Free Web NovelChapter 166: Mysteries Everywhere
After a hard day at work, Shinon, Kira, and Rico made their way through the bustling settlement, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestone streets.
As the trio made their way through the settlement, they couldn’t help but notice the warm reception they received from the settlers. Smiles and nods of appreciation greeted them at every turn, proof of their impact on the community.
Shinon, with his remarkable skills and resourcefulness, had become a pillar of support for the settlement. Unlike the Phoenixes, the people could connect with him and think of him as one of their own.
This thinking of the settlers also contributed to the increase in Shinon’s influence on matters related to the settlement. His dedication towards their wellbeing had earned him the respect and admiration of the entire community.
Meanwhile, with her affinity for manipulating plants, Kira had found her place among the farmers. Her ability to accelerate crop growth and enhance agricultural productivity transformed the settlement’s food production.
After all, thanks to her, they no longer had to depend on the old and expired food the Hunters and the Scavengers brought for them whenever the raiders were busy.
The sight of flourishing crops and bountiful harvests brought hope and sustenance to the settlers, their gratitude evident in their smiles and gestures.
As for Rico, he was known for his combat prowess and skills on the battlefield. With his guidance, the guards improved their fighting techniques and mastered their weapon-wielding skills, ensuring the safety of their fellow settlers.
Rico’s dedication to their training and his unwavering commitment to their defence had earned him the admiration and trust of the guard force. In his free time, he also trained ordinary people who had no ability... just like him.
It always shocked them that even without any ability, he could easily defeat most of the guards in one-on-one sparring sessions.
Shinon was already aware of the effect Rico could have on the people, and hence he was the one who told Rico to train as many people as he could.
At first, Shinon wanted the people to be ready when he eventually made a move against the Phoenixes. However, in a twist of fate, he would need those people in their impending fight against Aric.
While those people were important, chatting with them wasn’t on the trio’s schedule for the day. They wanted to visit the children of their former settlement, as it had been a while since Kira and Rico had last met them.
As they approached the designated area where the children from their former settlement now resided, Kira’s expression softened, a mix of excitement and concern evident in her eyes.
"I can’t believe it’s been so long..." Kira mumbled with a hint of sadness in her voice. "I never thought-" freewёbnoνel.com
"What happened, happened. No point dwelling in the past, Kira," Rico chimed in. "We will figure out who killed Natasha and the rest, but for now, we must be strong for the kids."
Shinon listened to their conversation, a sombre expression on his face. Despite his best efforts, he had been unable to uncover the identity of the assailants responsible for the attack on the settlement.
He had a hunch that it was the Phoenixes seeking retribution for the raiders he had killed in self-defence, but proving it seemed impossible.
Furthermore, whenever Shinon hinted about the raiders and their wrongdoings, Marcus refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing by his men, dismissing the notion that they could have been involved in enslaving others.
The absence of any captured slaves within the settlement only deepened the mystery. Initially, Shinon had wondered if someone else was operating under the guise of the Phoenixes, exploiting their reputation for their own gain.
However, his suspicions were confirmed when he stumbled upon emaciated individuals toiling away in the Lunarisite mine.
Clearly, at least one member of the Phoenixes had been utilising the raiders to abduct people and force them into labour within the mines. This revelation solidified Shinon’s belief that Marcus and his cohorts were not as noble as they pretended to be.
Yet, without concrete evidence, Shinon’s theory remained just that—a theory. He hoped that by visiting the kids, who had been rescued alongside him, Kira, and Rico, he might uncover a clue or witness account that could undermine Marcus’s authority and expose the truth.
The trio arrived at the orphanage, a modest building within the settlement. The children, scarred by their experiences, found solace and safety within its walls.
The kids welcomed them since Kira and Rico were regularly present around the place. However, the same couldn’t be said about Shinon. The kids, still wary of unfamiliar faces, eyed Shinon with apprehension.
The warden of the place enthusiastically greeted Shinon as she had been rescued by him during the horde’s attack on the settlement. Shinon, oblivious to the fact, wondered why the woman was gushing before him.
Despite that, Shinon realised he could use the woman’s behaviour to meet his goal. Once Kira and Rico were away, Shinon acted on his plans.
"Umm... it might be a weird request, but could you give me a list of all the kids here?" Shinon mumbled in a heavy voice.
"Oh, of course!" The woman rushed out and immediately brought a file to him. "You’ll find everyone in here, sorted by name and the time they were enrolled here."
"Ah, thank you... you’ve been accommodating," Shinon gave her his best smile before continuing, in hopes his charm would continue to work on her.
"I’d be grateful if you didn’t tell anyone about our interaction, as people might find it suspicious, and I don’t want unnecessary rumours to tarnish your reputation."
The warden, still overwhelmed by his charms, nodded eagerly. "Of course, Mr. Shinon! Your secret is safe with me. I won’t breathe a word to anyone."
Shinon offered her a slight, appreciative nod before turning his attention to the file she had provided. As he flipped through the pages, his eyes scanned the names and details of each child residing in the facility.
It was an extensive list containing ample information on every child in their care. From their abilities to the places and circumstances they were found in, everything was written in detail... too much detail.
It wasn’t just the names and ages but also the additional information provided—personal histories, family backgrounds, and even specific incidents that shaped their lives. The level of detail was astonishing, to say the least.
His brows furrowed in concentration as he considered the implications. The reports contained far more information than one would expect from a simple record-keeping system.
It was as if the person compiling these files had an intimate knowledge of each child, their experiences, and their stories. The kind of knowledge that one wouldn’t have if the kids were ’rescued’ under dire circumstances, as the Phoenixes had claimed.
Such comprehensive documentation couldn’t be a mere coincidence. It pointed to someone with insider knowledge, someone who had direct access to the lives of these children.
But who could it be? And more importantly, why would anyone be so invested in gathering such detailed information?
A sense of unease settled over Shinon as he realised the implications. The level of surveillance suggested a deliberate intent to monitor and control these children’s lives long before they had been rescued.
It hinted at a hidden agenda, one that had been carefully concealed from the rest of the settlement, much like the existence of the Lunarisite mine.
Aware of the gravity of the situation, Shinon knew he needed to proceed cautiously.
He couldn’t confront Marcus or anyone else without concrete evidence of his involvement, as doing so might jeopardise the safety of the children and further endanger him and his group.
Closing the file, Shinon turned his focus back to the warden, his expression a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you again for your help. I believe I have what I need."
"You can keep that file if you like. I have already copied everything down, so it should be fine." The warden smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting appreciation. "If you require anything else, Mr Shinon, please don’t hesitate to ask. I am here to support you in any way we can."
Shinon nodded, grateful for her assistance. "I’ll keep that in mind."
As he left the office, clutching the file tightly in his hand, Shinon’s mind raced with thoughts of his next steps. Although he had gotten a hint, he knew several puzzle pieces were missing.
"I need something... even the smallest of hints would work if-"
Just then, another system notification appeared before him. It was a daily quest notification. But it was a quest unlike any other Shinon had received.
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You have been assigned a Daily Quest!
[Expert’s Advice]
Bring the [Lunarisite Ore] to Mei Lin.
Condition for failure: Escaping the scenario or failing the complete the quest in the given time limit: 23:59 hours.
Punishment for failure: None.
Reward for success: Insight into using [Lunarisite]
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