Yordel stopped in front of the lounge door.  “You go in alone, Chris.”


    Chris pushed the door open and stepped into the lounge. A short-haired woman and a tall man sat on the sofa, casting scrutinizing glances at him. Chris''s pupils contracted—he had seen them both just last night in the abandoned church.


    The woman, capable of deflecting bullets, was now dressed in a sleek black gown, exuding a mysterious elegance. The man was the headshot killer. Recalling how he had smiled while shooting down the worshippers of the Church of Chaos sent a shiver through Chris.


    The woman rose from the sofa, a slightly unnatural smile on her face. “Welcome, Chris. I’m Rhea Williams.”


    “Lir Wallace.” The man stood and nodded.


    “Why are you looking for me?” Chris asked.


    “Sit down first,” Rhea commanded out of habit. Chris obediently approached and sat on the sofa across from them.


    Once they were all seated, Rhea began,


    “Chris, you are a devout follower of the Goddess.”


    “You’ve attended the prayer meetings at the church every week for years.”


    “You’re always helping your neighbors, and they speak highly of you,” Lyle added.


    “Given your exemplary record, we formally invite you to join the Dawn Inquisition,” Rhea said solemnly.


    Chris was puzzled. Dawn Inquisition? He had never heard of it. ""Sorry, what is Dawn Inquisition?"


    “The Dawn Inquisition is a branch of the Sanctumn. Our duty is to judge heretics and maintain the order of faith.”


    “This world is not as peaceful as it seems. Besides the northern Gamma Republic, even within the Bourbon United Kingdom, many evil forces seek to undermine the Goddess''s radiance.”


    “They wander in the shadows, lurking in villages and towns, drawing power from the darkness.”


    “The primary mission of the Dawn Inquisition is to eradicate these dangerous heretics.”


    Chris feigned disbelief, “Really? I’ve never heard of any of this.”


    Lir smirked, “Chris, heretics never operate in the open. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”


    Chris was silent for a moment, then asked what concerned him most, “If they’re so dangerous, how could I possibly deal with them?”


    “That’s why we’re inviting you. By joining the Dawn Inquisition, you can receive the Goddess''s blessing, becoming a quasi-extraordinary being, gaining supernatural power.”


    “Quasi-extraordinary? The Goddess''s blessing?”  This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    “You will understand in time, but first, you must decide,” Rhea fixed her gaze on Chris. “Are you willing to join the Dawn Inquisition?”


    “Can I go back home and think about it?” Chris asked.


    “No.”


    Chris hesitated, torn between the allure of becoming like Rhea and the fear of the Inquisition uncovering his unique abilities. Who knew what terrifying figures lurked within the Inquisition?


    Rhea saw the indecision on Chris’s face, she did nothing but wait in silence.


    “Alright, I am in.” Chris said through gritted teeth.


    Rhea seemed unsurprised. She glanced at Lir, who promptly laid a parchment on the table.


    “This is a confidentiality contract. Sign your name, and upon joining the Dawn Inquisition, you are forbidden from revealing its existence, even to your family.”


    “It bears the Goddess’s seal. Trust me, the price of breaking the vow will be steep,” Rhea added.


    Chris leaned in to examine it. A faint glow emanated from the parchment, and its contents matched Lir’s words almost verbatim. Taking the quill offered by Lir, Chris signed his name on the contract.  A seemingly invisible shackle clasped around his soul.


    “Welcome to the Dawn Inquisition.” Rhea smiled.


    Chris leaned back against the sofa. “Now, can you explain everything to me?”


    Seeing that Rhea wasn’t inclined to speak, Lir began,


    “A quasi-extraordinary being hasn’t fully mastered extraordinary powers but has acquired some extraordinary traits. Typically, their physical, mental, or sensory abilities surpass ordinary people, qualifying them to become extraordinary beings.”


    “The Goddess''s blessing is a ritual that elevates ordinary people to quasi-extraordinary status.”


    “Most in the Dawn Inquisition are quasi-extraordinary. Those blessed once are called Investigators, and those blessed twice are Guardians.”


    “I’m a Guardian.”


    After Lir finished, Chris eagerly turned to Rhea.


    “I’ve already entered the extraordinary realm,” Rhea said calmly. “I think that’s enough for today. You can go to the Dawn Inquisition tomorrow, and we’ll conduct the blessing ceremony for you.”


    “Where is the Dawn Inquisition located?”


    “Here.” Lir smiled faintly, pointing to the floor. “Below.”


    Rhea stood, signaling Lir to roll up the parchment. “We have a mission to attend to. Yordel will guide you to the Dawn Inquisition tomorrow.”


    ——


    Chris left the lounge and returned to the church hall, where he saw Imir and Yordel chatting.


    “My old man isn’t just anyone,” Chris thought. Joining the Dawn Inquisition seemed like a result of pulling strings. Such is the power of a grand schemer.


    “Imir, let’s go,” Chris called out.


    Imir, seeing Chris, bid Yordel farewell and walked over to him. “What did the people from the Sanctum want with you?”


    Chris felt irritated. He strongly suspected Imir knew the truth but couldn’t confront him about it. “They told me I don’t need to come every week anymore. My devotion to the Goddess is acknowledged, no need for formalities.”


    “But Yodel told me you’ll be working at the church, coming several days a week.” Imir raised his eyebrows.


    Chris’s handsome face flushed. He stammered, unable to find words.


    “That’s good. Better to hang around the church than to be out carousing every night.” Imir patted Chris on the shoulder, then headed for the church exit.


    Chris quickly followed, not wanting Imir to drive off and leave him walking back to the grocery.


    Back at the “Good Fortune” grocery, old Moen still lying outside, greeted them. “Imir, Smith came looking for you.”


    “Oh?” Imir frowned. “What did he want?”


    “He’s completely lost it. Said Seth, covered in blood, appeared in his dreams, asking for revenge. You used to help people with nightmares. He wants your help.” A flicker of amusement passed through old Morn’s eyes. He stroked his beard’s back, seemingly in good spirits.


    “Imir, you help with nightmares? Why haven’t I heard of this?” Chris stared at Imir.


    “Nonsense. That was just a joke. I don’t have that kind of ability!” Imir denied immediately. “Once the police catch the killer, I’m sure Smith will sleep soundly.”


    “Those guys couldn’t even find Bella,” Moen seemed rather disgruntled.


    Imir stepped into the grocery. “Don’t worry, Moen. Justice will never be absent.”


    “But it does arrive late,” Chris thought. He had a feeling that Seth’s death wasn’t as simple as it seemed.


    “They wander in the shadows, lurking in villages and towns, drawing power from the darkness.”


    Lir’s words echoed in Chris’s ears.