Chapter 421 83: Klar Civilization 2

"What can I do for you this time, sir?"

"I need to buy something."

Lu Chao once again put on the cold demeanor rumored to belong to [Celestial Hunter] and stated his purpose for coming.

He knew that when items were listed for sale at a branch, contact information was usually left behind. They would have a way to notify the anonymous seller to come for the transaction.

"Purple Jade Ore?"

Unexpectedly, Hel's eyes lit up. "Sir, your timing is perfect," he said with a smile.

"The friend who listed it is staying right here in the hotel. How about..."

"Bring him here."

Lu Chao nodded, familiar with the trading etiquette.

As the middleman, the Dark Web would take a five-percent cut from the transaction as its fee. At the same time, both parties could choose to either exchange the item face-to-face or remain anonymous and entrust the Dark Web to handle everything.

The Purple Jade Ore was rather important to him, so he hoped to acquire it in person to prevent any mishaps.

"Of course. Please wait a moment."

Hel nodded eagerly.

He then pressed a button on the bar, summoned the man in the suit, and ordered him to fetch the seller.

...

"Penelope?"

"What are you doing here?"

Inside a room on the fifth floor of the Platinum Hotel.

As the door swung open, the visitor came into view.

Raccoon Cat, dressed in a black trench coat, frowned slightly.

"What, little Raccoon Cat? Am I not allowed to come see you?"

The woman at the door wore a brown jacket over a revealing outfit that showed off her stunning figure. The white shirt underneath was unbuttoned low.

Her tanned face made her look about thirty years old. She had brown eyes and long, wavy hair, giving her a wild sort of beauty.

Any other man would have been compelled to take a second look, but Raccoon Cat knew she was nearly sixty—much older than him.

"You can, I suppose."

Raccoon Cat replied casually and turned back into the room.

The carpeted room was quite spacious. Besides a large bed, there was also a seating area with a table and chairs for guests.

"But I have to be clear."

"The things you're investigating are from too long ago. I don't want to get involved."

Hearing this, the woman in the brown leather jacket froze for a moment as she was closing the door.

"You know I need help," she pleaded, her tone sincere.

Raccoon Cat sighed, hesitating.

'I really do owe her a big favor.'

But this all happened decades ago. "How could we possibly find any answers?" he asked, staring at her. "Besides, Penelope, you're an Exploration Level expert. If you wanted to, you could live a comfortable life anytime you pleased."

"Why do you keep searching for answers to things that are long buried? Everyone wants you to live for yourself."

His tone was a mix of warning and consolation; he knew she deserved a much better life.

The woman named Penelope was silent for a moment before gently shaking her head. "My entire family died in that war."

"I need an explanation."

Her calm tone made Raccoon Cat pause, and he sighed, torn by hesitation and sympathy.

Just as he was pondering how to reply, a knock came from the door.

"Mr. Raccoon Cat, Master Hel requests your presence downstairs."

...

"I wonder, sir, will you be staying in Red Maple City after this transaction?"

In the underground secret room of the Platinum Hotel.

Hel poured Lu Chao a glass of juice, a wide, sycophantic smile on his face as he tried to drum up some small talk.

"Oh?"

Glancing at him, Lu Chao inexplicably thought of [Celestial Hunter]'s contact on the Dark Web.

He thought of [Grey Feather], who had since sent two more messages asking for his location.

"My mission here is complete. Naturally, it's time to leave."

Lu Chao said impassively, picking up the glass of juice and swirling it gently.

Hel nodded repeatedly. "That makes sense," he said with a smile. "The Beast Tide outside the city has started to weaken recently. Perhaps things will return to normal soon."

"As a peak expert, sir, now that you've reappeared on the Dark Web, you can certainly make a name for yourself wherever you go... I was just wondering if there's anything else you need before you leave. That way, Hel can prepare it for you in advance, right?"

His tone was fawning and proactive.

Lu Chao narrowed his eyes, gradually sensing an ulterior motive.

Shaking his head, he decided not to say any more, lest he expose a flaw in his act.

Just then, his Life Sensing stirred. Lu Chao sensed two magnetic fields approaching.

One was at the Exploration Level, and the other was at the Peak of the Limit-Breaking Level. The magnetic aura of the latter felt familiar.

Finally, the door opened.

A man in a trench coat and a raccoon cat mask walked into the secret room, carrying a black briefcase.

A flicker in Lu Chao's eyes showed that he recognized the Dark Web assassin he had seen several times before.

He also glanced at the woman beside him, who was wearing a brown leather jacket and a human-skin mask.

"Raccoon Cat, who is this?"

Hel reacted instantly. Seeing the extra person, he frowned slightly.

"A trustworthy friend," Raccoon Cat said, his voice as low and magnetic as ever.

Hel didn't answer. Instead, he turned his head to look at Lu Chao, as if asking for permission.

This small gesture surprised both Raccoon Cat and his companion. Hel, the person in charge of the Dark Web branch, actually needed to get someone else's approval?

Before they could dwell on it, Lu Chao gave a slight nod. "This is fine," he said coolly.

"Yes, sir."

Hel nodded quickly. He didn't introduce Lu Chao, but silently took on the role of the middleman.

After a brief discussion, he took the briefcase from Raccoon Cat and opened it.

A purple, fist-sized ore came into view.

[Purple Jade Ore]

[Quality: Elementary]

[Effect: Contains numerous mineral elements. Consumption by those below Superpower Level can strengthen the physique. Those at Superpower Level must consume it blended into a potion. Long-term consumption has a chance of increasing Life Energy...]

The information from his intuition appeared, and Lu Chao nodded slightly.

A moment later, he took out an untraceable bank card and deducted the nearly one million Alliance Coins required for the transaction.

Finally, after taking the briefcase, he turned to leave.

"Wait."

Suddenly, a voice called out.

Lu Chao didn't stop, continuing to walk forward.

Hel also frowned, looking at the woman in the brown leather jacket behind Raccoon Cat, who had been observing the entire time.

"Sir, please wait."

Her tone was solemn. Despite seeing that Lu Chao had no intention of stopping, the woman in the brown leather jacket quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

Raccoon Cat's expression shifted, as if he hadn't expected his companion to do such a thing.

Under everyone's gaze, Lu Chao stopped and frowned at the woman blocking his way.

Her brown eyes were filled with anticipation and curiosity. The emotions he perceived from her held no malice.

In fact, he had felt her sizing him up during the transaction earlier.

"Sir, I mean no harm."

The woman in the brown leather jacket spoke quickly, raising a hand placatingly. She even introduced herself, "I am Penelope, an assassin from [Deep Sea]."

"I apologize for brazenly blocking your path. I just wanted to ask you about something."

At her words, Hel, who had been about to question her angrily, stopped. A trace of surprise flashed across his face; he had clearly heard of her name before.

Lu Chao pondered for a moment before finally speaking.

"What is it?"

"May I ask, are you Celestial Hunter, sir?" she asked respectfully, staring intently at Lu Chao.

Raccoon Cat looked shocked, as if he finally understood.

Lu Chao remained silent.

"I knew it. That petty guy, Hel, would never be so respectful to anyone else."

Penelope took Lu Chao's silence as confirmation.

She didn't forget to take a jab at Hel, which made his face sour with annoyance.

"Actually, I've been looking for you."

"Thirty years ago, you were already a peak expert whose name shook Earth Star. You must know a lot about the old era."

Penelope's expression turned serious. Mustering her courage, she asked sincerely, "So, I would like to ask you... could you please tell me the real reason for the fall of Moray Country?"

"I'm willing to pay any price."

As her words fell, the atmosphere in the secret room grew silent.

Raccoon Cat opened his mouth, his move to dissuade her freezing in place.

Hel also detected the trace of grief and hope in her voice and quickly recalled certain past events.

Rumor had it that Penelope was born over fifty years ago in the old era, in a small, peaceful nation called Moray Country.

Unfortunately, when the wasteland apocalypse broke out, that nation was destroyed overnight, with only a few survivors remaining.

'Could it be that there's some kind of secret behind it all?'

Instantly, all eyes turned to Lu Chao.

In response, Lu Chao feigned indifference. "I don't know," he said, shaking his head inwardly.

'I'm not the real [Celestial Hunter]. How could I possibly know about these things from the old era?'

With that, he walked past Penelope, who stood frozen in a daze at his words.

He strode away, carrying the black briefcase containing the Purple Jade Ore.

With a click, the door shut, leaving Hel and the other two behind.

Raccoon Cat opened his mouth, not knowing how to comfort her.

Hel also shook his head gently and sighed.

"Haaah..."