One-Eyed Monster

Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Hunter

Estev had no interest in listening to Guard Goding’s lecture to the two self-proclaimed Adventurer boys.

He wasn’t overly concerned about Governor Rostov’s son. He wouldn’t lose his position due to mishandling this matter, nor did he want to use it as a stepping stone to curry favor with the Government Administrative Office.

He was Estev, the perennial Vice Court Chief of Liuli City. He refused to let even the smallest gain disturb his tranquility.

His nerves were unaffected by money or power...

Only the number five could activate that particular nerve, and the sole factor that could trigger that number was power.

Estev pursued power, but he did so in a unique way.

Unlike others who relentlessly sought to acquire power, Estev simply enjoyed challenging it.

He always combined this kind of challenge with his own luck.

In other words, he was an out-and-out gambler.

Gamblers often believe in their own luck.

Estev lounged on the sofa, the hat of a Court of Guards Chief covering his face. His legs were propped on a chest at the edge of the sofa. He looked like a drunkard after a feast.

But in reality, this so-called drunkard hadn’t even attended the feast; a few grabbed pieces of meat from the kitchen had sufficed.

In the eyes of Mayor Babasha and the others, this man was an unconventional oddball through and through.

Naturally, Estev didn’t care about these views. He didn’t want to dawdle over meals with the Mayor and his ilk. He certainly didn’t want to miss any opportunity to deal with powerful individuals.

”Lord Goding, we really didn’t ditch you on purpose! It was the young master’s own wish. Look, he’s ditched us now too!” The two self-proclaimed Adventurer boys were Hustace’s henchmen. Even now, Estev could still sense their ravenous, undignified eating at the banquet, though he hadn’t witnessed it himself.

This perceptive ability was the Environment Sensing Skill of a Fighter. On the Yowein Continent, all six professions possessed the same fundamental ability: sensing Spirit Power. However, due to the different ways the six professions utilized and applied their Spirit Power sensing, distinct skills had emerged. Fighters sensed their environment; Alchemists perceive quality; Hunters perceive secrets; Scholars have the Numerical Sensing Skill; Politicians sense voices; Wizards perceive degrees. The Fighter’s Environment Sensing Skill was the ability to capture the emotional colors of surrounding Spirit Power during the sensing process. Estev’s Spirit Sensing abilities were already proficient enough to distinguish subtle changes in the emotional colors of a Spirit Power’s possessor. While his current abilities were not yet sufficient to sense all the colors of emotional Spirit Power, the dozen or so color combinations he could perceive allowed him to clearly discern the expressions of those possessing Spirit Power.

Though he lay half-reclined in the room with his eyes closed, he was, in fact, more aware of everything happening within than anyone else.

He hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, but he knew these two self-proclaimed Adventurer boys were the Governor’s son’s lackeys.

The emotional colors of these two youths were clearly tinged with the yellow of a flame. The arrogance of the flame when it burned fiercely and the dim, humble gloom when it was extinguished were easy to identify. Clearly, these two youths were also sons of Luona’s upper-class nobility. Moreover, these nobles seemed to grovel before the Governor and act arrogantly towards commoners. They’re just like dogs who’ve seized power, Estev thought.

”Lord Goding, you must believe us! We really didn’t lie to you. How could the young master possibly listen to people like us?”

Estev sighed inwardly. Even though he was extremely unwilling, his Environment Sensing Skill still picked up some of the clamor from the group in the next room.

Estev felt these people were truly foolish. Their pointless verbal disputes would achieve nothing of substance. The key lay in these stones and gold bars.

Too bad I’m not an Alchemist; I can’t perceive the inner quality of these inanimate objects.

Or perhaps a High Rank Hunter could find some secrets from the residual Spirit Power...

Even a mediocre Scholar could deduce some lingering connections from these fragmented relationships.

Unfortunately, those guys next door are a bunch of Politicians and Fighters who’ve lost their way, concerned with matters far removed from the essence of things.

Estev let his mind wander. His Fighter abilities told him that, for now, no red or black emotional colors had appeared nearby, only a slight flame color and a chaotic blue...

Wait, why has a streak of purple suddenly appeared in this space...?

Estev inwardly cursed, his right hand instantly reaching into his pocket for his pipe.

He felt the number five starting to leap relentlessly in his mind!

So he dropped his feet from the chest, repositioned the hat on his head, and stood up steadily.

”I’ve never liked Concealment Spells, whether it’s a Concealment Object Spell or Stealth Ability. I’ve never cared much for them,” Estev said, lighting his pipe and quietly taking a puff.

”What’s meant to be yours will always be yours. What isn’t meant to be yours will never be. Only those who constantly worry about gains and losses would use a Concealment Spell to hide things on their person. Wouldn’t you agree, friend?” He closed his eyes, savoring the taste of tobacco swirling in his lungs, his tone like that of someone chatting with an old friend.

Yet, the spacious office remained utterly still!

”I just like boxes. Open them, and you see what’s inside. Close them, and no one can see a thing.” After speaking, Estev extended his hand towards the area diagonally opposite him and squeezed hard.

Instantly, a shadow flickered vaguely in the space diagonal to Estev, followed by a BANG. A new mark appeared on that section of the wall.

”Impressive skill. To maintain your Stealth Ability under my attack, that’s quite interesting,” said Estev, his body immediately leaning to the side. SWISH. A hole appeared in the sofa behind him.

”Intriguing.”

SWISH. Another sound. Estev tilted his head. Though he dodged the blow, a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his eye...

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. Estev’s fingers flew, launching a series of counterattacks towards the doorway.

”Ugh...” THUD. A figure staggered back into a corner of the wall.

”Willing to show yourself now? That Spirit Arrow of yours was quite powerful, friend!” Estev said, then laughed as he wiped the blood from the corner of his eye.

”You... too. No one... has ever hit me... while I was concealed. You’re the first!”

The figure before him stood with head lowered, its slender form wrapped in a wide, purple cloak.

”A High Rank Hunter. Your strength is truly on another level.”

”Likewise, likewise.”

”Can gold bars buy your skills? All for that young master?”

”Things... are not... what you think. Some things... don’t need gold bars.”

Estev extinguished the pipe in his mouth and shook his head, saying, ”I’ve always trusted my luck. You’re my fifth opponent since the stones appeared, and my lucky number is five.”

”Gamblers... sometimes... also lose.”

”But I’m not a desperate gambler. I’m not confident I can win against you.”

”Then... what do you... suggest?” The purple-robed man spoke little, each word like a heavy blow.

”Me?” THUMP—Estev kicked aside the box next to him. ”My gamble is over. I’d like to save some of my stake. On second thought, that fleeing Crow didn’t fight me, so you’re my fourth opponent. My luck hasn’t arrived yet, friend!”

”So... what. What can that change.”

”Friend, you’re not entirely sure you can kill me either. So, let’s each take what we need. The Spirit Power in these stones and gold bars is almost depleted. Time is short.”

”You... are an... interesting... fellow.” After speaking, the purple-cloaked figure reached out and lightly caressed the stones and gold bars.

”I only crave the challenge of power; nothing else interests me. So, my only responsibility was to make you reveal yourself. As for whether those fools can catch you, I couldn’t care less.” Estev put away his pipe. ”Those people from downstairs are about to arrive.”

”They... pose no threat.”

”You’re a High Rank Hunter; your strength is indeed formidable,” Estev chuckled.

”No... your... concealment... is more superb.”

”Thank you.” Estev’s heart tightened for a moment, but he soon relaxed.

That’s right. With the abilities of Goding and his group, they couldn’t even touch a hair on this guy’s head...

He quietly sensed Goding, Rostellum, and their group rushing over from outside the office.