Chapter 756: Seven Gods (Part 1)

Hu Qi, however, had never received detailed information on this topic from Ired.

Upon hearing this, Ophelia glanced at Hu Qi, seemingly lost in thought.

After a moment, she finally spoke.

“The importance of Mystical Knowledge to a Professional is self-evident.

However, since this was Ired’s dying request…

I’ll tell you what I can about Professionals.”

She paused here before continuing.

“Do you know where Professionals come from?”

Hu Qi’s eyes shifted.

“From the gods?”

He had heard something about this from Ired before.

But it wasn’t detailed.

“More or less, but not entirely.”

Ophelia smiled.

“There are numerous Professional paths in this world. Some originate from the gods, while others come from those Evil Gods and other unknown, high-level beings.

The vast majority, however, are the result of Professionals themselves exploring the unknown, studying Extraordinary Creatures, and conducting all sorts of experiments.”

“The number of paths is truly beyond imagination.”

“And for this very reason, advancing as a Professional of a more obscure path comes with unimaginable risks.

Take your own path, the Fire Torturer, for example.

A single moment of carelessness could lead to being influenced by an unknown entity, and you wouldn’t even know what killed you.

So, if possible, it’s safer to pursue a more mainstream Professional path as a secondary class. It will also allow you to go further!”

“A secondary class?”

Hu Qi’s eyes flickered.

“That’s right! A Professional’s path isn’t set in stone. You can pursue more than one, as long as their Extraordinary Traits don’t conflict with each other!”

“Take the common Warrior path, for instance. Upon advancing from Sequence Nine to Sequence Eight, you have four different options. There’s the speed-focused Vanguard Warrior, the physically-enhancing Centurion, the Fury who specializes in Burst, and the Spirit-focused Gladiator. At Sequence Seven, the choices expand to as many as eight. And so on. The higher your Sequence, the more paths open up. Of course, the prerequisite is that you don’t choose the wrong one.”

A glint appeared in Hu Qi’s eyes.

He understood immediately.

Compared to the Warrior path she described,

the Fire Torturer path only had two options at Sequence Seven. This meant its potential was limited.

At this thought,

Hu Qi asked,

“Do you have information on the advancement paths for other Professionals?”

In response to Hu Qi’s question,

Ophelia smiled.

“The exchange of deeper Mystical Knowledge between Professionals operates on the principle of fair trade…”

She let the words hang, her meaning perfectly clear.

“Of course. If the information is useful and the price is right, I’m willing to pay.”

Hu Qi nodded.

“Excellent!”

Ophelia was quite pleased.

***

「A moment later.」

After Hu Qi’s figure disappeared through the doorway, the room fell silent once more.

Ophelia remained standing where she was, sunlight filtering through the window and casting dappled shadows across her!

Just then, the faint rustle of fabric came from the shadows in the corner beside her.

Then,

a man in a flat cap slowly stepped out.

He had two silver pistols tucked into his belt, and the brim of his cap cast a shadow that obscured most of his face.

Only his stubbled chin was visible.

“Well?”

Ophelia kept her back to him, her slender fingers tapping gently on the tabletop.

The man removed his cap, revealing a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes.

“I couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. He seems to be a newly-minted Arsonist.”

His voice was low and raspy.

“But… I can’t believe Ired would actually take an apprentice. And for him to successfully become a Sequence Nine Arsonist, no less. That’s unexpected.”

“Ired?”

Ophelia chuckled softly.

“You really think that old miser would take an apprentice? I couldn’t find any flaws in him, but I have a feeling this matter isn’t so simple.”

Hearing this, the man

instinctively reached for the handle of the pistol at his waist, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

“Should I go ‘invite’ him back?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Ophelia shook her head.

“One thing is likely true: even if Ired isn’t dead, something must have happened to him. Regardless, a dead Professional has no value.”

“This man is much younger than Ired.

Let’s observe him for a while. If he proves reliable, we can invite him to join the Round Clock Society.

After all, the day that thing opens is not far off.”

Ophelia said pointedly.

The man heard her.

He said nothing, merely nodding.

His figure faded and vanished on the spot.

The room fell silent again, the only sound the faint crackle of a kerosene lamp’s wick, its flame dancing gently in the darkness.

***

After leaving, Hu Qi glanced back at the tavern.

He clutched the burlap sack in his hand and walked without stopping, heading straight for a nearby inn.

Just as he reached the entrance, a notice pinned to a board caught his eye.

The ink was still fresh, clearly posted just recently.

Its contents were simple.

Followers of the Tide Church have recently been active in the city, intending to disrupt public order.

Any person providing valid information that assists in an arrest will be rewarded with ten Silver Lions.

The direct capture of a cultist will be rewarded with 3 Dragon Crowns.

Note:

False reports will be met with severe punishment.

Reports can be made at any city constabulary post.

Below the notice was a hand-drawn image.

It depicted a figure in a black robe with a wave-like pattern on the chest.

Hu Qi’s gaze swept over it.

He paid it no mind.

He pushed open the door and briefly spoke with the innkeeper behind the counter.