Crowne walked out of the guild without looking back. The noisy voices inside the building could still be faintly heard, but he didn't care.

He kept walking, passing through the streets of Doomsty City, a place he had just visited for the first time.

"If I'm not wrong, it should be to the south," he muttered softly while looking at the sloping road ahead.

He walked past several shops that were beginning to close. Lamps along the street started to light up, illuminating the road.

The situation was calm, but Crowne's heart was not. He was still annoyed about what happened at the guild earlier.

"Damn it. This makes me…"

Tap!

Someone tapped Crowne's shoulder from behind.

Reflexively, Crowne turned around and grabbed the person's wrist. In an instant, his eyes turned sharp, the same look he had when he cut the receptionist's knife earlier.

But this time, he didn't feel any hostility or condescending gaze. Instead, he saw a young girl with long blonde hair and black eyes. Her face was round with some baby fat on her cheeks. She looked cute, but behind that face was a mix of sadness and anger.

"Let go! I'm not an enemy," she said quickly, pulling her hands back. "Let go of my hands first."

Crowne stared at her for a moment before finally releasing his grip. "What do you want?"

The girl rubbed her slightly red wrist. "My name is Lina Oriel. I heard you asking about the sea monster at the guild earlier. Why are you asking about that?"

Crowne frowned and stared at her for a while. "You were eavesdropping? Isn't that rude?" he complained.

"Everyone heard it," Lina replied flatly. "And… I also have business with that monster. If you want, I'll share what I know with you."

Crowne didn't answer. He only stared at the girl with a neutral expression, waiting for further explanation.

Lina took a deep breath, then looked toward the south. Her hands clenched tightly. "My father… was one of the first fishermen attacked by that monster." Her voice dropped low. "I lost my father."

Crowne lowered his head slightly, then asked, "You want revenge?"

Lina nodded immediately without hesitation. "You're right. I want revenge."

The girl stepped closer, then pointed toward the port that was faintly visible in the distance. "We're forming a monster hunting group. There are four of us so far. We're short of one person who can fight in close range."

"And you want me to join?"

"Yes." Lina looked straight into Crowne's eyes. "I know you're not an ordinary person. Everyone in the guild is talking about you now. You cut Kyrielle's knife with one swing, right? You made that crazy woman look terrified. This is the first time I've ever seen her scared."

Crowne fell silent. "So, you really were eavesdropping."

"Listen, I don't care who you are. But if you really want to kill that monster, then we have the same goal." Lina folded her arms. "You can refuse, but we're leaving tomorrow morning. And if that monster is truly as strong as people say… we might not come back. If I don't return…"

The girl pulled out a sealed letter and handed it to Crowne. "Give this to my younger brother in the capital. His name is Balista. Please give it to him and apologize in my name!"

Crowne frowned. He didn't know the girl standing in front of him. Suddenly, she was asking him to deliver a letter to someone he didn't even know.

Crowne stared at Lina for a while. "Why don't you ask for help from the guild?"

Lina let out a soft, bitter laugh. "The guild has already given up. They lost three teams before. They even removed the mission from the board because they didn't want to lose more people. They said the guild master is still trying to hunt the monster, but I can't rely on something uncertain."

Lina looked deeply into Crowne's eyes. "I can't just wait. I won't sit at home waiting for a 'miracle'. My father died because of it, and I'll end that creature myself."

Crowne fell silent. He could feel the strong determination coming from the girl before him. It made him somewhat interested.

Finally, Crowne spoke. "I don't like working with others, but this time I might accept your offer."

Lina smiled widely, relieved. "I don't like it either, but I have no choice. That monster is strong, and I don't plan to commit suicide."

"…Where can I meet you?" Crowne asked at last.

Lina let out a long breath. "The East Port of Doomsty City, right before dawn. We'll prepare the ship there. Oh, and don't be late."

Crowne narrowed his eyes. "And if I am late?"

"Then we'll leave without you." Lina turned around, walking away while waving her hand. "You look strong, but that doesn't mean the world will wait for you. With or without you, we'll still go."

Crowne said nothing. He watched Lina's back until she disappeared in the distance. From the way the girl spoke, Crowne could feel her deep hatred.

He sighed. "Seems like she forgot to explain what kind of monster I'll be facing."

Crowne shrugged his shoulders, turned around, and continued walking.

However, just as he took a few steps, he suddenly felt a strange presence appear behind him.

His eyes widened, and he quickly crouched down, drawing his weapon and slashing.

Slash!

But there was no one in front of him. Crowne looked around, but he saw no signs of anyone trying to attack him.

A few passersby stared at him with puzzled looks. To them, Crowne looked like a strange man acting out of nowhere.

"Damn it."

He stood up, turned around again, and began walking once more. But at that very moment, he felt it again. This time, he only turned his head.

Yet once again, there was no one there. This was truly strange. Crowne was confused about what was really happening.

"My lord, allow me to search for that presence," said Velrisa.

Crowne was startled when he heard Velrisa's voice in his head. "Was there really someone behind me trying to cut my head off?" he asked.

"I do not know, but I felt what you felt. When two people feel the same thing, it means it is real."

Crowne fell silent at her words. He felt chills run down his spine, because this was the first time he truly felt like he was being toyed with. He suspected the one doing this was the same person who had attacked him in front of Doomsty City's gate.

"I'll ask for your help," said Crowne.

"Thank you."

Velrisa immediately emerged from the Dimensional Prison Ring. She moved swiftly, leaping onto the tallest building to search for the one disturbing Crowne.

At the same time, Crowne stayed where he was. "I'll leave this to you," he said.

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