The track of dawn in the world of American manga

Chapter 37 37. The record for the fastest promotion of the Star Club has been achieved!

"Take this thing."

Kite Man drove his car to the meeting point with his superiors according to the instructions on his ID card. In this ordinary-looking stolen car, Mason handed a Bat-signal gun to his younger brother.

I got this from Young Master Nightwing when I left last night. Mason has already obtained the blueprint but hasn't had time to make it yet.

He said to the Kite Man:

"If something happens later, I'll take care of it first while you fly to high altitude to ask for support. Don't worry, Batman is focusing on me now. When the signal goes off, he will definitely come to check as soon as possible."

"Um."

Charles picked up the flare gun and put it into his flight backpack. He took another look at the building in front of him and his expression became strange.

He said to his boss:

"Why did they choose this place to meet? Is this hinting at something to us?"

Mason glanced out the car window.

In front of the parking place is Penguin's Iceberg Bar.

This luxurious and strange-looking place has 5 chain stores in Gotham, but the bar in front of you is the first store built by Penguin in this city, and it is also the hometown of the Penguin gang.

This place has "special meaning" to Mason.

His new life begins here, and his old life ends here.

The bottle that killed the young man was thrown from the height of the Iceberg Bar. Mason still doesn't know which drunk man threw the bottle and welcomed an alien soul into the world.

Maybe I have to find him in the future and "thank" him profusely.

"Go and have a look first."

Mason squinted his eyes, opened the car door and walked up the steps.

Wearing that gray windbreaker, he bypassed the police cordon and walked in through the closed side door of the bar with ease.

The place that had been closed for nearly ten days was very deserted. The two found the power and turned it back on. They took the elevator all the way up and walked to the top floor when they saw a light shining outside Penguin's original office.

The ball of light was floating at the door, like a beacon.

Mason patted the Kite Man on the shoulder to tell him to calm down, and he let out a sigh of relief before opening the door and walking in.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows let the early morning light shine into the gorgeous and spacious office. In front of the two of them, a tall figure wearing the same starry sky cape of old K was standing in front of the window, seeming to be overlooking the entire Gotham morning scenery.

Only one person came.

But looking at his unflappable master's aura and the cool stance of this big villain, you know he is definitely something special.

Mason and Charles were just like employees summoned by their boss, standing with their hands tied in an office where the floor was so clean that people could be seen, waiting for the superior's lecture in front of them.

Maybe this is also a fateful moment?

"Old K is dead?"

The superior in front of him finally spoke after being silent for nearly a minute.

A calm male voice, quite magnetic, he doesn't sound too young and has a faint sense of oppression.

"Well, our beloved captain unfortunately died in the ruins of Hogwarts College. He held a suspected cursed item and was besieged by monsters in the Forbidden Forest.

We want to help him.

But we are too weak to even collect his body, so we can only follow his last wish and burn his body in that hell-like world like the monster he finally hunted."

Mason spoke most of the facts in a steady voice.

By the way, he took out Hagrid's hunting knife from his luggage. It was still stained with the venom and blood stains of the Acromantula. He put it on the desk in front of him as if it were handed over as evidence, and said:

"Charles and I tried our best to use the magic items left by Old K to capture several of the monsters involved in killing him. If you need it, we can release it.

But it's dangerous."

"No need!"

The superior stretched out his hand, waved it, and said:

"When embarking on this road, life and death should be ignored. How he died is not important. What is important is that his death can please the dark stars and illuminate the way forward for us."

He said these words like a eulogy, which made Mason's heart feel chilly. If he remembered correctly, old K also said such words.

Not just once.

So, is this also the tradition of the Star Club?

"Let me introduce myself. My name is 'Hunter', which is of course a code name."

The superior officer turned around, revealing a face wearing a starry sky mask. The star-patterned cloak almost covered his entire body, leaving almost no gaps like Batman's cloak.

He stretched out his black-gloved hand, touched the bloody hunting knife, and introduced in a gentle tone:

"Currently serving as the 'Exploration Master' of the Star Club."

He told his position, but looking at the confused faces of Mason and Charles in front of him, the hunter was stunned for a moment, and then asked in a strange tone:

"Didn't Old K tell you the inside story of the Stars Club and the division of its members?"

"He promised to say it after our 'onboarding test' was over."

Charles gestured and replied in a sad voice:

"But he died so suddenly."

"I see."

Mr. Hunter nodded and said:

"Then I will forgive you for your rudeness this time.

Let me take the place of old K and briefly introduce our organization to you. You are now E-level personnel, and new members of the organization generally need to be guided by specific C-level personnel to familiarize themselves with daily work.

Old K was supposed to be your novice guide, but he had an accident.

When you complete your first mission to explore another world, you will become D-class personnel, which can be regarded as the backbone of the Star Club. After twenty missions, you will undergo assessment and complete C-class promotion.

There are internal regulations for the promotion of B-level and A-level members, so you don’t need to know too much now.”

"So are you an A-level personnel?"

Mason asked softly.

"No, I am the Great Instructor of Exploration."

Mr. Hunter emphasized his position again. He looked Mason up and down and said:

"He is the commander-in-chief of the 12-member A-level council. The three great mentors of exploration, combat, and logistics are in charge of the daily operations of the Stars Association and the internal and external affairs of the organization. Above the three of us, there is also the Lord 'Destiny'.

He is the founder of the Society of Stars."

"Big shot!"

This thought jumped into Mason's mind, causing him to immediately bow down and salute the person in front of him, and then kicked Charles, who was still stunned. The Kite Man came to his senses and hurriedly bowed down to salute.

I thought that the superior personnel sent would be at most the same level as or one level above Old K, but I didn’t expect that a big boss came directly!

This is just like when a new employee of a company reports to his superior, thinking that the other person is just a business manager, but he didn't expect that the guy sitting there and listening to his nonsense is actually a member of the company's board of directors.

Isn't this too scary?

"Well, the etiquette is very standard, the mind is quick-thinking and the personality is reserved. I am very satisfied."

Mr. Hunter nodded, pulled out Penguin's boss chair and sat on it, waved his hands in a comfortable and relaxed manner, and said to Mason and Charles:

"It seems that the newcomers Lao K selected this time are of good quality. I guess you must be wondering why I am here, let me explain to you.

Don't be so formal, Mason, and Charles.

I'm an easy-going person.

sit down.

Our conversation will probably take up some of your time, but I hope you have nothing urgent to do today."

The big shot spoke, and Mason and Charles naturally obeyed.

The two of them sat on the black sofa, maintaining a very decent posture, and then they watched Mr. Hunter playing with the giant hunting knife that killed old K, and said in a gentle tone:

"The first reason why I came here is very simple. Has old K told you the story of his former rookie team? I am his rookie guide and can be regarded as his old captain.

At that time, the Association of Stars was first established, the rules and regulations were not yet complete, and the 12-person council had not yet been established. I also had to occasionally do this kind of thing to bring in new people.

Old K was selected by me.

Of the original seven-man team, he was the only one who survived and became a C-class personnel. The others had already died to please the dark stars.

What a tragedy.

Now the best student I ever taught is dead.

Frankly, it makes me a little sad."

Mason's heart tightened, you old K, you are actually a well-connected person!

If there is such a relationship, you should have told me earlier

"Your heart is beating fast, Mason. Are you nervous?"

Mr. Hunter's fingers brushed the blade and he suddenly said something faintly.

"I am only 17 years old, Lord Hunter."

Mason whispered:

"The most powerful person I have ever met before is just the guardian of this city, a transvestite named Batman, and you are one of the leaders of a huge organization that spans countless parallel worlds.

The old captain I failed to save is still your friend. In this case, it would be strange if I wasn't nervous."

"Well, that makes sense."

Mr. Hunter nodded and no longer struggled with this issue. He put down his hunting knife and said:

"As for the second reason, it is the particularity of the world you live in.

Old K may not have time to give you the popular science definition of parallel worlds among the stars, but I must tell you two that the world you are in is extremely dangerous.

It is rated A in our world rating system.

But to be honest, it is an A-level world not because its level of danger is only this level, but because the highest level evaluation in our system is only A-level.

Especially since there is a Kryptonian named ‘Superman’ in your world.”

Mr. Hunter paused, shook his head and said:

“The ‘Swordsman’, the Grand Master of Combat with the strongest frontal combat ability in the Stars Association, encountered him during his exploration of this world a few years ago. He broke his ribs with two punches and fled back to the Castle of Stars in embarrassment.

Since then, all large-scale exploration of this world by the Stars has been frozen.

You shouldn't base your base here.

This place is not suitable for newcomers like you, which is also the second reason why I come here. You can change to a safer world as your base.

This is your special power, and I can help you arrange it."

"Wait! Mr. Hunter, I have a question."

Mason raised his hand and asked:

"If the exploration activities in this world are frozen, what will happen to old K?"

"I'm talking about all 'large-scale' exploration operations, Mason."

Mr. Hunter emphasized:

"Pay attention! Also, don't interrupt me. This is not a good habit. There are other teams in your world that are operating secretly, and the lowest members of those teams are C-level personnel.

As for old K

He could have become B-level, but because his behavior was too wild, his promotion was blocked after causing the total destruction of Team K twice.

At the B-level level, what we need is an explorer and leader who can grasp the overall situation, not a reckless man."

Mason nodded.

At the same time, I thought in my mind that if Old K's combat power could become B-level, then the Stars Association would not seem to be as powerful and invincible as I imagined.

Apart from anything else, it probably won't be too difficult for Batman to defeat Old K, and Superman can defeat another big boss of the Star Club head-on, so it is necessary to lower his evaluation of the Star Club in terms of combat effectiveness.

Downgraded from "like a god" to "invincible".

Well, there seems to be no difference?

"So, what's your answer?"

Mr. Hunter gave Mason and Charles three minutes and asked:

"Do you want to change the base world? For the sake of old K, you can choose from the thirty-three C-level worlds that I am currently responsible for."

Mason glanced at Charles, who gave him a "Boss, you decide, I obey" look. The young man nodded, stood up and said to Mr. Hunter:

"No, we don't want to change the base world, sir. This is not because we think too highly of ourselves, but because we have established certain connections in this world and have obtained some very precious things through our efforts.

Such as this."

Mason took out a set of drawings from his luggage, placed his hands on the desk in front of Mr. Hunter and spread them out.

On the front line of the drawing is a very complicated and marked diagram of a suit. If Batman were here, he would be able to tell at a glance that this is the structural diagram of his regular Bat suit.

The analysis of the main body of the Batsuit on Mason's character card has been completed. The young man had drawn these before to study it, and it came in handy now.

"This suit has good technological content and is very suitable for close combat and stealth infiltration. It also has so many reserved weapon slots that it can obviously be modified multiple times to meet different combat needs.

good!"

Mr. Hunter is obviously also knowledgeable.

He reached out and stroked the drawing to examine it carefully. When he looked closer, Mason suddenly noticed a strand of playful long hair emerging from behind Mr. Hunter's mask.

Um?

Is this a woman?

Or is he an artistic man?

"Are you dedicating this set of drawings to the organization? Mason."

Mr. Hunter asked:

"Although it is only the most basic structural diagram of the blueprint suit, those members in the organization who take the technological route will probably like it very much. It can give you a lot of urgently needed things.

If you trust me, I can help you find a suitable buyer.

You can complete the transaction at the trade meeting in one month."

"Of course, my lord, I can't ask for anything more than that."

Mason responded.

Then he took out a dark jewelry box and opened it in front of Mr. Hunter. Inside was an irregular, thumb-sized blood-red crystal stone.

When he saw this thing, Mr. Hunter, who was very calm, also clasped his fingers.

"This is?"

He looked at Mason and the young man explained:

"Old K's relic, sir. He said that he entered that world just to find this thing, and that it was a reward mission organized by the organization.

This is the magic stone.

It was the treasure we found in the ruins, but unfortunately it had been broken in the disaster. We rummaged through the entire ruins and only found this piece.

We cannot expect rewards from bounty missions.

This is something that Old K completed by himself, so I think that as his old captain, you should complete that task on his behalf and get that reward."

Mr. Hunter did not speak but stroked the small piece of magic stone in front of him. After ten seconds of silence, he let out a weird laugh and said to Mason:

"You are really a sharp little guy. I almost know why Old K chose you to take over as captain. But unfortunately, I can't use the reward of this mission.

Because its reward is to increase the member's level.

Old K is looking for this thing because he wants to complete the B-level promotion, Mason, but I have no chance of promotion.

Take out your ID card."

He said something, and Mason decisively pinched his fingers and took out the Stars identity card.

Mr. Hunter also took out his own card, which was a luxurious crystal card. The texture alone was as high as Mason's playing card.

The moment the two cards came into contact, a dazzling red light surged into Mason's arm. The intense burning sensation made the young man dizzy. He fell to the ground and was picked up by Charles who rushed over.

"This is the case for the first promotion, let alone two consecutive promotions, which can be regarded as a moderate promotion record. This is a normal situation."

Mr. Hunter said to the Kite Man:

"Take him to the next door to have a rest. We will continue talking when he wakes up."

"Thank you, sir."

Charles carried the unconscious Mason out of the office. After the two of them left, Mr. Hunter reached out and picked up the blood-stained giant hunting knife.

He stroked the sharp blade and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

After several minutes, he sighed and said:

"Old K, did you call me here just to let me see him? This is a 'parting gift' you want to give me, and you think he can help.

But how did you, an old hunter, get killed by such a rookie?

Did you miss? Or do you no longer want to live?

What a shame.

well.

May our death, which will eventually come to us, please the cold, heartless stars of darkness."

(End of chapter)