Chapter 439 207: Courting Death

The moment he saw Sean transform into Chris, Hoyev finally started to believe that the man who had "hunted" him for several blocks might actually be on his side...

His expression grew complicated. He looked at Sean. "You know Chris?"

"More than just know him," Sean said. "He's one of the few friends I have."

Those two words, 'few friends', made Hoyev even more convinced.

Because from what he knew of Chris, the man truly didn't have many friends.

Chris was eccentric, prone to theatrics, and would occasionally go off on wild tangents, claiming the world was flat and that the blue planet photographed by satellites was a massive lie. Anyone who could befriend Chris and actually get along with him was likely just as unhinged, which meant he wouldn't have many "close" friends.

But those same words sounded very different to Anna.

'Sean has few friends?'

Anna scoffed.

'It seemed to her he had plenty.'

'Especially female friends.'

Sean noticed her expression and asked, confused, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Anna said coolly. "You two, continue."

Sean did want to continue.

But he didn't know Anna had already cleaned up his mess. Still worried that people from the Church Court would catch up, he said to Hoyev, who was embedded in the wall, "Should we talk somewhere else?"

"Alright." This time, Hoyev didn't refuse.

'Sean knows Chris, knows where he's from, and has even joined him in railing against the Church Court, wanting to destroy it...'

'It seemed now that Sean was most likely just like him, a native of the Blake Underground City.'

But one thing didn't add up.

Sean had guessed correctly. Hoyev had indeed attended the Little Gista Family's art exhibition and ball, but not to awaken any powers or steal a painting. He was simply treating it as a high-society gathering to build rapport with business partners.

When he entered Eve Mansion, he happened to see its manager, Agivis, personally greet Sean and Eleanor and escort them to the VIP room.

Hoyev's public identity was just as it said on his business card: manager of an Ancient Jewelry company. This so-called "Ancient Jewelry" was actually the trade term for the gemstones on a Wizard's Magic Wand. Consequently, most of his clients and partners were also Wizards.

The Labrador Ancient Jewelry Company had frequent business dealings with the Little Gista Family, so its members knew him, and they were on good terms—at least on the surface. Out of curiosity, Hoyev had asked a friend from the Little Gista Family about Sean and Eleanor's background. His friend had whispered a warning, telling him not to provoke the two honored guests under any circumstances, as they were important figures from the Medanzo Flame Territory.

The Medanzo Flame Territory, a land far across the Winterless Sea, encircled by the majestic, continuous Fiery Red Mountain Range. Since Hoyev often came to the surface world to procure goods, he had naturally heard of the Medanzo Flame Territory. It was the domain of an Imperial Duke, home to the Blazing Angel Family.

And that was how the misunderstanding had started.

Then again, it wasn't a complete misunderstanding.

When Hoyev voiced his confusion, Sean found it difficult to explain and just said, "I have a friend from the Blazing Angel Family. I was just using her name at the time."

"Oh, so that's how it was." Hoyev's expression cleared with understanding.

'In his eyes, the Blazing Angel Family was a faction loyal to the Church Court, placing them in the enemy camp. Sean's friend was probably just like his own friend in the Little Gista Family—unaware of their true identities. That would explain why they were on good terms and why she was willing to help.'

Anna began to scoff again.

'A friend?'

'Just a friend?'

'If Hoyev were to ask what kind of friend, would this idiot say "a new friend"?'

Sean was genuinely baffled. "What are you laughing at now?"

Anna's voice was chilly. "It has nothing to do with you."

Sean: "?"

'Then why do you look so angry?'

'So unreasonable.'

Sean couldn't be bothered with the temperamental noble girl anymore and led Hoyev back to the motel.

After Hoyev entered the room, the first thing he saw was three pillows on the bed. A strange expression crept onto his face.

"You all..."

"That's right. It's exactly what you're thinking."

Elise said with a beaming smile.

Hoyev: "..."

He glanced at the more enthusiastic and approachable Elise, then at the perpetually cold-faced Anna...

HISS!

'One hot, one cold... Do kids these days really know how to live?'

Hoyev had previously only seen Sean and his companions as enemies and hadn't paid them much mind. Now, sizing up the two women, he realized that Elise and Anna were both stunning beauties, the kind one rarely encounters. He discreetly gave Sean a thumbs-up.

'You'd be lucky to land a girl that beautiful, but Sean had somehow managed to get two, and they even shared a bed... That old pal Chris really knows how to pick his friends!'

"Here, drink some water and rest a bit," Sean said, tossing him a bottle of water.

"Thanks." After running for so long and taking a beating, Hoyev was indeed exhausted.

After he chugged down a couple of mouthfuls, GULP, GULP, Sean asked, "Did you go to assassinate that Priest because you were on a mission?"

Hoyev swallowed the water, wiped his mouth, and said, "N-no."

He owned a shop on a Back Street in Blake City. It was called a general store, but it actually sold high-quality goods; it only used that name because it carried such a wide variety of items. For instance, his shop sold Invisibility Cloaks like the one Eleanor had given Sean, except his were of better quality. He also stocked many high-grade materials, like "Ancient Jewelry." Many of the city's Alchemists came to his shop to procure materials for making Magic Wands and other Magic Supplies.

Alchemists also have different specializations.

They not only practice Alchemy, but also Artifact Refining.