An unknown person at the gate. Wanted to see the big boss. As a loyal butler, impossible to agree immediately.
After a moment of silence, the butler said to the intercom, "Okay. Someone will be at the door to greet you soon."
A while later, four security guards in black suits came to the gate. Pressed the knob. Iron gate opened.
"What should I call you, sir?"
The leader of the four security guards motioned him inside.
Jack stretched out his hand. "My name is Ross. I'm a painter."
At the main entrance, after shaking hands with four security guards one after another, the scene was shown on the surveillance screen—being led toward the butler's room.
The butler glanced at the surveillance feed, continued typing on his laptop. Searched for the person's information through a special channel. Used a photo of the visitor's face...
Soon, Jack—as guest—was brought in by four security guards in black suits.
The butler sat behind the table calmly. When Jack came in, asked strangely, "Where is Mr. Marko? I'm looking for him, not you."
"Please call the boss Mr. Met." The butler said calmly. Are you so familiar with our boss? Opens his mouth and calls him by first name. "I am the chief butler of this house..."
Jack smiled. Held out his hand.
The butler shook hands perfunctorily. Continued, "Then here is the first and most important question: How do you know the boss is living in this villa today?"
At the end of the sentence, the butler's eyes were very sharp. Staring at Jack closely. Not missing the slightest change in the other man's face.
Jack was unmoved. After shaking hands, smiled and sat down on the sofa. Arms and legs crossed. Asked, "I said there's an extremely urgent matter that must be told to Mr. Marko. So, let me ask—does this extremely urgent matter... does Mr. Marko know about it now? Do you know about it?"
The chief butler said calmly, "Whether you know or not depends on what this so-called extremely urgent matter is."
"Then I don't know." Jack smiled. "Look—a person like me who knows information you don't know is obviously a capable person. Since I'm a capable person, of course I can also get your boss's latest information. And I'm willing to come all the way to give advice. Obviously I'm a good person. Why should you look at someone as capable and kind as me like this? Old sir, your eyes are so scary. Can you tone it down?"
The butler narrowed his eyes. Said coldly, "Just call me sir. I can't afford to be 'old sir.'"
"Life's not easy. Is it difficult to understand I'd exchange a piece of advice for a small amount of money?" Jack said generously and sincerely. "I don't believe it—your boss doesn't even have a professional bodyguard by his side? It's just a meeting with your boss. Don't be so nervous."
"Of course there are bodyguards..." The butler thought for a while. "Wait a moment."
He picked up the phone on the table. Said a few words briefly. Finally said, "Okay, boss." Put down the phone. Stood up. "Come with me."
Jack stood up from the sofa. Turned around, whispered to the four bodyguards in black suits, "Go find the thing. Find it and give it to me."
The four bodyguards all wore glasses. Couldn't see the change in their eyes. After hearing Jack's words, they all stood still.
The five people looked at each other for a moment. Starting from Jack, to the four bodyguards—all finished the same sentence in five mouths: "Isn't this really strange?"
All five rolled their eyes.
The palms of the four bodyguards each had a rose-gold pentagram symbol printed on them.
Soon the four dispersed quietly. Went to other parts of the villa. When they went out, happened to pass by a butler's assistant who came in.
The butler's assistant came in to take over. Watched the surveillance. Seeing the guest was still lingering in the room, urged, "The butler is waiting for you."
"Oh, coming, coming." The guest extended his hand enthusiastically. "My shoelace came loose just now. Sorry."
The butler's assistant shook hands with him perfunctorily. Glanced down at the same time. Couldn't help wondering—the shoes this guest wore obviously had no laces?
Glared at Jack. Walked out briskly. Continued following the chief butler.
The butler frowned. A little dissatisfied with his slow movements. But didn't say anything. Continued leading the way.
Soon, the two walked through the corridor. Arrived at a room. A man and woman were already waiting at the door. Nodded to the butler. Looked at "Jack-Liam" with straight faces.
"These two are the boss's personal bodyguards. Mr. Invers and Miss Ruili." The butler nodded, introduced. "Both are Professional Hunters."
"Oh, that's impressive!" "Jack-Liam" smiled, stretched out his hand. "My name is Ross. I'm a painter. Want me to draw a picture for you?"
Invers—the male Hunter of the pair—saw the other extending his hand. Stretched out his own to hold it with "Jack-Liam." Said calmly, "No need."
After coming into contact with the pentagram symbol painted in red on "Jack-Liam's" palm and the aura of "Jack-Liam," a rose-gold pentagram mark quietly took shape in the rough palm of Invers.
Ruili—the female Hunter—ignored "Jack-Liam." Batted away his outstretched hand with a backhand slap. "Don't get too close. You're a stranger with unknown origins. If you want to see our boss, we must check whether you carry any harmful weapons or poisons on you. Is that okay?"
Although she was asking if there were questions, Ruili had already started. Touching all over "Jack-Liam's" body.
Quietly, a breath of aura was released from the woman's hand. Entered his body.
"Oh, miss, your hands and feet are not clean!" "Jack-Liam" immediately took action. Grabbed the woman's wrist with a snap. Stared into her eyes. At the same time, held her palm firmly with his other hand. Squeezed it tightly. "What kind of garbage are you secretly pouring into my body?"
This person is also a Nen user!
Invers knew immediately.
Only the chief butler next to him knew a little about it. Knew most of these Professional Hunters had strange methods—almost like superpowers and magic—but was just guessing. Didn't know much about them.
Although Ruili was shocked, one of her hands was so painful she couldn't pull away. Stretched out her other hand. Grabbed Jack-Liam's crotch.
"Sir, your hold hurts me." She said coldly. "Can you let go?"
"Jack-Liam" also said coldly, "You're hurting me too. Let go, miss?"
The chief butler looked at the two—one holding the other's wrist, the other... holding tightly—both being pinched so painfully sweat broke out on their foreheads. But they still kept their expressions tight, said harsh words. He couldn't help having the urge to hold his forehead and sigh.
"Okay, okay, let's get down to business." Invers tried to persuade. "Ruili, you made the first move. It was indeed your fault."
Ruili let go. Nodded to the butler. Found nothing inappropriate.
Invers' words actually had another meaning: since Ruili had taken the first step, injected her aura into this person—he'd fallen into Ruili's control. Could no longer pose any threat.
"Then please." The butler signaled. "The boss is in the room."
"Jack-Liam" put on an expression that he didn't care about the little woman. Followed the butler in calmly. Invers and Ruili followed closely behind. Both with a rose-gold pentagram symbol printed on their palms.
Because he wasn't sure if there were any hidden bodyguards here, Liam didn't activate the Star Marks immediately. Didn't directly control the two people and the butler.
After all, if he could successfully get the Scarlet Eyes and leave, Liam would not expose the Star Mark. Get the things and walk away. Finally control the people who had the Star Mark to pierce the mark to release it. Everyone would treat it as nothing happened—this operation was a mark and could be arranged in advance. But best not to enable it if possible.
Followed the butler into the room.
The spacious reception room had a long table and several sofas. But it was deserted right now.
In one corner of the room, a whole wall was dug out with many holes. Filled with books of all kinds. Between the two lazy sofas by the window, tea and snacks were on the coffee table. Two people sat chatting.
Liam knew one of these two people. And Liam felt he also knew the other one.
The person he'd come to see was exactly the target of this trip—that Marko Met, the entrepreneurial tycoon who'd bought the Scarlet Eyes from the cram school lecturer. Looked very young. Early thirties. A time when he was in the prime of life, full of energy. However, looked a little worried as he drank tea and chatted with the other person. Only changed his expression when he saw the butler bringing someone in.
The other one was not tall, not short. A little chubby. But the most eye-catching feature was undoubtedly not the figure but the face.
The top of his head was completely bald. But still had long, loose hair surrounding his head. Round face seemed a bit cute at first glance. But facial features were actually a bit weird. Big eyes had no eyebrows. Looked like a bad guy. And the most damaging thing—what was also inharmonious—was the pair of big fangs. Popped out like a rabbit's lips. Overall, looked less and less like a good person. But this person's temperament was unexpectedly harmonious and calm. Showing a calmness and tranquility as if having seen through the mortal world.
Close your eyes and only perceive the aura from this person's perspective—simply an elf-like person. But when you opened your eyes, the elf turned into a monster.
If it was the person he knew, "Jack-Liam" felt he was in trouble.
"Just stand there." Marko looked over. Raised his hand to stop "Jack-Liam" from approaching.
Trouble has come.
Marko looked at "Jack-Liam." Asked, "First of all, tell me—why did you lie to them?"
It seemed he was indeed the person he knew.
"Your name is neither Ross nor are you a painter." Marko crossed his hands and fingers. Said with certainty, "Am I wrong?"
"Jack-Liam" glanced at the short bald person opposite Marko with an expressionless look—it seemed this guy was indeed the Melody he knew.
Melody was also looking at him at this moment. Suddenly said, "Do you know me?"
"Jack-Liam" cursed in his mind. Melody was a Music Hunter. Just hearing her name and profession, you knew her ability lay in rhythm.
Melody's hearing was extremely developed. An upgraded version of the enhanced hearing developed by Liam and Shizuku after "Gyo" in the ears. On a rainy day, could hear you clearly after two buildings. The kind of monster-level hearing that could catch you speaking to yourself...
Didn't matter that she had developed hearing. The most outrageous thing: Melody, as a top musician, could clearly hear the heartbeats of other people from a distance. Based on the rhythm of the heartbeats, could tell whether the other person was lying, anxious, nervous, self-doubting, or other moods...
She understands that kind of thing.
In front of Melody, lying, pretending... all meaningless.
So, "Jack-Liam" glared at her. Said, "Is it strange to know you? You're not some expert hermit."
"But I rarely reveal my abilities to people I don't know well," Melody said softly.
Don't be surprised—this was a girl.
The former Melody was probably still a beautiful girl. Unfortunately, a friend of hers got a piece of music called "Dark Sonata" composed by the Devil King. Just after listening to the flute part of this piece, Melody was disfigured by disaster. Became what she was now—looked like a ghost. And her friend who was playing the music died suddenly.
In terms of personality, Melody was a soft girl.
But as a Professional Hunter, no shortage of professional qualities. At this moment, keenly grasped the loophole of "Jack-Liam"—being able to listen to the "voice of the heart" was really shameless.
"You know what I'm capable of, right?" Melody asked bluntly.
Damn it, is this cheating? Just because she's a humanoid lie detector, she can do whatever she wants?
If there weren't monsters running around the Dark Continent and there was no need for lie detectors, I'd press your head on the spot and make you join The Ten, you believe that...
"Jack-Liam" sighed. Rolled up his sleeves. Said, "Originally, I was prepared to get along with you as an ordinary person. But what I got in exchange was alienation."
As soon as he spoke, the three people behind him all became alert.
The chief butler's instinct was to dodge immediately. Not to cause trouble for the professionals—after all, no one's butler was as outrageous as the Zoldycks'. A 10-year-old trainee butler could kill a hundred or so veteran bounty hunters. Wipe them all out.
Invers clenched his fists. Muscles piled up. The aura on his body suddenly increased. Estimated this was Enhancement System. Similar to what Liam expected.
Ruili looked at "Jack-Liam" coldly. "What exactly do you want to say?"
This person had already been affected by her Nen. Was basically meat on the chopping board. So she didn't panic at all. Suggested everyone present could give her some face and not make a fuss?
"What do I want to say? I want to say..."
"Jack-Liam" was politely about to recite some bullshit, but Ruili suddenly got angry. Opened her hand, shouted, "Stop talking nonsense. I'll take you down first."
In an instant, "Jack-Liam's" whole body exploded with aura—the burst of aura did not form "Ren," but poured out like a berserk. Completely out of his control.
"The guy who was infuriated." Ruili sneered. "Stop struggling. Since it's already mine, no matter how hard you struggle, it's useless!"
The aura in "Jack-Liam's" body continued to surge out. Gradually leaving his body surface.
Melody had been listening carefully. Then suddenly said, "No! There are other heartbeats in the villa! One, two, three! There are three intruders!"
"But what if this was originally mine?"
Under the clothes on "Jack-Liam's" chest, the rose-gold pentagram mark printed on his skin shimmered. The aura that was about to fly away from the body was forcibly caught back. Returned to the body.
"What? This is impossible!" Ruili was shocked.
Invers did not hesitate. Hit "Jack-Liam" with a fist as big as a casserole
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writing takes time, coffee, and a lot of love.If you'd like to support my work, join me at [email protected]/GoldenGaruda
You'll get early access to over 50 chapters, selection on new series, and the satisfaction of knowing your support directly fuels more stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~