasn't right!
*(P.S. My editor suggested I switch from posting one chapter in the morning and one in the afternoon to two chapters in the morning. Listening to advice is wise, so there's another chapter coming soon!)*
**(End of this chapter)**