Chapter 19: Shadows in the Cathedral

Chapter 19: Shadows in the Cathedral

As Klein stepped out of the shooting range, the weight of the revolver hidden beneath his jacket felt both comforting and dangerous. The irony wasn't lost on him – practising with the very type of weapon that had ended his body's original owner's life. But now, as Dipak in Klein's body, he knew that such skills might mean the difference between life and death in this new world.

His mind drifted back to the countless detective stories he'd devoured in his previous life. Sherlock Holmes, Byomkesh Bakshi, Feluda, Detective Conan – all of them had taught him the value of observation and deduction. Little did he know then how crucial those lessons would become.

As he walked down the street, Klein felt it again—the distinct sensation of being watched, like an itch beneath his skin. It wasn't the first time, and he doubted it would be the last. The world around him seemed sharper, the colours of the streets a little too vivid, the sounds a little too loud. His instincts, his unique system, screamed that something was wrong.

```

[Warning: Hostile Observation Detected!]

[Skill Activated: Enhanced Perception (Level 1)]

```

He paused for a brief second, adjusting the collar of his coat as if he had noticed nothing out of the ordinary. In reality, his mind was already working at a rapid pace, piecing together the facts—there were too many pedestrians to pinpoint the source of the gaze, but whoever it was, they had likely been following him since he'd left the shooting range. They weren't going to stop.

"Time to put those detective skills to use," Klein muttered to himself, his tone casual, but his mind racing through possible escape routes and contingencies.

As he strolled down the boulevard, he began testing his theory, channelling the methodical approach of Sherlock Holmes. He slowed his pace, pretending to admire the window display of a nearby shop. A glint from the glass reflection caught his eye—a man, lingering at the corner. The man wasn't looking directly at him, but there was something deliberate about his positioning, the way he adjusted his coat and turned slightly as if waiting for a cue.

Klein kept his expression neutral, drawing on the original Klein's acting skills and Byomkesh Bakshi's poker face. His mind quickly processed the situation: one visible follower, but likely more in the shadows. They wouldn't risk exposing themselves so easily. The game had just begun, and Klein wasn't about to be caught off guard.

```

[New Objective: Confirm Presence of Pursuers]

[Skill Activated: Tactical Awareness (Level 2)]

```

## Klein's Deductive Thought Process

Klein's mind began working like clockwork, breaking down the situation with the cold precision of a seasoned detective. He didn't need to run yet—that would draw attention. No, this required subtlety. He had to lead his pursuers into exposing themselves while appearing completely oblivious, just as Feluda would have done.

### Step 1: Test the Reaction

Klein stepped away from the shop window and began walking again, this time making a point to change his route. Instead of heading straight to the public carriage stop, he turned down a side street that led toward the market district—a busier, more chaotic environment. The streets were narrower, filled with vendors and shoppers, and anyone tailing him would have to adapt.

As he entered the crowded market, Klein's steps became more deliberate. His eyes scanned the crowd, noting the familiar patterns of movement. He observed how people interacted, the flow of the crowd, and where someone trying to follow him would have to manoeuvre. It was a perfect place to lose someone—or to catch them, a tactic he'd seen Detective Conan use countless times.

He moved toward a vendor's stall, feigning interest in a collection of trinkets. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the same man from earlier. The follower was closer now, navigating through the crowd, but trying too hard not to be noticed.

"Interesting," Klein thought. "Not an amateur, but not exactly invisible either. Could they be from the Church of the Evernight Goddess? Or perhaps another faction entirely?"

### Step 2: Confirm the Pattern

Klein moved deeper into the market, slowing his pace even more. He needed to see if the man would continue following him through the denser crowd. If the man was truly after him, he'd make a move soon. Klein's fingers brushed the edge of his cane, a comforting weight in his hand. The silver handle gleamed in the sunlight, reminding him of the hidden strength it possessed – not unlike Sherlock's own walking stick.

His mind flashed to the fragments of memory he had of the novel—scenes of the original Klein evading pursuers, using his wits and Beyonder abilities to stay one step ahead. While his own abilities were still nascent, Klein knew he could rely on his quick thinking and growing knowledge of this world, combined with the deductive skills he'd honed through years of detective stories.

Klein's own plan unfolded similarly to those half-remembered scenes and the countless chase sequences he'd read about. He intentionally stopped at several stalls, pausing to glance at random items, all while keeping his peripherals sharp. He caught brief flashes of his pursuer, trying to blend into the moving mass of people, but now Klein was certain. The man was mimicking his pace, staying just far enough not to draw suspicion from anyone else.

"I've got you," Klein thought, suppressing a smile. "Now, let's see how committed you are to this chase."

### Step 3: Create a Trap—Test the Commitment

Klein's next move was crucial. He needed to push his pursuers into revealing themselves fully or forcing them to act rashly. Turning left, he entered a quieter section of the market where the crowd thinned. The buildings on either side narrowed, creating a long stretch that would allow him to observe who followed closely.

He felt the tension in the air shift. They would have to decide soon—continue the quiet pursuit or make their presence known. Klein's hand tightened imperceptibly on his cane, ready to use it as a weapon if necessary, just as Sherlock Holmes had done in "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons."

```

[Skill Activated: Walking Stick Proficiency (Level 1)]

```

Klein walked calmly, seemingly unaware of the looming presence behind him. As he reached the end of the street, he spotted the entrance to an alley that led to the main road. He stepped into it, his heart pounding but his expression serene.

Then, he stopped. Klein turned slowly, his cane tapping lightly against the cobblestones as he pretended to check his pocket watch, a move straight out of a Byomkesh Bakshi story.

The silence was deafening, but he felt it—the moment of hesitation from the man behind him.

Klein's gaze flickered briefly over his shoulder. He saw a shadowy figure pause at the mouth of the alleyway, as if unsure whether to proceed or fall back. For a split second, Klein thought he saw a faint shimmer around the figure, reminiscent of the mystical auras he'd begun to perceive since becoming a Beyonder.

### Step 4: Use the Decoy

The corner of Klein's mouth twitched slightly. He had them now. Casually slipping the watch back into his coat, he walked toward the public carriage stop, as though nothing had happened. But his mind was racing with strategies—he had confirmed their presence, now he needed a clean escape without leading them to any sensitive locations.

As he neared the stop, Klein made his next move, drawing inspiration from a classic Detective Conan ploy.

A carriage pulled up, and Klein stepped toward it, waving the driver down. The ticket officer approached, but instead of boarding immediately, Klein hesitated. He dug into his pockets, pretending to fumble for the fare. As the carriage door opened, he glanced back subtly, his eyes sweeping the crowd.

The follower was there, trying to remain inconspicuous but clearly intent on seeing whether Klein would board.

"Let's see if you follow," Klein mused. "And if you do, what secrets might you reveal?"

```

[Skill Activated: Risk Manipulation (Level 1)]

[Skill Activated: Observation (Level 3)]

```

With deliberate slowness, Klein pulled out his remaining coins and paid for the ride. He stepped into the carriage, taking a seat by the window, ensuring his back wasn't to the street. Through the reflection in the glass, he saw the man hesitate again. The moment of uncertainty confirmed everything Klein needed to know.

The carriage rolled forward, but Klein's plan was far from finished. He wasn't heading home—no, that would be a mistake. He waited for the carriage to pass through a few blocks, watching as his reflection no longer showed the man. He had dropped off—probably waiting for Klein to leave the carriage.

Klein disembarked at the next stop, a busy intersection, well before his supposed destination. The crowded streets of Tingen's market district would give him plenty of cover. As he stepped down, he blended into the throng of pedestrians, moving with purpose but not urgency. He needed to disappear for a while before reappearing in the right place, a technique he'd seen Feluda use to lose tail in bustling Calcutta streets.

### Step 5: The Final Move—The Cathedral

Klein's mind was still calculating his next steps. He couldn't afford to lead anyone directly to the Nighthawks' headquarters, and his apartment was out of the question. The only place that made sense now was the Saint Selena Cathedral.

The cathedral was a public place, yes, but it was also protected by spiritual forces. Any Beyonder attempting to follow him inside would expose themselves. It was the perfect sanctuary, not just for its religious significance, but for the tactical advantage it provided. The Evernight Goddess's protection would shield him.

Klein made his way through the final few streets, his heart steady but his thoughts sharp as ever. He was certain the pursuers were still out there, waiting for him to make a mistake.

But Klein didn't make mistakes. He planned, just as his detective heroes had taught him.

As he stepped through the heavy wooden doors of Saint Selena Cathedral, the oppressive feeling of being watched lifted. The spiritual barrier settled over him like a protective cloak, and Klein finally allowed himself a moment of calm.

### Final Thought—A New Path

As he walked quietly down the cathedral's aisle, Klein couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought him here. From a physiology student and detective story enthusiast in another world to a fledgling Beyonder navigating the dangerous streets of Tingen, he had come a long way. The skills he was developing—observation, deduction, strategic thinking—were becoming as much a part of him as his growing mystical abilities.

He approached the confessional booth, ready to inform the Nighthawks of what he had uncovered. But as he reached for the curtain, a new thought struck him. What if this pursuit wasn't just a threat, but an opportunity? Could he turn the tables, use this situation to gather information about the other factions at play?

Klein smiled to himself. "Well, Mr. Moretti," he whispered, adopting the persona he was growing into, "as Sherlock would say, the game is afoot. And we've only just begun to play."

With that thought, he stepped into the confessional, ready to face whatever challenges this new world had in store for him.

Status Screen:

Name: Klein Moretti (Dipak)

Age: 22

Sequence: Fool's Path (Sequence 9)

Spiritual Power: 95% [Slightly depleted from using skills]

Attributes:

Strength: 6

Agility: 6

Constitution: 7

Intelligence: 10 (+2)

Spirituality: 8 (+3)

Luck: ?

Mental Skills:

- Acting (Level 5)

- Authority (Level 2)

- Beyonder Knowledge (Level 4)

- Beyonder Risk Assessment (Level 2)

- Cultural Adaptation (Level 3)

- Deception (Level 4)

- Dream Manipulation (Level 1)

- Enhanced Perception (Level 2) [New Skill]

- Genre Savviness (Level 3) [Improved]

- Historical Analysis (Level 3)

- Investigation (Level 3) [Improved]

- Negotiation (Level 3)

- Novel Memory Recall (Level 6) [Improved]

- Observation (Level 4) [Improved]

- Occult Knowledge (Level 4)

- Power Assessment (Level 2)

- Quick Thinking (Level 4) [Improved]

- Risk Manipulation (Level 2) [Improved]

- Self-Awareness (Level 3)

- Spirit Sense (Level 1)

- Strategic Planning (Level 1) [New Skill]

- Stress Management (Level 3)

- Tactical Awareness (Level 2) [New Skill]

- Tarot Knowledge (Level 1)

- World Awareness (Level 4)

Physical Skills:

- Beyonder Abilities (Level 2)

- Culinary Improvisation (Level 2)

- Evasion (Level 2) [New Skill]

- Fog Manipulation (Level 3)

- Gathering Management (Level 1)

- History (Advanced)

- Marksmanship (Level 3)

- Mystical Identity (Level 1)

- Precognition (Level 1)

- Talisman Making (Novice)

- Walking Stick Proficiency (Level 2) [Improved]

Status Effects:

- Nighthawk Initiate

- Contract Bound: 5 Years

- Increased Mental Stress

- Heightened Alertness [New]

Condition: Determined, Cautious, Intellectually Stimulated

New Perspectives Gained:

- Beyonder Worldview

- Sealed Artefacts Knowledge

- Tactical Urban Navigation [New]

- Advanced Deductive Reasoning [New]

Objectives:

- Uncover the truth behind Klein Moretti's friends' deaths

- Gain power and advance in Sequence

- Find a way back to original world

- Maintain cover story with family and friends

- Investigate 4th Era notebooks

- Research Augustus family history

- Uncover the identity of "Roselle"

- Prepare for Nighthawk duties

- Identify and investigate pursuers [New]

Warnings:

- Increased risk of mental instability

- Long-term goals may conflict with immediate safety

- High-level threat: Ince Zangwill (avoid engagement)

- Potential memory discrepancy detected

- Caution advised when investigating historical mysteries

- Unknown faction surveillance detected [New]

Current Equipment:

- Revolver

- Walking Stick (Heavy, ornate)

[Dream State Activated: Chance of prophetic visions increased]

Relationships:

- Melissa: Stable, protective

- Professor Azik: Curious, potentially suspicious

- Nighthawks: Neutral, pending first day of work

- Unknown Pursuers: Hostile, intent unknown [New]

Next Steps:

- Begin Nighthawk duties

- Discreetly research newly acquired information

- Continue firearms training

- Develop counter-surveillance techniques [New]

- Investigate potential threats and factions [New]