Dunn sighed and said, "I did want to get you out of the way at that time because what I was going to do involved a secret of the Church and the Night Watch, but Cohen's death threw me off, and I could only think of a lame excuse to give you a chance to come back and see it." "What secret?" Klein asked, feeling relieved. He almost forgot that there was a suspected offspring of a deity or a mythological creature outside. Dunn chose his words carefully and said, "In the field of the mysterious, there might be a law. Haha, although I haven't read many books, I still know what a law means." "This law is called the Law of Immortality of Extraordinary Characteristics." "Extraordinary characteristics do not perish, do not decrease, but only transfer from one carrier to another." Klein's eyes widened, and then he suddenly understood. He thoughtfully asked, "For example, an out-of-control extraordinary person leaves behind a seal, a magical item, or the main material for a potion?" "Exactly," Dunn nodded seriously. "Not only out-of-control extraordinary people... normal extraordinary people do the same after death." "Same... " Klein chewed on Dunn's description and vaguely understood what the captain was doing at that time. As his thoughts turned, he suddenly remembered something. After the death of the tuxedo-clad jester, a blood ball about the size of a thumb, with a hint of blue, appeared beside the corpse. At that time, Frye's explanation was that there were always some strange changes after the death of an extraordinary person. Dunn's gray eyes deepened as he continued, "But unlike out-of-control extraordinary people, what normal extraordinary people leave behind after death is no longer materials and items. It, it is roughly equivalent to a potion, a potion corresponding to the sequence, but lacking certain auxiliary materials." Roughly equivalent to a potion... roughly equivalent to a potion! Klein's eyes narrowed, and a bolt of lightning seemed to flash in his mind, illuminating the endless darkness. He suddenly understood many things, understanding why the extraordinary path wouldn't be cut off even when materials were scarce. Apart from using substitutes, one could simply rely on the remains of the corresponding extraordinary person! This should also be one of the reasons why only finished potions are given to those at higher sequences! Another reason is to prevent the formula from being leaked through divination and spirit communication and other extraordinary means... One guess after another emerged in Klein's mind. Dunn glanced at the door of the Night Watch entertainment room and explained in a low voice, "Several years ago, well... I don't remember exactly how many years, I wasn't the captain of the Night Watch team at that time. I accidentally discovered this problem and discussed it with Dali, who had just become an extraordinary person. I immediately reported it to the Holy Hall, and they asked me to keep it a secret and gave me two choices. Haha, that's why I'm explaining it instead of Dali. Whoever exposes it is responsible." "The first choice was to pretend not to know, just like most Night Watch captains and deacons, and let the Holy Hall handle the remains of extraordinary people after their normal deaths. The second was to give me a special, simple ritual and the corresponding technique, allowing me to consume those items formed by the aggregation of characteristics within a certain time limit. Yes, this only applies to one's own path, to the same sequence as oneself, and to lower sequences." "This would enhance my extraordinary characteristics and make me even stronger. My abilities related to dreams are now not much worse than those of a sequence 6. That's why I dared to deal with Mrs. Schellen." "Oh... There's such a thing..." Klein exhaled slowly. He finally understood why he couldn't think of a reasonable explanation no matter how hard he tried. It was simply because of the lack of prior knowledge. Imagination couldn't make up for it. Yes, this is very consistent with the so-called "Law of Immortality of Extraordinary Characteristics"... If characteristics keep aggregating like this, will there be a qualitative change? Klein's thoughts drifted. Glancing at him, Dunn gave a bitter smile and said, "I chose the second option, but not to become stronger. If I really wanted to be powerful, the best and most direct way would be to quickly digest the potion and get promoted." "Yes," Klein agreed sincerely. "But gathering the characteristics of the same sequence or lower sequences on the same path, while enhancing your strength, might also increase the risk of losing control, right?" Dunn shook his head solemnly. "No, it won't. This is something left behind by normal Extraordinary People, not by those who lost control. Well, after learning about the 'Acting Method', I reexamined it and found that it would increase the difficulty of digestion." "Why do you still continue then?" Klein asked in surprise. Dunn reached into his pocket with his right hand, wanting to search for his pipe, but realized he had left it in the office. He shook his head in self-mockery and said, "I just said, I didn't take their relics to become stronger." At this point, he paused and looked at the gas lamp opposite, its light tinged with a pale blue hue, and said in a low voice, "They were all my companions... We've been through many things together, fought monsters in the darkness and crazy cultists. Some saved me, and I saved many of them. We walked in the quiet nights, fought in places the public couldn't see, faced dangers, and protected each other's backs." "I miss them very much. I remember when little Ite had her first dangerous mission and broke down crying on the spot. I remember Adelaide, heh, he was Rosan's father. He once used his arm to shield me from an evil curse. I remember Dawn, a girl with a warm and sunny temperament, always quietly recording what we experienced. I remember Cohen Li, although not tall, knew many things. He could play the seven-stringed lute, sing, and tell stories. He was more like a poet than Leonard... I miss them very much." "I want to continue fighting alongside them, to battle the monsters in the darkness, to execute those crazy cultists, and to protect Tingen City together. That's why I chose to take their relics." Dunn's gray eyes seemed to sparkle with light. His composure and depth were somewhat shaken at this moment. With a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth, he continued, "In my dreams, they are still with me. Adelaide loved reading and always stayed in the sunroom to read. He always asked me to discipline Rosan and make her grow up faster, so Rosan always complained that I was becoming more and more like her father and was always afraid of me. Little Ite was an energetic person and went hunting in the forest every day. Dawn always stood by her bedroom window, watching us chat. The newly joined Cohen Li made himself a seven-stringed lute and sang and played there... I miss them very much." "Captain..." Klein subconsciously murmured softly. His vision almost blurred, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to wipe his eyes. He cursed inwardly, Damn it, Captain, you're making me cry... But now I understand the reason for your slow progress with the 'Acting Method'... Klein sighed silently. "It's a pity that Old Neil died out of control. Otherwise, he would have brought us a lot of joy." Dunn withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, and pinched the area between his eyes. After a few seconds, he raised his head and said with a bitter smile, "This is a selfish decision." "I didn't know what Adelaide, Cohen Li, and the others truly wanted, and selfishly made the decision for them." "I'm really a selfish person." "No..." Klein shook his head sharply. ... In the sofa area of the reception hall, Leonard watched as Megeous pulled out handfuls of her hair, her expression stiffening again. Megeous, looking slightly agitated, kept picking up her cup to drink water, her face slightly distorted as she looked at Leonard and said, "I don't know why, but I suddenly feel a bit uncomfortable." Leonard Mitchell was about to reply when he suddenly saw Megeous raise her hand and grab her own face, pulling off a piece of flesh with a swish, a long strip of flesh, covered in blood. "My face is a bit itchy," Megeous said with an embarrassed smile, her mouth stretching all the way to her cheekbones, revealing her white teeth and bright red gums. Oh my god! Leonard silently swore, feeling that the situation was deteriorating too quickly. He moved his lips, turned his head to listen, and his expression suddenly changed, turning ashen. He forced a smile and said to Megeous, who was constantly grabbing her face and pulling off bloody flesh, "I'm going to the washroom." "O...kay..." Megeous' tone became somewhat vague. She touched her belly and said, "My... baby... is a bit restless..." Leonard didn't respond anymore. He quickened his pace and approached the partition. After entering the corridor, he looked deeply at the Saint's ashes box held by Dunn Smith, and sighed helplessly. Then, his expression became resolute as he said, "Captain, it's too late. We must deal with Megeous and her baby immediately. Otherwise, the entire Tingen City will suffer a huge loss. This isn't something that can be avoided by evacuating the surrounding people. I know you just sent such a telegram." Dunn frowned slightly and asked seriously, "Are you sure the situation has deteriorated to this extent?" "Yes, in no more than three minutes, Megeous will mutate, and her baby will be born prematurely," Leonard replied with certainty. While speaking, he glanced at the thick blood vessels wrapped around Klein's hand and said solemnly, "Seal '2-105'? Give it to me. I can make better use of it." "Alright." Klein didn't hesitate and handed the "Blood Vessel Thief" to Leonard. This was something he had planned to do anyway. At this moment, Dunn Smith pulled at his collar, patted his black thin windbreaker, and spoke firmly, "I'll take Saint Selina's ashes out first. You two wait ten seconds. Remember, count to ten before coming out to fight. At that time, no matter my condition, you mustn't waste time. Aim at Megeous and her baby and make your strongest attack." With that, he turned around, holding the ashes box, and walked towards the partition with a straight posture. "Captain..." Klein called out with a dry mouth. "Captain," Leonard also called out in a low voice. Dunn stopped and turned back, his expression gentle and his voice warm as he said, "Don't worry about me. I'm not alone. Adelaide, Dawn, Little Ett, Cohen Li are fighting alongside me, no matter what kind of danger we face." He paused for a moment, his gray eyes looking kindly at Klein and Leonard, and said, "Don't be nervous. We are protecting Tingen City." The corners of his mouth lifted, revealing a smile no different from usual. After saying this, he didn't linger any longer. His gaze turned to the outside, and he walked through the partition with firm steps, only his black knee-length windbreaker fluttering slightly behind him. "Captain!" Klein and Leonard called out simultaneously, unable to hold back their tears, but Dunn didn't slow down at all. We are a group of pitiful beings constantly fighting against danger and madness, but we are also guardians.
