The Last Gentleman

As Yi Chen felt the oppressive influence from the depths of the official residence, Chamberlain deliberately paused, waiting without offering any assistance.

After a few minutes passed, Yi Chen regained his composure, and Chamberlain offered a quiet assessment.

"If you could resist the 'Whispers of the Divine Skin' on your own next time, that would be even better."

"We still have another half hour of walking to do. Before we meet the First Gentleman, I have a few personal questions I'd like to ask you."

"Go ahead."

"When you eradicated the Watcher at the lakebed, what else did you experience? Did you see anything beyond the typical test areas?"

Without hesitation, Yi Chen described his experience of mental invasion by a giant eye, being drawn into an abyssal laboratory in his consciousness. He recounted the epic music echoing in his mind, the figure symbolizing the ultimate form of a fish, the strange attire, and the golden frame that appeared above his head.

Just as Yi Chen was about to speak the ancient name inscribed on the frame, Chamberlain swiftly turned, covering Yi Chen’s mouth with his hand.

"Never utter such ancient, origin-laden names; it could cause severe and fundamental damage to you and may even expose the exact locations of Zion and the Divine Skin Mansion. Since you're not fully part of the organization yet and this is a first offense, we’ll let it slide. Surviving such an ordeal indeed qualifies you to meet the First Gentleman."

"They are ancient beings, linked to the 'Origin'. They are far beyond your reach—I've only seen the tip of the iceberg myself. As for more details, you'll have to search for them when you reach a sufficient level."

"Let's not stray too far off topic. Tell me about your experience in the Seven-Day Cemetery."

"Alright."

When Chamberlain learned that Yi Chen was a non-trained, ordinary external hire, he was genuinely astonished. A completely ordinary person, merely enhanced in sensory perception, had managed to kill an 'Initial Stage Patient'. Such a case was nearly unheard of across all regions managed by the organization.

Not to mention that Yi Chen even accepted ‘Pathogenic Characteristics’ afterward.

"No wonder Wilbert personally recommended you. I'm sure the First Gentleman will also be pleased to see such unique, fresh talent joining our organization."

As they chatted, the two descended a hundred meters down a spiral staircase. Chamberlain took out a unique high-level seal and unlocked the iron gate at the bottom of the stairs. The gate creaked open, expanding the previously confined space several times over and filling it with the warmth of candlelight, dispelling the claustrophobic sensation.

However, Yi Chen felt no relief; instead, an even greater sense of oppression and unease settled over him.

The so-called depths of the residence turned out to be a medieval chapel buried underground. The central hall was high, with low aisles on either side, and rows of clustered columns guiding visitors toward the altar.

This underground chapel had no windows. It was as if it was built to reject the divine light descending from heaven, avoiding any form of communication with the “above.” In place of windows, square niches had been carved into the walls to hold candles, creating artificial light, a testament to the organization's beliefs and resolve.

What Yi Chen found most unsettling, however, was the chapel's altar design and entity.

Above the Altar

An ambiguous figure, a "human," hung suspended. The quotes signify that although this being's body structure and proportions resembled those of a human, it stood nearly six meters tall. Beneath wild, unkempt white hair was the face of a middle-aged man. His body was shrouded by an old, tattered, patched black suit.

*Additional Modifications*

His body had been sewn with six foreign organs, with only four visible on the exterior:

1. An aged arm attached to his right shoulder blade,

2. A sea-blue eye embedded in the back of his head,

3. An ear attached to the back of his right hand,

4. A spine covered in skin, connected to his waist like a tail.

The following were hidden from view:

5. A patch of pale skin with strange tattoos, sewn onto his chest,

6. A human-faced heart implanted in his right chest, functioning normally.

The six external entities are derived from the former [First Gentleman], embodying the traits and will he held in life.

*Suspension Method:*

Iron chains descend from the church ceiling,

binding his limbs,

piercing into the skin of his back,

passing laterally through the back of his neck,

his entire body hangs cruciform above the altar.

These chains, touching his flesh, seem almost alive, their cold steel turning warm, even growing skin-like on their surface.

This man is the current "First Gentleman", the seventh master of the Divine Skin Mansion—Alexis King Claude.

“This is the First Gentleman…”

At this sight, Yi Chen begins to feel confused, even nervous, about the reward he is about to receive.

As he and White Owl approach the steps before the altar, the First Gentleman slowly opens his eyes.

In that instant, Yi Chen feels his skin begin to ripple all over his body.

“Since the jury has given you such a high evaluation, ascend the final holy steps and accept my skin.”

“Yes.”

Only then does Yi Chen understand: the highest honor of the assessment, the "Gentleman's Skin", is directly bestowed by the master of the Divine Skin Mansion.

Though he doesn’t yet know the skin’s purpose,

he is certain it will be of great help to his future progress.

Taking a deep breath,

Yi Chen hesitates no longer.

He ensures his steps are deliberate, his movements graceful.

As he ascends the steps,

clang, clang—the chains move,

and the First Gentleman, Claude, descends to the altar, gazing down at the small-framed young man before him.

“Touch me.”

He extends his hand.

Their palms meet.

In that instant,

Yi Chen can no longer control his skin, which begins to shift uncontrollably, flowing like liquid.

Simultaneously,

a strange sensation overwhelms him as the skin flows toward him, as if their skins are “swapping.”

This liquid sensation

sparks a memory he thought should have been erased—a vast black sea, ink-like waves surging and sweeping something from his body.

Buzz!

During the “skin transfer,” the First Gentleman Claude suddenly feels a deathly pull from within Yi Chen… even forming a small black vortex, actively drawing his skin.

“Death?”

The withered arm attached to Claude’s back sweeps forward, forcibly breaking their connection.

However,

Yi Chen, absorbed in the transfer, has no awareness of what happened outside.

When he finally opens his eyes,

he finds a 10cm by 10cm piece of "Gentleman’s Skin" in his hand, and he can clearly feel it is alive.

At that same moment,

White Owl Chamberlain, standing below the steps, shows a rare look of surprise.

“Such a large piece?”

He had seen some exceptionally talented newcomers granted an audience with the First Gentleman, but none had ever received so large a piece of skin.

Clang, clang—the chains move again,

and the First Gentleman resumes his suspended state.

Simultaneously, a black box appears above the altar.

“Store your 'Skin' and proceed to the acceptance ceremony… I’m also curious to see what kind of gentleman you’ll be identified as.”

“Yes.”

Yi Chen quickly steps forward, placing the skin in the box and holding it close to his chest.

Before parting,

the First Gentleman adds a comment, intended more for White Owl to hear.

“Through our contact, I sensed that your physique is quite ordinary, with no basic training… more like an 'outsider'.

Chamberlain, make sure this young man’s foundational training is accelerated; he’ll need to invest much more time than others.

If necessary, you may request extended secluded training from the academy.

In any case, I leave this matter to you.

We must carefully cultivate our talent; we don’t have much time left.”

“Yes.”

With these words, the white skin affixed to the First Gentleman’s chest reveals an ancient, incomprehensible pattern.

【Spatial Compression】

In a flash,

Yi Chen and Chamberlain return to the side hall of the assessment and review.

It almost seems as if his meeting with the First Gentleman was but a fleeting dream.

Clutching the black box in his hand, feeling the vitality of the Gentleman’s Skin within, excitement, joy, and satisfaction from securing this prized reward surge forth.

“Going to the bottom of the lake… was indeed the right choice.”

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