Endless Debt

Chapter 1285: Chapter 86: Ordinary People’s Troubles

"So... is that the end of it?"

"No, not yet. From a priority standpoint, opening the secret passage to the Holy City is the most important task. As for the Forge Furnace Volcano and such, there will be time to deal with that later."

"So in other words, you still have to go back to that ghostly place sometime later?"

"More or less. According to the information, the Void Realm of the Holy City is far more terrifying than the Ruins District."

"Naturally, since this is King Solomon’s palace... you could say it’s his mausoleum now? Tomb raiders really aren’t seen in a good light."

Bologue picked up a fry, dipped it in some ketchup, and leaned over to one side, "Let’s not talk about my future work for now. How about we talk about you instead?"

"Me? What is there to talk about?"

Palmer took a big swig of his drink, eyes slightly dazed as he flipped through a comic book.

"How’s your Ascension Ceremony preparation going?"

"Pretty much everything is ready. Once I drink a few more days’ worth of Alchemy Potion, my body will adjust to a perfect state."

Upon mentioning this, Palmer closed the comic book with a long sigh.

"What’s wrong?" Bologue asked, "Is there any difficulty with the Ascension Ceremony? Need my help with anything?"

Ever since Bologue successfully explored the Ethereal Realm, Mamo had set up large equipment in the "garden" he created. As Mamo put it, Bologue’s opportunities for ascension in this life are limited, but there will always be Condensers ascending.

Mamo has always been trying to have Bologue participate in the Condensers’ Ascension Ceremony, attempting to synchronize Bologue’s will with the Promoter. As the Promoter achieves soul sublimation, Bologue would use their credentials to enter the Ether Realm.

"Me? I definitely don’t want to be your guinea pig."

Palmer shook his head vigorously, then, with a defeated expression, said, "I just suddenly feel like I’ve grown up."

Bologue said, "Grown up? I thought that after fully accepting Vasilina, you were already used to that kind of growing up."

"No, no, no, ’growing up’ has many different types. Vasilina, to me, feels like... a growth in emotions. I’m no longer a conflicted kid inside; instead, it’s about taking responsibility for another person’s life."

Palmer took another big gulp, followed by a loud burp.

"And the growth brought by the Ascension Ceremony is another kind of feeling."

"Like what?"

"For example... what did we do before? We just maintained public order, beating up some thugs. On a more serious note, we dealt with some Extraordinary conflicts and such."

Palmer paused and then continued, "As our power grows, we’ll be facing increasingly perilous events, and these events will involve many other things."

Bologue asked, "Going from an unnoticed kid to someone who stands above the city, even the world?"

"More or less, but I’m not that arrogant to think that becoming a Negative Power User makes me some big shot," Palmer sighed, "It’s just that I suddenly feel very tired. As we ascend in Tier, the events we face are no longer about endangering a single street, a city.

It would involve regional, national, even global crises."

Palmer, speaking, completely slumped over the bar, digging his hands into his hair, turning his hairstyle into a mess.

"Everything you do could determine the lives and deaths of many people. I don’t even know those people, and just thinking about it makes me feel tired. It makes me miss the days when we only maintained public order."

"Responsibility, Palmer, that’s what... hmm? Social responsibility." Bologue patted Palmer’s shoulder.

"Probably," Palmer turned his head, "What about you? Bologue, don’t you feel any pressure?"

In Palmer’s eyes, Bologue was like an iron man. He almost never showed a vulnerable side, always appearing tough and unyielding. Often, Palmer almost forgot that this guy was also made of soft flesh and blood.

"Of course, I feel pressure too."

Bologue nodded, "But I know that apart from overcoming it myself, others can’t really help me."

"So you like to stay quiet and keep all your troubles to yourself," Palmer chuckled, "You’re kind of like... oh, I remember!"

Palmer concluded, "Reserved, right?"

Bologue said helplessly, "I’d prefer you to describe me as introverted."

"Introverted, introverted. Aren’t you afraid this will cause you problems?"

"A little, so I vent my pressure through work."

"No wonder you’re a violence freak."

In the Undying Club, there were only the two of them, and their conversation gradually became subdued. The atmosphere was especially desolate.

"How’s he been at work while I’ve been away?" Bologue tried to look for something to discuss.

"Who?"

The alcohol clouded Palmer’s senses; without a specific name, Palmer had no idea who Bologue was referring to.

"York, the priest we left in Gray Stone Town, our intern. Is he doing okay?" Bologue patiently explained.

After the Gray Stone Town incident ended, after careful consideration, Bologue finally decided to let York join the Special Operations Group as an intern initially.

But due to work’s busyness, after handing off those matters, Bologue participated in the infiltration operation in the Ruins District, and he hadn’t had the time to learn what happened afterward.

"Oh, oh, York."

Palmer lifted his head from the bar, blinked hard, trying to recall. After about half a minute, he slowly spoke.