Chapter 77: Nigel

In the heavy snow, the road was very slippery.

Gunie, with his mithril-grade boots, didn't need to worry about the slippery snow or cave-ins.

The powerful supernatural traits of the mithril-grade short boots were activated by a slight amount of source power, giving Gunie a light, snow-treading sensation.

With each step, Gunie used the mithril-grade short boots to steady his pace on the snow and then move forward swiftly.

Thanks to the powerful effect of the mithril-grade boots, Gunie even left the third-rank George behind.

Approaching the ruins of Sog City, Gunie slowed down, then looked across the snow-blurred street, frowning slightly.

"That guy runs faster than a rabbit," George muttered as he caught up from behind.

"Why aren't you moving?" George asked, coming to Gunie's side.

Gunie didn't answer but looked across the street.

Suddenly, a gleam appeared, and then a graceful, sharp figure bathed in light emerged within their field of vision.

As she approached, Gunie saw clearly that she was holding a translucent longsword radiating a silver glow.

The newcomer was Veya.

At this moment, besides the translucent silver-glowing longsword in her hand,

the boots on her feet, the armor on her body, and the helmet on her head all emitted a silvery-gray radiance.

Bathed in silver light, Veya looked like a female war goddess.

"Huff..." Seeing Gunie, Veya let out a soft breath.

"I'm glad you're okay. Just now, when I received your signal, I was already entangled by someone. I fought with that person for a while before breaking free."

"What happened on your end, and who is this?"

Veya looked Gunie and George up and down, still on guard.

"I was tricked onto a carriage, but I saw through them. After a fight, I nearly died."

"This is George Derrick, a senior police officer from the Sog Ruins City."

"He happened to pass by and saved me."

Gunie briefed her succinctly.

"Mm!" Veya nodded.

"What about the explosion?" Gunie asked, looking toward the direction of the fire.

"Those heretics attacked the Supernatural Association, trying to seize the seals and magical items. The Elemental Master stationed there took action," Veya said succinctly.

"Is the Elemental Master that powerful?" Gunie was slightly surprised.

"Master-level powerhouses have begun to transcend the physical material life form."

"This change in life form brings a huge leap in strength."

"Although a sixth-rank supernatural and a seventh-rank supernatural master are only one rank apart,"

"their life forms are two different kinds, with a significant gap."

"Since the Supernatural Master has acted, basically nothing will happen there."

Then Veya concluded.

"Supernatural Master?"

Both Gunie and George looked toward the explosion, falling silent.

Clearly, the powerful means of the Supernatural Master made both of them realize the terror of a master-level powerhouse.

With one strike, the terrifying power could be felt for miles around.

"By the way, we need to go to Old Stone Street."

Veya suddenly spoke.

"Something might have... happened there."

"What?" Gunie was startled.

A vague sense of foreboding arose in his heart.

Immediately, Gunie dashed toward Old Stone Street.

Veya followed closely.

George, behind them, took a deep breath and strode quickly to keep up.

Gunie was very fast; without regard for source power consumption, his speed was like lightning.

He raced all the way to 155 Old Stone Street.

The street was eerily quiet.

The crimson blood-moonlight cast a bloody veil over the ground and the street.

Stopping, Gunie saw that the familiar door was already open.

Inside the doorframe, it was hollow and pitch black.

Gunie's heart sank completely.

He paused for a moment, feeling his body stiffen.

"Huff... inhale..."

Taking a deep breath, Gunie walked into the house with stiff steps.

Inside, it was dark, oppressive, and cold.

Standing in the empty living room,

"Dad!"

Gunie called out, his voice hoarse and trembling.

No one answered.

Gunie seemed to sense something and looked toward the second floor.

Just as he reached the stairs,

"Don't go up."

Veya's voice came from behind.

Gunie didn't listen.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

Gunie quickly went upstairs.

On the second floor, Old Cohen's door was wide open.

Maeza's door was wide open.

Inside both doors, it was pitch black.

Gunie stared straight at Maeza's door.

At that moment, a thick black mist completely sealed off Maeza's entire room.

"It's my teacher's dark seal. He's inside examining something."

Just as Gunie was about to walk over, Veya's voice came from behind.

"Don't worry. If there are any clues, my teacher will find them."

"Huff..."

Gunie clenched his fists, trying to calm his mind, but anxiety and unease still filled his thoughts.

After about three or four minutes,

Rustle...

The dark seal receded like a tide.

A man in his forties, wearing a top hat, walked out of the room.

This middle-aged man wasn't tall—in fact, he was somewhat short, a full head shorter than Gunie.

He was slightly stout, wore a black top hat, and a loose black robe overcoat.

He also had a small mustache, looking somewhat comical.

But Gunie had no mind for such things now.

"Where's my dad?" Gunie asked urgently.

"Gunie Lawrence?" Nigel glanced at Gunie, not answering his question but asking instead.

"Whose room is this?"

"Maeza's. Dad adopted her, an orphan, a while ago."

"You lived with her for so long, and you didn't notice her cultivating such a terrifying plant right under your noses?"

"Terrifying plant?"

Gunie's voice was hoarse.

"Faceflower?"

"Not an ordinary faceflower."

"Faceflower King?"

"If it were just an ordinary Faceflower King, Old Cohen wouldn't have been enslaved."

"It's a Faceflower Emperor," Nigel said softly.

Faceflower Emperor, enslavement!

Gunie's body trembled slightly.

Maeza planted a Faceflower Emperor... and the seeds... I was the one who prepared the soaking solution for her.

I had long felt she was different.

But I never thought...

Scenes kept flashing through Gunie's mind.

Endless self-blame and remorse surged toward Gunie like a tide,

engulfing him in the depths of darkness.

"Huff..."

Nigel exhaled softly and took a deep look at Gunie, who seemed lost in self-absorption.

He thought for a moment, decided not to disturb Gunie, and looked toward the living room.

At that moment, George had somehow already entered the living room.

"George Derrick?" Nigel looked over.

"Lord Nigel, hello."

George quickly bowed.

"Your police headquarters' seal site was blown up, and you're still here?" Nigel said lightly.

"What?" George nearly jumped upon hearing this.

Without even taking time to say goodbye, he rushed out the door.

Nigel walked down the stairs with small steps and entered the living room.

He went to the fireplace, added a little wood, rubbed his fingers together, and sparks fell onto the wood. In an instant, flames blazed up.

Veya closed the door and stood steadily beside Nigel, who was sitting on the sofa.

A full ten minutes passed.

Footsteps finally sounded on the stairs.

Gunie came down the stairs, his face terrifyingly cold, a faint blood-red tinge spreading in his pupils.

"Senior Nigel, my dad..."

"It's not looking good," Nigel said calmly.

The burning wood crackled.

Gunie's body trembled slightly.

Glancing at Gunie, Nigel spoke in a mellow voice.

"Do you know what your dad's supernatural profession is?"

"He's a Star Digger. Old Cohen could see the strange glows emanating from young people with extraordinary talent."

"Combined with Old Cohen's unique supernatural eyes,"

"over the years, Old Cohen was able to discover so many talented youths, and even find a genius like you."

"And your dad's supernatural profession is unique."

"Some forces have long coveted Old Cohen's peculiar supernatural profession."

"This time, with the supernatural event appearing in Sog Ruins City and powerful experts gathering there, naturally, this plan was set in motion."

"A plan specifically designed for Old Cohen."

"Clearly... they have succeeded."

"When I examined it just now, I confirmed that a Supernatural Master used means to disrupt their trail of departure."

"Otherwise, I would have pursued them long ago."