Chapter 28: The Letter

He had put in the effort and was receiving the due reward,

which was one of the necessary elements in building a society—'fairness'.

In that moment, Yi Chen received a recompense that equated to his efforts in Green Lake Town, a recompense that thrilled him beyond words for often in his life, his desperate efforts had only yielded pitiful results.

However,

even though Yi Chen had received the highest grade of "Gentleman's Skin," he did not know what use it actually served.

"Mr. Qian Bosen, what is this skin used for? Is it perhaps to obtain the power contained within the skin through a ritual?"

"It seems Wilbert really hasn't told you anything... He sent you straight to us without even the basic training, which is just like his style.

The skin will officially make you a 'Gentleman'.

The others are waiting for you. Let's talk as we walk."

Having reached the main hall of the Divine Skin Mansion,

they proceeded up the large staircase carpeted in flesh color, heading to the side corridor on the second floor.

Before reaching the area where the ritual was to take place, Yi Chen had one more question to confirm.

"If I obtain some form of ability from the Skin Limbo, could it conflict with the 'Pathological Traits' I already possess?"

The stern Qian Bosen seemed very patient at this moment.

"Not at all.

"Gentleman's Skin" doesn't bestow you with any ability,

its essence is a kind of "medium,"

once activated through the ritual,

Gentleman's Skin will connect you to a 'Growth System' that transcends human limits.

It's due to such connections that the organization exists, that we gather in Zion, and that mankind glimpses a ray of hope for survival in this world,

at all costs."

"A medium... Connecting me to some kind of growth system?" Yi Chen could roughly understand the meaning, which was, in simple terms, that he could grow stronger through the skin.

Qian Bosen continued,

"Whether it is the skin given to other Assessors, or this skin you received from the First Gentleman,

once activated,

your 'Consciousness' will be transferred to the 'Old Hall' under the mediation of the skin.

There, you will receive 1 to 3 letters, depending on your own traits, but you may only choose one."

"Each letter represents a profession, which will determine the path of your future as a Gentleman.

Among them,

the color of the letters and their nature are very important, and because time is of the essence, I will only say this once, so you must remember well!"

"Alright!"

"There are four colors of letters—white, blue, black, purple.

Among them,

1. White letters are the most common, corresponding to 'Ordinary Professions,' which are the principal choice among the vast gentleman community.

Although common, Zion City has seen some remarkable individuals.

2. Blue letters are less common, corresponding to 'Rare Professions,' which often excel in particular areas.

With targeted training for their uniqueness, these gentlemen can become pivotal within the organization.

Some Rare Professions may develop into 'Doctors.'

3. The appearance of black letters relates to the individual's Heart, corresponding to 'Nightmare Professions.' These professions tend to be dark and evil, clashing with the ideals of some gentlemen.

Over a hundred years ago, the organization established a special department specifically to receive and train gentlemen who choose Nightmare Professions.

They often have a strong ability to eliminate, serving as the organization's Executioners.

Some powerful gentlemen who chose black letters are widely known and often called 'Main Doctors'

4. The appearance of purple letters also relates to the individual, but exactly what that connection is, we do not know.

Corresponding to 'Unique Professions,'

unlike the other three colors, the professions granted by purple letters are specially designed for the individual, utterly unique.

These professions are filled with mystery and have great variability. Some outstanding gentlemen who chose purple letters even spent their whole lives in Zion City, unable to eliminate external pathogens.

Overall,

no matter what letter,

the cover will be stamped with an 'Emblem' representing the profession, be sure to carefully consider before making a choice."

This substantial bestowment of "Professions" was far more authentic than those defined by humans in the previous world.

Hearing such a description made Yi Chen even more excited.

Qian Bosen continued,

"The 'Skin' you received originated from the First Gentleman, its mediating effect will be maximized, which means there's a greater chance for blue letters to appear.

"Of course, if there is a Black Letter, you can also make a choice based on the specific situation."

"What if there's a Purple one?"

"Its unpredictability is too great, I personally wouldn't recommend it... but this is your own matter, so don't let my words influence you."

"Okay."

During the conversation between Yi Chen and Qian Bosen.

The little grape hidden within the body also had its own thoughts.

"I'm really looking forward to it~ William, which path will you eventually choose? If it's a path that's too conservative and uninteresting, I might just run away on my own."

[Ritual Room]

In the expansive circular hall,

eleven clergy members from within the Divine Skin Mansion had already drawn an array using some sort of viscous flesh-colored liquid.

Embedded were a total of 17 small ring seals, exactly corresponding to the number of assessors.

As Qian Bosen led Yi Chen through the doors,

everyone's gaze fell on the black box in Yi Chen's hands, not without a trace of greed.

Blond Edmund didn't seem to care about anything, waving hurriedly:

"William, come on~ everyone is waiting for you."

"Yeah."

Yi Chen quickly stood at the last ring seal on the array,

Following the clergy's instructions,

he took out the "Gentleman's Skin" from the box,

covering his head like a headscarf,

the ritual began,

each clergy member muttered utterly different, incomprehensible ancient dialects.

However,

the overlapping of the tones allowed these fragmented languages to combine, forming a complete and powerful spell, driving the array's operations.

Hum!

This sensation was something Yi Chen had experienced once before at the bottom of the lake,

it was the subtle sensation of having his consciousness pulled from his body,

the difference this time,

was that he was doing this voluntarily, without any discomfort or unease,

like a fully soaped bar of soap, accidentally slipped from the palm and fell precisely into the toilet, carried away by the flush.

When he opened his eyes again,

he was already in an ancient stone chamber with an old-world charm.

The place lacked the complicated structures, openwork carvings, and lavish decorations found inside the Divine Skin Mansion,

resembling a crudely excavated simple cavern,

only placing a stone table at the center, nothing else.

All other assessors and clergy had vanished, leaving only Yi Chen here.

The "Gentleman's Skin" that originally covered his head had unknowingly moved to the surface of the stone table,

The skin writhed, seemingly deliberately covering something… from what Qian Bosen explained earlier, Yi Chen could guess what it was.

"I wonder what kind of letter it will be."

Taking a deep breath,

he stepped forward,

as his fingers touched the Gentleman's Skin that covered the letter, he could feel the life force flowing within it.

He lifted it forcefully.

[Blue] - Copperplate paper material, the surface printed with a pattern of ivy, complemented by a human-shaped branch puzzle,

[Black] - Sheepskin paper material, the surface printed with an image of a skeleton rowing a boat,

[Purple] - White cardstock material, the surface printed with an open book, with tiny text even invisible to the naked eye inscribed inside.

Three different colored envelopes entered his view,

If this scene was witnessed by other gentlemen of Zion City, there wouldn't be one who wouldn't be shocked speechless.

The mere appearance of a blue envelope was already rare enough,

not to mention, the simultaneous occurrence of three special letters,

this might not have happened for decades,

"This…"

Although Yi Chen had never suffered from indecision, he was completely stunned at this moment.