Veteran Orbia!

To say that scholars are unarmed is nothing but Marines arrogance. In reality, when scholars go to sea to do something that could cost them their lives, how could they not have some firepower?

Moreover, on this vast ocean, it's not just the World Government that pose a threat to them; pirates and other such groups won't treat them kindly just because they are scholars.

Therefore, the academic team must prepare weapons and ammunition to deal with various risks.

Nicole Orbia came to Chiklis Island to replenish her supplies of weapons and ammunition. She was among the first group of scholars to embark on the expedition and has extensive experience in this kind of Underworld business.

She knew that she couldn't show the slightest cowardice here. Once these jackals discovered her weakness and cowardice, they would truly transform into jackals and devour her completely.

On the contrary, the more relaxed and domineering you appear here, the more likely they are to see you as one of their own, as the predator, rather than the prey.

The more beautiful a woman is, the better she is at acting. With this experience and acting skills, Orbia can now walk in the Underworld without revealing any clues or flaws.

Just like now, she walked from one end of the market street. When she passed some stalls along the way, she would go up and chat with them, occasionally shouting at the owners. Then she would buy the items in a very generous manner, and after buying them, she would grumble and complain as if she had really been cheated.

This skillful approach allowed her to blend seamlessly into the environment, to the point that the jackals here all regarded her as one of their own and had no intention of harming her whatsoever.

Indeed, in the Underworld, there are very few real conflicts between predators. The reason is simple: it is a world where the strong prey on the weak. Once injured here, the predator will instantly become the prey.

Therefore, there is no major conflict. As long as they judge that the other party is "one of their own," the predators will be very polite to each other. They generally prefer to eat foreign lambs.

Only a ruthless person like Ortolan, who can control the situation, would be so ruthless as to kill his so-called "kindreds".

Having locked onto his target, Ortolan stood up, ignoring the things on his stall, pushed the table aside, and strode towards Orbia.

At this moment, Orbia was preparing to pick out some miscellaneous items. Although she came here to buy weapons and ammunition, the Underworld had all kinds of goods. There was nothing they couldn't sell, only things you couldn't imagine. Occasionally browsing around might yield some unexpected gains.

For example, certain unique islands with Eternal Log Pose, certain treasure maps, and... Orbia is most interested in are certain historical artifacts that have been passed down abroad.

Just as Orbia was discussing the price of the Log Pose in her hand with a stall owner, Ortolan walked up to her side.

As soon as Ortolan arrived, the stall owner fell silent and dared not speak.

This made Orbia instantly realize that he was very likely in trouble!

She turned to look at Ortolan beside her. Hmm... over three meters tall, so muscular that his black vest seemed to burst through his strong muscles, monstrous arms that covered half his face, exaggerated black sunglasses, a scraggly stubble beard, and horn ornaments on his head.

This guy looks like a tough nut to crack!

Ortolan raised his hand and touched his chin, looking Orbia up and down. Then, he grinned and said with a 'friendly' smile, "Miss, is this your first time on Chiklis Island? Do you need a guide? I know this place very well. It's dangerous here, with a lot of bad people. I think you might need my help?"

While observing Ortolan, Orbia was also observing the people around her. When she saw that the ferocious jackals didn't even dare to look in her direction, she immediately realized that this guy was probably the most ruthless and vicious person on the street!

Looking at Ortolan's appearance, Orbia could only think that there was probably no more vicious guy on this island than him. With you by my side, I really don't have to worry about running into other bad guys, because we've got our heads together!

However, as a veteran, Orbia had considered the possibility of such a situation, so she did not refuse outright or have any conflict with Ortolan.

Instead, she chuckled and reached out to touch Ortolan's muscular chest, her eyes shining as she said, "Hey bro, you're exactly my type. How about I treat you to a meal so we can get to know each other better?"

Orbia carries a large dose of hallucinogens, enough to knock out even an elephant. He can use the excuse of having dinner with Ortolan to find an opportunity to drug him, take Ortolan down, and maybe even make some ill-gotten gains. Then he can quickly pack his things and run away, and he'll be safe.

Moreover, Orbia has prepared several plans to deal with this situation, so that it can adapt to different occasions.

"Hahahaha! It's been so long since a pretty woman has invited me to dinner. Ortolan pretended to be happy and laughed loudly. Then he bent down slightly, put his arm around Nico Orbia's shoulder, and squeezed her into his arms, looking like a bully.

Orbia knew immediately that this guy was taking advantage of her, but she had to wear a satisfied smile on her face as she leaned against Ortolan's chest and was half-dragged, half-pulled away from the street by Ortolan.

After Ortolan and Orbia left, the various stalls came alive again.

"Damn it, he beat me to it!"

"That beautiful girl was really great, with her tanned skin. I really liked her!"

"What good is it if you like her? That woman doesn't look like someone you want to mess with. Only the Boss Horns would dare to act so recklessly, right?"

"Stop talking nonsense here. If this gets back to Boss Horns Niu, how many heads do you have to slap him?"

Seemingly recalling the previous scene, the vendors clicked their tongues and dared not continue gossiping about Ortolan; they went about their business.

Meanwhile, Ortolan soon brought Orbia to a high-end restaurant.

Although the underworld is rife with chaos and lawlessness, it also has many powerful figures. These include gang leaders, mafia family executives, and pirate crew bosses. They all need to eat and drink well, so the island's high-end service facilities are quite comprehensive.

They booked a private room, and Ortolan and Orbia sat facing each other at the table. Orbia had already sensed that something was wrong. Ever since they entered the room, the once unrestrained and carefree older brother seemed to have suddenly become a different person, no longer so unbridled.

On the contrary, he seems to be behaving very well. Is he trying to act like a gentleman? Look at your own image, you're not suited for this kind of role at all, bro!

While Orbia was filled with doubt, she was also ranting and raving here.

After the waiter left the private room with the pre-ordered menu, Ortolan took off his fake mustache and sunglasses and placed them on the table.

Seeing this, Orbia was startled. Without the sunglasses and fake beard to conceal her, the more she looked at Ortolan, the more familiar he seemed.

After a few breaths, Orbia exclaimed in surprise, "Bane Ortolan!?"

Ortolan picked up the juice from the table, took a sip, and said with a chuckle, "Oh? I didn't expect I'd become so well-known that even strangers can recognize me now?"

Orbia's mood had sunk to the bottom, but still clinging to a last glimmer of hope, she forced a smile and said, "As partners of the Marines, we pirate hunters should naturally have some knowledge of the Marines's famous officers and generals."

"Pirate hunter?" Ortolan scoffed. "I didn't expect you to have this kind of side job. I thought that cyborgs like you didn't like fighting and killing."

Orbia's expression stiffened for a moment, then she pretended not to understand and asked, "What 'humanoid'?"

"Having come this far, you don't think you're still hiding your true colors well, do you? Ms. Nicole Orbia?" Ortolan's gaze locked onto Orbia's face as he spoke in a deep voice.

Orbia opened her mouth, wanting to make some excuse, but seeing Ortolan's gaze, she ultimately said nothing in response.

The scene fell silent, neither of them speaking.

After waiting for about ten minutes, the waiter knocked on the door, brought all the food, and then respectfully left.

Orbia didn't make a move, but Ortolan didn't care. What was a boxed lunch anyway? It wouldn't fill his stomach, okay? So he just started showing off.

Seeing Ortolan eating by himself, Orbia gradually became restless. Finally, as Ortolan picked up his bowl of wine, she asked, "How did you find out about me? Where did I go wrong?"

"The Imperial Government of the mortal realm possesses the strongest and most comprehensive intelligence network and surveillance system in the entire mortal realm. Once we get serious, there's nothing we can't find out; it's just a matter of time. You might not believe it, but everything concerning you is under our control," Ortolan casually boasted.