Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Loren's departing footsteps did not pause.

"No, I don't, Investigator."

The voice behind him grew increasingly anxious:

"Those who could secretly mine for so many years must have substantial influence."

"Possibly even people throughout the entire Dusk Star Domain are involved."

"From your attitude, I can deduce that your commission is related to this matter."

"Facing those people alone would also be very dangerous for you."

"We can join forces! Mr. Loren!!"

Loren's footsteps halted, and he turned around.

"As an investigator from the Energy Department, you should be from another planet, right?"

The figure leaning against the garbage bin struggled to shift his body slightly.

After positioning himself in a less painful state, he continued:

"I recognized your fighting style."

"The famously insane Raven, the most dangerous Interstellar Hunter on this planet—I am aware of you."

"When I first arrived on this unfamiliar planet, I did gather information about you."

Loren chuckled lightly, the black-gold revolver reappearing in his hand.

The muzzle aimed directly at the other's head.

"Since you've heard of me, you should know my rules."

"After five shots, if you're still alive, I'll take you to a safe place."

"How about it? Investigator."

A long silence fell, the alley filled only with the investigator's faint, weak breathing.

"Since I'm about to die anyway, I'll give it a try."

The person leaning against the garbage bin spoke with a sorrowful tone.

"If I lose this gamble, I hope you can relay this information beyond the Dusk Star Domain through the Interstellar Hunter Association's channels."

After speaking, Loren lightly spun the revolver's cylinder.

The mechanical clicking sound of the rotating cylinder was quite pleasing.

The cylinder soon stopped spinning, and Loren fired at the other.

An empty sound—no bullet was fired.

The first shot was empty.

"Click!" Still an empty sound.

The second shot remained empty.

"Click!" Still no trace of a bullet.

The third shot was also empty.

"Click!" The sound of emptiness!

The fourth shot also had no bullet.

Only one final shot remained; the other's breathing grew heavier, visibly tense.

The corner of Loren's mouth unconsciously turned upward.

Loren, too, grew increasingly expectant.

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A flash of fire appeared.

A black-gold bullet shot from the barrel.

The bullet exploded against the other's head.

Unfortunately, his luck had run out.

Loren silently gazed at the headless body fallen beside the garbage bin and involuntarily sighed.

"Investigator, your luck was just a bit short."

The black-gold revolver in Loren's hand vanished.

Then, Loren removed the top hat from his head and bowed deeply toward the headless body beside the garbage bin.

"May Misfortune stay far from you henceforth."

Loren quietly put on his top hat, turned, and left the transformed alley.

After leaving the alley, Loren did not choose to go to the Interstellar Hunter Association.

Instead, he headed outside the Upper District, returning to his own agency to make some preparations.

Based on the information gathered so far, Loren's upcoming opponents would no longer be simple characters.

He needed to seriously prepare for the battles ahead.

Grand performances always require advance preparation.

Sufficiently meticulous preparation.

Loren arrived at the Upper District's city gate, where the lawkeeper from that morning timely appeared beside the gate.

It seemed as though he had been deliberately waiting for Loren's arrival.

Loren ignored his presence, carrying the case and walking directly out of the city gate.

As the lawkeeper, he solemnly watched Loren's retreating figure carrying the case, not uttering a word.

Just as he watched Loren's distant figure, a voice came from the communicator on his shoulder:

"Boss, is this the guy who wiped out the Wild Dog Gang?"

Standing beside the city gate, he did not answer his subordinate's question.

His mind was entirely occupied with whether he should resign from his position as lawkeeper and make a run for it...

Considering recent events both inside and outside the city, he keenly sensed that something major was happening covertly.

So many incidents occurring in such a short time—could it be a coincidence?

No, even if it were a coincidence, it indicated some unknown changes within and around the Upper District.

Now even that madman Loren was active.

This madman's appearance itself represented trouble.

Something must have happened...

After contemplation, his gaze turned resolute.

Resignation! Absolutely necessary!

He would resume this damned lawkeeper position only after things inside and outside the city had stabilized!

Having made his decision, he spoke into the communicator on his shoulder:

"Keep watch over the gate; I have something to attend to and will be away briefly."

After speaking, his figure vanished from near the city gate, heading toward the center of the Upper District.

He was going to resign, the sooner the better.

He couldn't even wait until his shift ended.

Making a living on this planet allowed for some weakness in strength.

But intuition for danger must be sharp enough.

Otherwise, one could die.

Meanwhile, after exiting the Upper District, Loren found a secluded spot.

The raven on his shoulder disappeared, and he spread the wings on his back, flying toward the streets of the Gray Zone.

Extremely fast, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air.

Unable to find a ride, he could only use his Psychic Ability to travel.

The advantage of this method was the very high travel speed.

The downside was the greater consumption.

However, Loren didn't mind this negligible expenditure at the moment.

In the case he carried were still 2,200 Spirit Stones.

The cost of travel could be replenished with just one Spirit Stone.

Loren, having flown the entire way, returned to the Gray Zone, this notorious "Street of Sin."

After landing, Loren retracted the wings on his back, and the raven reappeared.

He then took out a Spirit Stone and fed it to the raven on his shoulder, restoring its vigor.

Subsequently, Loren stepped into the street.

A musty, decayed air filled Loren's lungs.

It was the familiar scent.

"Though I've only been gone half a day, I still miss the air here somewhat."

After his lament, Loren, carrying the heavy case, headed toward his agency.

The shops on both sides of the street unconsciously grew quiet due to Loren's presence.

Little John, the only one unafraid of Loren, did not appear either; he was busy with his own work.

The entire walk passed in utter silence.

Only after Loren left their sight did the street regain its usual vitality.

For these lawbreakers lurking in the Gray Zone, constantly restless and scheming.

Loren was the truly fearsome one.

He had no logic, no pursuit of profit.

He simply vigorously chased the amusement in his heart.

The most damnable part was that such a madman wielding immense power was their "dear" neighbor...

Moreover, this madman's reason for residing on the Street of Sin was nothing else.

He simply liked the stale, decaying air here.

When Loren reached the center of the street, the door of the Raven Agency was pushed open from inside.

Ms. Thia greeted Loren's return full of anticipation.

"Mr. Loren, you're back?"