The danger of the Magical Beast Mountain Range was beyond doubt.
Just a few days after Jonathan ventured deep into the range, he encountered more than a dozen Seventh-Level Magical Beasts. He managed to kill the first few.
But as time went on, the Seventh-Level Magical Beasts stopped roaming alone, so he no longer dared to attack recklessly.
After all, he was there to train and gain combat experience, not to get himself killed.
If he were alone, Jonathan would dare to fight even a peak Seventh-Level or Level Eight Magical Beast.
However, Level Eight Magical Beasts had far greater vitality than Seventh-Level ones, and most of them had increasingly terrifying defenses. Even so, he had only managed to kill one.
He had been seriously injured himself that time.
He had only managed to kill it because it wasn't a Magical Beast with strong defenses, but one with some soul-based attacks.
Ordinary Magical Beasts didn't dare provoke it in its territory, which was what gave Jonathan his chance.
The Magic Crystal Core of a Level Eight Magical Beast was worth hundreds of thousands. The core of a rare Magical Beast like this one was worth more than five hundred thousand, and at auction, it could even fetch a million gold coins.
While recovering, Jonathan reflected that, sure enough, the stronger one was, the easier it became to make money.
From this trip to the Magical Beast Mountain Range alone, he had probably amassed wealth equal to that of an ordinary Earl.
Thanks to the Dao Fruit's properties, he fully recovered in just a day or two.
He didn't dare venture deeper. If he ran into a Level Nine Magical Beast, he would truly be in danger.
So Jonathan started heading north.
More than a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Jonathan set off back with two large bundles on his back.
"Boss, look at his bundles. He's a walking fortune! Should we make a move?"
"Even if they aren't all Magic Crystal Cores, they must still be worth a lot. Number Eight and Number Thirteen, go with Number Fifteen."
"Once you're done, hurry and catch up with us."
"Yes, Boss."
Jonathan had spotted them before they spotted him, and he could tell they were all skilled assassins who cultivated dark battle aura.
Still, as long as they didn't make a move, he couldn't be bothered to deal with them.
Unfortunately, they didn't know when to quit.
The three men followed Jonathan stealthily, convinced they were well hidden. In his eyes, though, their positions were as obvious as brightly burning candles.
After following him for a while, they prepared to attack. Then Jonathan suddenly vanished from right before their eyes.
As they were wondering what had happened, Jonathan appeared behind one of them, a black dagger in hand.
He slit the man's throat, killing him instantly.
The other two were horrified. Their expressions changed, and they immediately fled the way they had come, but they were no match for Jonathan's speed.
In just a moment, they were both dead at his hands.
After looking through their belongings, Jonathan smiled. "So they're from the Saber. Were they training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"
As far as he knew, everyone trained by an assassin organization had to undergo this trial.
Jonathan was an exception. Xue Yan had vouched for him, sparing him the trial and allowing him to become a Gold Medal Assassin directly.
"Oh, there are several thousand gold coins here, too. I'll take them back to cover Abraham's drinking expenses."
After slinging the three bundles over his shoulders, Jonathan continued on his way.
Assassin organizations were extremely strict and cared little for human life. When the leader of this trial saw that the three men had been gone for a long time, he guessed they were dead. He had no intention of going back for them and simply led the others away.
On the way back, several more groups eyed Jonathan covetously, but few actually dared to attack him.
Those who did could only expect to die.
More than ten days later, Jonathan arrived in Blackstone Town and headed straight for his old home.
But he found it completely empty, and it looked as though no one had lived there for a long time.
"Looks like they've moved into town for good. That's good, too. Spending more time around people might temper the murderous intent in his heart and ease his gloom."
At the same square as before, Bode was there, along with Abraham.
As the chief instructor, Abraham mostly just gave speeches, occasionally offering some guidance.
Though he had lost an arm, he was still a Seventh-Level warrior.
Before them stood a group of children with their arms outstretched, holding heavy objects. They just weren't the same children Jonathan had seen back then.
Some had gone out adventuring, some had joined the town's guards, and others had gone to Black Flame City.
Jonathan didn't show himself right away. Instead, he watched for a while.
It was noon.
Suddenly, he saw a beautiful, middle-aged woman approach from a short distance away. She had a graceful figure and a lovely face, and there was something in her appearance that made one feel protective of her.
She carried a basket covered with a piece of floral cloth and slowly walked over to Abraham.
"Didn't I tell you there was no need to bring me anything? I'll be back when it's time."
The beautiful woman smiled faintly. "I had nothing else to do. It was no trouble."
As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and wiped Abraham's sweat. Jonathan's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Wasn't he supposed to be alone and miserable? How come he's already got someone by his side?"
"The old man's pretty impressive!"
Even Bode couldn't stand watching the two of them act so lovey-dovey. He spoke up and told them to tone it down.
Abraham's old face turned red.
"This is good, too."
Jonathan's lips curled into a smile. Then he appeared and called out to Abraham, "Father, I'm back."
Everyone turned toward the voice. Abraham stared at him in surprise. "Jonathan, you—"
"Father, I've only been gone a few years, and you've already got a lovely woman by your side. You move fast."
At the first sight of Jonathan, the beautiful woman raised an eyebrow, seeming a little surprised.
Bode said, "You've got some nerve criticizing your father. You went to Ulada Magic Academy and didn't come back once in all these years. You're a pretty unfilial son!"
He's my brother, for heaven's sake!
"Uncle Bode, it's been a long time."
"It certainly has. Back then, you were only as tall as my chest. Now you're as tall as I am."
Jonathan was now a full six feet tall, with exceptionally handsome features and neat, short black hair. His clothes, however, were quite plain.
He wore brown leather armor and a black cloak, with four bundles on his back.
"What are all these bundles? Did you bring me a gift?"
"Uncle Bode, these aren't gifts. They're spoils of war."
The beautiful woman walked over with a warm smile. "Hello, I'm Sanita. You must be Abraham's son, Jonathan."
"Aunt Sanita, is it all right if I call you that?"
"Of course."
Abraham said, "So you finally decided to come back. Come on, let's go home first. I'll show you the new place."
"All right."
Jonathan followed the two of them to a house in town. It wasn't large, with only three bedrooms.
Abraham took him to an empty room and shut the door. Jonathan guessed he wanted to talk to him about Sanita.
Sure enough.
"Sanita fled here to escape danger, and I took her in. Don't get the wrong idea."
Jonathan teased him. "What wrong idea? It's obvious. Sanita's clearly interested in you."
"You've been single for so long. It's only natural you'd feel tempted, and she really is beautiful. I approve of you two getting together!"
Abraham promptly smacked him on the head. "What do you mean, you approve? Even if I got together with her, why would I need the approval of a little brat like you?"
"Then why are you explaining yourself?"
"I..."
Abraham was left at a loss for words.
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