Leveling Up by Defiling Milfs

Chapter 170: Ch170: Find Zero?

Helen told him everything that had happened over the past three days.

It raised countless questions.

Was Zero being possessed by someone? Was Klaus even in Raven Town? And just recently, someone had been caught trying to breach the Pilgrims’ Barrier in Cinder Town — the neighboring town beside Raven Town.

Daniel lowered his gaze and paused.

"Helen, where is Zane?"

Helen met his gaze. "He’s still investigating. Before leaving, he said he suspected someone who might give him a clue about Klaus."

"Is he acting weird as well?" Daniel asked.

"Not at all," she replied. "If anything, he’s been more focused than ever."

"Hmm..." Daniel lowered his gaze again, his mind sorting through everything Helen had told him.

A waiter approached their table. "Any orders?"

"Two teas, please," Helen said.

"Coming right up," the waiter replied before walking away.

A moment later, the waiter returned with two cups of ginger tea and placed them on the table.

They took slow sips as silence settled between them, despite the bustle of the bakery around them.

The sun hung low in the sky, its golden light pouring through the bakery window.

Daniel knew he was running out of time.

"Wait, I have a plan," Helen said, her tone serious. "What if you keep an eye on Zero? Zane doesn’t know you’re involved in this, nor Zero. Only you and I know. What do you think?"

"It’s a good idea, but I can’t come with you. I have training sessions," Daniel said with a neutral expression.

*Sip~*

Helen paused for a moment before nodding. "Right. But your training is only in the mornings, isn’t it?"

Daniel gave a small nod. "Right."

"I’m talking about midnight. I’m pretty sure Zero checks on us before he disappears. That’s when you’ll follow him and find out where he’s going."

"That’s ridiculous. I need sleep. Besides, how am I supposed to leave the training ground with guards stationed at the gate?" Daniel asked.

"There’s a way," Helen said. "If you cross the river, then head right. Keep going through the bushes, and you’ll find a dirt path that leads out of the training grounds."

She met Daniel’s gaze.

"I only need a few minutes of your time," she said, her tone earnest. "Just find out where Zero is heading at night. That’s all."

"Uh... I respectfully don’t think I can do this," Daniel said, meeting her gaze.

Helen took one last sip of her tea and stood.

"Follow me."

Outside, she stopped at the corner of a merchant’s stall and pointed north, toward the residential area.

"You see that inn with the lantern hanging by the fence? That’s where we’re staying."

Daniel furrowed his brows. "Why are you telling me?"

"In case," she said before turning and walking away.

The sun had already dipped below the horizon, allowing darkness to spread across Raven Town.

"Shit... it’s already time," Daniel muttered before sprinting toward the training grounds.

...

*Slosh~ Slosh~*

"So cold... huff... it’s not even winter," Daniel muttered as he crossed the river.

The moon hung high above, casting a soft silver light across the forest — enough for Daniel to make out the path ahead.

Crickets chirped in the distance, while fireflies drifted through the night air.

A gentle breeze rustled the pale trees, sending dried leaves skittering across the forest, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil and moss.

Bush after bush, Daniel pushed his way through the undergrowth. A few branches scratched his legs as he pressed forward.

Before long, he emerged from the forest and found himself near the marketplace, where silence blanketed the empty streets.

*Whoooosh...*

A cool breeze swept past as he turned his gaze north.

"Which one was it?" he wondered.

Several identical lanterns now glowed throughout the residential district.

When the sun had been setting, it had been easy to spot, because At the time, only a single lantern had been lit, making it easy for Helen to point it out.

*Sigh~*

Daniel stepped forward, keeping to the shadows cast by the trees and houses as he made his way toward the residential area.

Only a few houses still had their lights on.

"I’m pretty sure it’s either this one or that one," he muttered as he slipped into the shadows and waited.

Sleep tugged at his mind, making his eyelids heavy.

...

Half an hour later...

The remaining lit houses gradually went dark.

*Yawn~*

"It’s already midnight. Where’s Zero?" Daniel muttered under his breath.

Another half hour passed. Yet no sign of Zero.

Daniel rubbed his tired eyes and began thinking about returning to the training grounds.

I think I’ve done enough spying for tonight—

Just then, the front door of one of the houses creaked open.

A man stepped out, calm and silent, before closing the door behind him without making a sound.

"Zero?" Daniel murmured as he narrowed his eyes at the shadowy figure.

"Status," he whispered.

Nothing appeared.

"Status."

"Status."

No translucent screen appeared in his vision.

The man turned left and walked down the path where Daniel was hiding behind a house.

Daniel held his breath, took a careful step backward, and pressed himself against the wall, making sure not to expose himself.

"Haac—"

Daniel’s hand shot to his mouth.

Then, just as suddenly, the urge to sneeze vanished.

A chill ran down his spine as the thought of being discovered flashed through his mind.

His heart pounded against his chest, faster and faster.

Once he had calmed himself, Daniel peeked around the corner and spotted the man walking away.

’Where is he going?’ he wondered.

Then, followed from a safe distance, careful not to lose sight of him.

From the residential district, Zero made his way through the marketplace before heading into the forest — the same route Daniel had taken earlier that night.

’Huh? Where the hell is he going?’ Daniel wondered as he followed.

However, one thing immediately caught his attention, deepening his suspicions.

Whenever Zero traveled in dark areas, he always used his Fire element to light the way.

Tonight, however, there wasn’t a single flame.

To Daniel’s surprise, Zero walked through the darkness as though he didn’t need the light at all.