Jeros explained in that same calm, emotionless voice, "The primary reason is that we are currently extremely short-staffed."
"Short-staffed?" Silas was taken aback.
Jeros elaborated, "The situation in Bayne City has become rather complex recently. Not only do we have the Death Cult, but also two infiltrated Demonesses, and several other dangerous organizations. Furthermore, due to the revision of the Trade Act, more foreign merchants have come here, causing numerous incidents, and among them are many dangerous individuals. Because the police department lacks a Spirit Medium, whenever a homicide occurs, there's a fear of mystical clues being involved, so every single case requires my personal attention."
"But what people don't know is that the Church doesn't have many mystical personnel. A second-tier city like Bayne City has a very strained staffing configuration. The Night Watchers, due to their special nature, can only operate at night and cannot handle daytime matters. And the police department here still has absolutely no one with any knowledge of the supernatural. All these things combined have me swamped and overwhelmed."
Hearing this, Silas finally understood that even the awe-inspiring Demon Hunters didn't have an easy job.
"You know the reason now. So, let's talk about the dangers involved."
"First point: I need you to help the police determine if supernatural factors are involved in homicide cases. You have the ability to communicate with the deceased, which will make discernment easy. This way, I can reclaim some of my energy from the police department's caseload. But you must understand, witnessing too many mystical events can cause your Spirit Vision to increase rapidly. The position of Spirit Medium is not a combat role, so you will easily attract the attention of malevolent entities."
At this, the full implication of that aspect finally dawned on Silas.
"Second: Your current mental fortitude is not good, and you don't even have a Profession yet. In such a state, after witnessing certain terrifying things, it's very easy for your mind to break down, leading to a loss of control. If it reaches that point, we will have no choice but to kill you." As he said this, Jeros's expression was cold, devoid of any pity.
"Third: Your entire identity must be kept secret. And after becoming a Spirit Medium for the Church, you must accept the Church's surveillance. You cannot rashly leave Bayne City without the Church's permission."
"Fourth: Excessive involvement in mystical cases will attract the attention of other factions. The probability of you being attacked by them will increase significantly."
After stating these four points, Jeros said calmly, "I have made the pros and cons clear. You should consider it. Although we are short-staffed, we haven't reached the point of forcing people to join us."
Silas's earlier grand ambitions instantly deflated. He said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Master Jeros, I need some time to think about it."
The world of mysticism was undoubtedly vast and magnificent, but ultimately, his life was more important.
"You have one day to consider. Come back here tomorrow with your answer," Jeros said, then stood up and walked out.
Leaving the police station lost in thought, Silas found himself back home in a daze.
As soon as he opened the door, the Husky joyfully pounced on him, prancing and leaping excitedly around Silas.
Silas managed a faint smile, reached out to ruffle the Husky's head, and sighed. "Life in this otherworld… it seems quite different from the plots in those xuanhuan novels. Under normal circumstances, shouldn't I be given a few years to develop slowly? Why am I suddenly being offered such a high-risk job?"
Whine…
The Husky seemed to sense Silas's stress. It let out a mournful sound and rubbed against Silas's leg.
"Joining them offers a clear path for advancement."
"But the price is enormous: high risk, loss of freedom, and the constant danger of going mad."
The temptation was immense, but the subsequent costs were equally terrifying.
Dong! Dong!…
Unconsciously, Silas vaguely heard twelve chimes of a bell, and then he drifted into a heavy sleep.
In his dream, he once again found himself on that frozen, dilapidated ship. But it was different from last time. This time, he was holding the silver spear and was seated directly upon the supreme throne.
This time, Silas was not as dazed as before; his mind was as active and alert as when he was awake.
"Where exactly is this place? And where is this broken ship sailing?" Silas sat on the throne, lost in thought.
Dong! The bell above him tolled with no discernible pattern. Sometimes it would ring only once an hour, other times a dozen times in a single minute. It was exceedingly strange.
Holding the spear, Silas found that he could actually descend from the throne, stepping calmly down the crystalline stairs.
Standing on the deck, a fierce blizzard raged outside, obscuring everything from view.
"This… this is my warship!" Gripping the spear, an instinctive thought flashed through Silas's mind.
This feeling was as primal as an instinct, and Silas felt that he had absolute control over the entire vessel.
Of course, it was merely a feeling. Because Silas could not actually control the colossal warship.
"What is the meaning of me coming here in my dreams? And what kind of king am I? Why can I use this spear? Can this place grant me any supernatural powers?" Silas's mind was filled with questions.
As Silas pondered, he suddenly heard a series of whispers in his ear.
These were not the guttural mutterings of ancient gods, but rather phrases that sounded like a prayer or incantation.
There weren't many voices; it sounded like only two people.
Gradually, the voices grew clearer, louder.
Then, Silas finally made out what they were saying.
Hear my summons! O King of Endless Void! Mover of Stars! Foundation of Steadfastness! Master of the Quake! Conqueror of Terror! Creator of Pain! The Destroyer! Victor of Glory! Child of Void and Chaos! Guardian of the Abyss! God of Primal Dark! Lord of Dimensions! Enigmatic Sage! Keeper of Secrets! Master of the Labyrinth! Lord of Angles! God of the Nighthawk! The Final Apex! Master of the Gate! Opener of the Way! The First, Almighty, Eternal Lord!! Your servant summons You!
"What the hell! Isn't this the incantation to summon Yog-Sothoth!?" Silas's eyes widened upon hearing this.
As an enthusiast of Cthulhu culture, Silas was reasonably familiar with the Cthulhu Mythos. He particularly knew the incantation for summoning Yog-Sothoth, one of the Three Pillar Outer Gods, and could even recite it from memory.
"Brother, don't scare me. Do those terrifying things actually exist in this world?" A chill ran down Silas's spine.
Just as Silas was at a loss, he felt fierce, icy winds and blinding lightning begin to gather around him.
Then, an immense gravitational force pulled at Silas's body.
"Could it be because my name is similar to Yog-Sothoth, the incantation to summon him also works on me!?"
The thought struck Silas with sudden force.
"No way!" As Silas stared in stupefied disbelief, his body, caught in the swirling tempest, vanished from the ship.