Chapter 75: Welcome… New Type

“Sorry for the delay,” Howl explained, settling into his chair behind the desk. “Our assistant had another complaint to deal with, the ninth one this morning. And, considering it’s a Saturday, he should be resting. So, really, the blame falls on the accumulated workload.” He sighed deeply, his face momentarily clouding with exhaustion. He began to arrange various scrolls and parchments on the desk, pushing aside quills and ink pots, shuffling through them with tired hands. As he spoke, he glanced at the stack of cases before him.

“There have been thirty-seven reported cases in the last two weeks alone,” Howl continued, his voice heavy with weariness. “Most of them… disappearances. And then there are the murders. Twelve dead, mutilated in ways that speak of demonic work.” His fingers trailed over the parchments as he counted, pausing every few seconds as though the numbers themselves weighed him down. His eyes grew distant, a shadow of sorrow and fatigue crossing his face as he processed the gruesome tally. A slight frown tugged at his lips, and his gaze dropped to the desk, momentarily lost in thought.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before continuing, but the weariness of his role was clear. “The Bureau’s been stretched thin with these cases. People are terrified, and no one knows how to stop it.”

Gojin sat back in his chair, arms folded, a bored expression on his face. He had heard all this before. The presence of demons in any given city was not new, and neither were the reports of strange murders and disappearances. He was used to such tales, having travelled through cities for the past two months, plagued by them on their way to Eden Peak.

Toki, however, couldn’t mask the sadness that crept across his face. His brows furrowed slightly, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. As Howl continued speaking, Toki’s eyes dulled with concern, and a heavy sigh escaped him. The thought of people vanishing, possibly at the hands of demons, weighed heavily on him. His lips tightened in sympathy, his gaze dropping to his hands, which were clasped tightly in his lap.

Meanwhile, Gojin’s interest was elsewhere. His thoughts drifted towards the Kingdom’s more mystical elements: the Witches and the Knights. He had heard whispers of the strange connection between them and the churches, particularly the Knights’ role within the holy orders. He leaned forward slightly, his expression more intrigued now. He had questions—plenty of them—but he would wait for Howl to finish his report before he made any attempt to change the subject.

After much consideration, and about thirty minutes of wasted time, the diminutive man finally let out a deep breath as he cast a glance at Gojin. He then produced a white, glass-like stone that shimmered in the sunlight—or rather, summoned it with a subtle gesture. This was the Soulstone Prism, a rare and ancient artifact used to assess the rank and potential of exorcists. According to legend, the Prism was forged by the first Exorcist, a master who sought to create a device that could objectively determine an exorcist’s capabilities. It had been passed down through generations, known to reveal an exorcist’s true strength and potential.

Howl then explained to Gojin and Toki, both of whom knew nothing about the artifact, “This helps to grade exorcists into ranks. It assesses their strength, skills, and potential, so that the right sort of quests can be assigned to them by us. Think of it as a way to match your abilities to the difficulty of the task ahead.”

He placed the Prism before Gojin and instructed him to place a hand upon it, which Gojin did without hesitation. Toki, who had been feeling somewhat disheartened, watched the stone, then looked to his superior’s face, and back to the artifact. He couldn’t help but wonder—if the Soulstone Prism truly functioned as Howl had claimed, it would undoubtedly crack under the sheer intensity of Gojin’s unrecorded strength. Toki wasn’t sure if it would even be able to read him at all.

Toki’s expression was a mix of concern and scepticism. His brows furrowed slightly, and his lips pressed into a thin line as he watched Gojin place his hand on the Soulstone Prism. The faint tension around his eyes suggested that he was deep in thought, trying to make sense of the situation. A subtle uncertainty flickered across his face, as though he was contemplating whether the artifact could withstand the overwhelming force he believed Gojin possessed. There was a quiet unease in his gaze, but he quickly masked it, his lips twitching as if ready to speak but ultimately holding back.

He was overreacting.

But, as expected, Toki’s fear became a reality, shocking Howl. He had never witnessed anything like this in his twenty-four years of service as the Vice Head of the Eve Department. First, the white stone glowed with an intense red and black hue, indicating that Gojin was an Exorcist at the Soul Expector’s rank, capable of facing formidable demons. But just as quickly, the colours vanished, and the stone began to crack, spreading slowly across its surface.

The sound was unlike anything they had ever heard—an ear-splitting, deep, grinding noise, as if the very fabric of the stone was being torn apart by an unstoppable force. It was as if the stone itself was struggling to contain the overwhelming power it had just been exposed to. The cracks spread like lightning, and the air seemed to vibrate with the raw energy emanating from the artifact. Howl’s eyes widened in disbelief, his body trembling as he watched in utter astonishment. He had never, in his entire career, encountered such a phenomenon.

His mind raced, his thoughts a jumbled mess.

What in the heavens is this? ’he thought. A power that even the Soulstone Prism cannot quantify… Gojin—he is beyond a Soul Expector. He’s something… something more.

Toki let out a long, relieved sigh, his initial fear dissipating. He had feared the Soulstone Prism would explode upon contact with Gojin, causing catastrophic damage, but it seemed the artifact merely cracked.

Phew, Toki thought, this is at least a tad better.

Howl, on the other hand, remained frozen, unable to speak or move. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his face growing ashen as he sat rooted to his seat. The magnitude of what he had just witnessed was beyond comprehension. This wasn’t just a powerful Exorcist; this was something supreme. A Lord, if not something even greater. Howl’s mind struggled to come to terms with the reality in front of him. He was in the presence of someone truly extraordinary.

Gojin quickly removed his hand from the artifact, careful to avoid causing any further damage. He dusted his hands off nonchalantly before leaning back into his chair, his gaze not once meeting Howl’s. It was only then that Howl snapped back to reality, his hand trembling as he quickly dismissed the Soulstone Prism. His gaze lingered on Gojin for a long moment, but he couldn’t seem to find the words to speak. The overwhelming presence of Gojin left him speechless, lost for any coherent sentence.

Finally, after a long while, still stammering, Howl spoke, “You’re a New Type.”

New Types refer to those who surpass the rank of a Soul Expector, an extraordinary level of power that can face even the most formidable demons. They are capable of handling any type of demon, including the godly ones like Kurozai and other ancient demonic beings that may exist. Gojin was the first known individual to possess this abnormal rank here and wherever, making him an unparalleled figure among exorcists.

Howl, still stunned by the revelation, began to compose himself. He cleared his throat, visibly gathering his thoughts before continuing. “With your abilities, lad,” he began, “we’ll have to discuss your position in the Eve Department. Your strength means you’ll be assigned to more than just basic missions.”

Howl quickly grabbed a nearby parchment and, with a few swift strokes of his quill pen, wrote Gojin’s name and other relevant details onto it, then did the same for Toki, signing both of them into the department. However, Toki wasn’t signed as an Exorcist, as the Emperor had suggested. Instead, he was designated as a Helper.

“You’ll be paid weekly, not by the number of kills. A fixed wage, no matter the amount of work. Ten shillings per week. It’s a comfortable sum, enough to live well here. You won’t be like the soldiers in the Kingdoms, bound by patriotism or contracts. No, you’re working for your wages, just as it should be. No one should work for free.”

Ten shillings equaled 120 pennies, as one shilling was worth twelve pennies.

Ten shillings could afford a great deal, including 120 loaves of bread, 120 pints of ale, or up to 30 chickens. It could also buy clothing such as 2-5 woolen tunics or a pair of leather boots. In terms of wages, it could cover several months for a skilled labourer or two years’ wages for a farm worker. Rent for a modest room or house could be covered for few months— one or two—and it could pay for up to 120 nights in an inn. While it wouldn’t fully buy a horse or house, ten shillings could still contribute significantly. It was a comfortable sum, enough for food, clothing, essentials, and some luxuries.

Toki and Gojin exchanged a glance of mutual satisfaction. They were glad to know they would be paid regularly and not treated as mere tools of a larger contract between the Emperor and this City. The idea of being paid, regardless of kills, felt like a luxury compared to the mission-based rewards they were used to. Honestly, Gojin hated patriotism.

Howl went on, still processing the implications of Gojin’s rank. “Your accommodation is already arranged. Nine months of rent have been paid in advance for the flat you’ll be staying in, in the living areas of Eden Peak.”

At this, Gojin leaned towards Toki, whispering with a smile, “Get comfortable, Little one. We’ll be here longer than planned.”

Toki grinned, nodding in agreement. His eyes sparkled with delight, gleaming like stars in the night sky.

Howl stood up, followed by Gojin and Toki, the latter grumbling as he lifted the heavy backpack once more, the weariness apparent in his posture.

“Rest for the weekend. Start fresh on Monday,” Howl instructed, motioning for them to follow as he searched for a staff member who would escort them to their new accommodation.

Gojin was relieved at the thought of having a day to explore the city freely without quests, speak with the locals for more information, and perhaps return to The Falcon’s Roost to meet Averyl. He was curious about her knowledge of the mystical things in the Kingdom, though he would rather trust Howl’s insight over hers. Still, there was something about her that left him with a feeling of suspicion.

As they neared the door, Gojin suddenly remembered that tomorrow was Sunday, a rest day for everyone. It was a tradition, just like in the modern world, when society would pause for a day of rest. However, he quickly realised that if they wanted to avoid starving over the weekend, they would need to head to the market for food as soon as they were settled into their new living quarters.

Anyway, Boss was available as his second pair of eyes, so he was quite delighted.

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