Chapter 12

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Chapter 12: A Night Watchman

Bai Yan sighed as he watched the video several more times. ‘If only she were real,’ he thought. But she was merely a graphic character he had summoned, a fictional “her” in the game. She existed completely under his control and would vanish after every fight.

While Bai Yan was lost in thought, Alan walked into the library carrying a finely wrapped box of desserts, likely a gift from one of his girlfriends.

“Hey,” Alan said, waving at Bai Yan. He kept his voice low, mindful of the library setting. Bai Yan merely glanced at him without returning the greeting.

Alan wasn’t bothered. He settled into the seat opposite Bai Yan and took out his phone to watch videos.

“It’s so boring today. Do you have any funny videos to share, Bai Yan?” asked Alan. But the next moment, he gasped in a hushed voice, “Wait! Oh, holy shit!” His expression shifted to one of distress as he murmured, “This video should have been deleted within a minute of being uploaded. Is this Central Avenue? Wow, thousands of people’s memories about it will need to be erased.”

As someone with supernatural powers, he knew the video wasn’t fabricated, and its continued existence meant something had gone wrong—its spread could cause significant problems.

“What did you say?” Bai Yan’s attention was caught by Alan’s unusual words.

“Nothing. Just preparing for exams,” Alan lied, masking his thoughts with a smile.

He couldn’t reveal anything about supernatural powers to Bai Yan, a mortal. The organization strictly forbade such exposure, and it could put Bai Yan in danger.

In the Otherworlds, Alan was known as the Magician, a senior member of Tatsumi City Demon Hunt Agency and a formidable level-I night watchman.

“The Magician may not be the most powerful one in Tatsumi, but he’s certainly the most difficult to deal with.”

“The Magician always has a plan B.”

This was how people from the Otherworlds spoke of Alan.

Most people avoided getting on his bad side. Consequently, only those among the top ranks ever dared to challenge him.

Alan observed Bai Yan, who sat absorbed in his phone. ‘We come all the way to the library just to play with our phones,’ he thought. ‘This is student life nowadays.’

Whatever their lifestyle, Alan wanted to keep ordinary people like Bai Yan ignorant of the Otherworlds. This video exposing supernatural powers and the Otherworlds had to be deleted, even though some regions outside Tatsumi were already aware of such abilities.

Unregulated individuals with supernatural powers were kept under surveillance. Those showing criminal tendencies would be controlled or arrested.

‘Judging from the video, she saved many lives,’ Alan thought, hoping there was no malicious intent behind her actions. ‘Whatever her motive,’ he concluded, ‘she should visit the Demon Hunt Agency.’

Bai Yan, still engrossed in his phone, remained oblivious to Alan’s thoughts.

“Bai Yan, I’ve got to go,” Alan announced. “My sow is having a difficult labor.”

Bai Yan watched Alan’s retreating figure, puzzled by the strange excuse.

Alan entered a building adjacent to Tatsumi’s government offices—the Demon Hunt Agency, where the Alliance had been fighting evil since ancient times.

The Agency maintained branches in every city, its night watchmen protecting the Air Alliance’s citizens from evil forces.

Upon entering, Alan found the Agency bustling with people in black-and-white suits, indicating the gravity of the situation.

“Hi, Alan,” one agent greeted, as was customary. “Have you heard about our big problem?”

“Shouldn’t you be pursuing some girl at school?” another teased.

“Hey, asshole!”

Alan acknowledged them with a smile. The staff here had always been friendly toward him.

He proceeded to the end of the corridor and entered a spacious office to meet his direct supervisor, who was currently drinking alcohol from a stainless-steel hip flask.

“Alan, can you distinguish between gin, whisky, absinthe, and vodka?” asked his superior, whose grey hair and suit were equally disheveled. He smiled cynically at Alan.

This man, nicknamed the Trump Card, the Nemesis of Vampires, Nightmare, and The Undying, commanded respect despite his current state. Once strict and serious, Lin Bian had saved Tatsumi in a meaningful way, earning lasting admiration.

“Answer me! Can you tell them apart?” Lin Bian pressed.

“I don’t know,” Alan replied. “I don’t drink.” He considered mentioning health concerns but refrained, knowing alcohol could never harm this man.

Lin Bian laughed, shaking his head before taking another swig.

“I’ve been trying to quit drinking,” Lin said. “Used to be twenty bottles a day, now it’s down to ten.”

Alan wanted to comment but simply said, “Well, let’s get to business.”

Lin Bian awkwardly produced a laptop and played the Central Avenue footage. “We can’t delete it,” he explained. “Some force is protecting it.”

“Why?” Alan asked incredulously. “Are you serious?”

Lin grew solemn and nodded. He retrieved bottles of vodka and whisky from under his desk. “It’s mystical and powerful,” he continued, mixing the liquors in his flask. “Babel Tower, a new organization with powerful backing. We lack details, though. I suggest we investigate this girl first.”

The girl in black wielding a large sword looked familiar to Alan, but he couldn’t place her. “Oh, right!” he exclaimed. “Besides Babel Tower’s background, there’s another mystery. Why did a Spawn with an Outer God’s power attack? Could it be connected to those two?”

Lin Bian’s eyes narrowed. After a pause, he asked, “You mean the Pastor and the Queen of the Scarlet Moon?”

“Yes,” Alan replied after a deep breath. Even mentioning these names unnerved those familiar with them. Alan hoped to avoid entanglement with such powerful figures.

“I’m uncertain about the Pastor,” Lin Bian said, “but I received a letter from the Queen ten minutes ago. Haven’t read it yet, but I assume she’s clarifying her position.”

Alan swallowed. “Is she planning to confront us? Could she be behind the Spawn’s attack?” he asked. “If so, it complicates things. The Blood under her command could devastate this city.”

Lin Bian smiled meaningfully. “The Blood isn’t our main concern, Alan. These so-called noble races have grown soft from modern pleasures. The Queen of the Scarlet Moon alone poses a real threat.”

Alan nodded. “True. I’ve heard of her since childhood. If I encountered her, I’d flee immediately.”

“No, don’t run,” Lin Bian said, meeting Alan’s gaze. “Kneel and beg forgiveness.”

Alan responded with a hollow laugh.

Lin Bian handed him the letter. Alan opened the envelope with trepidation. The letter was written in blood, the handwriting elegant and precise.

“Great!” Alan exhaled in relief. “No confrontation with the Queen needed.” The letter confirmed her non-involvement with the video, and Alan trusted the noble Queen’s word.

Lin Bian muttered, clutching his flask, “Babel Tower… Who built it? Who’s behind it? For what purpose?”

Alan remained silent, equally uncertain. But the answers were crucial—this organization could threaten Tatsumi’s future.

Meanwhile, Bai Yan, the mysterious leader of Babel Tower, had returned home. He lay on his bed beside a box of chocolate cakes, scrolling through his phone.

Nightsaber had endured much and was approaching exhaustion. Bai Yan immediately placed her in the Recovery Spring.

“Enjoy your rest, my paper soldier,” said Bai Yan.

“Notice: Nightsaber enters the Recovery Spring to regain her Mood,” displayed the phone.

Though it still cost 10 energy points, delaying the expense made it feel less burdensome to Bai Yan.

Now determined, Bai Yan resolved to take this game seriously. ‘I will test Miss Nightsaber’s limits.’