Chapter 1111: 98. Having Him in Hand

“Are you all right?”

Muen’s voice was like a breeze, arriving at just the right moment to bring her back to herself.

“I’m... I’m fine.”

Marcie shook her head hard, rattling her nearly-lost soul back into place.

“I just... didn’t expect it, that’s all.”

“Feel like you were lied to?”

“No!”

Marcie clenched her little fist and placed it against her chest.

“Actually, I’ve always known that even Pioneers can’t possibly be perfect. What I admire is only their courage and their drive to keep moving forward. Just now, it was only because...”

She paused. The corner of her mouth twitched.

“I was a little scared, that’s all.”

“That makes sense...”

Muen nodded in agreement.

Who wouldn’t be scared? In broad daylight, a musclebound Barbie had beaten her own husband half to death.

If the surrounding onlookers and the Bear King had not reacted so normally, Muen would have thought the other party had been corroded by the Goddess of Night and transformed into a lunatic Evil God believer starting hunting mode.

“You two little ones are here to sign up as Pioneers, right?”

Once that farce came to an end, Theresa’s gentle gaze turned toward the two of them.

“You look a little familiar... Ah, right. Yesterday, on the street...”

Theresa had an excellent memory, and soon remembered that he had nearly run into these two little ones yesterday.

“You weren’t hurt, were you? I was in a hurry then, so I wasn’t paying too much attention.”

“N-No!”

Seeing her idol apologize, Marcie became flustered again. Her cheeks reddened, and she threw the feelings from just now straight to the back of her mind.

“And this one?”

Theresa looked at Muen again.

“Thank you for your concern. You did not hit me. Besides, I am fairly sturdy, so even if you had, I would have been fine.”

Muen smiled.

“Haha, tough. That is exactly how a Pioneer should be!”

The composure Muen displayed earned Theresa’s great approval.

“I’ll take you inside. There are quite a few people today. As an apology for yesterday, I’ll help you cut in line.”

“C-Cut in line?”

“What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing.”

Marcie shook her head hard, forcefully swallowing the words she had been about to say.

“Then let’s go.”

Theresa took the lead and walked into the headquarters building. Just as he said, quite a few people had already gathered in the first-floor hall.

These people had also come today to report in and become Pioneers. The City-State United Pioneering Association’s invitation letters were basically sent out at the same time, so the time of arrival only differed by three to five days because of travel distance.

“They actually recruited this many people this time?”

Marcie followed closely behind Theresa. This lively scene made even her, someone who was usually socially fearless, become nervous. Her little hand reached into her bag and tightly clutched that invitation letter.

Muen, meanwhile, followed unhurriedly behind them, as if none of this had anything to do with him. From time to time, he looked here and there, his gaze constantly sweeping over the surroundings, his body weaving nimbly through the crowd.

Suddenly, as if he had noticed something, he raised his head.

On the second floor, a familiar figure had appeared there at some point and was silently watching him.

But when Muen’s gaze turned over, that person had already looked away, as if he had merely swept his eyes across him by chance just now, and that strange sense of being watched was nothing more than Muen’s illusion.

“Yo, President.”

Theresa waved loudly from below.

“You came in person?”

“On such an important day, of course I had to come in person.”

Ocido, standing on the second floor, gave a slight nod. He took a black umbrella from the assistant beside him and opened it. Sunlight was already slanting into the hall through the front door on the first floor, and he was fulfilling his oath, unwilling to see the sun.

He was clearly indoors, yet he had to hold an umbrella. Along with Theresa shouting in that loud voice, everyone’s gaze gathered on him.

“The president!”

“It’s President!”

“Heavens, it’s actually the living President!”

Everyone in the hall was very excited and rushed to salute. Marcie, beside Muen, nearly bounced in place.

“Oh my God! It’s the president! I actually saw the president the moment I came in!”

“Is that guy very impressive?”

Muen asked curiously.

“Of course! President of the City-State United Pioneering Association, number 03001. Although he has no great pioneering achievements himself, he is the person who pushed the Pioneer system to its peak. Under his leadership and coordination, today’s Pioneers can enter the fog so safely and securely, with absolutely no worries behind them.”

Marcie still knew it all like the back of her hand.

“He does sound pretty impressive.”

Muen rubbed his chin and carefully examined Theodore as he slowly walked down.

During last night’s infiltration, the severe distortion of light had badly affected his vision, so his attention had basically not been on the man’s appearance at the time. Now, taking a careful look... he was actually quite handsome.

A high nose bridge, fair complexion, refined features, and a set of plain black clothes. As he walked over with a calm stride, he looked somewhat like a vampire marquis from a storybook. It was only that the people of Annabawei had lived in darkness for too long, and most of them were not very sensitive to appearances. Otherwise, if he were placed outside, he would at least be a middle-aged woman killer.

The only pity was...

Muen’s gaze moved upward.

On the president’s head, aside from a few unyielding blades of grass still clinging fiercely to the “earth,” the rest had basically deteriorated into the Gobi Desert.

This president... was actually balding!

He must have worked a lot of overtime on ordinary days!

“Could it be that he holds a black umbrella just to keep the top of his head from reflecting light?”

Muen did not know about Theodore’s oath, and could not help secretly guessing.

“How many people have arrived over these past few days?”

Theodore held the umbrella with one hand and stroked the “stubborn grass” on top of his head with the other, nodding to everyone with a smile.

“Reporting to the president, seventy-eight the day before yesterday, fifty-six yesterday, and one hundred twenty today... No, one hundred twenty-two. Two hundred fifty-six in total. Of them, roughly one-fifth are ‘preselected’ people with invitation letters. The rest came to sign up for the entrance examination.”

Theresa laughed and answered swiftly.

“Mm, very good. Everyone has worked hard.”

There were quite a few people.

Muen raised his brows in surprise.

He had thought Pioneers counted as an extremely scarce profession here. He had not expected that, judging from this recruitment scale, there were already more than two hundred fifty people. That number far exceeded his expectations.

“In reality, out of these two hundred-plus people, it would already be good if ten of them could become true Pioneers.”

Marcie seemed to see what Muen was thinking and lowered her voice.

“Hm? Doesn’t an invitation letter let you become a Pioneer directly?”

Muen was puzzled.

“I remember what was said just now was... ‘preselected’?”

“How could it be that simple? The people who receive invitation letters are either recommended by the city-state lords of various city-states, or people who already have some fame and strength. But even then, that only means becoming a trainee Pioneer. After that, it still takes a very, very long time of tests and tempering before they can become true Pioneers.”

Marcie pouted.

“As for people without invitation letters, they can only start from the very beginning. All kinds of assessments, showing their strength, earning recognition, and then becoming trainee Pioneers before slowly climbing upward step by step.”

“That is hard work.”

“After all, Pioneers are the people who carry the hope of all Annabawei. All the resources here have to be gathered toward that tiny handful of people. Especially as resources keep decreasing, the selection process has become more and more difficult.”

“Hm? Then how did you get an invitation letter?”

“Hmph? Are you looking down on me?”

Marcie proudly lifted her head.

“Last year, they organized an exam here. I was the only one with a perfect score!”

“...Impressive.”

Muen gave her a thumbs-up. He had not expected Marcie, who looked blank and silly most of the time, to be even more outstanding than he had imagined.

Then again, although her intelligence seemed a little overdue on payment, just that thick record book alone was enough to show how much effort she had poured into this.

“You are Miss Marcie, correct?”

While he was thinking this, at some point, Theodore had actually passed through the crowd and approached. He looked at Marcie gently and took the initiative to open a conversation.

“Last year’s first place. I remember you very clearly.”

“Y-Yes!”

Marcie instantly stood at attention, her little face flushed red.

“It is my honor to be remembered by the president.”

“There is no honor or lack of honor in it. Pioneers speak through strength and ability.”

“Yes!”

“Speaking of which, how is your grandmother’s health?”

“She is very well. Her body is still tough!”

“That really is good news. It seems the people of Annabawei can still see a touch of green during the three months when the sun comes.”

After this exchange of greetings, Theodore’s gaze then fell on Muen.

As if this were the first time he had seen Muen, he carefully looked him up and down. Then, as if he had truly seen something in Muen, his eyes suddenly brightened.

“This gentleman has extraordinary color and a powerful build. At one glance, I can tell you are an extremely outstanding person. Have you also come to sign up as a Pioneer?”

“I...”

“There is no need to be nervous. In Annabawei, there are no distinctions of status. You can simply treat me as an ordinary person, just like Miss Marcie.”

A meaningful light flashed through Theodore’s eyes.

Of course he knew that this person before him was the outsider. Last night, he had already secretly confirmed it without the other party noticing, and he also knew the purpose of his visit this time.

That was why he had brought the matter up ahead of time: in order to seize the initiative.

That matter was very important. He could not possibly allow an outsider he did not understand to act as he pleased... even if the Goddess herself had said he was the key person.

The reason this outsider had come to make contact must certainly also be for the convenience of the identity of “Pioneer.” And as long as he wanted something, then he could...

“No...”

Muen’s brows furrowed slightly, and he retreated behind Marcie.

“President, you have misunderstood. I am only an ordinary traveler. For now, I have no intention of becoming a Pioneer.”

“???”

Theodore was visibly stunned.

...Wait. Why was this guy not following the routine?

If you do not want to become a Pioneer, then what are you doing here?

Sightseeing?

“Hm?”

Marcie also turned her head in confusion and lowered her voice.

“What is going on? Are you really not planning to become a Pioneer? Weren’t you very curious about a lot of important information concerning the Goddess of Night? Only Pioneers can access those things.”

“Don’t I have you?”

As he spoke, Muen’s gaze was still on Theodore. The other party smiled subtly, and he also smiled subtly.

But when he recalled the scene from yesterday, Muen sneered coldly in his heart.

Trying to get a grip on him?

Up until now, no one had...

Ahem. Up until now, aside from a mere handful of people such as An, Anna, Liya, Celicia, Ariel, the old little girl, and Miss Dragon, no one had been able to do that!

“I am only a trainee!”

Marcie emphasized.

“Trainee Pioneers are not qualified to touch core secrets!”

“Then even if I am selected, would I not also be a trainee?”

“You’re different. You’re very strong. You could climb up very easily. But if you do not even register, then there really will be no way at all!”

“That is true.”

Muen nodded seriously.

On the other side, Theodore was still disheveled in the wind, rapidly thinking about how to reverse the situation. After all, if the other party “wanted nothing and desired nothing” and did not take this bait at all, then even if he thought away the last few hairs on his head, he probably still would not be able to do anything to this mysterious outsider.

A few strands of hair drifted down before his eyes, like autumn leaves, especially bleak. Theodore’s mind spun quickly, searching for a way to break the deadlock...

Yet at that moment, Muen suddenly spoke from across from him.

“President, my apologies. I misspoke just now. Actually, I do want to become a Pioneer. Please forgive me.”

“???”

Theodore almost failed to make the turn.

What was going on?

Was he messing with him?

No... Could it be that this guy had sensed his thoughts, and had deliberately done this to toy with him?

No, even more impossible.

For caution’s sake, after receiving information from Grandma Meg and the Goddess, he had never come into contact with him at all. He had only looked at him from far away. The other party should also know absolutely nothing about him, and even his closest assistant did not know about this matter, so there was no possibility of any information leaking.

Then what thoughts was this guy carrying after all?

Theodore could not understand for now, but he also temporarily breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as even the poorest Gobi Desert was still better than a desert with nothing at all, no matter what this outsider had hidden inside him, if he never stepped into Theodore’s domain at all, then Theodore would have no way to deal with him, much less get a hold over him.

“That is wonderful. We are precisely short of talent right now.”

Theodore waved behind him.

“Theresa, come record his information.”

“Coming.”

Theresa took a stone tablet that had been shaved extremely thin and came swaying over. He had originally said he would help them cut in line, so naturally he had no complaints now.

“Name.”

“Muen Campbell.”

“Gender.”

“Male.”

“...”

The information was recorded very quickly. It was basically only going through the motions. In this place on the verge of destruction, it was impossible for anything like household registration to still exist. Even if Muen casually made up a name, no one would suspect anything.

“Very good.”

Theodore said in satisfaction.

“A talent like you will certainly be able to become an excellent Pioneer. Please follow Theresa to the examination.”

“Examination?”

Muen raised his brows.

“Of course. For Pioneers, theoretical knowledge is of the utmost importance. If one does not have sufficient knowledge, then even with a body full of brute strength, he will be nothing more than one more corpse sunk deep in the fog.”

Theodore plucked at his own Gobi Desert, his smile carrying a somewhat mysterious air.

“However, special matters can be handled specially. If you have any special abilities, you may also display them. If you can meet the requirements, we can also relax the conditions for you as appropriate.”

“...”

He wants me to voluntarily display my value... or my abilities?

Muen chuckled.

Interesting.

“No need. There is nothing special about me.”

Muen directly ignored Marcie, who was frantically signaling at him with her eyes, and said,

“I will go take the examination normally, President.”

“What a pity.”

Theodore did not look the slightest bit regretful. Instead, the corner of his mouth curved up, like an old fox.

“Then we can only proceed according to the rules.”

...

Very soon, Muen separated from Marcie. Marcie went to verify and record her status as a trainee Pioneer, while Muen followed some people who had signed up and wanted to become Pioneers to take the Pioneer theory examination.

Before the examination began, Theodore suddenly stopped Theresa, who was responsible for supervising the exam.

“Use this set of questions this time.”

“This set?”

To save space, the writing on the stone tablet was very small. Theresa narrowed his eyes and leaned closer before he could see the questions written on it clearly. His expression changed slightly.

“President, isn’t this set of questions too difficult?”

“It has to be difficult. The current situation is becoming {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} more and more severe, so the assessment should naturally become stricter as well.”

“I understand.”

Theresa did not suspect anything. He took the stone tablet and hurried off to make copies.

Theodore watched Theresa’s figure disappear as he came and went like the wind. As for himself, he leisurely held the umbrella with one hand and stroked the unyielding blades of grass on top of his head with the other.

“Heh.”

He smiled faintly with confidence.

“An outsider wants to deal with an examination from this place? How could that be possible?”

Although he did not know how much information about this place that outsider had collected, no matter how he thought about it, that information should not be enough to support him in completing the examination.

After all, the set of questions he had given had an extremely low pass rate even among locals.

And as long as he could not pass through the conventional method, that outsider would have no choice but to follow his intentions and take out something special to exchange.

So, in the end, he would still be caught in Theodore’s invisible grip.