Chapter 400 - 340: So You Like Locking On with Inspiration, Huh?

Chapter 400: Chapter 340: So You Like Locking On with Inspiration, Huh?

Heeding Lloyd’s warning, Little Olga glanced back discreetly and whispered,

"Two of them... I think I’ve seen them on wanted posters."

Lloyd’s expression immediately tightened. He quickly asked,

"Is the bounty high?"

Little Olga actually gave it serious thought before answering,

"I don’t recall, which means it wasn’t an astronomical figure that would leave a lasting impression."

A look of disappointment instantly crossed Lloyd’s face...

’Wait... What’s he so disappointed about? Doesn’t a higher bounty mean they’re more dangerous and troublesome? Does he actually want to fight them? There are five of them and only two of us, and we’ve just arrived...’

After roasting him in his mind, Little Olga added his analysis, "They shouldn’t have any direct conflict of interest with us. It’s best to avoid a confrontation if we can."

"Yeah, I know."

Lloyd nodded. He understood the reasoning perfectly. When dealing with an already mysterious and dangerous abnormal event, having someone stab you in the back would increase the danger exponentially. Not making enemies for the time being was the wisest choice.

’But if these people don’t know what’s good for them, I wouldn’t mind teaching them a lesson.’

’And this place, with its high mountains and deep snow, is the perfect spot for... murdering and robbing. Oh, wait, I mean... for vanquishing evil and protecting the innocent.’

"Should we head up the mountain now? Or wait for the snowstorm to weaken a bit?"

Little Olga asked.

Lloyd pulled out his pocket watch. It was still early, not even noon yet. There was no need to rush.

"Let’s not rush. We’ll wait and see."

The twenty years of experience from a senior investigator he had acquired told him one thing: when dealing with an extremely dangerous abnormal event, you must never rush in. Instead, you had to be patient. Conduct preliminary investigations, analyze the situation, gather intel, and only then cut straight to the heart of the matter. Resolve the incident as quickly as possible to minimize your own time in danger.

The slower and more meticulous the initial investigation, the faster and safer the resolution. In other words, the slower you investigate, the faster you investigate.

Little Olga agreed with Lloyd’s philosophy. The two exchanged no more words, instead perking up their ears to listen in on the conversations at the other tables. They would analyze and consolidate whatever they heard, trying to glean as much information as possible.

Soon enough, from the conversations of the ordinary folk at tables without any soundproofing, Lloyd overheard several different versions of the story about Snowstorm Mountain Villa.

Some had realized there was no "uncle" who would help them strike it rich, but they were still convinced a great opportunity, or some other treasure and wealth, awaited. They were determined to go and dig it up themselves.

Others believed a top tycoon lived there and had deliberately set up obstacles to select a worthy heir. They were determined to defeat all other competitors and claim the inheritance.

And of course, there were those who still firmly believed their uncle lived there. They reasoned he must have hired a butler with ill intentions, which explained why so many people received letters. They were going to help their uncle get rid of this evil butler and restore the family’s honor.

It was all quite ridiculous. These people had clearly sensed that something was off, yet they still managed to find all sorts of reasons to convince themselves that real treasure was waiting for them, believing it without a shred of doubt.

Although their mental state registered as "Normal" under his [Probe] ability, Lloyd suspected they had already fallen into [Severe Madness].

’Perhaps this is just how human beings are, believing only what they want to believe.’

Lloyd certainly wasn’t going to say anything to people like that. He could only choose to respect their decisions.

Lloyd listened a while longer. The reason these people were still stuck here was that the blizzard was too intense, making the mountain path treacherous. They wanted to wait for the snow to let up before heading out.

But their wait had stretched to nearly a week, and the blizzard showed no sign of abating. It seemed as if it would go on forever.

Even the locals present said this hellish weather was highly unusual. It had never been like this in previous years; conditions had only turned this bad in the last two months.

Clearly, this abnormal weather was part of the abnormal event itself.

Some, growing impatient, were trying to organize others who felt the same. They wanted to form a temporary party, pool their funds to hire a guide, and brave the blizzard to head up the mountain.

The group that had left earlier was one such party.

The people at that table weren’t a single group, but rather a temporary alliance of twos and threes who had banded together to share expenses and travel up the mountain.

Now, some sharp-eyed individuals had noticed the unusual Little Olga. Seeing that his thin clothes didn’t seem to bother him in the cold, they realized he was a capable person. One after another, three people approached him to ask if he wanted to form a temporary party.

Little Olga impatiently sent them all away.

"They don’t seem to have noticed you?"

Little Olga asked, finding it strange.

"Mhm. I have a Holy Artifact that keeps me inconspicuous."

Lloyd explained casually. He checked his pocket watch again and decided it was about time. He took some bread from his Storage Bag, and after a simple lunch with Little Olga, they prepared to head up the mountain.

"Shouldn’t we find a guide? With this blizzard, the path will probably be hard to find."

Little Olga asked quickly.

"Not necessary."

Lloyd replied, full of confidence.

With the help of [Spatial Domination], even complex, multi-dimensional spaces couldn’t stop him, let alone a mere blizzard.

Lloyd could analyze this entire snow-capped mountain and turn it into a detailed, three-dimensional map. He could go anywhere he pleased without needing a guide.

And so, the two of them got up and left, heading toward the other end of town.

They had barely taken a few steps when the members of that investigation team exchanged glances, nodded, and followed them.

The group of criminals also gritted their teeth and, after a two-minute delay, chose to follow as well.

Even a table of ordinary people, who had been arguing endlessly over the cost of a guide, decided to follow.

And so, one after another, they left. The inn’s main hall, which had been crowded with dozens of people just moments before, was suddenly empty. Everyone had chosen to follow.

Walking at the front, Little Olga quickly noticed this and whispered a warning,

"A lot of people are following us."

"It doesn’t matter," Lloyd said coldly, letting the [Projection] continue to envelop him as he moved forward, "I don’t have the slightest bit of pity or sympathy for them."

Not only did this keep him warm and comfortable, like soaking in a hot bath, but it also meant he didn’t have to walk. He was essentially floating, the thick snow beneath him posing no obstacle. He didn’t even leave footprints, making his journey easier than a casual stroll.

Little Olga seemed to have his own method as well. It was as if his entire body had become lighter, leaving only the faintest of footprints that vanished with the slightest gust of wind.

So, it was no easy task for those behind them to keep up...

Once they left the town, the terrain grew steep and rugged. The visibility dropped to near zero as the blizzard intensified, and the people following them quickly lost sight of Lloyd and Little Olga.

This put the investigation team in an awkward position...

"Damn it, we lost them... What now?"

"Spread out your inspiration and lock onto their position. They can’t have gotten too far."

"Isn’t... isn’t that a bit rude?"

"Who cares about being polite right now? Those two are clearly experts, and they’re definitely after that bounty. You all know what that bounty means to us, don’t you?"

"We know. If we don’t get that bounty, we won’t be able to repay our loans. We’ll be forced to the front lines of the Great Expansion to serve as cannon fodder..."

"Then what are you hesitating for? Use your inspiration, find them, and let’s get a move on."

"But if they really are after the bounty, and they’re ahead of us, then what do we..."

"Do you even need to ask? This is a desolate, treacherous snow mountain. It would be perfectly normal for two people to die in an ’accident’ out here."

"Understood. One moment... I’ve found them! How did they get so far already? Damn it, is the weather not affecting them at all?"

"Enough talk, pick up the pace!"

At the same time, they weren’t the only ones getting anxious. The group of criminals behind them was in a hurry, too.

"Damn, we can’t see the two Fat Sheep anymore. This blizzard is too much."

"It’s no big deal. Just lock onto them with our inspiration and follow."

"But... I have a feeling those two aren’t pushovers. Won’t this make them suspicious?"

"So what if it does? We’ve been stuck in this godforsaken place for nearly a week, scraping by on petty change from those commoners. If we don’t fleece these two Fat Sheep, we’ll end up freezing to death in these mountains."

"What about that group we were eyeing earlier? They seem to be behind us..."

"Let them follow. Keep them on the hook. If the two Fat Sheep get away, we’ll use them as a consolation prize."

"I’m more worried about that investigation team. They don’t look like they’re to be trifled with, and they’ve got as many people as we do."

"Heh, what’s to fear? Down in the city, they’re an investigation team. But out here in the wilderness, they might be even more vicious wolves than we are. Why else would they be in such a rush to follow?"

"Makes sense. Let’s hurry, then. My inspiration has already locked onto them."

Lloyd and Little Olga’s ears were filled with the howling wind, so they couldn’t hear what the people behind them were saying. That didn’t stop them, however, from sensing that someone was blatantly using inspiration to lock onto them.

And that lock radiated with clear, undisguised hostility.

"They’re up to no good... Do you have any way to evade an inspiration lock?"

Little Olga asked hurriedly.

"No. If you have a way, use it for yourself. Let them lock onto me."

Lloyd suggested, activating his [Twist] system.

’It’s certainly dangerous when someone is about to stab you in the back...’

’So, what if there’s no one left behind me?’

’So, you like using inspiration to lock onto people, do you?’