Chapter 155: The Bracelet
Chapter 155: The Bracelet
Stanley smiled enthusiastically. "Sure. Whenever you want, come and use the Hunter Association’s training facilities to your heart’s content."
Then suddenly...
His expression turned a bit serious.
"But before you leave, we need to discuss something important. Let’s head back to the president’s office."
With that, he turned around and started walking, giving Leon no chance to respond.
Leon frowned slightly. ’Hmmm? He was all smiles just moments ago. What happened?’ He glanced at Jessica, who was still standing there, waiting for him to follow her grandfather.
’Whatever. Let’s just see what he is up to.’ With that thought in mind, Leon followed after Stanley.
A few moments later, they returned to the president’s office.
Stanley walked straight to the same locker from which he had brought out the two orbs to test Leon’s mana and Qi earlier. He unlocked it and reached inside.
This time, however, he pulled out a black metallic bracelet that gleamed under the room’s lights.
In the bracelet, three small crystal-like orbs were embedded, glowing faintly like watchful eyes.
Stanley placed it on the table and gently slid it toward Leon.
"Leon, what you are or what you’ve become.... It is truly remarkable." His voice turned solemn. "But remember this. People either want to possess the finest things for themselves... or destroy them so no one else can have them. Your strength and abilities are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’m afraid that, even as we’re speaking, there are already people making moves against you. The Demon Sealing Clan, for example. Who knows when they will come knocking at your door. You wiped out those assassins from Bloodhound Guild. Or else they would already be making your life hell by now."
Stanley sat down in the chair and let out a sigh. "The military training camp is a place where talented people grow stronger. But it’s also a place where talents are crushed before they can fully bloom as well. Some will see you as a threat simply because of your potential."
He leaned back slightly. "You’re going there for one reason only — to earn your Hunter License. Nothing else. I’m not asking you to pretend you’re weak. I’m asking you to be smart. A tournament will be arranged over the next month. Until that tournament, let everyone believe you’re nothing more than an ordinary young hunter.
You may not believe it now, but following this advice will save you from countless unnecessary troubles."
Leon nodded seriously. "I understand, Mr. Cooper. I want these six months to pass as smoothly as possible, so I’ll follow your advice."
"Good." Stanley was satisfied with Leon’s answer. Leon hadn’t picked up the bracelet yet.
Stanley picked up the bracelet again and started explaining. "The three crystal orbs you see are limiters. Once you wear this bracelet, only a quarter of your true strength can be measured or unleashed."
He pointed at the first orbs.
"Remove one orb, and you’ll be able to use half of your strength. Remove another, and you’ll be able to access three-quarters of your full power. Once all three are removed, the limiter disappears completely, allowing you to fight at your full capacity again."
He smiled proudly. "This artifact makes it easy to keep your strength under control while still allowing you to remove the restrictions during an emergency. As long as you’re wearing it, even high-end detection devices won’t be able to see through your disguise."
Leon hesitated as he looked at the bracelet.
"Mr. Cooper... I think this artifact is far too valuable for me to accept."
Stanley dismissed it with a wave of his hand casually. "Cut the nonsense. With your talent, once you get your Hunter License, making money will be as easy as breathing. You can repay me then if you really insist. And besides, Delvan will only benefit from having someone like you among its hunters. Even if you never pay me back, this small investment to keep you alive is worth every coin."
Leon accepted the bracelet with both hands.
"Then I’ll gladly accept it. Thank you very much, Mr. Cooper. You’ve been incredibly considerate."
"Don’t mention it. We’re going to be family soon."
Both Leon and Jessica froze.
"Family?" Leon repeated in confusion.
Stanley burst into laughter. "Of course. All hunters are one big family. Brothers and sisters-in-arms, regardless of age."
Leon smiled. "Uhh, that. Yes. You’re right. Thank you again, Mr. Cooper."
He stood up.
"If you don’t mind, I’d like to head home now."
"Go ahead, kid."
Stanley smiled warmly. "Do well on your college finals. Then, one week after that, we’ll meet again at the military training camp."
"Sure."
Leon nodded and gave Stanley a respectful bow before leaving the office with the bracelet in hand. ’This thing sounds incredible... I wonder how many more amazing artifacts like this exist.’
With that thought, he walked out of the Hunter Association.
Inside the office, Stanley and Jessica silently watched him leave.
A few moments after Leon left, Jessica finally broke the silence. "You could’ve simply warned Uncle Starner about Leon and asked him to keep an eye on him."
Stanley snorted. "Hah. In your dreams. That old fox would never let Leon leave the military if he found out the truth before the tournament."
He shook his head. "It may sound a little selfish, but I want that boy to become a hunter."
Jessica frowned. "But shouldn’t Leon be the one to decide what kind of life he wants to live? He might actually choose to stay in the military."
Stanley sighed. "Exactly. He should be the one to decide. But do you think he will be able to decide if others are informed about him? Never. Eighty percent of military awakeners are D-Class or below. They join because the military offers better benefits than ordinary hunter guilds for people of that level.
As for the remaining twenty percent... yes, there are some truly outstanding talents among them. But how many of them truly want to stay? Most talented people don’t stay in the military unless they have a reason.
Also, that place is too polluted.
Ego. Hypocrisy. Politics. Far too often, those things become more important than saving lives."
"But to protect a nation’s sovereignty, those things are sometimes necessary, don’t you think, grandpa?"
"What I think doesn’t change reality. What I’m saying is that Leon deserves the chance to choose the life he wants.
A hunter... who enters dungeons to save lives while earning a living.
Or a soldier... who waits for orders before taking action.
And sometimes, those orders even force you to act against the very people you wanted to protect.
As a hunter, he’ll live by his own will.
In the military, he’ll spend his life carrying out someone else’s.
Yes, if he climbs high enough through the ranks, many of those problems will disappear. And with his talent, I have no doubt he’d eventually reach that level."
Stanley smiled bitterly.
"But that’s only if the people above him don’t see him as a threat."
He turned to Jessica. "So tell me honestly... do you really think they wouldn’t?"
Jessica fell silent. She couldn’t answer.
Because deep down, she knew her grandfather was right.