The screening process carried out by the Ministry of Occult Affairs was holistic and thorough.
They chose potential Occultists either by recomndation or direct scouting. Those deed worthy were subjected to a series of interviews.
After that, they would undergo tests of psychological resilience, and be trained in firearms, lee combat, and field tactics.
Then, they would serve as free agents under probation for three months. This was the final test they had to go through in order to join the Ministry and beco a full-fleged Occultist.
If they passed, they would then be required to swear the binding oath of secrecy. After that, they would undergo the ritual art for awakening their spirit energy, and finally enter the Spirit Crucible.
It was during the probationary period of three months where prospective applicants served as free agents that they would be given an initiation mission.
However, since Abel had awakened the old way, he was able to skip the entire screening process and directly beco an Occultist after completing his First Trial of Ascension inside the Crucible.
And since then, he had been doing, in reverse, what was required of an Occultist before they beca one.
It was only after he’d beco an Occultist that he was sworn in by Director John Kensington. Then, he was made to undergo a psychological test, ensuring he was fit to work in supernatural cases.
He was then trained in firearms, combat, and field tactics by the mbers of the Security & Special Operations Team.
Now, he was finally given his initiation mission after being deed ready.
"I hope you know, Abel, that this is sothing that you have to complete on your own," Hugh said in a somber tone. "You will receive no help from any of us."
"I understand, Commander." Abel nodded solemnly.
"However, unlike the rest of us, you do have an advantage," Hugh Preston added. "You can use your Hallmark. The rest of us never did because we weren’t even Occultists when we went through our initiation mission."
Abel silently nodded, musing to himself, I suppose that is an advantage.
"Open the file." the Commander gestured.
Abel did as told. Inside the file, there were several papers containing detailed information about his target.
He gradually started to frown as he read the contents. He couldn’t help but turn to Hugh Preston and mutter incredulously, "Commander, this... The Marrown? This is a gang!"
"Indeed." Hugh nodded solemnly. "However, they are not rely a gang. They are an organized criminal syndicate."
Abel couldn’t help but involuntarily gulp.
It’s my first mission and you’re sending to deal with a whole gang? Isn’t this... a little too much?
He shifted his attention to the docunts detailing the Marrown’s information. The more he read, the darker his expression turned.
Operating primarily in Newport’s docklands and alley-riddled industrial districts, the Marrown were a brutal criminal syndicate notorious for their cruelty, precision, and lack of rcy.
They were known to sabotage machinery and murder factory owners, foren, or union leaders. Whichever side paid them more. They disguised their killings as ’accidents’.
They also ran a vicious debt collection operation. Victims who failed to pay their dues were abducted, tortured, or maid.
Through corrupt surgeons and undertakers, they even trafficked human organs harvested from the holess, drunks, and even abducted children.
They extorted protection money from local businesses, and those who refused would find their shops burned to the ground overnight.
But their most heinous cri was human smuggling!
They used Newport’s status as a port city to smuggle people, especially desperate immigrants. Upon arrival, many were sold to hard labor or forced to work for free in squalid factories run by gang-affiliated businessn.
And as for the won... they were sold into prostitution.
Abel was utterly disgusted after reading the report. He turned to Hugh Preston and stated, "If these people are engaging in such despicable acts, then why hasn’t the police done anything?"
"It’s simple," said Henry, who was sitting beside the youth. "So of the constables receive generous sums from the Marrown. In return, they are told to turn a blind eye to their dealings."
"Then why hasn’t Trust done anything about them?" Abel was unable to understand, and couldn’t help but say, "Especially since we have the ans to!"
"Abel, there is sothing you must understand," Hugh spoke in a calm and steady voice. "The Ministry was founded to deal solely with the anomalous, not the troubles stirred up by the Dormants."
"That is also the reason the Occultists from the Ministry refrain from political entanglents," Francis chid in, his voice gentle. "Or from ddling in anything that might affect the mundane world."
"But..." Abel gritted his teeth. He wanted to ask his teammates how could they allow such a thing to happen knowing they had the powers to stop it.
But in the end, he helplessly sighed and instead asked, "But why now?"
Hugh revealed a faint smile, "Just because we don’t deal with the likes of Marrown doesn’t an they are without use. On the contrary, one can argue that such people are quite invaluable to the Ministry."
"Invaluable?" Abel frowned. "These filthy bastards who sell won and children for money, and even kill innocent people?"
Hugh silently nodded, his brown eyes flashing with a peculiar light. "There is still much you have yet to learn about how we operate, Abel. I shall explain once you’ve completed this mission."
Abel remained silent for a long ti before asking, "What do you require of ? Surely, you don’t want to... kill them, right?"
Coming from the 21st century, the act of killing was deeply appalling to him. It was sothing he had never even considered.
Hugh Preston deeply looked at the youth and answered in a solemn voice, "It would be ideal to keep most—if not all—of them alive. But in desperate monts, you may find yourself with no choice but to kill."
Abel’s hands trembled ever so slightly, hearing the Commander’s words.
Kill soone? He wondered.
Do I even have it in to take soone’s life?
"I shall leave it to your judgnt whether to take a life," Hugh Preston added. "However..."
His voice trailed off, his expression growing serious. "If it truly does co to that, you must not hesitate. For if you do, it will be your life at stake. I assure you these people won’t think twice before ending it."
Abel looked intently into the Commander’s eyes before nodding ever so slightly.
"Now, turn to the final page," Hugh added.
The youth turned to the final page and saw the nas of three gang mbers. His eyebrows furrowed and he couldn’t help but ask, "What about them?"
"Abel," the Commander spoke in a clear voice, his gaze sharp with certainty.
"These are the very n who nearly took your life that night. Yes, I speak of the night Henry and his grandfather found you bleeding in the street."
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