"Sequence 8, 'Instigator,' is adept at inciting the evil desires deep in everyone's heart, expert at intensifying conflicts, provoking strife, and causing bloody incidents..."
The description wasn't detailed enough. It seemed the Nighthawks didn't know much about this potion's abilities... But it certainly matched the characteristics of the Clover Ship massacre... Klein raised his gaze and looked at Sequence 9 corresponding to "Instigator":
"Sequence 9, 'Assassin,' can temporarily alter the body, gaining feather-like lightness, with solidified eagle vision and darkvision. Every 'Assassin' excels at hiding in the shadows, possesses nimble footwork, and the ability to concentrate all power into a single strike..."
After reading, Klein once again fell into deep confusion.
"Assassin"... The advancement from "Assassin" is "Instigator"?
That's as strange as the advancement from "Seer" to a profession skilled in technical combat...
Some Sequence pathways progress step by step, very normal, like "Spectator," but why do some Sequence pathways defy intuition and logic?
Hmm, maybe not. Perhaps there are hidden commonalities I haven't discovered...
For example, for example, "Assassin" and "Instigator" both bring disaster to others...
But as for "Seer," I just can't figure it out! Hey, could it be that same lineage as old man Gandalf? Add a little supplementary magic and then put all other skill points into strength and technique?
Klein silently complained while shaking his head, turning the materials to the part about the "Gnostic Society," the secret organization involved with "Instigator."
"The Gnostic Society is a secret organization that only emerged in the Fifth Epoch, that is, the beginning of this Epoch. They believe that spirit is the essence of human beings, and the body is merely a cage that binds the spirit. Humans commit evil because they are influenced by the body. They must acquire knowledge through spirituality, gradually free the spirit from the body, then pass through the layers of celestial trials, and ultimately depart from the material world, returning to the purest and truest self to attain eternal salvation."
"Therefore, many extreme members of the Gnostic Society aim to destroy others' bodies, causing numerous bloody cases... It is evident that they possess two Sequence pathways: one commonly seen internally as 'Apprentice' and 'Trick Master,' and the other rarely seen as Assassin and Instigator... There is currently no evidence that the Gnostic Society has potions of Sequence 7 or above."
"How the Gnostic Society was established is unknown. We can only analyze their possible origins through the two Sequence pathways: first, 'Apprentice' and 'Trick Master'—these easily remind one of the Abraham family from the Fourth Epoch Tudor Dynasty, and the possibility of the Tamara family, who have long intermarried with the Abrahams, cannot be ruled out; second, 'Assassin' and 'Instigator' point to the Witch Sect."
The Abraham family, the Tamara family, the Antigonus family, the Zaratul family, the Black Emperor of the Solomon Empire, the Blood Emperor of the Tudor Dynasty, the Trunsoest Empire, as well as the Jacob family and Amon family mentioned by "The Hanged Man"... The buried history of the Fourth Epoch truly holds many secrets, and perhaps many truths... Klein sighed with emotion, feeling deeply that the Fourth Epoch was shrouded in thick fog.
And just the outlines glimpsed through the fog made one unable to stop trembling in fear, as if one could imagine an era of extraordinary prosperity, an epoch where blood and weirdness danced together, terror and distortion sang in unison.
Klein silently took a breath, flipping back and forth, but found no description of the "Witch Sect."
He lifted his head, looked at Old Neil, who was struggling with a hand grinder and filter paper to make coffee, and earnestly asked:
"Mr. Neil, what kind of organization is the Witch Sect? I didn't see any introduction to them in the materials."
Old Neil didn't rush to answer. After finishing his task, he chuckled:
"Your confidentiality level is insufficient. Even with Dunn's permission, you can't read that part of the materials. In fact, many materials are only kept in the Holy Cathedral, not stored behind the Chanis Gate in Tingen City. Only when you become the captain of a Nighthawks team and go to the Holy Cathedral for training can you access them."
"I don't know much about the Witch Sect either. I only know that they worship the 'Primordial Witch,' believing that this hidden existence is the true successor of the Creator, the 'Primordial One' born from chaos and from the Creator's body, and will also be the 'Final One' who ends everything."
"Their Sequence pathway is related to this. Because they must obtain the grace of the 'Primordial Witch' and approach this hidden existence, the upper echelons are all women. That's why they are called the Witch Sect."
"More is beyond the scope of a formal member like me. I've only heard that witches take spreading disaster as their mission."
Spreading disaster... This does fit the hidden commonality between "Assassin" and "Instigator"... But that Mr. Triss's future is worrying; the potions later in this pathway seem more suitable for women... Klein nodded slightly and continued reading the materials.
After finishing, he found that there were more secret organizations than he had imagined. But after careful thought, he felt it was only natural, given the world's long history and the previous era of active extraordinary powers.
Based on the content of the materials, Klein categorized those secret organizations into three types chronologically:
First, ancient organizations born in the Fourth Epoch, including but not limited to the "Moss Ascetic Order," the "Secret Order," and the "Blood Worship Cult" that follows demons, and the "Witch Sect," of which there was only one sentence in the materials.
Second, secret organizations born in the Fifth Epoch, that is, the beginning of this Epoch, which are more or less connected to those terrifying families and sects of the Fourth Epoch. For example, the "Gnostic Society," the "Spirit Church" that worships death, the "School of Life" mainly based on master-disciple inheritance, and the "School of Rose" known for bloody sacrifices in the extraordinary circle.
Third, new organizations that have only emerged in the last one or two hundred years: the "Aurora Society," the "Iron Blood Cross Society," the "Elemental Dawn," and the "Psychological Alchemical Society," which Klein had heard of earliest.
Besides, there were some scattered organizations that hadn't done anything major.
"Benson and Melissa definitely can't imagine how dangerous this world is, not just war..." Klein shook his head with a low laugh, neatly stacked the confidential materials, and pushed them to Old Neil.
At the same time, he silently added in his mind:
My Tarot Society must not end up on that "list"...
Old Neil had no idea that the person sitting opposite him was the leader of a secret organization. Chuckling, he took the materials and went to the Chanis Gate.
Klein sat there, wondering if he should divine the whereabouts of "Instigator" Triss. But after just a few seconds of thought, he abandoned the idea. After all, he only knew the general appearance and a name of uncertain authenticity. If that were enough to track someone down, he wouldn't be called a "Seer," but a "Prophet"!
When Old Neil returned, Klein collected his thoughts and continued his mysticism lessons to master more "formats" of ritual magic.