Chapter 97: Back in Hanging City
Despite multiple chaotic events unfolding at once that Terrence couldn’t fully comprehend, and knowing deep down that a massive looming threat was fast approaching, he had no clear idea which disaster he needed to prepare for first.
However, simply looking directly into Winter’s eyes told him everything he needed to know at this exact moment.
Winter had journeyed on an impossible, suicidal path, and here she was standing before him—completely broken and desperate.
Terrence had seen that exact look in someone’s eyes before. He had possessed those very same eyes just a few short weeks ago.
Helpless, powerless, and utterly desperate.
Yet, something deep within his heart refused to let him ignore her desperate plea for help.
Of course, part of his motivation was undeniably tied to the sudden system mission that had just triggered, but there was also something far more personal driving his decision.
He stood up straight, gently breaking free from Winter’s trembling grip. He offered her a confident smile while casting a brief glance over at her Vampire Butler.
"Okay. Let’s do it. I already have a plan in mind," Terrence said firmly, his words causing Winter to tilt her head slightly while a faint spark of hope began to flicker back into her sunken eyes.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice filled with quiet anticipation.
"You’ll discover everything soon enough."
Terrence couldn’t quite believe the incredible timing himself. The system mission was working entirely in his favor. He quietly opened his interface to review the precise terms and rewards promised for completing the task.
[Deploy a mobile beast stall within the Hanging City and sell high-tier beasts! Help local tamers clear the surging dungeons alongside your powerful beasts!]
[Duration: 7 Days]
[Reward: Beast Tamer Exclusive Talent!]
He couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, knowing full well that this was an exceptionally lucrative mission. Just judging by the incredible title of the reward, he knew he would soon reap massive long-term benefits once this was over.
Leaving the Looming Bridge behind, Terrence and Winter packed their belongings and set off on their respective paths back toward the Hanging City.
The day was just about to end when they finally arrived back at the elevated gates of the Hanging City late the following afternoon. However, Terrence didn’t have the luxury to rest his tired body just yet. He had an important mission to prepare for immediately.
"Why don’t you want to enter the estate with me first?" Winter asked, looking genuinely confused as she halted her steps just outside the grand estate doors.
However, Terrence firmly insisted that he would be staying in a local inn for the entire duration of his stay inside the city.
"I have some personal business I need to take care of on my own," he explained smoothly.
"But you can easily manage whatever it is while staying comfortably inside the estate? You will be far more comfortable resting here," Winter pressed, her voice laced with genuine hospitality.
Terrence lowered his gaze toward the tips of his travel boots, idly tapping against the cold steel flooring of the elevated city. He then walked over to the edge of the platform, staring down into the misty abyss below with eyes filled with sharp anticipation.
Winter noticed the intense focus in his body language.
’I really can’t keep bothering my savior more than I already have,’ Winter thought to herself, a soft, unfamiliar sensation filling her chest as she watched him.
"Okay, I understand," Winter said quickly, cutting off any further explanation Terrence might have been preparing to give her. "But if you ever decide you want a warm place to sleep inside, you are always free to come by."
"Thanks."
Terrence offered her a warm smile before turning around and leaving the outer perimeter of the Lin estate. As he walked away, his mind was completely focused on laying out the intricate steps of his upcoming plan.
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten about his long-term goal of completely destroying the corrupt Lee Family. They controlled a massive, illegal trading industry that he needed to dismantle, and this unexpected system mission had arrived at the absolute perfect moment to serve as his catalyst.
He had originally been struggling to think of an initial spark to provoke the local associates working under the Lee Family. But now, he held the absolute perfect opportunity right in the palm of his hand.
He navigated his way into a bustling, open inn located near a mini-plaza, its main entrance packed to the brim with rough tamers and traveling adventurers.
Terrence immediately set his eyes on the scattered groups of adventurers lounging around the lower tavern floor. They were the specific type of tamers who never stayed in one place for long—meaning they were the absolute ideal targets to spread organic word-of-mouth news about his upcoming mobile beast stall.
"One private room, please," Terrence said calmly to the front receptionist, while the noisy background behind him was filled with the chaotic clinking of glasses and loud chatting from various drinking parties.
As soon as he paid the fee and received the iron key to his room, he turned around and was just about to climb the wooden staircase to the second floor when a hand suddenly reached out from behind and grabbed his wrist.
’People really love grabbing my hands from behind lately, huh? What on earth is wrong with everyone?’ Terrence hissed annoyed under his breath before turning his head around to face the intruder.
"Hey, are you Terrence Lee?" a slender woman asked frantically.
She possessed pale yet fair, remarkably smooth skin, accompanied by an average yet striking face.
Terrence didn’t offer an immediate reply. His sharp eyes moved up and down as his upward momentum was abruptly halted mid-climb. His gaze briefly swept over her skin-tight tactical suit and heavy combat gear, which clearly outlined her agile physique, before finally locking onto her anxious eyes.
"No, you definitely got the wrong person," Terrence said coldly, forcefully yanking his hand away from her grip and turning back toward the stairs.
"Please, just hear me out and accept my request! I know it’s really you! I’ve heard all about your incredible feats back in Suran City and your reputation in the Barren Slums!"
Hearing those specific locations drop from her lips, Terrence found himself completely unable to take another step up the stairs. For some strange reason, his feet felt glued to the wooden plank.
"Who exactly are you?" Terrence demanded, turning his head back as a vivid, familiar memory flashed across his mind—recalling someone he had briefly known when he was just fifteen years old living back in the bleak Barren Slums.
"Please forgive my rude approach... I am Ulyssia. But most people back home just call me Uly," she said, her voice dropping into a hesitant, awkward whisper as she realized how aggressive her entrance had been.
Terrence inspected her face once more, far more closely this time.
His eyes remained completely silent as he studied her features. Several quiet seconds passed between the two of them, completely swallowed by the loud, chaotic drinking noise echoing from the pub floor below.
Then, a sudden spark of clear realization hit his mind.
"I see... You’re originally from the Barren Slums, aren’t you?" Terrence muttered softly.
Ulyssia’s eyes widened in absolute shock.
"How... how did you possibly know that?!"
Terrence let out a quiet chuckle, turning around to face her fully.
"Follow me up to my room. Let’s sit down and talk up there."