Aiwass really did not start with the exact procedure of the advancement ritual.
Primarily because the developers hadn't prepared a map of the Dream Realm, so player experience during advancement was lacking. Out of the ritual materials needed, only one or two were sort of pricey—the rest were mere filler.
Provided that you collected the materials, you could unlock a few dungeons.
Prior to level 50, the level-up ritual would unlock a nine-player dungeon, with each Path having one slot. The nine players would join without combat against any mobs and immediately encounter a random boss who wasn't very difficult.
Once the boss was defeated, each player would be judged at random to see if he or she had passed. The higher the level of the advancement dungeon, the more likely he or she was to fail. Without extra materials to enhance the rate of success, twice as many individuals succeeded under a full moon compared to a new moon.
Initially, the success ratio was quite good. When progressing from level 9 to the second tier, six of nine individuals could clear it—even on new moon runs, at least three could progress. But as levels went higher, progression became increasingly difficult. By the time you were progressing from level 49 to 50, only full moon runs could promise even one success. On new moon dungeons, it could happen that all nine would fail.
Players had become accustomed to it.
It was like pulling gacha and receiving nothing—something that became completely normal.
From level 59 onwards, further advancement dungeons became high-difficulty solo instances.
As of version 6.0, the majority of Paths had their level caps raised to 85. Authority, Balance, and Wisdom opened up to level 90 first, and the remaining ones were opened individually thereafter. The last upgrade from 89 to 90 was frighteningly hard. So hard that even with the cap raised to 90, the majority of players were held at 89. Only a handful of hardcore, whale-expenditure, mechanically talented pros could actually max out.
They likely wouldn't make older advancement dungeons easier until all nine Paths had their 90-cap available.
That's what the devs had done when they had first increased the cap to 80.
Nevertheless, even though Aiwass did not know how NPCs progressed, at least he could comprehend one thing.
That was—not that NPCs, in progressing up to level 50, had also to pair up with eight others of the same level but differing Paths in the Dream Realm. If they were unable to round up nine individuals, the ceremony would not begin—although at low levels, one could always scrape together enough.
When there were sufficient people around, it would take the nine nearest ones first. If the area around could not supply as many, it would widen the radius marginally to fill out the group, maintaining the sum of distance as brief as possible.
In accordance with mystical writings on the Path of Beauty, group growth ceremonies were said to be "Full moon brings shared glory, new moon brings mutual loss.
There were some theories put forth by some top-tier players that full moons might cause PvE runs and new moons PvP. That would account for why success rates are increased during full moons.
And tomorrow was a full moon—a dungeon that necessitated some cooperation.
Which meant that tomorrow, Aiwass would be going into the Dream Realm on the Path of Devotion. Sherlock was on the Path of Wisdom.
The ones who were from the Paths of Balance and Authority were probably Avalonians. As for the rest, who knew where they were from.
*
In the meantime, after some chat with Oswald, Sherlock finally came to the point.
The thin man, who never appeared to be in a good mood and not interested in anything, took out a book whose cover was made of dark leather from beneath his jacket.
He handed the book over face-down—title hidden—and casually said, "I’m just here to deliver something from Mr. Kent to Aiwass."
"I thought that kind of errand would be left to the tardy little lady."
Clearly, Oswald still remembered the time Hainah showed up two hours late.
He handed the book to Aiwass without looking at the title himself.
That was Oswald's display of deference as a butler—after all, it was a gift from the Inspectorate to Aiwass, he wouldn't intrude.
Aiwass accepted the book, quietly turned it over, and read the title.
"The Shepherd's Secret Scripture."
Another magical text. He didn't recognize it by material.
But from the style, it was evidently an ancient method for the Path of Devotion.
But what a lavish reward, Aiwass considered.
In fact, it was too generous—anything qualified to be called a “Secret Scripture” had to at least be on par with the sacred techniques of the Church. Sherlock only got one of these for the Path of Wisdom when he cracked a major case.
.For something as simple as a low-level dungeon, you’re giving me this?
Might as well beat me up instead. Holding onto this makes me uneasy.
"Try opening the book, Mr. Aiwass. Just tell me that you can actually read it."
Sherlock's face was expressionless, his tone grave. Like an exhausted government clerk working overtime, he emitted a detached, bureaucratic chill.
"If you cannot open it, I shall have to return it to the Inspectorate. Mr. Kent will issue you one which you can read."
Aiwass leafed through the book hastily.
He discovered that he was able to read it, so he shut it and put it on his lap without even taking a glimpse at the content.
As Sherlock noticed that Aiwass had authenticated it, he carefully removed his hat.
"Hi there, Mr. Aiwass."
Rapidly talking even more than before, Sherlock recited by rote:
"Mr. Kent will be hosting a commendation ceremony next Thursday. The venue is the White Dancing Shoes Club in Red Queen District. Time: 5:30 PM. Banquet will follow afterwards."
"The ceremony is in the name of the Queen, commend those excellent Inspectors who have greatly contributed to eliminating evil," and a report of principal events from this quarter will be shown. Mr. Kent invites you to join in. You will receive the Crystal Cross Medal by the Central Inspectorate."
Upon hearing this, Aiwass had immediately comprehended.
—The Inspectorate owed him a favor and was paying him the reward in advance so that he would not change his mind.
What would he assist with that he alone could do?
It could be nothing else but today's newspaper story.
He had solved a big case on his own, single-handedly apprehended a deadly fugitive, and even located and eradicated a noble-red cult contact station on Glass Island. His new "hero" and "celebrity" reputation was solely based on the incompetence of the Inspectorate.
After closing down the Pelican Bar and tracing the clues further, the Inspectorate would discover with ease that it was an old-established black market transnationally. Even non-supernaturals would visit here to purchase contraband or trade confidential information.
If they followed that trail of clues, they wouldn't merely find some illicit books or outlawed scholars—they could potentially find smuggling, spying, and crimes of treason.
But on the other hand, if they openly admitted that they were investigating because of the Pelican Bar tip. they'd be slapping their own faces.
Such a significant hub had been right under their noses all these years, and they'd completely overlooked it. In the meantime, it had become an open secret among the common folk and a popular spot for illicit transactions. And the person who blew the whistle was not even an official superhuman—merely a college student confined to a wheelchair.
The Inspectorate would be in hot water.
So Kent's motive was likely to get him to say something—just a single sentence during the ceremony such as, "I learned of the Pelican Bar through the Inspectorate."
That would suffice.
And so much for that, he gave Aiwass even a Secret Scripture of considerable value.
And more than that, in accepting the book, Aiwass had implicitly assented to the request.
Which meant Director Kent now was in his debt.
So Aiwass thought for a moment and smiled like a cunning fox.
"—An Inspector?"
He put on a confused expression, though he was sure both Sherlock and Oswald would understand what he meant.
"But I’m just an ordinary person. Still a student, even."
Sherlock did understand.
"That doesn’t matter."
He replied without hesitation.
"You're not an official Inspector, but even students can be included as consultants. Like me—a designated affiliate of the Inspectorate. You won't be doing any real work. You'll simply have to present yourself as one of us when it matters. If you ever feel like taking an interest in an incident and would like to join an inquiry, your consultant status gives you entry."
Sherlock spoke easily. Obviously, he was quoting Kent verbatim.
For Sherlock to be legitimised to make such assurances, Kent would have foreseen this response beforehand before sending him.
The Director would most probably have asked Hainah beforehand about Aiwass's temperament, abilities, and extent of involvement.
After sensing Aiwass wasn't someone you could easily deceive, he right away readied more concrete incentives.
"His actual words were, 'This is a reward for your courage and an advance appearance fee for your participation in the ceremony.'"
"Of course, if you simply don't want to go, that's okay too. You can still retain the book—I'll just inform Mr. Kent."
Sherlock replaced his hat and lowered the brim.
"—So, what's your answer?"
"Of course, I’ll attend. Please tell the Director I’ll be there on time."
Aiwass gave a gentle smile but said nothing about the Secret Scripture.
It was only then that he truly understood the weight of his identity.
He was no longer an anonymous player with no background or connections. He was Aiwass Moriarty.
As long as James was alive and Avalon hadn’t fallen, no one could take credit for his work.
No one was to treat him like a tool to be commanded.
If they needed his assistance, they had to pay something back.
No free lunch.
And just after that, another realization hit him.
—Well, well.
So when I was merely a player, these individuals were quietly taking this amount off me on the sly?
(End of Chapter)