That figure stared at Qin Ran in the restaurant, its gaze sharper than its aura, like blades that made people tremble involuntarily.
Its presence was fierce, yet devoid of killing intent.
Able to clearly distinguish the difference, Qin Ran calmly returned the other's gaze.
A black trench coat, boots of the same color, and an equally black fedora gave the person standing before the shadows the illusion that he could merge with them at any moment.
"Hastati?"
the other man asked in a low voice.
Qin Ran frowned.
He could understand the pronunciation, but not its meaning.
Faced with Qin Ran's confusion, the man's sharp aura faltered. About a second later, he asked again, somewhat uncertainly, "Velites?"
The equally strange pronunciation made Qin Ran's frown deepen.
"Please speak the common language. Thank you."
Qin Ran had no intention of playing riddles with him.
He was not good at beating around the bush. Even if the person before him was most likely the person he had suspected, that changed nothing.
Qin Ran did not believe he needed to alter his way of speaking just because the other man's identity was different.
Other than when dealing with true friends, Qin Ran had always kept things strictly business.
What was more, he was currently playing another identity.
"You're not a Shepherd?"
After hesitating for a moment, the man asked uncertainly.
"Shepherd?"
"A shepherd?"
Qin Ran asked in return.
That response only made the person before him even more uncertain.
The man eyed Qin Ran suspiciously.
The astonishment on his face did not seem fake. Coupled with that young appearance, it was easy to earn the man's trust.
But having suffered similar losses more than once, the man did not dare take risks lightly.
He began inching closer to Qin Ran, little by little