Endless World: The Rise of Leonard Lawson

5 minutes earlier...

Leonard, Curtis, and Ellie arrived at the underground slum after activating the transportation formation on the surface level.

Upon their arrival, Ellie quickly introduced them to some things.

”Master, we have to be careful not to break any of the rules here. Otherwise, we’ll be locked in a cage.” Ellie reminded them and pointed at the wallpaper.

Leonard glanced at the wallpaper and spotted 3 sets of rules.

[Underground Rules]

1. No violence in the restricted zone

2. No disruptive orders in the restricted zone

3. Crimes committed can be offset with money, determined by the authoritative faction in the sector

Curtis’s expression remained indifferent, almost as if he were familiar with the rules on the underground.

As for Leonard, he nearly chuckled in response.

What a nice wording play in the ruling!

’1 and 2 can be completely omitted based on the final rule.’ The term where money rules remained true no matter the place and time.

”Should we look for Mirelle?” Curtis approached him and whispered. The underground slum was a dangerous place to be in. Hence, he wished to regroup with them as soon as possible.

”No need,” Leonard raised his hand and rejected the notion. He had no intention of regrouping with them.

If it weren’t for the fact that the leftover food Ellie had kept was long soiled, then he wouldn’t have come to the underground level.

After all, Ellie insisted on having food in the underground level.

Curtis nodded his head and realized Leonard was still angry at Mirelle.

’It seems like Mirelle is in deep trouble this time.’ As much as Curtis despised her in the past, he must admit her skills were certified. Not to mention, he did admire some of her personality.

To be able to remain gentle and caring after going through so much in this chaotic, endless world was no easy feat.

Many people would have long succumbed to the tragic scene and descended into madness or adapted to the brutality.

”Master, I also want to try those.” Ellie suddenly called out cheerfully. She pointed at another food stall with excitement.

”Hmm, what is it?” Leonard rubbed his chin and followed her pointer. To his surprise, the food stall was selling some noodle dishes. As he glanced at the tables, he noticed quite a few customers only ordered plain noodle soup with no toppings whatsoever.

”I thought Ellie wanted some meat.” He uttered, thinking that she was going to empty his wallet out.

”Meat is too expensive.” Ellie shook her head.

”Plain noodles are delicious too and fulfilling. I don’t want any toppings or meat.” She continued, emphasizing that she enjoyed plain food.

Alas, her stomach quickly betrayed her when another customer walked past them, their hands holding a steaming piping hot dish filled with meat.

Leonard cleared his throat and wandered his gaze around.

”Curtis, go over there and order a load of meat.”

”Yes, Master.”

As Curtis made his way to the food stall, Ellie held Leonard’s sleeve.

”There’s no need to order those, Master. Ellie is content with plain noodles.” She said. Unfortunately, the drooling in her mouth and sparkling eyes betrayed her.

”Since you’ve called me Master, then I naturally won’t mistreat you.” Leonard mused.

He was about to pat her head gently until a seductive and feminine voice interrupted him.

”What a nice, deliberate, and manipulative way to swindle a little child.”

”Who?”

Startled, Leonard turned around and saw a woman dressed in stylish clothes.

’Snakes?’ His eyes squinted when he saw some snakes slithering around the woman’s body.

With such obvious appearance detail, he quickly discerned her to be from the Snake Faction.

This woman was none other than Cassandra!

While Leonard was scrutinizing her, the same goes for her.

’Hmm, this person is quite foreign.’ Cassandra didn’t recognize Leonard’s presence. She had a reasonable suspicion that he may be from the Crown Prince’s side.

After all, Osbert’s information prior to his death had given her an advanced warning of more rats infiltrating the underground slum.

”Big Sister?” Ellie’s eyes lit up once she recognized her. She quickly called out to her.

”Yes, little sister.” Cassandra snapped out of her daze, her eyes shifted toward Ellie.

”Who is this man and why are you calling him Master?” She inquired, a tinge of killing intent directed at Leonard was laced within her question.

”He’s my Master!” Ellie exclaimed and introduced Leonard. ”Master is very nice. He gave me extra porridge and even a name. I’m now called Ellie, Big Sister.”

”A name?” Cassandra furrowed her brows. The gaze she used at Leonard gradually turned colder. More specifically, it was the mention of porridge.

”If I recall... the Crown Prince has set up a few stalls on the surface to give out porridge. Is this how you swindle away my little sister, young man?”

Leonard remained still, but he felt a cold chill emanating from her.

There was a sense of dread and the smell of blood. However, the blood didn’t come from her. Instead, it hailed from the snake slithering around her neck.

Szzz!

The moment Leonard shifted his sight to the snake, the latter quickly made a sissing sound. Their tongue extended outward slightly, almost as if it was ready to attack him.

”Relax,” Cassandra gently rubbed the snake’s head to calm it down. ”My snake doesn’t like insidious people. Do pardon its behavior.”

’Insidious?’ Leonard was speechless at her indirect insult.

Who were the real insidious people here?

’So many people avoid our sight and path as soon as you show up. I’ll be damned if I still don’t know who you are.’ Leonard was positive that this woman hailed from the Snake Faction. Moreover, her position and reputation were definitely no small feat.

”The name’s Vincent. I’ve met Ellie by chance on the surface and decided to take her under my wing.” Leonard introduced himself.

”Vincent? The gold merchant Vincent?” Cassandra mused.

”I didn’t expect a gold merchant to be interested in the underground slum.” She continued, extending her hand and subtly exposing some of her fair skin to him.

’This woman really isn’t simple...’ Leonard didn’t anticipate his alias to be known by her.

What really made him wary was her confident and eccentric-like demeanor.

The constant shift from danger to aloof and finally seductive could really trap people.

He glanced at her hand, unsure of whether to shake it or not.