Chapter 173: Chapter 108: Give Me Back My Hard-Earned Money
"Mm," Kali said, her head lowered. "Since I’m a Saintess Candidate, and I’ll very likely become the Saintess in the future, they shouldn’t just ignore me..."
’Is her main concern that she was ignored?’
That kind of thinking had nothing to do with sympathy, kindness, or compassion.
Wei’en thought for a moment before saying, "I don’t know what it takes to become a Saintess, but I believe that if you want it, you should strive to achieve it. That has nothing to do with whether you approve of their methods."
"Besides, if you want to change things, you first need the ability to do so. Strength, wealth, or power—those are all forms of that ability."
Kali murmured, "Is that how it is...?"
It was the first time she had ever heard such things. Few people ever mentioned power or wealth to her. Only her teacher had taught her that to better protect what she cared about, she needed to become a stronger Holy Professional...
’So it’s not enough to just become a powerful Holy Professional to do that?’
At this thought, Kali looked up at him. "Thank you, Wei’en. I know what to do now."
"You’re welcome."
Wei’en noticed a strange new light mixed into her bright, clear eyes. It was the first time he’d seen it...
He didn’t know how much of an impact his words would have on Kali, but a person could only get the results they wanted by becoming strong.
Even if it meant having to give up certain things in the process—that was the price one had to pay for growth!
"By the way, Yuan got back to the clinic this morning. You should hurry back, or he’ll start to worry."
"Mm." Kali was about to nod, but then she looked at him with a puzzled expression. "What about you?"
"I still have to make a trip to Laos District. You know, I still need black bread to get by."
"Okay... Goodbye, then."
"Goodbye."
Watching her small figure jog away, Wei’en sighed. If he’d had a choice, he wouldn’t have said those things to her.
But reality was what it was. A person could be kind and compassionate, but they absolutely could not be naive or allow themselves to be manipulated—especially not in a world like this.
’Strength, power, or wealth... even just having one of them would be good enough.’
However, despite his grand words, he was just another soul struggling to survive in this world.
Wei’en thought with a bitter smile, ’They must be talking about me when they say "all talk and no action," huh?’
[You have been scanned by Melbel Osiris’s Spirit Perception. Evaluation: Hmm, I’m guessing he’s wondering if you’ve been swapped with an imposter. Reward: Survival Points +1.]
"..."
Wei’en cursed inwardly. That damn Guardian Knight just wouldn’t quit.
But he didn’t dare to linger. There was no telling if Melbel’s perception might turn into killing intent, and then into...
This time, it took Wei’en less than twenty minutes to reach the slums.
He didn’t take Golden Street to get to Laos District. Instead, he chose to cut directly through Ruer District to save some time.
Gazing at the dim, dilapidated scene deep in the district, he lamented inwardly, ’No matter how many times I come here, the slums are still the slums. Nothing ever changes...’
Furthermore, after being washed by yesterday’s rain, the sewage on both sides of the road had flooded the path, forcing people to abandon any fantasy of avoiding the pungent wastewater.
At the same time, the garbage that was everywhere was no longer in piles but was now floating beneath the surface of the black water, sloshing about with every step people took.
The only difference, perhaps, was that the crowd of passersby had already turned over twice.
[You have been targeted by Favaro Visotsky’s killing intent. Evaluation: Another poor wretch infested with a Bone-Eating Worm. Reward: Survival Points +1.]
[...]
[You have received a Seed of Affection from the Abyssal Creature, the Bone-Eating Mother Worm. It desperately longs to reproduce inside you! Evaluation: Perhaps this is fate? Reward: Survival Points +1.]
’Fate, my ass... The system’s twisted sense of humor is getting more and more obvious.’
But after seeing the notification, Wei’en couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. As long as the Bone-Eating Mother Worm was still in Laos District, it was fine.
’But where is it hiding?’
Wei’en scanned the surrounding buildings. This was the most "prosperous" part of Laos District; not far from here was Ednier Avenue in Ruer District.
’If I were it,’ he thought, ’and I wanted to easily implant people with Bone-Eating Worms, I’d definitely choose a place where their grayish-white bodies wouldn’t be easily noticed.’
’Hard to spot?’
A thought struck Wei’en, and his gaze shifted downward—to the sewage on either side of him, to be precise.
’If the worms were hiding in the sewage...’
Not only could the sewers accommodate the Bone-Eating Mother Worm’s massive body, but they would also allow it to continuously release Bone-Eating Worms through the pipes, turning people into hosts.
And with the help of those hosts, it could use them to carry the Bone-Eating Worms to places farther away.
In an instant, the entire process became clear to him. Now... it seemed he had found the mother worm’s hiding place!
[You have been targeted by Matteo Haines’s killing intent. Evaluation: Leaving is advised. Reward: Survival Points +5.]
Huh?
’It’s him?’
’The mysterious black shadow from Yidrisu District... he actually came all the way to Laos District?’
Wei’en nonchalantly walked into a street-side bakery. He pretended to browse the black bread on display, acting as though he was looking for a loaf with just the right dimensions.
"Long time no see. You’re an Investigator now?"
The shopkeeper, who remembered him well, spoke with undisguised envy after noticing his attire.
"Just passed the interview."
Wei’en gave a noncommittal reply, his attention focused entirely on the person outside.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to follow the system’s advice and leave immediately. But after what happened with Clelia, he couldn’t let anyone else realize he had a way of detecting them.
