Massaging his arm, which had been strangled by immense force, Yang Zicang remarked,
–I see. So a newcomer like me, freshly awakened as a QuadMoxel, is indeed the perfect target for intelligence gathering.–
–Haha, exactly, exactly.–
Yang Zicang took an information booklet handed over by Robin Lo, which recorded various data on intertwined C-grade and B-grade phenomena involving parallel dimensions.
–Now that you’ve become a Quad, how much has your ability improved?–
The young man asked while skimming through the booklet in his hand.
–Let me give it a try.–
Robin Lo took a few deep breaths, closed his eyes, and the QuadMoxel on his chest unfolded.
A few seconds later, he opened his eyes.
–I’ve gathered some intel about that temporal acceleration incident.–
The difference between the Quad-Transformation and the Triangle became apparent in an instant.
Merely deploying the Moxel was a world apart from summarizing through observation and questioning.
–It’s that convenient and fast?–
–Like you, I upgraded its status a bit and expanded its intelligence utilization.–
Robin Lo chuckled and continued,
–Just now, the Moxel feedback indicated that the core personnel behind the temporal acceleration are hidden within this city. This is the intelligence I’ve deduced based on all known information so far. The Moxel helped fill in some data gaps, granting me additional insights out of nowhere.–
–So, the key to ending this acceleration isn’t as tough as I thought. Are you going to share this info with those people at headquarters?–
–Tell them? Don’t you think that, given these conditions, it’s actually a good thing?–
–A good thing? In these two hours alone, I’ve lost over ten days of my lifespan.–
–To the outside world, we’re in acceleration mode, but for those inside this area, it’s quite the opposite—they’ve merely slowed down. Especially you, my dear young friend. Why not seize this opportunity to hone your marksmanship? Lifespan? Mere fleeting clouds.–
This guy had a point. I just haven’t fully shed my Earthling mindset yet.
Finally, Yang Ziceng dared to take a breather here, and Liang Xi got to bask in the reflected glory.
After entering, this kid guzzled down a whole half-case of mineral water, almost puking from the volume, yet never felt quenched. When he took a shower, he nearly collapsed on the floor and couldn’t get up.
It was pure bliss. Liang Xi hadn’t seen this much water in the past month combined.
Following in Yang Ziceng’s footsteps, Robin Lo also became a hero to this half-grown lad—you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone else who had hoarded so much food and drink.
But when he stepped into the extra-dimensional space, the silver Lance in his hand drew quite a few stares. Yet, being wielded, it no longer revealed itself to be a Chronos battle tool.
……
Groups of teams gathered before the lair of the rat-monsters, discussing countermeasures to guard the entrance.
–He’s just a rookie; we can’t let him keep messing things up.–
Dozens of people cursed Yang Zicang for stirring up this unintended catastrophe, but even more envied the centennial Chronos weapon in his hand.
–Regardless of his ability, it’s time that kid learned some manners and how to follow the rules.–
A few discussed that Yang Zicang, who still knew nothing, should be registered at headquarters early, so he could hand over this weapon, coveted by countless people.
And as the team guarding this place, they’d have the chance to directly apply for its use.
However, Yang Zicang, being the one involved, remained unaware of these discussions.
……
Dim light, secretive atmosphere; faint murmurs echoed from outside.
After sleeping soundly, Yang Zicang slipped on the old coat Robin Lo had given him and planned to leave this C-rank alternate dimension.
The elderly, frail, and disabled in the lobby huddled in corners—some chatting quietly, others reading by the glimmer of oil lamps or magic stones.
They had collected magazines and novels; indeed, their stacks spilled over into even the restroom, where books were used as toilet paper.
Vulgar types like Robin Lo occasionally spout lines full of literary flair, likely picked up while squatting in the latrine.
–Hello, I just heard you’re a Quad? What should I call you?–
From the corner stepped a spirited youth of seventeen or eighteen, the same one who had silenced Warren Wang earlier.
Among this crowd, his demeanor stood out like a crane among chickens.
–I’m Yang Zicang, and you?–
–You can call me Wang Chijian. It’s not my real name, just a pseudonym.–
This boy looked like a jock; his physique was far better than mine. It seemed he was constantly exercising and training himself here.
–You all like using code names. That ‘President Wang,’ is it also a code?–
–No, he’s really a company president.–
Wang Chijian chuckled, probably amused by the title he’d just mentioned.
–Interested in heading to a B-grade Intersecting Zone with me?–
–Right now…–
Yang Zicang didn’t trust this person.
–I’d really like to see what a Quad can do. As for before we handle that matter, pick the time yourself. Since President Wang isn’t here anyway, I have nowhere else to go.–
–What do you mean?–
–Because everyone’s lifespan is in his hands.–
–That’s… strange.– Yang Zicang glanced around at these old men and women.
So that’s the reason? All these people have their lifespans in that guy’s hands.
–And you’re all fine with that?–
–Of course. He’s a professional Investor. For those who can’t earn Chronos with their abilities, they entrust their lifespans to him for management. The Chronos they earn cover the expenses—that’s all there is to it.–
–Heh. Haha. I should have known there’d be people like this.–
Yang Zicang shook his head, then turned to the youth before him:
–So you’re able to get a generous Investment from him, right? You’re the combatant of this team.–
The young man nodded.
–Anyway, if you’re really the one taking this job, we’ll need to assess your skills. Hope you understand.–
–We’ll see when it happens.–
Yang Zicang couldn’t be bothered to keep talking. He was just forced into this business because of a debt.
They headed outside and ascended to the top floor of the science museum.
The young man, now changed into a vintage dark-green shirt and gray-brown casual pants, rolled up his sleeves and stood with his arms akimbo on the spacious curved balcony.
In his simple attire, he actually looked much cleaner and more refreshing.
In the distance, at the city’s edge, the setting sun had only halfway sunk below the horizon.
–How many hours has it been?–
Yang Zicang asked the youth beside him, who was also dressed in a fresh new outfit.
Liang Xi, his face bathed in the orange glow of the sunset, yawned and said, –I slept for almost six hours.–
–So that means, according to our time, it should be the middle of the night right now.–
Time here has been stretched too long; for the outside world, only half an hour has passed.
Yang Zicang was reminded of the key figure Robin Lo had mentioned.
That someone from the monster faction who happened to be nearby must be like himself—chosen by an existence akin to a –Councilor– within their faction, Invested with some kind of ability or artifact that accelerates time in a local area.
And the scope of this temporal distortion can still expand; who knows if it might get even faster in here.
Yang Zicang unexpectedly thought of Director Huang, who had wandered off somewhere.
Those furry legs in flip-flops, planted in a bow-legged stance, surfaced again before his eyes.
Yang Zicang quickly shook his head to banish the images.
–But it’s not all bad that time is faster here; at least for us, the countdown to the three-hundred-year deadline feels longer.–
Liang Xi said with a hint of ease.
To him, this anomaly didn’t seem to concern him much.
The’s simply welcoming the extra time to rest and prepare for the Chronos of Three Hundred Years coming at the end of the month.
Hearing this, Yang Zicang smiled slightly, then fell back into a brooding silence. The main combatants of the monster faction, he figured, were still on their way in here.
He gazed into the distance, hoping that the seasoned veterans in the city could hold the leaky monster nest entrance.
If just anyone casually slipped in and killed a single rat, it might well spell big trouble for everyone.
–Right now is actually the best chance to take the enemy down. But Robin Lo clearly isn’t willing to step into this muddy water.–
Yang Zicang muttered to himself, shaking his head. He hoisted the silver Lance propped beside him and swung it a few times without much thought.
Without employing his acceleration ability, these movements were utterly lacking in any form or style.
–Brother Yang, are you practicing with the lance? Want to use that thing I found to stimulate your physique?–
–I still feel like I’m just cramming at the last moment.–
–Hehe. Aren’t we all?–
Just as he spoke, a fluttering sound of wings filled the sky.
Looking up, a plump carrier pigeon appeared under the setting sun, staggering and laboring its way toward the high altitude.
The moment he saw it, Yang Zicang sensed something odd about this creature. As it approached overhead, he finally discerned it—the pigeon wasn’t real.
After the icy cartoon avatar, this was the second simulacrum created by Moxel’s ability.
With a poof, the fat pigeon’s shape dissipated, and a rolled-up piece of paper fell from its body.
[Dispatch ability activated.]
The trajectory of the falling scroll shifted to a few meters away. Yang Zicang held his gun at the ready, watching as it landed on the ground. Its curled surface bore a few crookedly written vertical characters: –To Yang Zicang.–
–Bro, this chubby bird actually managed to find you.–
Without a second thought, Liang Xi ran over to pick it up and waved it in the air, saying, –I’ll open it, huh?–
–Give it to me. I’ll open it myself.–
He took it and examined it from all angles, finding nothing else out of the ordinary.
Upon tearing the thin thread, the contents of the paper were revealed.
Yang Zicang swept his gaze over it and instantly understood that this was an ultimatum directed at him.
–Alright, I admit their headquarters does serve some purpose after all.–
After strolling around the dimensional space with Robin Lo, Yang Zicang deeply felt a sense of reassurance brought by the bottom-line rule of –no killing.–
—We will not forcibly demand the weapons of alliance members. However, if you fail to register at the headquarters within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, you will be regarded as a Non-Hunter Alliance member.
This was part of what was written on the slip of paper.
Register, then hand over the century-grade Chronos Weapon in accordance with the rules. Or refuse, and be hunted down.
That was their ultimate goal.
–Ah Liang, can you activate your force field?–
–Of course I can.–
The boy nodded excitedly—this ability was his favorite; it made him feel like a superhero.
All he had to do was stretch out his hand, and the light force field could block everything that came at him—how cool was that.
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