LOM: Lord of Mysticism

On Friday. A storm befell Tingen, and heavy rain pounded on the windows of every household.

Inside the Blackthorn Security Company, Klein, Rozanne, and Bredt sat on the sofa in the reception hall, enjoying lunch.

"We actually only have one Nighthawk here today," Rozanne said as she ate a spoonful of thick soup.

"I heard that a case with cultist elements is going on in Golden Indus, and the police department has requested two Nighthawks," Bredt said as he put down his bread.

Klein stuffed the remaining wheat bread into his mouth. Under his left sleeve, there was a silver chain with a topaz gem.

At that moment, knocks were heard outside the half-closed main door.

"Please come in." Rozanne quickly stood up.

A man with gray hair in a halved top hat entered. Placing away his umbrella, he said, "Is this the former small mercenary squad?"

"That's right," Rozanne answered.

The lanky man then said. "I have a mission request."

A mission request... You probably came to the wrong place... Klein held back his urge to lampoon when he heard him.

"Our security personnel are all out on missions. The fastest it will take for them to return is an hour. If your matter isn't urgent, you can consider waiting." Rozanne said.

Among the six formal Nighthawk members, Captain Dunn Smith had been invited to the cathedral by the bishop for some unknown discussion. Leonard Mitchell was guarding Chanis Gate in his place. Corpse Collector Frye and Sleepless Royale Reideen had already headed to the Golden Indus Borough to assist the police in the investigation of a robbery case with cultist inklings. Sleepless Kenley White was on leave, while Midnight Poet Seeka Tron had gone to Raphael Cemetery in the north suburb for a daily patrol.

As for the remaining two Beyonders, Old Neil was frail and advanced in his years and had not taken any missions in a long time. While Klein was still a novice and was truly inadequate in various aspects,.

"They are all out." The lanky man's expression turned gloomy. "Sorry for intruding. Goodbye." He turned and walked out.

"What a pity." Rozanne watched the man leave and sighed regretfully.

"There's nothing we can do about it. Chanis Gate needs someone watching it all the time." Klein put down his cutlery and decided to stay at Blackthorn Security Company for a while due to the ongoing rain.

He took out some newspapers and sat on the sofa as he leisurely began his 'afternoon break.'

"The airship route from Backlund to Desi Bay is now in service."

"The complete anthology of the Great Detective Manseng is publishing soon."

"An advertisement for Lagolas Weapons? A standard model revolver carrying six bullets costs three pounds and ten soli; a double barrel gun costs two pounds."

Klein flipped through the Tingen City Honest Paper when a particular piece of news caught his attention.

"The suspect responsible for killing Mr. Welch and Miss Naya has been caught. We believe it is a much-needed reprieve from the horror that has gripped North Borough, Golden Indus Borough, and East Borough... Welch's father, Mr. McGovern, who is a banker, has escorted his youngest son's body back to Constant City, where a grand burial will be held."

After reading it a few times, Klein sighed. From the looks of it, Welch's father had bought the police's explanations and did not hire a private investigator to investigate the matter.

In a sullen mood, Klein sat there motionless for a long time. He neither found it odd that he was not invited to Welch's and Naya's burials, nor did he feel depressed.

Klein was about to take a nap in the break room when a knock came from the door of the reception hall again.

"Please come in." Rozanne jolted awake.

The half-closed door was pushed open, and the lanky man from before walked in once again.

"Can I wait here? Your mercenaries, no— security personnel should be back soon, right?" He tried his best to hide his anxious expression.

"Sure. Please have a seat." Rozanne pointed at the sofa nearby.

Klein asked out of curiosity, "Where did you hear about our security company? Who introduced you here?"

He made two trips despite the heavy afternoon storm and was still willing to wait?. The Nighthawks must have easily resolved many missions that might seem very difficult to others and have accrued quite a reputation...

The man walked by the sofa. "I have traveled the nearby streets and paid a visit to all the mercenaries, uh—security companies and private investigators. You are my only hope. The others do not have the manpower to take additional missions... To be frank, if not for the waiter that delivers meals, I would not imagine that there was another security company here."

It's completely different from what I imagined. Klein was stunned.

Rozanne interjected with a question, "They are all busy? Are there that many missions?"

The man sat down and sighed, "You are a mercenary team, no—a security company. I believe you must have heard of the armed burglary murder at Howes Street."

Howes Street... Armed burglary murder... I'm one of the people involved. Klein nodded.

"Due to the presence of a ferocious and cruel criminal, the rich men living in the neighboring streets and even across all of Tingen City are afraid. Apart from increasing the numbers of their security detail, they have also hired many more security personnel and private detectives. This resulted in a shortage of supply in your line of work," the man explained.

The security industry had entered a golden age, yet Blackthorn Security Company was not affected in any way. It was apparent how dismally the company was run.

After waiting for another twenty plus minutes, Klein prepared to leave since the rain was coming to a stop.

At that moment, Leonard Mitchell walked out of the partition and looked around. "This is?" he glanced at the lanky man. "I'm a member of the security personnel at Blackthorn. What's your name? How may I help you?"

"My name is Klee, a butler of Mr. Vickroy, a tobacco merchant. His only son, little Elliott, was kidnapped this morning. We have already informed the police, and the matter has been given high priority. However, Mr. Vickroy remains uneasy and wishes to go through the channels, as well as your understanding of Tingen, to investigate the case from a different angle and ensure that little Elliott is rescued safely.

If you are able to find where the kidnappers are hiding, Mr. Vickroy will be willing to pay you 100 pounds. If you have the means to successfully save Young Master Elliott, he is willing to pay double. 200 pounds."

Leonard Mitchell smiled leisurely. "Mr. Vickroy seems to only wish for us to find the kidnappers' hideout? If not, he will not think that his only son is worth a hundred pounds. A tobacco merchant who has close ties with the southern plantations will not just offer two hundred pounds."

"No, Mr. Vickroy is only an ordinary merchant. He's not considered wealthy. Besides, he believes the police will be more professional when it comes to rescuing his son," Klee answered frankly.

"Alright. No problem." Leonard said and turned his gaze on Rozanne, "My beautiful lady, please write up a contract."

"Don't always act like a poet. In fact, all you do is recite the works of others." Rozanne quipped, having forgotten about the client.

She left the reception counter and entered the staff office, completing a simple contract with only a few clauses that Klee and Leonard Mitchell then signed.

"I'll wait for your good news." After receiving a copy of the contract, Klee stood up.

Leonard turned to Klein and smiled. "I need your help."

"Ah?" Klein was taken aback.

"I mean, you and I can finish this mission together." Leonard explained, "I'm good at combat, shooting, climbing, sensing, chanting, and taking on some support roles. But that does not include looking for people. You don't expect Old Neil to go out in such weather, right?"

"Alright." Klein quickly agreed, wanting to try his new abilities.