Chapter 496: Conversation, Encounter

Chapter 496: Chapter 496: Conversation, Encounter

She paused, her gaze falling on Brandon Barton’s face with a look that wasn’t quite a smile. "Don’t tell me you also want what’s in my hand, Captain Barton? Just like Eugene Jensen a moment ago."

Her words were direct, even carrying a hint of a cold, probing tone.

The smile on Brandon Barton’s face stiffened for a moment, then he quickly waved his hands. "You’re joking, Miss Sullivan."

He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I just came to say hello, and... to congratulate you on taking down this Lord."

’He had, in fact, been entertaining some ideas.’

’A Lord’s Sanctuary token. Who wouldn’t want one?’

’If possible, he would even be willing to pay a high price for it.’

’The Central Base definitely needed this Lord’s Sanctuary more than anyone.’

But now, meeting Seraphina Sullivan’s calm eyes, which seemed to see through everything, he immediately dismissed all such thoughts.

’This woman is unfathomable.’

’That shot with the Space Bullet, that Magic Scissors Bullet, and these teammates of hers, who clearly have perfect coordination and a variety of Abilities...’

’I can’t make an enemy of her.’

’Absolutely not.’

Brandon Barton’s thoughts raced, and the smile on his face grew a few degrees more sincere. "It all comes down to who has the skill. The fact that you obtained it, Miss Sullivan, just proves you’re strong enough.

Perhaps we can even cooperate in the future, if the opportunity arises."

Seraphina Sullivan watched him for a few seconds before the faint sense of aloofness around her dissipated slightly. She nodded. "You’re too kind, Captain Barton."

...

The words had barely been spoken when another figure came barreling over.

"Hey—! My man!"

Nicholas Jensen came jogging over, bypassing Seraphina Sullivan and Brandon Barton entirely to make a beeline for Sean Chandler.

His slender frame, next to Sean Chandler’s burly physique, looked like a small bird flinging itself at a massive tree.

"Long time no see, long time no see!" Nicholas Jensen threw his arms around Sean Chandler, slapping him firmly on the back. "You’ve gotten so much stronger! These muscles, this build... you just look so dependable! Super dependable!"

Sean Chandler seemed a bit stunned by the hug, standing rigidly in place with his hands hovering awkwardly, a rare look of helplessness on his face.

Dexter Luther, watching from the side, burst out laughing. "Hahaha, Sean, that look on your face is hilarious!"

Nicholas Jensen let go and tilted his head back to look up at Sean Chandler, who was a good head taller. Grinning like a child, he said, "You’ve got more transformations! You used to be a Werewolf, and now you have a giant bear form. That’s so cool! You can even pin down the Raging Cat Demon now. Awesome!"

Sean Chandler finally snapped out of his daze and let out a muffled "Mm."

Nicholas Jensen didn’t mind his reticence and patted his arm again before finally noticing that everyone was staring at him.

He scratched his head and gave a sheepish grin. "Ah, just got a little carried away seeing an old friend."

Watching this scene, Seraphina Sullivan’s gaze shifted between Nicholas Jensen and Sean Chandler, and the corners of her lips curled up unconsciously.

Nicholas Jensen’s small, thin frame standing next to Sean Chandler’s burly physique really did look like a little figurine.

’Add his unreserved enthusiasm to Sean Chandler’s silent, wooden reaction...’

’If she didn’t know Nicholas Jensen was already taken, she might actually be tempted to ship this pair.’

’But...’

Seraphina Sullivan lowered her gaze to the token in her hand, then looked up again at the gradually calming nightscape in the distance.

’Tonight’s business isn’t over yet.’

’News of the Lord’s Sanctuary will spread quickly.’

’The real trouble is about to start.’

Nicholas Jensen finally ended his "passionate embrace" with Sean Chandler and turned his head. His gaze naturally fell on the pure crimson token in Seraphina Sullivan’s hand.

Fiery light swirled across the token’s surface, and the lifelike image of the Cat Demon looked as if it might spring to life at any moment.

A flash of envy crossed his eyes, but that was all.

’He knew perfectly well that they had fought tooth and nail for this. What right did he have to ask for it?’

So, he didn’t bring up any kind of trade. Instead, he asked a different question:

"By the way, it looked like you guys knew ahead of time how terrifying that Cat Demon’s Flame was?"

Nicholas Jensen scratched his head, his tone a mix of curiosity and frustration. "We took a huge hit from that. If it weren’t for my protective bracelet being so reliable, I’d probably be a goner today."

At his words, Brandon Barton also turned to look at Seraphina Sullivan, a similar questioning look in his eyes.

Flora Sullivan glanced at Nicholas Jensen, her chin lifting slightly. Her tone carried a self-evident pride. "Of course we did.

Sullivan and I encountered this Cat Demon yesterday. We saw with our own eyes just how vicious its Flame is.

Once it gets on you, you can’t extinguish it. The more you try to put it out, the stronger it burns."

She paused, smirking at Nicholas Jensen and Brandon Barton. "So after we left, we specifically came up with a countermeasure. We only dared to come back and deal with it today after we were prepared.

Unlike some people, who just charge in without understanding a thing."

The words were blunt, but Nicholas Jensen and Brandon Barton could only nod with wry smiles.

It was true. They had rushed into battle unprepared today.

Brandon Barton’s team had accepted a mission. They knew there was a Lord Level Monster here, but they had only a partial understanding of its specific Abilities.

Nicholas Jensen, on the other hand, was just passing by and had only approached after noticing the commotion.

Neither of them had been like Seraphina Sullivan, who had gathered intelligence beforehand and made full preparations before taking action.

"Sigh—" Nicholas Jensen sighed, lacing his fingers behind his head. His tone was a bit wistful. "I guess Lord Level Monsters aren’t such easy prey. Well, this one’s gone, so I guess we’ll just have to find another."

He turned to look at Brandon Barton. "Brandon Barton, did your prophet tell you the locations of any other Lord Level Monsters around here? How about you give us a little inside info?"

Brandon Barton shook his head, his expression candid. "No. Recently, the Raging Cat Demon has been the only one in this area. The prophet’s foresight has a limited range, and she can’t see everything."

’Prophet.’

That word registered with Seraphina Sullivan, and her gaze flickered slightly.

’It’s Joy Hughes.’

’The Beloved of the God of Sweet Dreams, the one with the Ability of foresight.’

’Brandon Barton’s team has been able to distinguish themselves from so many other Players. It must be thanks to her.’

Dexter Luther, however, clearly wasn’t thinking that deeply. He focused on a different point. "You guys are so awesome! You have a prophet who can tell you where Lord Level Monsters are!"

His eyes lit up and he took a step closer, his voice full of eagerness. "Then... can that prophet also predict the locations of Treasure Chests and Player Keys?

If she can, that would be so convenient!"

It was a direct, even reckless, question.

Everyone’s eyes fell on Brandon Barton.

The smile on Brandon Barton’s face froze for an instant. He politely took half a step back, his tone mild but distant. "Er... I’m afraid I can’t tell you that."

He paused, nodded to Seraphina Sullivan, then glanced at the others. "We’ll be taking our leave. We still have a mission to complete. We’ll see you again when we have the chance."

That was his signal that they were leaving.

Seraphina Sullivan gave a slight nod in response.