The Gentleman at the End of the World

Chapter 26: Evaluation and Assessment

[Divine Skin Mansion]

One of the most iconic and important buildings of the G&D organization.

It is the origin of the organization, and also the key to the organization's development and cultivation of outstanding gentlemen.

All newcomers who pass the external assessment and arrive in Zion will come here to be awarded the corresponding "skin" - an essential item to become a 'gentleman' - according to their assessment level.

The mansion's main gate is a typical Gothic-style gate,

Composed of multiple layers of arches and pilasters, receding layer by layer, creating a sense of depth and attraction, thus emphasizing the [entrance].

The gate's specifications are even more exaggerated,

Reaching a full 10 meters in height, this gigantic design seems to welcome not humans, but some deity.

Whoosh!

The gloomy and heavy iron door opens inward.

The door openers are two clergy members who reside permanently in the mansion,

They wear special outerwear that matches the mansion's style, like long robes made by sewing together some kind of depilated animal skin,

These skin patches are all pentagonal,

With obvious suture marks at the edges where they connect,

Similar "sutures" can also be found on their bodies, such as lips, eyelids, neck, and even parts covered by clothing...

As if the skin of these clergy members is also pieced together through suturing.

Stepping into the mansion,

A huge staircase covered with flesh-colored carpet comes into view,

The steps gradually widen, able to carry visiting guests to the left and right corridors on the second floor,

Six portraits hang on both sides of the hall, corresponding to the former masters of the mansion,

They all share a common title [First Gentleman].

Only they have the qualification to rule over this mansion,

...

Yi Chen and the others did not climb the stairs, but were led to a side room on the first floor.

More like a conference room,

A long marble table occupies half the area,

The gentleman examiner responsible for overseeing the Green Lake Town assessment is sitting on the inner side of the stone table.

The examinees are required to line up neatly, giving a sense of being interviewed.

Yi Chen, walking at the back, notices that

A white-feathered owl is perched on the shoulder of the white-haired examiner sitting in the C position... it's the one that saved him at the lake.

"I am the main person in charge of this assessment, [George Qian Bosen].

I'm very pleased that seventeen people have passed the relatively difficult Green Lake Town assessment, and some have even performed elegant actions beyond our expectations during the assessment.

Next, we will score your overall performance during the assessment.

The full score is [100],

Those scoring above 40 can obtain residency in Zion.

Those scoring above 60 can obtain an ordinary 'Gentleman's Skin',

Those scoring above 80 can obtain a 'Gentleman's Skin' that retains the aura of the old world,

If the score reaches 95 or above, you will have the opportunity to meet with the current [First Gentleman], who will personally judge and gift you the skin."

Some of the gentlemen present who knew the assessment criteria in advance completely disregard the last sentence,

The organization's scoring is extremely strict,

Especially this year's chief examiner, the elder known as the 'White Owl', achieving 80 points is already very excellent and will lead to preferential treatment in Zion in the future.

Following the order of entry, the examiner begins to comment on each examinee.

Yi Chen naturally falls to the last position.

Due to the high difficulty of the Green Lake Town assessment, most people score above the passing grade.

Those who achieve 80 points include:

The three from Edmund's team,

A swordsman with multiple parts of his body wrapped in bandages,

And a youth with an extremely low presence, who somehow changed into a floral suit and wears a rainbow mask.

An antique stone box bearing the G&D logo is handed to them.

Edmund can barely contain his joy, constantly bumping shoulders with his two companions.

Finally,

It's the turn of Yi Chen, who entered last,

The blonde Edmund also suppresses his joy and excitement, focusing on the examiners' upcoming evaluation and scoring.

This time,

Chief examiner Qian Bosen speaks personally:

"Temporary examinee from Easton Cemetery - William Behrens.

Your final score for this assessment is [96]."

At these words,

The room falls silent,

All examinees, including Edmund, widen their eyes, and even the guy in the floral suit wearing a mask turns his head, showing some interest.

Many of them come from families, training bases, or some small to medium-sized organizations directly under G&D.

Everyone knows how difficult it is to get a 95-point assessment score and meet the "First Gentleman", it's almost impossible.

For several consecutive years, no one has been able to reach this score.

Teacher Qian Bosen continues:

"Since the score exceeds the first tier, I will briefly explain the reasons.

William chose an investigation route completely different from yours at the beginning of entering the town,

Actively contacting a [Patient] who had completed the 'initial stage of illness',

Living alone in a highly dangerous hotel,

To find the true root of the town's illness, after making correct and astute judgments,

He chose to assist this patient who still had some consciousness, establishing a temporary relationship of mutual benefit, obtaining their assistance and information.

Finally, risking certain death to go to the depths of the lake and eliminate the [Source]."

"What?!"

This brief account of experiences by Qian Bosen shocks the examinees even more,

They all know very well that,

Individuals who have not yet accepted the "Gentleman's Skin" and officially become gentlemen are almost impossible to eradicate regional illnesses. Just surviving in Green Lake Town and finding out some key information to report to the organization would be quite good.

This young man actually went alone into the completely unknown lake, slaying the source in its deepest part.

96 points,

Well-deserved,

"Elegant and compassionate, brave and spiritual... It's been a long time since Zion has welcomed such a young person, I believe the 'First Gentleman' is also looking forward to meeting you."

Listening to Qian Bosen's evaluation

Even Yi Chen himself is quite surprised,

Because he wasn't sure if his actions of assisting the patients would be viewed as 'erroneous conduct' by the organization.

Now it seems that the organization itself is not rigid, and appropriate contact with patients to obtain better results is considered a display of 'spirituality'.

"The evaluation session has ended, examinees who have obtained the 'Gentleman's Skin' please proceed to the temple area to prepare for the 'acceptance ceremony'."

As everyone is leaving,

Edmund lightly pats Yi Chen's shoulder, "William, you'll have to guide us more in the future... I hope you can leave a good impression on the First Gentleman."

"Mm."

After everyone has left,

White Owl Qian Bosen beckons to Yi Chen,

"I will personally take you to the [depths of the mansion], which is where the First Gentleman is located.

On the way there, don't make any disrespectful subjective actions, just follow me.

If you feel any discomfort in your skin, try to endure it yourself as much as possible."

The last sentence puts Yi Chen on alert,

Moreover, as the 'First Gentleman', that is, the master of the Divine Skin Mansion, he is actually located in the depths of the mansion... There must be unspeakable secrets inside.

"Understood."

Qian Bosen turns a wall lamp set on the side wall,

A narrow secret passage that only allows individual passage is revealed,

"Follow me... don't try to memorize the internal route, the route to the [depths of the mansion] is one-time, one-way, and requires the First Gentleman's permission."

"Alright."

Walking through the wall crevice passage of the mansion, it takes a full ten minutes under the illumination of oil lamps.

The narrow wall crevice passage turns into a gloomy spiral staircase descending,

The moment Yi Chen steps on the stairs,

A strange whisper sounds in his ears,

Although he can't understand its meaning, it causes a layer of tingling sensation all over his skin, slowly evolving into a feeling of peeling...

As if the skin has been given self-awareness, wanting to separate from the flesh and become independent.

"Hey!"

Little Grape's mental reminder pulls him back to reality, and the whispers disappear.

"Just now..."

"The ancient existence hidden in this mansion attempted to [peel] you, be careful~ Don't let your mind have any gaps, I'll help you too."

"Okay."

Yi Chen can feel that Little Grape is in an unprecedentedly serious state at this moment.

(End of Chapter)

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