CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 30: DEFINING THE EXTRAORDINARY

Wharf District.

Shawn cast forward, and after watching the bobber stabilize, he finally put down the fishing rod in his hand.

He really wasn’t very good at fishing.

After memorizing enough knowledge from the Library of Alexandria, he prepared to follow Daisy for a walk to relax in the Wharf District.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Hank Brand, the investigator in charge of the market area, who was enjoying a relaxing day of fishing and invited Shawn to join him enthusiastically.

"Are you here in Dorne City on vacation?" Hank focused intently on the water surface.

He’s a seasoned fisherman.

Because his catch was abundant—what Shawn remembered calling a "blowout"—a fisherman’s happiest moment, so he was in a great mood.

"Yes." Shawn nodded.

Hank’s vacation seemed to have started today as well; his mental state was much improved compared to yesterday, shedding much of that tired and sluggish look.

The water’s bobber twitched slightly.

Hank promptly pulled the rod, and a finger-width small white fish appeared. His mouth twitched and he casually tossed the little fish back into the river.

He picked up his water bottle, took a sip, and casually asked, "Where are you from?"

Upon hearing this, Shawn hesitated for a moment.

Hank glanced at him and said, "If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to say."

"I’ve vacationed in many places before, but the most relaxing was Horn Island. The beaches there are comforting for sunbathing, and there’s a rich bounty of fish."

"The locals are very welcoming, and there are quite a few quaint little taverns."

"Hehe."

Having said that, Hank revealed a knowing look that men understood.

Shawn laughed and nodded, showing a smile that men comprehend well.

What shouldn’t be asked, isn’t.

Hank didn’t ask anything else but started talking to Shawn about good vacation spots for investigators, casually teaching him how to reimburse expenses—many expenses can be reimbursed with small tricks. Additionally, Hank recommended to him a legendary money-pit, a salon club called ’Roman Imperial Palace’ in Dorne City.

When mentioning the Roman Imperial Palace, even Hank, a seasoned veteran, wore a reminiscent expression.

Two men fishing and chatting.

Daisy squatted to the side, completely focused on fishing, her little ears upright and stiff.

Can little kids hear this?

Hank was actually a very talkative investigator. However, Transcendents have their own small circles and rarely communicate too much with outsiders; he always maintained a cold and indifferent expression towards ordinary people.

Few investigators live to retire.

The two enjoyed a pleasant time together. Hank knew many weird tales and anecdotes; Shawn finally caught a fish resembling a goggle-eye, which he promptly released.

As they tidied up, Hank casually asked, "Want to grab a meal together?"

Shawn smiled and shook his head, thanked him: "No. We have other plans for the evening."

Hank didn’t mind, lighting a cigarette for himself. He raised his hand to ask Shawn if he smoked; Shawn shook his head while Hank squatted down to pack: "Diagon Alley in the Wharf District, from the three-way intersection south approximately a hundred meters."

"There’s a place with great lemon grilled fish; you should try it if you have time."

Investigators have their own ways of interacting.

Their daily conversations mostly revolve around how to restore Rationality Value through normal means—none other than eating, drinking, and entertainment, mainly relying on leisure and relaxation to keep their mood pleasing and gradually restore their Rationality Value.

For the bizarre incidents encountered in their work, each investigator actually remains tight-lipped.

Some things can’t be told to colleagues, as it would bring trouble to them.

Steps on the dock.

"What do you want for dinner?" Shawn turned to look at Daisy beside him.

Daisy tilted her little head, thought for a moment, and said: "I want grilled fish."

Okay.

Shawn directly led her to Diagon Alley in the Wharf District, then indeed, from the three-way intersection south about a hundred meters, they found a not-so-noticeable grilled fish shop.

The taste was quite good.

After grilling the fish, they sprinkled a bit of lemon juice over it; the exact flavor was hard to describe, but Shawn ate a whole grilled fish, along with several side dishes.

This culinary method was a bit different from the local cuisine style; it’s said that the chef came from the Sharon Region.

Legend has it, their cuisine style originated from Half-Elfs.

The final bill was 12 Denars and 6 Seth for the two; not very expensive, and they were given two complimentary drinks, freshly squeezed juices, better than the fancy restaurant Shawn visited last time.

Daisy was very happy eating.

She liked eating fish, Shawn observed.

The return journey was quite peaceful; the Wharf District’s streetlights shut off around ten-thirty, and the city center area around eleven-thirty. There wasn’t much nightlife here at night; usually, after nine o’clock, there weren’t many people on the road.

Near the small theater, they saw the big boy selling cigarettes again, but this time he didn’t approach, just nodded in greeting towards Shawn.

He probably remembered the generous gentleman.

Building 3, Apartment 12B.

After Daisy escorted Shawn to the apartment entrance, she waved and said, "See you tomorrow, Mr. Sean."

Shawn smiled and said, "See you tomorrow, Miss Daisy."

Additionally.

The grilled cheese roll she brought today was awful!

Definitely deserves an exclamation mark.

Returning to his room, as he arrived, the opposite door opened, revealing a middle-aged man in a formal office suit, who seemed quite elegant; he greeted warmly, and Shawn nodded in response.

This was a high-end apartment, home to many office employees renting.

Placing his coat on a hanger, Shawn poured himself a cup of tea.

On the balcony.

Shawn arranged the recliner, placed his legs on the railing, set a small round table with a glass of red wine, a pen, a notebook, and a lighter, then gazed at the quietly distant night view of Dorne City, slowly drifting into thoughts.

After a moment.

Shawn slowly closed his eyes, beginning to understand and digest the knowledge from recent memories, as Mrs. Hecate had entered his Dream Realm; Shawn’s negative state seemed to vanish as well.

The orphan from Mist Island hasn’t appeared again.

However, the Butcher hasn’t notified him to return to the Bizarre Realm; thus, this vacation is proceeding as scheduled.

Professional Sequence.

Shawn must use his methods to redefine the Extraordinary Path of this world.

"There’s a strange group of monsters."

"The Extraordinary Relics left after their death, upon successful human integration and digestion, can grant Transcendents astonishing Power, a strong physique, and beast-like fighting instincts—thus, the Warrior Path’s Extraordinary Sequence was born."

"Every Extraordinary Path was first conceived through inherent extraordinary essence with specific powers in the Bizarre Realm, which later gave rise to the Promotion Sequence."

"Warriors aren’t true warriors, nor are Wizards true wizards." (Compared to Old Era Professionals.)

"These Promotion Sequences are merely tools facilitating people’s comprehension of these strange Extraordinary Powers, categorizing them as recognizable professional systems." (Finding Order from Chaos that humans can recognize and understand.)

"The sequence of events is crucial."

"Because without corresponding extraordinary essence, certain Promotion Sequences cannot further advance, and may gradually diminish."

If it were a normal Fantasy Realm, warriors couldn’t vanish, but in the Bizarre Realm, once the initial extraordinary essence is severed, the warrior profession sequence ceases to exist.

"In such cases, one must transcend sequences and paths for Promotion."

"But doing so significantly increases pollution."

"Unless the Extraordinary Path is particularly unique and strong, it’s not worth risking losing control for fusion Promotion."

......

"Sequence Power is already a lower-level concept."

"If mid-to-low sequence Transcendents possess such formidable abilities, how strong are the high sequence Transcendents?"

"Moreover... Destiny Legendary!..."

"Transcendents broaching the Tier Five barrier and stepping on the Path of Destiny are merely qualified to enter the Bizarre Realm’s food chain."

"It’s truly a despairing realm!"

On the small round table.

The notebook automatically flipped open to a page.

The pen hovered in the air, writing a paragraph on the blank paper.

"A despairing realm, a group of hopeful people.

The people here are well protected."

.........