Wizard: Surviving in the Steam Age with Points for Demon Hunter

Chapter 11 It's better not to invite this guest!

Finishing touches?

Wei En thought to himself, "The scope of work in the logistics department is quite broad."

In the early stages, they are responsible for investigating mysterious incidents. They solve problems on their own if they can, and hand them over to the combat department if they cannot.

Later, after the battle is over, I'll run over to clean up the mess... It's starting to feel more and more like a police officer from my past life.

"Is there any benefit I can get?"

"Uh," Lacey's smile froze, and she looked at him resentfully, "Wayne, has anyone ever told you that you should act a little dumber?"

Wayne shook his head shyly. "No."

"Fine, the cleanup work is indeed pretty much as you understood it."

Having the ending predicted beforehand made it hard for Lacey to muster any enthusiasm. "Every case I solve earns me a considerable amount of extra income."

Extra income?

Tell me more.

Wayne perked up; he could already smell the gold.

"As I just mentioned, we're dealing with mysterious events. And after resolving these events, we usually end up with items that possess extraordinary properties."

Seeing that he had become interested, Lacey felt much better. "Within the investigation department, we divide these supernatural items into three categories. The first category is supernatural creatures that have been contaminated and have gone out of control."

"They all have organs with extraordinary characteristics inside their bodies, which may be limbs, internal organs, or sensory organs, etc."

"During the cleanup, we will specifically dissect and separate these items. Depending on the degree of contamination and distortion, they can be sold for anywhere from 1 to 15 gold pounds."

"Fifteen gold pounds? That's a lot!"

Wayne's eyes instantly transformed into the shape of gold pounds; this was the right way to make money.

Compared to that, the six pence offered by the Ghost Intelligence Department... even a dog wouldn't want it!

"These kinds of items can be used as materials for making potions or alchemy," Lacey laughed. "You know, wizards are all very rich."

"A wizard?"

Are wizards rich?

Wayne expressed his skepticism, suggesting that his wizarding apprentice could attest to this—that he was penniless!

"Yes, especially the wizards of the Ghost School and the Blood Spirit School, they love using these kinds of aberrations."

Wayne asked thoughtfully, "Then, are the potions and alchemical items they make very valuable?"

"Of course, that's why everyone says wizards are rich!"

At this point, Lacey pulled a glass bottle, no bigger than a fingernail, from her pocket with a disgruntled expression.

"Look, this is their 'masterpiece,' charging me three gold pounds for such a tiny bottle—it's highway robbery!"

Wayne's eyes were instantly drawn to it, staring intently at the small bottle. "What is this?"

Robbing money is great! Why do manual labor when you can make money by robbing?

Lacey gritted her teeth and said, "Spirit Summoning Potion, the Ghost School's most prized creation."

"A spirit-summoning potion?"

When Wei En came to his senses, his eyes unconsciously glanced at little Axi beside him.

He remembered that the school had mentioned another name for meditation in their previous letter—the Soul Devouring Method. Could there be any connection between the two?

"Its purpose is to awaken the dead; we usually use it on victims who died in mysterious circumstances."

Lacey explained, "This allows us to pinpoint the target quickly and avoid more serious consequences. Although it's expensive, it really helps us."

Wayne stroked his chin and said, "Hmm, so that's its function."

Potions Master!

You absolutely must become a potion master, it's a very lucrative career path!

"And what about the rest?"

"The second category consists of extraordinary items from ancient times, such as books that record extraordinary knowledge, weapons and equipment with extraordinary properties, and so on."

Wayne nodded; these were easy to understand.

The González language and meditation scrolls he received from the Ghost School last night belong to this category of items.

"What is the value of these things?"

Lacey looked at him with a smile, "Wayne, I didn't expect you to care so much about 'money'."

"...a bit lacking."

Wei En was a little embarrassed. He really wanted to show off a stack of gold pounds and tell her that he was rich, but unfortunately, he didn't have the means to do so.

"Don't feel embarrassed. We deserve the reward for solving mysterious cases. Otherwise, how can we improve our strength and protect the people of the city-state?"

These words instantly elevated Lacey's image in Wayne's eyes.

"Of course, the improvement in strength is just a side effect. The most important thing is to enjoy it, but in moderation."

At this point, Lacey reminded him, "That's just how Marco is. As soon as he gets money, he goes to the City That Never Sleeps to spend it. Don't follow his example."

"Who is Marco?"

"One of our colleagues in Investigation Department is a nasty jerk!"

Wei En nodded calmly, "Don't worry, I usually don't go out."

Looks like I need to find an opportunity to get to know this Marco.

"The last category, and also the most dangerous—is forbidden items!"

"Forbidden items?"

The wizarding bible he received mentioned something in it, something about not relying too heavily on forbidden items...

This seems to be different from the danger that Captain Lacey described?

"That's right!"

Lacey said with an unusually serious expression, "All forbidden items are extremely dangerous. Besides their inherent extraordinary abilities, the main problem is that they are very difficult to deal with."

"There are currently 332 known forbidden items, each possessing terrifying power. If these things were to break free of their seals, the consequences would be catastrophic."

"For example, the taboo item 1-83, the Demon Clown, which appeared in Custer ten years ago... That time, almost everyone in the slums was wiped out."

At this point, Lacey's expression turned somewhat somber. "To reseal it, our Secret Investigation Division also sacrificed hundreds of extraordinary individuals. Among them was our former Director of the Secret Investigation Division, Lord Abel..."

Not a single one left?

Is it really that exaggerated?

Recalling his previous experience in the slums, Wayne suddenly felt an urgent need to improve his strength.

Where he lives now is not far from the slums, so it's hard to say he won't be affected.

Moreover, he has joined the Secret Investigation Division, so if any incident involving forbidden items occurs, he won't be able to escape.

"But don't worry too much. Forbidden items are scattered across various continents. Our Kingdom of Charland is relatively remote, so the probability of encountering one is no less than becoming rich overnight in the City That Never Sleeps."

After saying that, Lacey suddenly slapped him. "Wayne, I've said everything I needed to say. Now, do you still regret joining the investigation department?"

"I regret it even more now, what should I do?"

It's both forbidden and has caused heavy casualties; isn't it too dangerous?

"What?"

"It's nothing," Wayne shook his head and smiled, "Thank you for introducing me to so much."

"I told you not to be so polite," Lacey laughed, stepping forward to put her arm around his neck. "From now on, you're part of our Investigation Department. You can ask me for help with anything."

Wei En struggled to keep himself from falling into her arms and said with difficulty, "Well, there is something I really need your help with."

"Go ahead and say it!"

"I'd like to borrow some money from you..."

……

After a while, the two returned to an office and sat facing each other.

After making numerous promises that he would repay the money in the future, Wayne finally managed to borrow 2 gold pounds.

He also signed a loan agreement for this purpose.

Lacey carefully put away the contract and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Wein, I really didn't expect you to ask me for money. I was a little... excited."

"No need to say that, Captain, you've really helped me a lot this time."

Wayne put the money in his pocket, his expression very serious: "I will pay you back as soon as possible."

In order to acquire enough knowledge to improve his skills, and also to avoid starving to death at home, he chose to take the plunge!

As for the favor owed... consider this money as an investment in his potion workshop, and give her a share of the profits later.

"No, there's no need to rush to pay it back."

At this moment, Rogert, who had been staring at the two of them for a long time, said quietly, "Lassie, aren't you being too nice to this kid? I find it hard to believe he survived the first mystery."

"Shut your filthy mouth, Roger!"

Lacey's smile turned cold as she glared at him and said, "Take care of yourself first."

"Tsk," Rogert smirked, putting away his musket. "Just a friendly reminder, you don't want to lose the gold pounds you lent out, do you?"

"Hmph, it's none of your business!"

"Well then, good luck."

Rogert stood up expressionlessly and walked out of the office.

Wei En frowned slightly, becoming somewhat wary of this cold-faced man.

"Ignore him, but there's one thing he's right about..."

Lacey comforted him, then said, "Wayne, there's something else I need to tell you."

Wayne looked at her suspiciously. "Is it related to a mysterious event?"

Lacey nodded. "Actually, quite a few people joined our unit before, but so far only the four of us have survived. The vast majority of them died in the first mysterious incident they encountered after joining the unit."

"Is it because they're not strong enough?"

"That's one aspect, but the most important thing is the lack of reverence."

"Awe?"

Wei En looked at her as if he understood but not quite. Did she mean that he had a kind of reverence for gods when it came to those strange creatures and objects?

"That's right. They lack a fundamental understanding of mysterious events and believe that fighting is the best way to resolve them, but that's not actually the case."

"Remember, fighting isn't necessary; finding the most reasonable solution is the goal!"

With that, Lacey got up and went back to her desk, took out a thick stack of notebooks and handed them to him, "These are the briefings on mysterious events I've compiled, take a look."

After taking it, Wei En said with a serious expression, "I will definitely prepare well."

"Finally, I'd like to say that I'm very happy you've joined us, Wayne," Lacey said with a smile.

"Me too."

"I forgot to ask, are you a person with an extraordinary profession, or a family heir with extraordinary bloodline?"

Wayne mumbled, "Super... extraordinary profession."

"You're not a clergyman, are you?"

"Of course not."

Lacey breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. Yegor had previously recruited a clergyman from the Church of Storms, who got a severe beating from the director."

Director, do you hate the church that much?

Wei En suppressed his doubts and decided to learn about these gossips later.

He had already begun to consider how to disguise his identity as a wizard of the Ghost School so that he could make a lot of money while working at the Secret Investigation Department!

……

……

After getting another free lunch from Lacey, Wayne parted ways with her, carrying his briefcase and some documents as he left the Secret Investigation Department.

In fact, after learning that Minister Yegor had scheduled his start date for the afternoon, Lacey was about to confront him.

After trying to persuade him for a long time without success, Wei En made a suggestion that went against the orders of the Minister of Logistics: he should just ask for leave and go home.

Lacey, who was in charge of the day-to-day management of the investigation department, immediately approved his proposal. She told him to get some rest and arranged to take him to experience Custer's nightlife the following evening.

And so, Wayne left the Secret Investigation Department in a cheerful mood.

He should take advantage of the afternoon break to make good use of the 2 gold pounds he borrowed to acquire useful knowledge and improve his strength.

"Wein, you're back so early?"

Yu'an was sunbathing on a deck chair outside the clinic. When she saw him return, she greeted him, "Oh, did you pass the interview?"

"Uncle Youan, thanks to you, the interview went very well." Wayne smiled and shook his briefcase.

"I told you you could do it! How are you feeling? Are you settling into the environment of the Secret Investigation Department?"

Hearing his question, Wayne asked with a resentful expression, "Uncle Youan, did you forget to tell me something?"

"Um, haha, really?"

"Yes, the logistics department is not what you described at all!"

Yu An laughed awkwardly, "Wein, I think you need some training. Just like me back then, I went to sea against my family's wishes. Young people should set their sights on the world, or they'll regret it when they get old."

"Did you encounter any forbidden items when you went to sea?"

"Forbidden...cough cough, what forbidden thing? This is not something to joke about."

Yu'an nearly choked on his saliva, glaring at him and saying, "Wein, try to avoid mentioning taboo topics, especially their numbers, names, and extraordinary characteristics!"

Is there some hidden secret here?

"You didn't even know this? Yu...didn't your family tell you this?"

"no."

Wei En shook his head. Let alone such mysterious knowledge, he had only just acquired the meditation method.

Ghosts wouldn't be so kind as to offer knowledge for free.

"..."

Yu'an explained helplessly, "Those forbidden items are called forbidden because they are all cursed by fate."

"A curse of fate?"

"Fate is like a long river, and these taboos are like bystanders standing outside the river. Once you say too much or think too much, it will rush towards you without hesitation."

"You can do that?"

Wayne was genuinely shocked.

Then why did Lacey so directly mention the forbidden item 1-83, the Demon Clown? Wasn't that...?

"If you don't believe me, just try it. I'm sure I'll be able to collect your corpse very soon."

Wei En looked at him speechlessly. Why did someone have such an eager expression on their face when the topic of collecting corpses came up?

"In short, those things are too strange to mention."

After saying that, You An stood up and said, "Alright, I should go buy groceries. I'm going to make my darling daughter's favorite baked rice tonight."

Baked rice?

It sounds delicious.

Wayne stared intently at him, anticipating his invitation.

"Why aren't you leaving yet? I'm closing the door."

"...Uncle Youan, once I'm done with this busy period, I'd like to invite you to a get-together to thank you for writing the recommendation letter for me."

"Um?"

Yu'an frowned and stared at him for a while before asking quietly, "Wein, you're not thinking of using this as an excuse to ask my Carly out on a date, are you?"

"..."

Damn it, we might as well not have invited this guest!

(End of this chapter)