The Lord Of Mysteries
Chapter 29: "Work" and Rent Are Serious Businesses

Klein tried his best to remain his usual self when he asked with genuine interest, "What abilities does Seer have?"

"Your question is inaccurate; the question should be, 'what ability does the Seer potion provide?'" Dunn Smith shook her head and chuckled. His pupils and gray face turned away from the moon as his face hid in the shadows. “There are many things involved—astromancy, cartomancy, spiritual pendulum, and scrying. Of course, that does not mean that consuming the potion will soon allow you to understand everything. The potion only equips you with the qualifications and ability to learn it.

“Since they do not have direct means to fight the enemy, heh. you can probably imagine that setting up a magical ritual requires a lot of preparation. It was not suitable for battle. Therefore, in terms of knowledge of mysticism, an Astrologer would be more learned and professional than a Mystery Thief."

It sounds in accordance with my requirements as well. However, the lack of means to face the enemy head-on is quite dilemmatic… The Sacred Cathedral was likely referring to the headquarters, Serenity Cathedral.The means available to Beyonder Low order against their enemies might not be comparable to firearms. He kept going back and forth between the Mystery Lever and the Diviner. He is no longer considered a Collector of Corpses.

Dunn Smith smiled as she looked at this.

"You don't have to rush to make a decision. Tell me your answer Monday morning. Regardless of your choice of Sequence or letting go of this opportunity, none of us from the Nighthawks will have any other thoughts on the matter.

"Simmer and ask your heart."

With that said, he took off his hat and bowed slightly. He slowly walked past Klein and headed for the stairs.

Klein did not say a word and did not immediately reply. He silently bowed and watched Dunn leave.

Although she had always hoped to become a Beyonder before, she was faced with a dilemma when there was a chance; the next missing sequence, Beyonders had the risk of losing control, the trust of Emperor Roselle's diary, and the, and the murmur of illusions that could corrupt people into madness all mixed together and formed a trench that blocked his progress.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"No matter how bad it was, it couldn't be worse than having an eighteen-year-old high school student decide on his future career.." Klein laughed self-deprecatingly. Gathering his scattered thoughts, he opened the door gently and lay down on the bed.

He lay there with his eyes open, silently looking at the bottom of the top bed that was dyed with the faint red of the moon.

A drunk staggered outside the window as the train sped on the empty streets. These sounds do not spoil the tranquility of the night, but instead make it darker and farther away.

Klein's emotions subside as he recalls his past on Earth. She remembers how she likes to exercise, her father who always speaks out loud, her mother who likes to keep herself busy despite having a chronic illness, her friends who grew up with her, switching from sports like football and basketball to games and mahjong, as well as people he failed to acknowledge; it did not have many ripples or deep sentimental feelings, but it quietly sunk its heart.

Perhaps one would only learn to appreciate something after losing it. As the red color subsided and the sky turned golden yellow due to the illumination of the fireball, Klein had made his choice.

…

He got out of bed and headed to the public bathroom to wash his face so he could get up. Then, he took a one-soli note for Mrs Wendy's to buy eight pounds of whole-grain bread with nine pence, filling in the staple food that had been consumed the night before.

"Bread prices have stabilized." He commented after breakfast as Benson changed.

It was Sunday, so he and Melissa finally had a chance to rest.

Klein, who was already wearing proper clothes, was sitting on a chair and flipping through the old newspaper he had brought from yesterday. He said in surprise, "There are houses for rent here: Wendel 3rd Street in North Borough, a bungalow with two floors. There are six bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two large balconies upstairs. Downstairs, there is a dining room, living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, and two living rooms, as well as a basement … In front of the house were two acres of private land and there was a small garden in the back. Can be rented for one, two, or three years, with weekly rent of one pound six soli. Those interested can head to Champagne Street and look for Mr. Gusev."

"That's our goal for the future." Benson wore his halved black hat as he smiled to say, "Hire for places in the newspapers is usually a little too expensive. The Tingen City Housing Repair Company had a choice that did not pale in comparison to the cheaper ones."

"Why don't we search the Tingen Housing Repair Association for the Working Class?" Melissa walked out of her room while holding a veiled old hat. She had turned into a grayish-white long dress that had been repaired several times.

He was quiet and reserved, but it could not cover his youth.

Benson laughing.

"Where did you hear the Tingen Housing Repair Association for the Working Class?" Jennys? Miss Rochelle? Or from your best friend Selena?"

Melissa looked to the side and whispered an answer.

"Mrs Rochelle.When I took a shower last night, I happened to meet her. He asked me about Klein's interview and I told him roughly what happened. Then, she suggested that I look for the Tingen Housing Repair Association for the Working Class."

Benson noticed Klein's confused expression and shook his head in amusement.

“They target the poor. Well, the right picture is that they are housing associations for lower-level communities. They build and renovate houses that basically have shared bathrooms. They only provide three choices — one, double or three bedrooms Do you want to continue living in such an environment?

"The Tingen City Housing Repair Company shares similar businesses with them, but they also provide options for the lower middle class. To be honest, we were a little better than the lower middle class, but we were still a lot worse off than the true middle class. It's not a matter of salary, it's just that we don't have time to save."

Klein realized as he put down his newspaper. Taking his hat, he stood up.

"Then let's go."

"i don't know." Klein raised his cane and walked to Melissa's side.

The girl with black hair that reached her back nodded.

Benson came out and said, "This kind of housing repair association or company was founded as a result of Backlund. They are funded in three ways: First, by soliciting donations from charitable foundations. Second, through funding. They receive grants from government commissions at a special rate of 4%. Third, through investment. By taking a portion of the rent received, they will provide a 5% return to their investors. That's why they're called the Five Percent Charity."

The brothers went down the stairs and slowly walked towards Daffodil Road. They decided to confirm the place before speaking to their current landlord, Mr. Franky. They do not want to be in a situation where they are forced to move when they have no place to live.

"i heard from Selena that there's a housing repair company that's purely run as a charity?" Melissa asked in her heart.

Benson laughing.

"There was, like the Deweyville Trust that Sir Deweyville donated money to establish. He built apartments targeted at the working class. He also provides dedicated estate management personnel while only charging a rather low rental fee. However, the criteria for applying are very strict. "

"So you don't like that idea?" Klein deeply felt it as he asked with a smile.

"No, I have great respect for Sir Deweyville, but I'm sure he doesn't know what true poverty is. Living in his apartment was like a hope-giving priest. It's not very pragmatic. For example, renters should receive the primary vaccine, and they should take turns cleaning the bathroom. They cannot rent out their apartments or use them for commercial activities. They are not allowed to litter and children are prohibited from playing in the corridor. Goddess, does she want to? make everyone a master and mistress?" Benson replied in a normal tone.

Klein furrowed his brows in doubt.

"That sounds not problematic. That's all a very reasonable criterion."

"Yes." Yeah." Melissa nodded in agreement.

Benson tilted his head and looked at them before laughing.

"Maybe I've protected you both too well so you haven't seen the real poverty. Do you think they'll have money for a major vaccine? The line for a free charity organization set them back three months.

“Do you think their work is stable and not temporary? If they cannot rent out parts of their apartment to earn extra income, will they move out when they lose their job? In addition, many women repair clothes or make matchboxes at home to maintain their livelihood, it includes as a commercial activity, will you expel them all?

“Most poor people use all their efforts to survive. Do you think they have time to discipline their children and stop them running along the corridor? Maybe they can only be locked up at home until they're old enough, then send them to places that accept child labor when they're about seven or eight."

Ben did not use many adjectives to describe the matter; it caused Klein to shudder a little.

Is this how people from lower socioeconomic classes live?

Beside her, Melissa was silent. It took a long time before he said in a subtle tone,

"Jenny no longer wanted me to visit her after she moved to Lower Street."

"Let's hope his father gets back up after that injury and finds a stable job. However, I have seen too many alcoholics use alcohol to numb themselves.." Benson laughed in a grim tone.

Klein was at a loss for words. Melissa seems the same. Because of this, the siblings walked quietly on Daffodil Street and found the Tingen City Housing Repair Company.

The one who served them was a middle-aged man with a friendly smile. He was not wearing formal clothing or a hat, but rather was wearing a white shirt and a black vest.

"You can call me Scarter. May I know what kind of house you want?" When he glanced at Klein's silver-encrusted scepter, his smile widened.

Klein looked at Benson, who was better with words, and gestured for him to answer.

Benson immediately replied, "The terrace house."

Scarter flipped through the files and documents in her hands before smiling.

“There are currently five that have not been rented. To be honest, we are more directed to serve customers—labor and her children who are in housing difficulties where six, eight, or even ten or twelve people crammed into one house. There is one at 2 Daffodil Street, one in North Borough, one in East Borough.The weekly rent is from 12 to 16 soli. You can see the detailed introductions here."

He handed documents to Benson, Klein, and Melissa.

After reading it, the brothers exchanged glances and pointed to the same spot on a piece of paper simultaneously.

"Let's take a look at 2 Daffodil Street first" Benson said. Klein and Melissa nodded in response.

This was the district they knew.