Get comfortable, turn the page, and let’s see what this story has been hiding 🔥 ✦ In order to make Wright stay as a sparring partner for ten days, Kieran had casually added two extra demands.
In his view, any normal person would not agree so readily, and he had already prepared for the following negotiation.
He had not expected Wright to truly agree without even a moment of hesitation.
“…” Kieran fell silent.
He had never believed that free lunches fell from the sky.
Seeing Wright agree so cleanly, his first thought was: ‘Wright wants something from me.’ “You are sure you want to exchange the achievement for a criminal with a twenty-million-Jenny bounty for these three demands?” Kieran calmly repeated the content of the deal.
“Of course.” Wright nodded, took a phone from his pocket, and said seriously, “Let us fulfill the first demand first.
Give me a bank account.
I will transfer thirty million Jenny to you right now.” “I do not have a bank account.” Kieran had been staying in the temple the whole time.
How would he have something like a bank account?
Seeing that Kieran had no bank account, Wright offered another suggestion.
“What about an ID card?
I can take a photo of it and get a bank account opened for you within five minutes.” Whether it was transferring a large sum in real time or opening a bank account late at night, neither was a problem as long as one had a Hunter License.
That was also why most amateur Hunters wanted a license so badly.
It was simply too convenient.
“An ID card…” Kieran thought of his cheap father.
Hawk did not seem to have ever gotten him an ID card.
He shook his head.
“I do not have that either.” “That…” Wright paused.
He did not ask why and instead proposed again, “Then cash or gold.
But I can only get it here after daybreak.
If you have no objection, I will start arranging it now.” “Fine.” Kieran agreed.
Thirty million Jenny was roughly equivalent to a few million in 1990s purchasing power from his old life’s perspective.
But compared with the money, what Kieran wanted more was the chance to improve his strength in a short period of time.
The logic was simple.
In this world, as long as he had strength, he would not need to worry about money.
In a profession like Wright’s, successfully catching one wanted criminal could bring in tens of millions.
If one’s strength allowed it, one could also hunt criminals with bounties exceeding one hundred million.
It was worth noting…
Bounties were taxed when claimed.
Wright did not mention this because he wanted Kieran to remember his kindness once he found out later.
That was one of Wright’s little schemes.
After confirming that Kieran had chosen gold, which would be easier to store, Wright called a number.
In his capacity as a licensed Hunter, he settled the matter in only a few sentences.
“All right.
Next is the corpse outside.” Wright put away his phone, looked toward the courtyard, and smiled.
“Leave it to me.
I guarantee there will not be a single trace of blood left.” Seeing Wright handle everything so thoroughly, Kieran finally could not help asking, “The achievement for a criminal with only a twenty-million-Jenny bounty should not be enough to make you go this far, right?” “True, but some things depend on the situation.” Wright nodded.
Naturally, he would not reveal his true thoughts.
Instead, he explained in a steady tone, “For example, I am trying to become a One-Star Hunter and am only one step away.
That makes this achievement extremely important to me.
That is why I am willing to pay this price for the exchange.
Hm, you know what I mean by One-Star, right?” “A One-Star Hunter title?” “Exactly.” “Then I understand.
No wonder you are willing to spend so much.” Kieran showed a look of realization.
Wright smiled, pointed his thumb toward the courtyard, and said, “I will go outside and handle the corpse first.
A specialist will come take over afterward.” “Mm.” Kieran nodded.
Wright turned and walked toward the door, thinking to himself: ‘From the moment we made formal contact, he has acted experienced most of the time.
He clearly looks underage, yet he has a level of caution and sharpness that does not match his age.
Come to think of it…’ ‘I once met another boy with a similar feel.
If I have to compare him with Kieran, Kieran is still more impressive.’ ‘Still, in the end, he is only a child.
Too easy to deceive.’ Successfully using his attempt at One-Star status to cover his true intention in front of Kieran gave Wright an unexpected sense of pleasure.
He walked out of the room and went straight toward Ian’s corpse.
What he did not notice was Kieran behind him, lowering his eyelids.
Nor did he expect…
‘Not buying it.’ Kieran shook his head almost imperceptibly and muttered in his heart.
In front of the three demands he had made, Wright’s urgent need for the achievement was not convincing enough.
Leaving aside how quickly he had agreed, if Wright truly needed the achievement that urgently, then with time pressing on him, there was no way he would agree to the condition of ten days of sparring.
A more reasonable reaction would have been agreeing to owe a favor and raising the amount of Jenny used to exchange for the achievement.
‘I do not know what you want from me, but judging by the current situation, I am getting more out of this.’ With his head lowered, Kieran silently thought it through.
While Wright went to clean up the corpse in the courtyard, Kieran quietly recalled his shadow and restored it to its normal state.
A Nen ability was the sort of thing…
That should stay hidden if it could stay hidden.
“Kieran…” Monica’s voice came from the bed.
By the faint light pouring in through the window, Kieran glanced at her, then walked to the wall and turned on the switch.
As the wall lamp lit, soft light filled the room again.
“It is over.” Kieran lowered his hand, looked at Monica, and said, “You heard what Wright said just now.
When the specialist who will take over the corpse arrives, go down the mountain with them.” “Mm.” Monica had no reason to refuse.
She nodded slowly.
Kieran withdrew his gaze, bent down, picked up the pencil and the small knife used for sharpening it, and placed them back on the desk.
Then he gave her a quiet reminder.
“Before you leave, Wright will probably speak with you for a while.
You are smart.
You know what to do.” Monica had watched the entire trade for the achievement from the side.
Wright had ignored her existence from beginning to end, but he likely had ways to make Monica keep the secret.
“Mm.
I know what to do.” How could Monica possibly provoke a licensed Hunter?
She looked at Kieran, hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage.
“Kieran, can I…
come here again in the future?” “As long as it is during the temple’s visiting hours, there is no problem.” After saying that, Kieran turned and left.
Wright had promised that he would not leave a single trace of blood while handling the corpse.
That made Kieran rather curious.
Watching from the side might let him learn something.
Monica silently watched his back.
✦ ✦ ✦ Ready for more?
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS EmberHollow Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you deeper into the story.
Stick around, because there’s still a lot waiting just ahead.