Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Walking into the city, Loren noticed the guards lining the streets, who had just received an order.

Those who had been eager to test themselves suddenly all lowered their heads and pretended not to see him.

Loren shook his head, a little speechless.

Such busybodies. I was actually planning to have some fun with them.

Unimpeded, Loren swaggered through the city gate.

The scenery in the Upper District was completely different from that of the slums.

The streets here were clean and well-kept.

Skyscrapers rose everywhere, their architectural style saturated with high-tech flavor.

On both sides of the roads, plants emitted unfamiliar fragrances.

Hovercars cruised through the air, one after another, weaving past each other.

Loren stood on the street and took a deep breath.

"No matter how many times I come, this beauty built on rot makes me sick."

"It always makes me want to destroy the place," Loren muttered instinctively.

"Loren, your thoughts are as dangerous as ever."

A man stepped up beside Loren and spoke that line to him.

After he spoke, he made no further gesture.

His expression remained very calm.

Obviously, he had heard Loren say things before and was no longer surprised.

The man wore the uniform of the enforcement team, with a weapon at his waist.

A pentagram emblem was pinned to his chest.

The metal pentagram was an item only senior enforcement officers could wear.

Wearing that pentagram signified he was a lawkeeper of the Upper District, a symbol of authority and strength.

Loren cast a casual glance at the man beside him.

"Heard that, huh? I'll be quieter next time."

There was not a trace of remorse in his tone.

"Then, dangerous Mr. Loren, what brings you to the Upper District this time?"

"Of course I'm here to blow up the whole Upper District."

"Then I hope you won't act during my working hours."

Loren shot him a disdainful look, ignored him, and strode toward the Interstellar Hunter Association.

"A pest who doesn't respect work."

After leaving that remark behind, Loren's figure receded.

The man shook his head with a wry smile, watching Loren's departing back, and the worry he'd felt eased.

Good thing you don't plan to carry out your ideals today.

Everyone else thinks you're joking, but I know you're serious.

If you find the chance, you really would do it.

As an Upper District lawkeeper, he had dealt with Loren for many years.

He knew all too well what kind of villain Loren was.

Loren's silhouette disappeared around a corner.

The man remaining on the spot lowered his head, spoke into the communicator on his shoulder, and issued an order:

"Danger cleared, disperse."

"And forget today's events!"

One by one, replies came through the communicator from his subordinates.

The man switched off the shoulder communicator and walked away at leisure.

"Not my problem. Whoever wants to mess with that lunatic can deal with it. I'm not going."

His figure also vanished near the city gate.

Upper District, Interstellar Hunter branch.

Without a vehicle, Loren finally arrived at this place.

He gazed at the classically styled building before him and glanced at the Interstellar Hunter branch sign.

Regret and memories flickered across Loren's face—rare for him.

"Come to think of it, I haven't been here in a long time."

He stepped into the building.

When someone entered the hall,

the staff inside and the Interstellar Hunters conducting business there all froze.

They looked as if they'd seen something terrifying.

Loren offered no comment; the atmosphere here simply felt familiar.

He walked to a service window and joined the queue.

The Hunters in front of him, being savvy, quickly left the line.

Soon, Loren was the only person left at that window.

He approached and flashed a smile at the stunned clerk:

"Ma'am, help me accept the mission to annihilate the Wild Dog Gang."

"Okay... okay, please wait a moment."

The clerk, clearly nervous because of Loren's arrival, fumbled anxiously.

A minute later, the flustered clerk finally exhaled.

"Mr. Loren, please present your Interstellar Hunter license."

Loren took a specially made credential from his coat pocket and handed it over.

"Mr. Loren, the mission to annihilate the Wild Dog Gang has already been accepted. Good luck with your work."

The nervous clerk returned Loren's license after arranging the task.

Loren did not take his license back.

"Ma'am, while you're at it, log the mission as completed. The Wild Dog Gang has already been annihilated."

The clerk went blank for a moment, then quickly recovered.

"Please... please wait a moment, I'll verify it right away."

The staff behind the window began frantically making calls, dialing one after another.

Thanks to her tireless effort, she soon obtained the most recent and complete information about the Wild Dog Gang. Check latest chapters at N0velFire.ɴet

"Verification complete."

"One hour ago, the Wild Dog Gang was confirmed annihilated by Mr. Loren."

"A total of 1,100 contribution points have been credited to Mr. Loren's Interstellar Hunter license."

"Is there anything else you need, Mr. Loren?"

After verifying, the clerk immediately did what she had to do and professionally asked if Loren needed anything more.

A subtle smile lifted the corner of Loren's mouth.

I kind of efficiency.

"Convert all of it into Spirit Stones for me."

There was another flurry of activity behind the window.

a silver metal briefcase was handed out from behind the window.

"A total of 2,200 Spirit Stones. Please accept them."

Loren took the heavy case and smiled at the window staff as he said,

"Also, check all recent missing-person reports from the slums, every single one."

The clerk's expression froze for a beat.

She soon composed herself and pretended nothing was wrong while continuing to operate her computer.

Loren noticed the detail; the smile at his lips stiffened.

So widespread? Interesting.

as Loren expected, the clerk—who had clearly heard of his deeds—politely and courteously told him,

"I'm sorry, Mr. Loren."

"Your clearance level cannot access that intelligence."

"The clearance for that information has been raised to Level 5 by the branch chief."

"Only he personally is authorized to view it."

Loren stayed silent, maintaining his smile, and gazed at her calmly.

At that moment, everyone in the hall realized what was happening.

They all tacitly chose silence, doing their best not to make any sound.

No one wanted to fall into Loren's line of sight.