"Damn it, you should have told me when you were taking the potion." Old Neil saw Kenley supporting his upper body from the floor with trembling hands, extended his right hand. Kenley extended his right hand to grab Old Neil's hand, and with a light push of his feet, stood up from the floor.
His robust arm muscles became soft yet full of strength. His arms extending from his clothes were actually nearly twenty centimeters longer than before. His originally well-fitting pants also exposed nearly fifteen centimeters of ankle, looking as ridiculous as stuffing an adult into ill-fitting children's clothing.
"Tell you, and then you might first play a round of Gwent, sing a theatrical tune from Maxi, or take out my seven-string qin to play a serenade?" Kenley smiled and moved his body. All his joints made "creaking" sounds, just like a puppet that hadn't been oiled enough.
"You've grown taller. It's truly a miracle." Old Neil looked Kenley up and down. "This potion increased your height. It's really a good thing."
"Still a bit shorter than the captain." Kenley smacked his lips. "It's truly a moment worth celebrating. How about a cigar? I can now clearly smell the scent of two fine Dongbailang cigars hidden in your drawer."
"Remind me to hide the cigars in a different place." Old Neil helplessly took out an unopened cigar from the drawer and threw it to him. "Today has been really busy. What I need most now is a cup of hot milk and that soft big bed at home. Come find me tomorrow, and I'll teach you relevant mystical knowledge."
Old Neil walked past Kenley and patted his shoulder.
"Are you sure this is your best choice?" He muttered quietly, took his coat and hat from the nearby rack, and quietly walked out the door.
Kenley heard Old Neil's slow footsteps going up the stairs and the sound of the door closing.
He sighed softly.
If he didn't become an Beyonder, how could he, as a transmigrator, face the omnipresent fear and danger of this world?
He gently closed the office door, went up the stairs. Only Rozanne, who was reading a newspaper, remained in the second-floor office. Kenley didn't disturb her evening reading time, went downstairs, turned right, walked two blocks to Purple Wisteria Street No. 12, pushed open an iron gate, walked up the creaking stairs, and pushed open his room door.
This was his room.
Or rather, this was the room belonging to the original owner of this body, and he had just transmigrated less than two days ago.
He took a shower, dried his body and the mist on the mirror with a towel, and looked at his new body in the mirror - brown hair, fair skin, 1.8 meters tall, with tight and powerful muscles throughout his body, as if every cell contained sufficient explosive power.
In his mind appeared the scene that had emerged when he first transmigrated - himself standing behind a high-backed chair. The man sitting in the chair wore a familiar half-height silk top hat, dressed formally, with a cane leaning against the high-backed chair.
Opposite the two was a bronze long table. On both sides of the long table, men and women sat separately, looking at the head with expectant and worshipful eyes.
A ethereal lady's voice sounded in his mind: "I will give you an opportunity. If successful, you also have a chance to stand at the pinnacle of the starry sky."
"Our enemies are everywhere."
This was the oracle of the Evernight Goddess.
Although "Lord of the Mysteries" was his favorite novel, who could guarantee that things in the real world would develop according to the predetermined direction?
Omnipresent variables still existed, and he absolutely couldn't handle problems entirely based on memory while ignoring those enemies hiding in the shadows.
Following the "Fool's" footsteps was what he should do most at present, and it was also relatively safe.
Both were transmigrators - two fellow countrymen from Earth should take care of each other.
He had already seized this opportunity. The rest depended on his own efforts.
He put on his slightly small undershirt and shorts, walked to the window. Crimson moonlight illuminated Tingen City. The surroundings looked peaceful and tranquil, but the undercurrents and dangers hidden beneath the moonlight and darkness were everywhere.
"Praise the Goddess." He drew the crimson moon representing the Evernight Goddess on his chest.
This also represented that Kenley had accepted the Evernight Goddess's "contract" from his heart.
Tomorrow's first task was to find Captain Dunn to sign the contract and meet everyone with his new identity.
No, this was the second task. The first was to buy several sets of new clothes. As for weapons, he only needed to submit a reimbursement form to the captain, and he could search for suitable weapons in the armory.
After all, he was already a combat member.
He climbed into bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning at eight o'clock, he first came to "Beckley Men's Clothing Store" next to his home. Boss Beckley warmly received him.
"Sorry, we only have one set of suitable formal wear for you, but if you order now, you can get brand new clothes in three days." Beckley measured his figure all over with a tape measure. "You have a very well-proportioned figure. I believe this set of clothes is the most suitable for you in the store."
Kenley looked at himself in the mirror - a three-piece tailcoat with a half-height silk top hat indeed suited him very well. After growing taller, all his previous clothes couldn't be worn, and becoming an official team member indeed required new attire.
"Then, like this, please help me additionally custom-make a brand new tailcoat in a different color, then I also need a hunting outfit and corresponding colored hat, five white shirts, and a pair of sufficiently sturdy hunting boots."
"Your decision is very wise. I guarantee all your new clothes will be in the most fashionable styles." Boss Beckley eagerly rubbed his hands. "Is that all, dear sir?"
"That's all." Kenley nodded.
"Two formal suits, eight pounds fifteen soli each, totaling seventeen pounds ten soli. The hunting outfit and corresponding hat need eighteen soli. Men's white shirts, two soli each, totaling ten soli. Hunting boots, one pound ten soli." Beckley quickly calculated on paper. "Altogether, twenty pounds eight soli."
Kenley took out his wallet from his pocket, opened it, took out five one-pound notes, one five-soli note, and three one-soli notes and handed them to Boss Beckley.
"This is the deposit. When I come to get the clothes, I'll pay the remaining fifteen pounds."
During his time as a civilian staff member, his weekly salary was three pounds five soli. Although he had some savings, the payment just now had spent two-thirds of his savings. It seemed he needed to ask the captain for several weeks' advance salary. Captain Dunn was reasonable and would definitely agree to this simple request.
"Of course, please take your time, sir." Beckley bowed all the way as he escorted Kenley out the door.
Just after opening and receiving such a large order, it must be the Goddess's blessing.
Kenley spent four one-penny coins at "Roger's Bakery" at the street corner to buy a sandwich with sausage for breakfast, eating while walking. Just as he reached the street corner, he saw the two-wheeled carriage belonging to "Blackthorn Security Company" rushing out. Captain Dunn and Leonard sat opposite each other in the carriage with serious expressions.
What happened?
Kenley pursed his lips and walked into the second-floor office of "Blackthorn Security Company," greeting Rozanne, who was leaning back in her chair drowsily.
"My God, you've grown taller and become more handsome." Rozanne looked at Kenley in surprise. "What happened?"
"I took a 'potion' last night and have become an official team member." Kenley smiled. "I can go on missions with the team now."
"You've also taken that step..." Rozanne frowned slightly. "Becoming an Beyonder is an extremely dangerous thing."
"This way I can better protect you." Kenley walked over and ruffled Rozanne's brown hair. Rozanne pouted unhappily. "You're bullying me again."
"I just saw the captain and Leonard leave by carriage." Kenley asked.
"It's a case sent by the police station. Let me look at the report just delivered." Rozanne picked up the report just delivered from the desk and carefully looked at the second page.
"The victims' names are Welch McGovern and Naya."