Original subtitles

This is the world of Beyonders.

By drinking potions, humans are able to attain various powers of Beyonders,

and ascend to divinity.

The 22 Pathways begin with the weakest, Sequence 9.

The lower the sequence,

the stronger a Beyonder's abilities.

Strong Beyonders of the higher-level Sequences can wield powers strong enough to rival gods.

This path of evolution is called:

the Path of the Divine.

Khoy University

Those red smokestacks.

I haven't found any new leads using my divination ever since last time.

Even with the gray fog, the interference remained.

Whoever's behind this, they're strong.

I should consider a more advantageous trump card than just advancing to Clown.

Weapons? Aside from guns, I only have charms.

Charms?

Oh, yeah! The Flaring Sun Charm!

The method for creating the Flaring Sun Charm

I need to find a way to take advantage of that blood from the Eternal Blazing Sun.

Klein.

Mr. Azik.

Have you been quite busy lately? You look exhausted.

I've been trying to track down the person behind it all. It's making me a bit anxious.

They haven't shown any cracks since they noticed my gaze.

Relax. Don't get too fixated on it.

Perhaps a turning point is just one thought away.

Yes, Mr. Azik.

Mr. Azik, there's something I'd like you to help me with.

Episode Eight: Losing Control

We are guardians

An unnamed island? What is this?

My apologies, Mr. Fool. I wasn't able to locate a new page of Roselle's Diary.

No need to worry. It is something that will come with time.

But I've been in contact with a few secret Beyonder circles

in the hopes of obtaining more diary pages.

Honorable Mr Fool. Mr. Hanged Man.

I hope to receive some information on hidden organizations.

Don't look at me.

The all-knowing Mr. Fool in front of you is only Bronze tier.

Most of these organizations stay hidden in the shadows.

What I know is the tip of the iceberg.

I can only get someone else to find out more.

That would be troublesome and very dangerous.

I'll happily listen to the bits you do know.

Even if you are, you'll still need to pay a great price.

A-A price?

What kind of "price" are you referring to?

1,000 pounds. In non-consecutive old banknotes.

Damn. 1,000 pounds?

A sum that'd buy you a mansion for just the "tip of an iceberg"?

That's too expensive.

Miss Justice may be a noble, but that's still too much to find at a moment's notice.

No problem.

Would you like it sent to the same address?

Mr. Hanged Man?

Correct. The same address.

To the same recipient.

Wow, man. She's loaded. 1,000 pounds, just like that?

Calm down, Zhou Mingrui. It's only money.

I need to keep my composure as Mr. Fool.

You may begin, Mr. Hanged Man.

Currently, there are over 100 secret organizations with considerable influence.

Ancient organizations from the Fourth Epoch include the Secret Order,

the Demoness Sect, and the Moses Ascetic Order.

The earliest-recognized of these is the Moses Ascetic Order.

Sequence 9 of their pathway is Mystery Pryer.

That's Old Neil's pathway.

This organization's members worship knowledge itself,

and call their god: the Hidden Sage.

Early on, the Moses Ascetic Order was widely respected.

But it's fallen from grace and become an evil organization.

Why is that? Worshiping knowledge isn't evil.

But what if knowledge itself were to become alive?

Legend has it the Hidden Sage came to life.

He became the personification of an evil god.

Orders born early in this epoch include the Rose School of Thought,

and the Numinous Episcopate that worships Death.

Both from the Southern Continent.

As for the Aurora Order, Element Dawn, the Psychology Alchemists and so on,

they only appeared in the last 200 to 300 years.

Thank you very much for the information, Mr. Hanged Man.

I have no more questions, Mr. Fool.

Very well. Let us end there for today.

By your will.

The Numinous Episcopate that worships Death? I feel like they have a link to Mr. Azik.

I haven't heard back from Mr. Azik in days about the help I asked for.

He didn't forget, did he?

Extra! Extra!

Strange paranormal events down at the docks today!

Will it drive out the Evernight Goddess's worshippers,

or is there some hidden truth to it?

Hey, boy!

What is it, sir?

Wait there. I'll buy a paper from you.

Careful.

Benson? Melissa?

Why are you two home so early?

Klein, is that a gun?

Um, this is actually, uh...

I'm also working part-time as a history consultant for the police. The gun's standard issue.

I'll be back late, so don't wait for me at dinner.

Did something good happen to Klein? He's looking very chipper.

No casualties. Only worshippers of the Evernight Goddess were targeted.

Mr. Azik must've begun taking action.

Hey, what's the rush? You're not even here once in 800 years.

Now you're here, you're not leaving.

Mr. Neil and...

Sailor Pathway, Sequence 8 Folk of Rage Tingen City Mandated Punisher Havre

Oh, it's him.

I told you I'm on a mission.

You think you can complete all the missions in the world?

You need to learn to relax in this job.

Hey, Wright. Two Southville beers. They're on him.

Damn you, old man. You just want to use my tab.

Hello, sirs. Mr. Neil.

Oh, Klein! Fancy seeing you here.

Wright, one more. Put it on—

On his tab. Yeah, I know.

Cheers!

Perfect.

Don't drink so fast. I won't save you if you start choking to death.

You're here about the incident at the docks.

Right. That accursed affair. Hauntings that target specific worshippers?

And only Evernight Goddess followers?

The docks are Mandated Punishers territory. There's rumors aplenty now.

I should meet up with Dunn.

Mandated Punishers and Nighthawks can't fall out over rumors.

Those in the shadows would laugh at us.

You suspect an evil order was behind it?

Our preliminary investigations point that way.

The Mandated Punishers also aren't in a position to investigate non-worshippers of the Lord of Storms.

Lanti Proof. Fill 'er up.

Those Spirit Bodies were highly unusual. Difficult to expel.

They appeared to be very ancient. Like they were the dead from the Fourth Epoch.

Well, that confirms it was Mr. Azik's doing.

From here on out, it's my turn.

Here, allow me to make a toast to both of you.

Bottoms up!

I still have a mission to do.

Next time, come to the bar by the docks. We'll drink the night away.

By the way...

You're Klein, right?

I saw it in you last time, but you're a rare talent.

Listen, why don't you join the Mandated Punishers—

All right, out of here, you.

Neil, you owe me two beers. You'd better pay me back double next time.

Off I go!

Mr. Havre sure is a jovial straight-shooter.

Pfft, as if. He's just a drunk.

Pardon the intrusion.

Old Neil, the captain's looking for you.

The dock incident is quite suspicious.

You're more familiar with that area. Leonard and Kenley are both green.

Go with them to deal with this.

Huh? Me?

Captain, allow me.

A sudden incident with strange Spirit Bodies sounds like a job for divination.

Exactly. Things like this should be left to the young guns.

Ah, ouch. My poor old back can't cope anymore.

A new policy was introduced recently.

Anyone over 50 gets double the subsidy for missions.

I think Klein has a point.

I will help him use divination correctly to investigate.

Be careful. Don't act impulsively.

Yes, Captain.

Captain, I hear those Spirit Bodies are difficult to deal with.

Do you have any good methods to quickly expel them?

Well, about that...

Only 3-0782 is suitable.

Oh, the Mutated Sun Sacred Emblem?

Last time, it only took a minute to expel the Wraiths at the old castle. If we use it here—

No.

The docks are crowded. It'd be too risky.

If any regular people are around, they'll be Sun-praising idiots within an hour.

That is a problem, but we should still plan ahead for the worst-case scenario.

What if there's a strong Wraith among those dead spirits?

As it's the Mandated Punishers' jurisdiction, if we're unable to contain the situation,

you'll need to call them for backup, and that's, uh...

Well, it wouldn't exactly be good for the Nighthawks' reputation.

All right. But you'd best keep your eyes open for danger.

Remember, never stay in the same location for more than hour.

Yes, sir.

Secret Organizations Ancient organizations were born during the Fourth Epoch, with the earliest publicly recognized organizations being the Moses Ascetic Order, the Demoness Sect, the Secret Order, the Blood Sanctify Sect and so on. Secret organizations born in the Fifth Epoch are more or less connected to the frightening families and forces of the Fourth Epoch. Examples include the Theosophy Order, the Numinous Episcopate, the Life School of Thought, and the Rose School of Thought. Newer organizations that have appeared only in the last 200 or 300 years include the Aurora Order, the Iron and Blood Cross Order, Element Dawn, and the Psychology Alchemists. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h— Klein Moretti, Nighthawks Reference Handbook

You came up with ways to go on a mission with me on purpose, didn't you?

Huh?

Well, I suggest you give up on your unrealistic fantasies.

Even while on a mission, you'll never discover my secret.

Who cares about your secret, buddy?

Don't be such a narcissist.

Excuse me.

Might you sirs be Nighthawk officers?

Ah, yes.

Good day, officers. I-I've heard so much about the Nighthawks.

Ah, I'm Gate, the new sergeant overseeing the docks.

Please follow me, officers.

There are currently a number of supernatural incidents, and here's where it's most severe.

Who are these people?

They must be here to perform an exorcism.

An exorcism?

Handsome fella like that?

Ya only see those men in the arms of politicians and noble ladies. Can he even do other stuff?

The two in the middle are wet behind the ears.

Hey, isn't that Old Neil? I hear he's worth his salt.

Worthless, if you ask me. He's an old man.

He's going to become a ghost before he exorcises any.

Hey, stop it with this nonsense. Go now. Move along.

It's crowded here.

Will it make it inconvenient for you officers to use your abilities?

Rest assured, everyone. We are indeed professionals.

For this exorcism, we've specifically prepared...

holy water, a sacred emblem, and garlic.

I read about exorcism in the papers. Those are the essentials.

They really are professionals!

Excellent. Nighthawk officer transforms into fake guru on the spot.

Emperor Roselle once said, "Form over substance."

So we should begin without further ado..

Officer Gate, please call for reinforcements.

This haunting caused by Mr. Azik sure is authentic.

Oh. brother. Stick to the act. Don't expose me.

E-E-Everyone, be careful!

This isn't a usual dead spirit. Keep control of the possessed, and endure for a minute.

3-0782 is activating.

What happened?

What's going on?

By the Goddess's blessings. That was just a minor episode.

And now, our exorcist will officially start the ritual of cleansing the evil spirits.

Why me?

Newcomer benefits.

You are the Evernight Goddess who stands higher than the cosmos and more eternal than eternity.

You are the Evernight Goddess who stands higher than the cosmos and more eternal than eternity.

You are the Lady of Crimson, the Mother of Concealment,

the Empress of Misfortune and Horror, Mistress of Repose and Silence!

Huh? Is that how exorcism works?

That's not what the papers described.

I pray, by your powers: cleanse the evil spirits.

This is such a warm feeling.

Yes! Just like bathing in the sun.

That was magical. That's professional exorcists for you!

Praise the Lady.

Are you all right, madam?

Mr. Havre?

He... He's kicking.

Thank you, sir. You saved us.

May my Lord give you His blessings.

She seems in a better frame of mind than before.

Has her family accepted the child?

Havre, didn't you have an urgent mission? Why are you dillydallying here?

Look there. That's my mission.

My job is to follow this poor lass to see if we can find out where her fiancé, Lanevus, is.

Lanevus?

The one behind that 10,000 pounds scam?

The higher-ups want to know if there's Beyonder involvement, but we've found none so far.

I reckon we'll close it as a regular fraud case in a couple of days.

Drink less lest you drink yourself to death.

Drink myself to death?

There's no better way to go!

Be seein' you.

Mr. Neil, you seem rather close with Mr. Havre.

We're both old men here in Tingen. Familiarity is natural after so long here.

In the old days, our group of friends would come to my place to drink in our downtime.

Celeste would play the piano for us.

Celeste?

My wife.

She passed many years ago now.

Of our group of old men, only myself and Havre are still around.

Don't give me that look.

Death is life's final resting place.

For folk like us, if we don't die from losing control, we count it as a blessing from the gods.

All right. Go expel the rest of the evil spirits.

Don't waste time now.

This old bag of bones won't be joining you for that.

Finally. All expelled.

But that was strange.

Such difficult spirits to remove, yet the possessed weren't really harmed.

I've never seen anything like it.

Use divination to find the cause.

Sure.

Cause of the docks incident

The cause of the docks incident.

I can't see a thing.

I guess that tracks. Mr. Azik's so high in status.

Unless he lets me, I'm not going to see anything with divination.

What you saw is likely the Inverted Pyramid in the Southern Continent.

Whether it's East or West Balam, or the Highlands Kingdom,

only the so-called descendants of Death build these mausoleums for themselves.

Death? The being that started the Pale Disaster alongside the Primordial Demoness?

Worshippers of Death?

Creating evil hauntings... What's their goal?

Mr. Azik awoke surrounded by corpses.

Was that the battlefield of the Pale Disaster?

If Mr. Azik really is a descendant of Death,

I should be even warier of whoever's behind all this, and their theft of the skull of Mr. Azik's son.

Let's leave it there.

Usual procedure. One person will keep watch over 3-0782 while the others rest.

We'll change shifts every hour.

Finally. What I've been waiting for.

All charms within the Evernight Goddess's domain are pure silver. That's already burning money.

This is more impressive. It's burning gold!

I must succeed in one try.

The blood of the Eternal Blazing Sun.

You are the Inextinguishable Light, the Embodiment of Order,

the God of Deeds, the Guardian of Businesses...

I pray to You.

I pray that You grant me the power to complete the Flaring Sun Charms.

O, blood of the Eternal Blazing Sun.

Please transfer Your powers onto my charms!

Such strange weather.

A Beyonder lost control?

Be careful. It was at least Sequence 8 prior to losing control.

We must deal with it on the ship.

We cannot allow it to make it into the Tussock River.

Take 3-0782 and leave first.

Kenley!

Go!

Don't push! Run this way! This way!

Get people away now! And set the safety perimeter to over 50 meters.

Yes, sir!

Find a way to notify Havre. And don't come close unless ordered to.

What is this? Some crazy giant swing?

Shit.

That worked?

Night Slumber!

"Oh threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise!"

"One thing at least is certain..."

Havre?

Mr. Havre?

He's already completely lost control. There's no turning back.

Let me do it.

Mr. Neil, your hand.

Old Neil always looks so chipper and cheerful.

But his home's so dull and lifeless.

Old Neil's wife?

Madam Celeste?

Mr. Havre.

Everything was fine. Why'd he suddenly lose control?

When we were drinking and when I saw him at the docks, nothing seemed unusual.

What could've caused this loss of control in such a short space of time?

If the cause can't be traced at all,

then a Beyonder's loss of control is even more frightening than I originally imagined.

Two Flaring Sun Charms.

With the empowerment of this deity blood,

be it the notebook's temptation or the person behind it all, I can fight it.

But this lifesaving trump card...

can't stop a Beyonder losing control.

The captain said most Nighthawks die from losing control.

So that means I, and everyone else, can't escape that fate?

What am I afraid of?

I'm capable of exploiting gods.

There's a solution to everything.

Is it possible that the more control someone has over themselves,

and the stronger their Beyonder powers are, the lower their chance is of losing control?

Maybe I can find a way to leak the acting method to the captain and the others.

It's time to advance to Clown.

Translator: Bridget Kan Timer/QC: Henry Lin Editor: SMR