Chapter 457: Chapter 165 Corpse-Wrapping Cloth of Light and Dark 3
Hey, have you guys heard? All the big commerce guilds are buying up Dark Matter Crystals in large quantities…”
“How could we not know? It’s said that these crystals are the most ideal ‘element’ materials. Once integrated into a Profession Card, they can significantly reduce aberration probability. There’s also a high chance they can enhance the card’s quality. Especially the high-tier crystals, they’re currently worth a fortune. Apparently, there are other strange uses that we’re unaware of…”
“Indeed. I’ve heard that news has already reached the Sinless City. A large number of hunter groups are assembling there, ready to come here. We gotta hurry up, or we won’t even get a sip of the soup.”
Walking down the street, Leonard Churchill found that people everywhere were talking about the monsters outside the city.
The Hunter’s Association and all the major taverns were filled with new recruitment posters.
As Leonard’s wounds had not fully healed, he wasn’t in a rush to join the excitement.
With nothing to do, he walked a few steps and arrived at a city tavern.
Originally, he intended to meet with Reuel Bible to inquire about the X Bureau’s movements.
Unexpectedly, instead of running into him, he encountered two familiar faces.
In the Anvil Tavern, an old man missing his front teeth and a young lad were drinking in a dim corner of the bar.
Evidently, due to the way they were drinking politely yet unceasingly, Leonard recognized them as Elder Clinton and Colin, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time.
Last time at the Thunderbolt Fortress relic, it was thanks to these mysterious old men that the issue of the Weeping Angel was solved.
Leonard knew that this old man was a true master.
Having encountered him again, not only did he want to catch up on old times, but he also wanted to ask a few questions.
After all, the body of an angel was sealed within this relic.
The old man might know something.
Entering, Leonard greeted, “Senior Clinton. Colin.”
Cohn looked at Leonard, his eyes brightening, and he enthusiastically beckoned, “Mr. Leonard Churchill!”
He didn’t forget that the Relic-level longsword-the Flashing Heart-piercing Sword- in his hand had been gifted by the man before his eyes.
As a young man dreaming of becoming a great swordsman, such a gift would be remembered for a lifetime.
Yet, Elder Clinton looked at Leonard and felt uneasy for some reason. His old face twitched, not showing much enthusiasm.
Luckily, Leonard generously ordered the most expensive wine, which finally made Elder Clinton reveal a cheap smile, showing his missing front teeth.
Indeed, wine was the best social lubricant.
Having drunk together once before, they weren’t strangers anymore. The bartender brought the wine, and Leonard clinked glasses with the two. The drink, smelling of malt, flowed down his throat and into his stomach, a refreshing sensation emanating from his mouth.
Leonard asked, “What brings you two here?”
Cohn casually replied, “The usual. Grandpa wanted to come and see, so we came.”
Hearing this, Leonard looked at Elder Clinton and joked, “But Lion City isn’t safe recently… Are you guys planning to leave?”
From the corner of his eye, he noticed the bulging adventure backpacks they had prepared. Clearly, they were planning to go adventuring.
The timing was rather peculiar.
Upon a glance from Colin, he said, “Grandpa said he wanted to leave the city for a while. So, we contacted a hunter group and planned to meet them here. They should be arriving shortly.”
“Oh?”
Leonard was slightly surprised upon hearing this.
Giving Elder Clinton’s “Dog King” temperament, he would normally avoid any danger outside the city and stay put.
Yet now, he planned to leave the city?
There was only one reason for such an anomaly.
He thought of something and curiously asked, “Elder Clinton, have you… found what you’re looking for?”
Elder Clinton didn’t intend to hide anything. He glanced at Leonard and sarcastically said, “I don’t know if I’ve found it or not. But I always feel that- encountering you will bring trouble.”
“Hahaha…”
Leonard laughed it off.
This old man’s intuition was quite astonishing. He himself didn’t even realize his own “disaster gambler” halo.
Yet, every time he met this old man, he would be the one to comment.
However, Leonard did want to ask some questions. He leaned in closer, and asked softly, “Senior Clinton, do you know anything about the situation of that ancient seal?”
Hearing this, Elder Clinton didn’t know either, and instead asked, “Sealed? Is that huge hole a seal?”
Leonard Churchill replied directly, “Yes. It’s said that what’s sealed inside is the remnants of the crying angel we encountered last time…so do you know anything about it, Senior Clinton?”
Leonard thought that this old man should know some special intelligence.
However, upon hearing this, Elder Clinton continued to shake his head in confusion, “I don’t know.”
Leonard wasn’t surprised. This old man had lost too much of his memory, many things needed a stimulus to awaken.
But before he could speak again, Elder Clinton looked at him strangely, “How long haven’t we seen each other, and yet, why do I feel like you’re not going to live much longer?”
Leonard:
Standing by, Colin was shocked at what he heard: Grandfather, they only asked you a few questions, did you have to curse them?
Elder Clinton clearly saw more, he said again, “Have you used a certain Secret Skill that drains your life span?”
Laughing it off, Leonard nodded, “Yes.”
Elder Clinton pursed his lips, in a tone that wasn’t clear whether it was lamenting or advising, murmured, “Young people… isn’t it good to live longer?”
Leonard casually asked, “Is there a solution, Senior Clinton?”
If he was going to die, he could face it calmly.
However, he gradually found this world to be increasingly exciting.
If he could live longer, that wouldn’t be too bad.
“Difficult.”
Elder Clinton didn’t mention a specific method, instead he said something profound, “Death gives life meaning. Life span is part of destiny. No matter what method you use, whether you encounter it or not, that is your destiny.”
Leonard was drinking while listening, pondering his words.
After chatting a bit more, Leonard didn’t get much more information about the seal from Elder Clinton.
At this moment, Cohn asked, “Mister Leonard Churchill, would you like to join
us on an adventure outside the city?”
Having listened for a while, he knew that Leonard was very interested in that
pit, and was definitely planning to visit it.
On the side, Elder Clinton grimaced, looking reluctant.
Given his philosophy of preserving his own life, staying away from those who might cause trouble was the way to live longer.
And it was indeed so.
Leonard saw what was on the old man’s mind, laughed it off, and didn’t mind.
He had no intention of getting these two grandparents involved in the first place.
Catching up over a drink was enough.
However, just as he was thinking this, a team of people suddenly walked into the tavern.
Looking at the group symbol on their chest, Leonard recognized them as the Flamingo Hunter Group that Elder Clinton and Colin were waiting for.
This was a large Hunter Group in Lion City with a good reputation.
Beforehand, Leonard had seen their notices outside the tavern calling for temporary members to go on an expedition outside of the city.
In Lion City, there were many such Hunter Groups.
Leonard hadn’t paid attention to it before.
But as these people entered, he noticed something off.
“Oh…”
Leonard had an eidetic memory, so when he saw a familiar face, it was definitely someone he’d met before.
Several hunters walked in dressed in hunting attire.
Nothing too odd about that.
But Leonard’s gaze lingered on a woman in the group who seemed to be a temporary recruit, a doctor.
Because she looked familiar, he took a few extra glances.
And with just a few more looks, he recognized her identity.
Although she was disguised, with a head of blonde hair covering her, and freckles all over her face which hid her stunning looks.
But through subtle details, Leonard recognized this person.
“Catherine Carter?”
He never would have thought that the elder miss of the prestigious Lionheart Family would be in a small Hunter Group.