Thud!
Klein couldn't help but take a step back, momentarily unsure if he was awake or still dreaming.
The figure removed his black hat, bowed slightly, and smiled in a deep, resonant voice:
"Allow me to reintroduce myself: Night Watcher, Dunn Smith."
Night Watcher? The code name for the Church of the Night's extraordinary team mentioned by "Justice" and "The Hanged Man"? Klein was suddenly enlightened, and recalling the past, he blurted out:
"You manipulated my dream? You made me have that dream?"
Night Watcher Dunn Smith put his black hat back on, covering his slightly receding hairline. His deep gray eyes glinted with amusement as he said:
"No, I merely entered your dream and provided necessary guidance."
His rich and gentle voice echoed in the dimly lit hallway, not disturbing anyone's dreams:
"In a dream, although suppressed emotions and various dark thoughts are magnified, making everything seem chaotic, absurd, and crazy, the truth still exists, hidden within. For an old hand like me, everything is clear and easy to see. Compared to your awake self, I trust the you in your dreams more."
What... Who can control their dreams? If I dream of something from Earth, wouldn't Dunn Smith discover it? Klein was shocked and filled with dread at the thought of what he had experienced in the dream.
But he soon sensed something odd because he remembered being very clear-headed and rational in the dream, knowing what to say and what not to say.
In simple terms, it didn't feel like dreaming at all!
So, Dunn Smith only "saw" what I wanted him to see?
Klein's thoughts raced, and he vaguely grasped a hint of understanding.
Was this a benefit of transmigration, perhaps due to his special spirit, or the influence of that "fortune-telling ritual"?
"So, Mr. Smith, are you sure I've genuinely lost my memory?" Klein organized his thoughts and asked back.
Dunn Smith didn't answer directly but looked at him deeply:
"You don't seem surprised by this?"
"The previous individuals I've encountered, even right after dreaming, didn't believe in the extraordinary powers and preferred to think they hadn't truly woken up."
Klein hummed in acknowledgment:
"Maybe it's because I've been praying, hoping for such power to help me."
"Interesting logic... Perhaps you survived not just by luck," Dunn nodded without much expression. "I can now confirm that you've truly lost some memories due to this incident, especially those related to the event itself."
"Can I go back then?" Klein asked tentatively, feeling a sigh of relief inside.
Dunn, hands in his pockets, walked over slowly, the surrounding darkness becoming calm and gentle.
"No, you still need to meet the 'expert' with me." His polite smile returned.
"Why?" Klein blurted out, hastily adding, "Don't you trust your own dream guidance?"
Are you kidding? If that "expert" has abilities like hypnosis or mind reading, wouldn't my biggest secret be exposed?
The consequences would be unimaginable!
"I'm always humble, but I have some confidence regarding dreams," Dunn replied calmly. "However, confirming important matters again is never bad. Besides, her expertise is very different from mine; she might help you recover some memory."
Before Klein could speak, Dunn's voice deepened:
"After all, you're connected to the whereabouts of that Antigonus family's notebook."
"What?" Klein was stunned.
Dunn stopped in front of him, his gray eyes staring into Klein's:
"The notebook from the Fourth Epoch is missing at the scene; the whole house doesn't have it. Welch is dead, Naya is dead, and you are the only clue."
"...Alright." Klein was silent for a moment and sighed.
The notebook is missing... that's really strange!
I didn't even think about the notebook's whereabouts before!
Dunn nodded almost imperceptibly, then walked past Klein and said:
"Lock your door; we're heading to Welch's residence now. The 'expert' is waiting for us there."
Taking a silent breath, Klein's heart pounded with anxiety.
He wanted to refuse, even considering escaping, but he believed that with the precedent of the dream, Dunn Smith would be more vigilant now. Given the difference in strength between a normal person and an extraordinary one, forceful actions would unlikely succeed.
He probably still has a gun... and he must have practiced shooting many times...
With conflicting thoughts raging in his mind, Klein finally chose to face reality:
"Okay."
Sigh, I can only take it one step at a time. Maybe the special ability from my dream will activate again...
"Let's go," Dunn said, his tone utterly calm.
Klein turned to follow but suddenly stopped and said, "Mr. Smith, I... I need to use the bathroom first."
I got up to use the bathroom after all...
Dunn didn't stop him but looked at him deeply and said, "No problem, Klein. Believe me, in the night, I am far stronger than you can imagine."
In the night... Klein silently repeated these words.
He didn't recklessly attempt anything. He relieved himself, washed his face with cold water to completely calm down, then got dressed, and closed the door to his home. He followed Dunn down the stairs and towards the apartment entrance with light footsteps.
In this quietness, Dunn Smith suddenly spoke, "In your dream, why did you want to escape at the end? What were you afraid of?"
Klein's thoughts raced as he responded, "I don't remember what I did at Welch's house, nor do I remember if I directly caused his and Naya's deaths. I'm afraid it might be proven to be my doing in the end. I didn't dare to take that gamble. It's better to run away and start a new life on the Southern Continent."
"If it were me, I'd do the same," Dunn said, pushing open the apartment door, letting the midnight cool breeze dispel the stuffiness inside.
He wasn't worried about Klein escaping. He boarded the carriage first—the same one Klein had seen in his dream. It was four-wheeled, single-horse, with a coachman, and the police insignia of "crossed swords surrounding a crown" on the side.
Klein followed inside, finding it lined with thick carpets and filled with a calming fragrance.
He sat down casually, trying to probe for more information, "Mr. Smith, if—if the 'expert' confirms that I truly forgot those memories and there is no other evidence proving I'm the culprit instead of a victim, will this matter be resolved?"
"In theory, yes. We will seek the notebook through other means. If it still exists, it can be found. Before that, we'll ensure you are free of curses, lingering evil spirits, and corresponding psychological issues, to safely and healthily face your future." Dunn Smith gave a slightly odd smile.
Klein sharply noticed this and, instead of relaxing, quickly asked, "Theoretically?"
"Yes, only theoretically. In this field, it's always filled with distorted, irrational, and unbelievable occurrences," Dunn said, looking into Klein's eyes. "Their continuation or end isn't always something we can foresee or control."
"For example?" Klein felt a bit fearful.
On the nearly deserted streets, the carriage sped along. Dunn took out a pipe and sniffed it:
"When we think everything is over and back to normal, it might return in a terrifying and shocking manner.
"A few years ago, we handled a cult case. They had followers complete sacrificial rites through suicide to please their evil god. One follower, driven by survival instincts, overcame stupidity, false faith, and hallucinogens, and secretly reported to the police.
"The case was handed over to us—a small task since the cult had no extraordinary members, and the god they worshipped was merely invented by their leader for profit and pleasure, devoid of humanity.
"We resolved the cult easily with just two members and the police's cooperation, leaving no one at large. The whistleblower was confirmed free of lingering evil spirits, curses, psychological issues, personality problems, or other strange marks.
"Afterward, his career progressed well, he married a wonderful wife, had a boy and a girl. All shadows seemed to have left him, the past horrors and bloodshed seemingly vanished.
"But this March, financially stable, deeply in love with his wife, and with smart and lovely children, he died—strangling himself in his office."
The crimson moonlight outside the carriage window cast a glow on Dunn Smith.
At this moment, his seemingly self-deprecating smile sent chills down Klein's spine, indescribable chills.
"He strangled himself..." Klein inhaled sharply, as if seeing his own grim fate.
Even if one disaster is avoided, is it just temporary?
Is there any way to completely solve this?
Become extraordinary to fight back?
The carriage fell into silence, with countless thoughts swirling in Klein's mind, then settling.
In this indescribable quietness, the carriage traveled for a long time, moving quickly.
Just as Klein made up his mind to shamelessly ask Dunn Smith for solutions, the carriage stopped.
"Mr. Smith, we've arrived at Welch's residence," the coachman's voice reached their ears.
"Let's get out," Dunn adjusted his black coat, "Oh, let me introduce you first—the 'expert's' public identity is the most renowned psychic in Ahowa County."
Klein curbed his other thoughts and curiously asked, "And her real identity?"
Dunn half-turned, looking back with deep gray eyes, "A genuine 'psychic'."