A bounty notice quickly spread across Yorknew City:
**"Wanted: mbers of the Gorteau Thieves."**
**"Reward: 3 billion Jenny per mber."**
Ron opened his laptop and reviewed the list of nas provided.
There were no detailed images, only nas:
- Brad
- Hughes
- Sally
Ron glanced over at the unconscious blonde-haired girl lying on the carpet.
"If I'm not mistaken, she's Sally," he mused. "A Conjurer, likely specializing in long-range sniping."
Initially, Ron hadn't intended to get involved. However, when Lizard intercepted him at the auction, leaving wasn't an option.
Having already engaged in the conflict, Ron decided to take the blonde girl with him—not only because she had witnessed his abilities, but also because her skills intrigued him.
A reliable long-range attacker was sothing Ron lacked, and Sally's abilities seed to fit that niche perfectly.
---
A rustling sound broke the silence.
The blonde-haired girl slowly opened her eyes, her gaze dazed as she looked around the room.
"You're awake?" Ron asked.
Hearing his voice, Sally turned to him. Her expression shifted to confusion, then surprise.
"Father?"
Ron: "???"
This was the last reaction Ron had expected.
"When did I beco a father?" he muttered to himself. "I'm barely in my teens, and she's clearly older than —about the sa age as Shizuku, if I had to guess."
Ron studied her closely. It didn't seem like she was faking. Her words felt instinctive, as if they ca from so kind of ntal trauma.
The only explanation was that the attack had affected her mory, potentially causing both amnesia and psychological issues.
"I'm not your father," Ron corrected her. "I'm Ron, your… friend. Do you rember anything at all?"
Sally frowned, struggling to recall. After a while, she shook her head in defeat.
"I can't rember anything. Can you tell who I am?"
Ron paused briefly before speaking.
"You're Lisa," he said. "An orphan. I don't know much about your background, but we t near Heaven's Arena. Back then, you were scavenging for food in a trash can."
"I treated you to half a fried chicken."
"Since then, we've been friends. Thanks to my help, your life improved a lot. You ca to Yorknew City with to attend the auction."
Sally's mouth fell open slightly.
"I was that pitiful?"
From Ron's description, she could picture herself as a lonely girl digging through trash to survive. The thought made her feel both grateful and desolate.
"Ron, thank you. I'm so sorry—I've forgotten sothing so important. I'll make sure to rember this ti."
Ron nodded slightly. "It's okay. We're friends."
"Friends," Sally echoed, her tone warm.
"What's the plan now?" Sally asked.
"We'll continue attending the auction," Ron replied. "But you should stay here at the hotel. The auction beca chaotic yesterday when soone attacked it, and you were hit on the head during the commotion. That's likely why you've lost your mory."
"It's not your fault. Just rest here while I take care of the auction."
Sally hesitated. "But the auction seems dangerous. Are you sure you want to go?"
"I'll be fine," Ron assured her with a faint smile. "I'm strong. There's sothing I need from the auction, so I have to attend. Don't worry—I won't let anything happen to ."
"Alright," Sally said reluctantly.
---
The next day, the auction resud as scheduled.
The attackers from the Republic Gorteau were too weak to pose any real threat to the mafia. Of the four intruders, only Sally survived—thanks to Ron taking her away. The other three were killed by mafia operatives.
The bounties issued by the mafia targeted the remaining, unidentified mbers of the Gorteau Thieves.
"Ron, are you okay?"
At the auction's entrance, Morena waited anxiously. Upon seeing Ron, she ran over, her face full of worry.
"I'm fine. I left the venue early," Ron replied.
"That's a relief. I can't believe sothing like that happened—it was terrifying," Morena admitted.
Despite growing up in the Hei-Ly Family, a notorious mafia group, Morena had rarely experienced true danger. This incident was the most intense she'd ever faced.
The rest of the auction went smoothly without further disturbances.
Ron noticed the world mafia conducting a thorough search across Yorknew City for Gorteau mbers.
Sally, however, remained undiscovered. Even her forr companions had no idea where she was.
Thanks to Chii's abilities, Ron had hidden her perfectly. The hotel's security footage showed nothing, and even the most discreet surveillance devices revealed no trace. Only Chii had access to the hidden caras monitoring Sally's condition.
After several days of observation, Ron confird that Sally wasn't pretending to have mory loss.
"No one can maintain an act all the ti, especially when alone," Ron concluded.
As the auction ca to an end, Morena prepared to return to the Kakin Empire with the Hei-Ly Family's operatives.
"Goodbye, Ron," Morena said, waving from a distance. Though reluctant to leave, she eventually disappeared from view.
"Keep in touch through email," Ron called out, waving back. Once she was out of sight, he turned his attention to the crystal orb.
The progress bar had reached 90%.
"Not bad," Ron said to himself. "Just 10% more."
"One more world mafia city to visit, and I should be able to fully master the Observer's Intent."
"With that, I'll be able to create my fourth Nen Beast."
----
On the airship, Ron reflected on his gains from the trip to Yorknew City:
"First, I acquired one of the world's seven great treasures—a crystal featherbone."
For now, Ron hadn't decided what to craft from the featherbone, but its potential as a weapon was vast.
"Second, I established a connection with Morena, giving a foothold in the Kakin Empire. If any future plans involve Kakin, this will make things much easier."
"Like absorbing the traits of the Kakin Empire," Ron mused.
User Comments
0 comments from readers