17 Chapter17-The Cloaked Figure Wanted
At this moment, John felt utterly cursed with bad luck.
He couldn't fathom how, wrapped up so thoroughly, this woman could recognize him at a glance.
Without halting, John kept walking, acting as if he hadn't heard.
Under normal circumstances, he might have silenced a commoner, but Seraphina was Lord Winters' only daughter, surely equipped with life-saving gear and artifacts.
He didn't want to provoke House Winters; otherwise, there would be no place for him in Stellarburg.
Seeing John completely ignoring her, Seraphina didn't hesitate and followed, her long legs closing the distance quickly. She had questions for John.
Realizing Seraphina was actually following, John hastened his steps, and Seraphina quickened her pace in response.
Sighing, John had no choice but to stop.
He couldn't use his skills now, lest Lucas notice and all his efforts be in vain.
Thus, John found himself in a predicament: he had escaped Lucas but couldn't shake off Seraphina.
He turned to face Seraphina, attempting a stern tone, "Miss Winters, do you dare follow because you believe I wouldn't kill you?"
His gaze turned increasingly menacing as he spoke.
Yet, Seraphina simply nodded, "Yes."
The momentum John had built up crumbled instantly; it was clear she was relying on his reluctance to harm her, showing no fear whatsoever.
Now that he was exposed, John simply removed his cloak and mask, resigning to his situation.
He gave a resigned laugh, "Miss Winters, please speak your mind. Time is precious for all of us."
John assumed Seraphina had followed him to gain some advantage. Otherwise, why would she bother with him without reason?
Seraphina paused, then shook her head, "I have no demands. I just want to know what level you are now."
John was taken aback, not expecting her curiosity to be so benign. Though puzzled, he answered, "Level 7."
Seraphina fell silent.
She had thought her reaching level 5 was an achievement, but John, who started from a much lower point, had already reached level 7, surpassing her by two whole levels!
And at just level 7, John had forced Lucas, the Crimson Count who was at level 10, to use his last resort and had even escaped unscathed.
This spoke volumes of John's formidable strength.
Seraphina had always considered John a hypothetical rival, but the sudden realization of the vast gap between them struck a blow to her pride.
Seeing Seraphina lost in thought, John was puzzled but prioritized leaving the area.
"Miss Winters, you now know what you wanted. If there's nothing else, I'd appreciate your discretion. I'll be taking my leave."
With Seraphina still silent, John didn't bother to inquire further and turned towards the depths of Phantom Ruins.
Since he couldn't leave just yet, he decided to level up by hunting monsters.
He also hoped to chance upon the black church again.
However, John had only taken a few steps before stopping again.
Turning around, he saw Seraphina following and sighed,
"Miss Winters, if you have something to say or request, please do so. If not, I'd ask you not to follow me. I'm heading to the Cemetery of the Deceased to level up, and it's quite dangerous!"
This time, Seraphina finally spoke up.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on John, she said earnestly, "Take me with you."
John sized up Seraphina, noting her evident fatigue, likely from a day's worth of battle without rest.
He shook his head, "Miss Winters, that place is a level 10 leveling area. Given your current level and condition, I'm not confident I can ensure your safety. Should anything happen to you there, I doubt I could bear Lord Winters' wrath."
Compared to the distant imperial House Carter, House Winters of Stellarburg was much closer to home for John.
He was certain he could survive even if he killed Lucas.
But if Seraphina were harmed, he might not even make it out of the 301 safety zone.
Seraphina repeated, "Take me with you."
John instinctively wanted to refuse; he had no reason to take such a significant risk.
But as he met Seraphina's gaze, the words died on his lips.
What kind of look was that? Resolute, determined, ready to risk it all!
Seraphina didn't threaten John; she simply looked at him.
After a long moment, John said no more and turned towards the Cemetery of the Deceased.
Seraphina watched John's retreating figure and silently followed.
She wanted to see just how vast the gap between her and John truly was.
…
Elsewhere, Lucas had turned the area upside down without finding a trace of John.
He quickly realized John might have already left the dungeon.
Without a second thought, Lucas exited the dungeon and began leveraging his connections and influence in Stellarburg to check the exit records of all Phantom Ruins' entrances.
Given the large number of newly awakened individuals in Phantom Ruins and the peak exit period, the volume of data to sift through was daunting.
But Lucas didn't care. He was determined to find the cloaked assassin and make him pay for his actions!
To this end, he even posted a bounty for "The Cloaked One" in every corner of Stellarburg, including the black market, assassination lists, and bounty boards.
A staggering reward of thirty million set the entire Stellarburg, even the whole 301 safety zone, abuzz.
Countless bounty hunters, assassins, wanderers, and scavengers flooded into Stellarburg.
Yet, no matter how they searched, the cloaked figure remained elusive.
Lucas's grand movements inevitably caught the attention of many big shots in Stellarburg.
Many were surprised at what could have prompted such a massive mobilization by the heir of House Carter.
It wasn't long before some blabbermouth who had been present at the scene exaggerated the tale of Lucas being brought to his knees, begging for mercy from a level 4 magus in a black cloak, even getting slapped in the face.
The news shocked everyone who heard it.
"Who is this prodigy who dared such a bold move?" they wondered. This wasn't just a slap in Lucas's face; it was a slap to House Carter itself!
The incident of Lucas getting slapped spread like wildfire across the Federation.
In less than half a day, the four major families of the imperial city, the Federation's major financial tycoons, and various other prominent families had all heard the news.
Those who bore grudges against House Carter were almost too delighted to breathe, finding the cloaked figure's actions immensely satisfying.
Meanwhile, Samuel Carter, the current head of House Carter, had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
He immediately dispatched people to Stellarburg and sent a message to Lucas.
...
In the noble core of Stellarburg, within a luxurious mansion, Lucas lay in a bathtub filled with blood, a cracked blood-red crystal floating above his forehead.
Wisps of scarlet energy rose from the blood, weaving into the blood crystal, slowly mending its cracks.
However, upon closer inspection, one could see that a certain crack seemed beyond repair.
Lucas's expression was incredibly grim.
For years, House Carter had refined a secret technique within their Crimson magus class lineage, allowing them to suppress their own blood energy to form a blood crystal.
The longer this blood crystal was allowed to form, the greater the potential unlocked later.
But if a member of House Carter were to forcibly use the suppressed power during the technique's cultivation, it would inflict irreparable damage to the blood crystal.
In a moment of rage, Lucas had done just that, leading to the crystal's damage and a significant loss to his vitality.
Gritting his teeth, Lucas swore, "Cloaked one, you've cost me my foundation. Just pray I never find out who you are, or I'll ensure you have no grave to rest in!"
Suddenly, the blood in the bathtub began to churn.
Strands of blood slowly rose and formed words in mid-air: "Lucas, you have brought shame upon our family. I hereby strip you of your inheritance rights to House Carter. From this day forth, you are no longer the heir of House Carter."
Lucas stared blankly at the words written in blood before him.
His face turned beet red, and suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, overwhelmed by fury to the point of physical reaction.
Roaring with anger, Lucas declared, "Cloaked one, I swear on my life, I won't rest until I've killed you!"
