Chapter Twenty-Six: Potion of Spiritual Awakening

Dogmaster...

In the game, Chen Qi only knew that the Dogmaster had killed the previous Nightwatch Chief and suddenly become the new one.

He was an NPC with very little information available.

Moreover, with a level difference of more than five, it was impossible to view his status panel.

[The Dogmaster sits by your bedside, offering you today's breakfast. Crimson flames burn in his eyes.]

[You, startled awake from sleep, stare in shock at the man before you.]

Why has he come to see me?

Chen Qi could sense the tension in his game character, a cold bead of sweat sliding down his cheek.

[The Dogmaster, seeing you awake, speaks slowly, saying he knows you went to the Land of Pale Light and gained remarkable power.]

How does he know?

The next line of text answered Chen Qi's question.

[The Dogmaster explains that he visited the Prison's Tower of Medicine.
The Chief Pharmacist there, the Flower Witch, returned from the Land of Pale Light battered and bruised, and went about the Tower telling her legendary tale of elegantly resolving the Gluttonous Bloom, mentioning you in her story.]

"..."

So it was that flower-headed fellow. The Flower Witch turned out to have quite a mouth.

Chen Qi was speechless; the chain reaction from his in-game exploration was truly significant.

[“It was indeed a magical experience,” the Dogmaster explained. “The Land of Pale Light is extremely dangerous. You are the bravest nightwatcher I've ever seen.”]

[He rose slowly, revealing a truth you had long anticipated: the truth of the nightwatchers.]

[In Black River Prison, nightwatchers patrol during the night and report unusual situations so as to prevent them. Every nightwatcher who discovers something unusual is rewarded.
But Black River Prison never expects you to survive such encounters, nor to return alive with intelligence.
No one educates you, no one cares about you, and no one recognizes you.
‘Nightwatcher’ is merely another name for walking bait. When calamities discover you and devour you, that is when the nightwatchers serve their greatest purpose.]

[The food you eat improves the quality of your flesh and gives you a unique scent.]

[This allows the Trackers to find you more easily, and makes you particularly attractive to some monsters.]

[From the moment you were born, you have been abandoned, a lure used by Black River Prison to attract calamities and criminals.]

Chen Qi shook his head. At their core, nightwatchers were nothing more than walking alarms.

That explained why he had been attacked by the flower sprite; he swallowed hard.

At present, nightwatcher seemed to be the most miserable profession in New City.

But why was the Dogmaster telling him all this? Chen Qi continued reading the text.

[The Dogmaster poured out the food prepared for you by the prison and said:]

“If you wish to cure your Blade Stone disease, if you seek strength, you must break free from this dangerous and useless situation and ascend to greater heights.”

[Whether as a Tracker, responsible for searching; a Pharmacist, developing medicines; or a Dog Trainer, specializing in raising fierce dogs—
If you can become one of these professions, you will earn more money and finally see the world as it truly is.]

Tracker, Pharmacist, Dog Trainer...

These were the various professions in the game. His current nightwatcher role was the ultimate blank slate.

His combat power relied entirely on Blood Blade Fruit and gear; he actually knew few skills, and had no mentor to teach him.

[The flames in Dogmaster’s eyes burned fiercer. The beautiful promises of the Day Clocktower were but idle lies, while he could guide you to the heights above.]

[Dogmaster spread his arms wide, asking you: Do you crave power?]

[Please make your choice.]

Yes or no...

Do I crave power?

Chen Qi pondered for a moment. As his nature Blade and Lamp had said, he wished to see more of the world, to pursue greater strength.

Whether it was the Shadow Beast, the Umbrella Bearer, or the Saint Disaster Association watching him like a tiger eyeing its prey,

all these awakened his instincts: the terror of survival and the wonder of power urged him to seek strength without delay.

In the struggle between the Day Wanderers and the Saint Disaster Association, everything in the world churned beneath the surface, and the future was shrouded in mist.

The Earthly world was likely to repeat the catastrophe of New City; no one knew if tomorrow’s moon would smile.

Chen Qi smiled helplessly. Of course he craved strength. But what was the price?

[The Dogmaster’s lips curled faintly.
He told you: “Those without bloodline, to become another profession, must undergo rigorous testing, which demands high physical constitution, inspiration, spiritual power, and alignment.”]

[And this requires the Pharmacist’s potions and the help of others.
Dogmaster whispered in your ear: If you are willing to help him accomplish something, he will help you become a Dog Trainer.
The blazing Fire Dog and the hidden Shadow Dog will become your extra hands.]

So, that was the price...

Chen Qi understood. The Dogmaster had something he could not achieve and wanted Chen Qi to do it.

[You get up from your cold bed, your greed no longer hidden from your eyes. You ask Dogmaster: What is it?]

[Dogmaster explained: It’s about a book, but before that, he must conduct a small test.
He needs to confirm whether you truly gained power in the Land of Pale Light, or merely boasted to win the Flower Witch’s favor.]

[As a sign of goodwill, he is willing to bestow upon you an extremely rare potion, the kind that is difficult to purchase even with money in New City.]

[Dogmaster departed, telling you that after a few days, he would assemble a team to search for the lost book.]

[You received a wage of 1 silver coin.]

[You step out of your room, and outside you hear the wails of your fellow nightwatchers.
Looking into the distance, you see Nightwatch Captain Rhett sitting atop a mound of nightwatcher bodies, glowering fiercely at you.]

[You vaguely recall him—a captain skilled in close combat. You grit your teeth, remembering that for the sake of becoming stronger, he once tore out a Blade Stone from your body and ate it!]

[Tempted by envy and greed for the rare potion, Rhett charges at you!]

Chen Qi checked the status panel. Rhett was a level four character, and without equipment, his agility was slightly higher, but not by much.

[Bam!]

[You are fooled by Rhett’s feint and take 3 points of damage!]

"???"

My reflection, what happened!

Chen Qi was startled. He had already equipped his Night Wanderer Suit for the character, but had still been attacked.

[Rhett attacks you again!]

[You grin menacingly. Under the “Martial Extremist” effect of Blood Blade Fruit, the feint cannot trick you twice.
You see through his attack completely, learn his technique, and slam him hard against the wall, dealing massive damage!]

[Rhett falls, gravely wounded, unable to rise.]

“So weak…”

Was this the Dogmaster’s test? Clearly, Dogmaster underestimated his growth rate.

[You stomp on Rhett, and realize you’ve gained insight into the feint technique. Blood Blade Fruit digestion +2%, now at 23%.]

Fighting in-game also increased Blood Blade Fruit digestion.

Chen Qi was delighted; this fruit was truly made for battle maniacs. Combat boosted digestion far more than training.

[With Rhett’s defeat, a Fire Dog darted out of the shadows, delivering a potion and a slip of paper to you.]

[You received a Spiritual Power Enlightenment Potion!]

[Flower’s Spiritual Power Enlightenment Potion: Spiritual Power cap +6
Description: You smell a floral fragrance. This is a spiritual potion crafted by an advanced pharmacist, increasing the spiritual power cap by 6 points. Effects of similar potions do not stack and the highest applies.
This potion is made by an advanced pharmacist and is more potent than ordinary enlightenment potions.]

Chen Qi's eyes lit up, and he withdrew it from the game.