Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Ms. Thia's tone carried disbelief. How could a gun evolve? Was it alive?

"Yes, evolution. The revolver has life."

In response to Ms. Thia's question, Loren gave a definitive answer.

Then, Loren stood up from behind his desk, and as he rose, he casually picked up the pink revolver from the table, aiming the barrel directly at Ms. Thia's head.

He pulled the trigger.

A pink bullet shot from the slender barrel, heading straight for Ms. Thia's head.

After the gunshot, Ms. Thia remained completely unharmed.

"You see, madam, it no longer wishes to harm you. You've gained its acceptance."

Ms. Thia, still shaken from the fright, stared blankly at the pink revolver in Loren's hand.

Loren smiled faintly, "It seems you understand."

Next, Loren placed the pink revolver back on the desk and handed it to the stunned Ms. Thia.

Loren walked over to the steel bird nest by himself, gently placing the dozing raven on his shoulder.

"Madam, you can take your time studying it here in the agency."

"I'll first go retrieve your husband from the Wild Dog Gang."

"As a client, you can always trust my credibility as an Interstellar Hunter."

After saying this, Loren had already reached the agency's entrance.

Before pushing open the door.

He carefully straightened his appearance, like a gentleman about to attend a banquet.

"Oh, by the way, madam, if you have any spare Spirit Stones, placing them on the gun's body might bring you a surprise."

Just as he was about to leave, Loren meaningfully added this remark.

He pushed the door and left.

Closing the agency door behind him, leaving Ms. Thia alone inside.

The rain had lightened considerably, almost to the point of being negligible.

"Lucky break," Loren smiled as he glanced at the sky.

The sky showed signs of clearing up.

Wearing his black trench coat and tall top hat, Loren descended the steps in front of the agency.

The raven on his shoulder still seemed somewhat drowsy.

As he stepped down, Loren glanced at his companion on his shoulder.

Seeing its poor condition, Loren took out a blue-glowing Spirit Stone from his pocket and brought it to the raven's beak.

"Time to work, partner."

The previously drowsy raven quickly opened its eyes upon smelling the unique scent of the Spirit Stone, taking the stone in its beak with its mouth.

It slowly swallowed the Spirit Stone.

After consuming the stone, it noticeably regained its vigor, becoming energetic and alert.

The raven emitted its excited cries, almost human-like.

Seeing this, Loren smiled affectionately and reached out to playfully tease the raven.

Man and raven walked together toward the street outside...

It was currently early morning.

Many shops along this street were gradually opening their doors.

Although their businesses violated Federation laws.

They still believed in the principle that "hard work brings wealth, and the early bird catches the worm."

These shops all chose to open their doors early.

Unfortunately for them, right after opening their shop doors, they spotted Loren passing by.

Many shop owners froze momentarily, their movements becoming stiff.

After Loren passed by nonchalantly, they quietly lowered their shop shutters.

It seemed today wasn't an appropriate day for "doing business"...

As Loren walked down the street, the area behind him fell silent and deserted.

The previously opened shop doors quietly closed again.

Walking calmly along the street, Loren sensed the activity behind him and smiled faintly.

"It seems my neighbors don't particularly like me... truly heartbreaking..."

Loren muttered to himself, though his tone carried only reminiscence, not a trace of actual sadness.

Just then, a vibrant voice came from the street's end.

"Mr. Loren! Good morning!"

Loren had finally encountered the first person willing to greet him.

"Morning, Little John."

The person greeting Loren was a young boy.

Judging by his height, he couldn't be more than ten years old.

Of course, in Clear Mine City's lower districts, estimating a child's age by height was unreliable.

Here, malnourished human youngsters were everywhere.

This boy named "Little John" had a long scar on his face, already scabbed over.

From the mark, his face had been cut by a sharp weapon.

Although the wound had healed, the remaining scar still revealed the brutality he had experienced in the past.

Interestingly, despite Little John's difficult past, his face radiated sunshine, brimming with life's vitality.

Just like any ordinary child.

Little John ran excitedly toward Loren on his short legs.

"Mr. Loren, going out on a mission so early?" Little John asked curiously.

Loren stopped and patted the boy's head.

"Of course, Interstellar Hunters are always busy."

The boy opened his big eyes wide, looking up at Loren with admiration.

"When I grow up, I want to become an Interstellar Hunter like you, Mr. Loren!"

Loren chuckled softly, encouraging the boy beside him.

"Oh? Then Little John will need to work hard."

Hearing this, Little John revealed his incomplete teeth, happily boasting:

"Don't underestimate me, Mr. Loren. Yesterday, using the revolver you gave me, I took three lives!"

Little John pulled out a small revolver from his pocket.

The small revolver's body was covered with strange graffiti, as if custom-made for someone Little John's age.

A very dangerous toy.

Hearing this, Loren stopped walking, crouched down, looked at Little John, and asked seriously:

"And today? Little John."

Unable to answer Loren's question, Little John ran away somewhat ashamed.

However, after running some distance, Little John turned back and shouted to Loren:

"Mr. Loren! I'll work hard!! I won't disappoint your expectations!!!"

Hearing such a vibrant declaration, Loren's face showed a genuine smile.

Loren made a fist-pump gesture of encouragement toward Little John in the distance.

Cheering on this young soul.

Seeing Loren's encouraging gesture, Little John laughed excitedly and ran off, leaving only these words in the wind:

"Mr. Loren! I'm off to work too!! I hope your work goes well today!!!"

The smile on Loren's face deepened once more.

"May we both be fortunate enough, Little John." Orıginal content can be found at NoveI-Fire.ɴet