Change of Rendezvous Point

Shizuku clenched her right hand into a fist and hammered it into her left palm, her eyebrows raising in realization.

"So that's how it is... Hmm... Then I'll help you too."

Although she said that, when she squatted down to search the bodies, she pocketed all the Jenny she obtained into her jeans.

Gelman naturally wouldn't fight her for it; this was her deserved loot.

He had his own "loot" – 2 Stat Points, which he also added to "Physique," bringing it to 28 points.

The two tacitly looted the corpses, then the sedan. They found a set of car keys and drove off in one of the sedans, leaving the silent plaza.

Gelman sat in the driver's seat, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the gear stick, his eyes fixed on the road ahead in the dead of night.

Shizuku sat in the passenger seat, holding a stack of Jenny, counting them one by one. Then she took a rubber band and tied them into bundles.

They looked like robbers who had just finished a bank heist.

Shizuku put the Jenny away and looked at Gelman, who was focused on driving beside her.

"Where are we going next?"

Gelman flicked the turn signal and accelerated past a slow-moving big truck.

"I was supposed to meet a friend the day after tomorrow. Now I'll have to change the location. Staying in Yorknew City will attract a lot of flies and harassment."

Shizuku blinked her big eyes.

"You actually have 'friends'... Those two guys' threats might work on you, but they won't work on me."

Gelman's lips pressed downwards.

"You're the type of person who no longer relies on the social system and fears nothing, an 'Invincible Person,' right?"

"Ah." Shizuku's eyes widened slightly. "That's pretty much it. I could never find the right word before... 'Invincible Person,' that's right, I am invincible."

The black sedan drove off the overpass and passed through an intersection. By 1 AM on the 17th, it had left Yorknew City and arrived in another city.

Gelman abandoned the sedan by the roadside, no longer using it.

The two found an ordinary hotel and booked two rooms. They rested until 9 AM before setting out together again.

Gelman had pre-booked two airship tickets. He and Shizuku took the 11:30 AM flight, leaving the city.

Seated in his seat, Gelman was editing a text message to send to Biscuit.

"My companion and I have boarded the airship and will arrive at our destination this afternoon."

He had discussed with Biscuit beforehand, changing the rendezvous point, and had also informed Biscuit that he would bring a companion.

Shortly after, Biscuit sent a reply.

"Understood... Speaking of which, the commotion you two caused last night was huge. Both Leech and Porcupine, two 'Shadow Beasts,' died miserably at your hands (surprised face)."

"However, so far, the bounty posted on the 'Dark Web' by the 'Ten Dons' is aimed at you. Your companion has not been exposed yet (smirking face)."

"But, because you are from Meteor City, they must be very troubled right now, right? After all, gangs and Meteor City have a mutually beneficial relationship, and Meteor City is known for being protective (laughing face)..."

"But if they don't punish you, their 'Ten Dons' reputation will be greatly diminished."

Shizuku sat next to Gelman. She noticed Gelman was sending a text message and leaned over curiously, wanting to take a look.

Gelman, however, turned his phone screen away, not letting her see, and continued to edit the message.

"I won't place my hopes on others' decisions, nor do I want to waste time on them. When will you be meeting us?"

After a long while, Biscuit replied.

"Yorknew City was a bit far from me before, but this destination is closer. I've already set off and should be able to meet you tonight (drooling face)."

"Be careful. The 'Shadow Beasts' might relentlessly pursue you. With only two 'Shadow Beasts' dead, they probably still have confidence in hunting you down."

Gelman replied with a "Got it" before putting his phone away.

By then, Shizuku had lost interest in his text message content and was engrossed in a travel magazine.

The airship landed punctually in the coastal city of Saba City in the afternoon.

If nothing unexpected happened, this city would become the registration point for the next Hunter Exam next year.

Gelman and Shizuku checked into the Dore Port Hotel, which offered a view of the Azure Sea. Their rooms were separated by only one wall, and they prepared to wait quietly until evening.

Eating soft afternoon tea pastries, Gelman sat in a chair, watching the news on the television.

"Last night, a suspected gang conflict broke out in Yorknew City, resulting in seventy-five deaths and causing great panic among the public. The case is currently under investigation. Here are the scenes from the site..."

After watching for a while, he sensed approaching presences. At first, they were concealed, but after completely surrounding him, they dropped their disguises.

So they've come.

The glass floor-to-ceiling window of the balcony was pulled open, and a naked man walked in. His brown skin and pointed bald head blocked the sunlight streaming in from outside.

"I am Earthworm, one of the 'Shadow Beasts'."

With a "snap," the doorknob was roughly twisted off, and the door was pushed open. A smiling, slightly plump man and another man with a middle-parted short haircut and sunglasses walked in.

"I am Leech, one of the Shadow Beasts."

"I am Owl, one of the Shadow Beasts."

"Gelman," Earthworm said. "I didn't expect Leech and Porcupine to die by your hands. We hadn't even had a chance to see the scene before receiving orders to come after you immediately."

"It seems you've underestimated us gangsters, daring to openly stay in a hotel."

"I guess you knew Leech and Porcupine's abilities beforehand and prepared countermeasures, didn't you?" Leech squinted and said with a smile. "Perhaps our abilities have already been exposed."

Owl adjusted his sunglasses and then spread his palms. "However, it ends here. This time, to ensure your deaths, the Ten Dons have sent all four of us Shadow Beasts."

"The three of us will deal with you," Owl raised his hand and pointed to Shizuku's room next door. "Bat will take care of your companion."

"Don't think you can offend the Ten Dons and have it be as if nothing happened. Even if you're from Meteor City, we will punish those who need to be punished."

Gelman put down the TV remote, finished the last piece of dessert calmly, took out a tissue, wiped his mouth, and then stood up.

He knew that reasoning with gangsters was useless.

It was Shanzhi, Leech, and Porcupine who had attacked him first, which was why they were killed in return. Now, it was as if he was the one causing trouble and offending the Ten Dons.

Was he supposed to surrender meekly?

Gelman had also seriously considered Biscuit's warning.

She was right; the deaths of only two Shadow Beasts were indeed not enough to quell the gangsters' desire for revenge.

But what if four more Shadow Beasts died?