Chapter 22: Resources and Preparation

Leaving the magnificent "Underground City" and returning to the surface, London's night remained deep, but Lin Jie's state of mind was completely different.He was no longer that drifter struggling in the gutter who could be crushed at any moment.

In his arms, he carried ten heavy gold sovereigns, a hunter's manual symbolizing a brand new identity, and a mission document pointing toward the unknown and dangerous.

This was a solid feeling of controlling his own destiny.

Marcus, still following behind him like a silent iceberg, but Lin Jie could sense that the lingering feeling of surveillance had disappeared.

"I need a place to stay overnight, and... to make some preparations." Lin Jie broke the silence first. "I think the Association must have more respectable lodging than the 'Rat's Nest' in White Church District, right?"

Marcus snorted through his nose, seeming somewhat uncomfortable that Lin Jie still remembered his previous unpleasant pursuit experiences.

"Follow me." He said succinctly, then led Lin Jie into another quiet street.

They eventually arrived at a quite respectable-looking small hotel located in the Bloomsbury district.

The hotel's sign featured a fox reading a book, giving it a rather scholarly air.

This was one of the I.A.R.C.'s many peripheral safe houses, specifically provided for investigators on missions to rest temporarily.

Marcus showed his identity badge to the hotel owner, who immediately understood and arranged a clean, tidy single room for Lin Jie without charging any fee.

The room had a comfortable bed, an independent wash basin, and a small fireplace for heating water.

When the warm bathwater washed away the grime and fatigue accumulated over several days, Lin Jie truly felt he had come back to life.

After confirming Lin Jie was settled, Marcus, like a dutiful bodyguard, stationed himself in the corridor outside his room door, clearly not intending to communicate excessively with him.

Lin Jie was quite happy with the quiet.

He locked the door, spread out the case file about West India Docks under the kerosene lamp, and began his first real "work" since arriving in this world.

He first poured the ten gold sovereigns onto the table, the golden circular metal shimmering with enchanting luster under the light.

He had to reasonably plan the use of this "startup capital."

For a hunter, good equipment was the fundamental guarantee of survival and victory.

He took out paper and pen, and began systematically listing the items he needed to purchase.

The first item, and the most important one, was intelligence.

He needed the most detailed and accurate map of London, especially concerning the dock area and its underground sewer system.

In nineteenth-century London, its sewer network had already taken initial shape - it was the best breeding ground for crime and the bizarre, and he had a premonition it would be key to this investigation.

The second item was the reshaping of his personal image.

He could no longer wear those tattered vagrant clothes.

He needed attire respectable enough but not overly conspicuous, and convenient for movement.

A well-fitting coarse cotton shirt, durable work pants, high-top leather boots that could effectively waterproof and anti-slip, and a multi-pocket hunting jacket that could hold various items - these were all essential.

The third item was crucial tools.

Countless pieces of equipment used by modern detectives and adventurers flashed through his mind, but he had to consider the technological level of this era.

First was lighting equipment - kerosene lamps and torches were too dangerous in confined spaces and inconvenient to carry.

He immediately thought of an alternative - the portable carbide lamp.

This device, which used the reaction between calcium carbide and water to generate acetylene for illumination, had already appeared in this era. Although not yet widespread, it had begun to be used in some professional miner or cave explorer circles.

It could provide a more stable, brighter light source than kerosene lamps, making it an excellent tool for nighttime investigations.

Secondly, he needed some basic investigation tools: a retractable monocular telescope for observing distant objects;a hardcover notebook for recording clues and several quality pencils;a leather waist pouch that could carry various small tools.

Finally, the item concerning his very life - weapon and ammunition replenishment.

His only had one alchemical bullet left after the previous battle.

He had to find a way to replenish ammunition.

He remembered that neurotic craftsman Arthur Conan.

Although Barton hadn't explicitly said, Lin Jie guessed that for consumables like ammunition, the Association must have a specialized "logistics supply department."

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Lin Jie began his "big shopping spree" according to his prepared list.

With money backing him, his actions in this world capital became unprecedentedly smooth.

First, at a professional map surveying store, he spent a considerable amount to purchase a military-grade detailed topographic map of London drawn by the Royal Engineers, its accuracy far exceeding ordinary maps circulating on the market.

Immediately after, at a tailor shop on Regent Street, he completely replaced his ragged outfit.

When he walked out of the shop wearing brand new hunting attire, he was completely transformed - his face still young, but that calm, steady temperament already beginning to resemble a professional investigator.

Finding the carbide lamp took him more time.

He visited several hardware stores and mining equipment suppliers, finally finding what he wanted at a shop specializing in equipment for overseas expedition teams.

It was an intricately constructed portable carbide lamp made of brass and glass, even including a reflector that could focus light.

Seeing his sharp eye, the shopkeeper sold him a Gurkha kukri that could chop vines and be used for close-quarters defense. Lin Jie bought it without hesitation, hanging it on his belt.

Because he spent generously, the shopkeeper also threw in a bunch of small gadgets.

Throughout the entire shopping process, Marcus followed behind him like a silent shadow, neither too close nor too far.

Watching Lin Jie purchase various pieces of equipment that seemed somewhat "peculiar" but apparently quite useful in a targeted, systematic manner, the disdain and impatience in his eyes were being replaced by curiosity.

He had never seen any newcomer who could so clearly know what they needed before their first mission.

After completing the external equipment purchases, Lin Jie, led by Marcus, returned to the "Underground City" again through the British Museum's secret passage.

This time, his destination was the logistics supply area.

The person in charge here was a one-eyed veteran called "Quartermaster Old Tom."

He sat behind piles of weapons and ammunition crates like a dragon guarding treasure.

Only after Lin Jie showed his hunter's manual and mission number did Old Tom retrieve what he needed from rows of drawers.

"These are standard 'anti-spirit alchemical bullets', 0.455 caliber, suitable for Webley series revolvers." Old Tom pushed over a paper box containing twelve bullets, the bullet heads similarly displaying that dark silver mixed with silver nitrate.

"You need to pay 5 Association points, or the equivalent 5 gold sovereigns."

The expensive price made Lin Jie gasp, but he still bought the entire box without hesitation.

Money could be earned again, but at critical moments, these were twelve lives.

"So, are there other types of bullets?" Lin Jie pressed, thinking of Barton's Mauser that could fire "freezing bullets."

A flicker of approval passed through Old Tom's single eye.

"You've got ideas, kid. But those 'special ammunition' that require specific UMA materials for exchange - your current clearance isn't sufficient. Come find me when you can independently hunt a Town-class UMA and bring me its core material."

Lin Jie nodded, carefully storing both the ammunition and the change in gold coins.

The entire day's preparations were finally complete.

When he returned to the hotel room and laid out all his "new equipment" - the detailed map, portable carbide lamp, telescope, Gurkha kukri, and twelve brand new alchemical bullets - piece by piece on the table, an unprecedented sense of ambition surged in his chest.

He was no longer that pitiful wretch who could only rely on a single gun and an incomprehensible diary to survive.

Lin Jie's gaze finally fell on the map marked with the West India Docks area.

"It's time to act."