Lucian sat in the cave, thinking deeply. He did not waste time and started cultivating. Soon, he began to break the limits of the low rank in the Foundation World.
Suddenly, he felt something break.
He had succeeded in breaking into the middle rank, and it only took a few days.
"Honestly, this speed is crazy."
When Lucian finished his meditation, he heard a sound near the cave entrance.
"Damn!"
Lucian ignored his defenses, not only because he was in deep meditation, but also because no monsters come here.
Lucian was human after all. Mistakes like this could happen.
Now he had to deal with two people who had already entered the cave and were coming closer.
Indeed, Leo and Luke were now looking at Lucian, who sat on animal skin, staring at each other.
The place became very quiet.
Leo and Luke looked at each other with great nervousness.
There was someone in the cave — and not just any cave, but a cave in the forest that was supposed to be dangerous and isolated.
Now, if this person was not the one wanted by the Stonehart family, then the rulers of the ten families were really lizards.
Suddenly, Lucian stood up and started brushing dust off his clothes.
His face showed no expression. He looked at Leo and Luke and said,
"What are your military numbers? Why are you here? I did not get any information about people nearby."
Lucian's look was serious and full of force.
"You are the one who should introduce yourself. We have an official mission from the Ten Families."
"And I also have an official mission from the Ten Families," Lucian cut in before they could speak.
"Really? What kind of mission?"
"Before I answer, I have a question. Why did you react like that? It is not rare to see someone in the forest," said Lucian, trying to get information. He suspected he was the target.
Leo replied, "Really? Sorry, I did not mean that. The thing is, we were told no one would be here, so I found it strange."
Lucian looked at Leo without saying anything.
After a moment, he smiled and said, "It turns out it was a misunderstanding, haha. The administration makes many mistakes."
Leo laughed and said, "True, but my friend, you still have not told me why you came here. I am a bit curious."
"Yes, it is about the new colony. I guess it is your mission too."
When Leo and Luke heard that, they breathed a sigh of relief. Now they were sure he was not the person they wanted.
"It was a misunderstanding. Sorry for the earlier tension. We just did not get information about people here. The administration makes many mistakes, especially with this absolute central system."
"Do not worry about that. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, can you tell me your name?"
"I am Leo, and this is—"
Suddenly, Luke stepped forward.
"I think the acting is enough."
"Excuse me, what do you mean?"
"I doubt that. We are not scouts. We were assigned to arrest you for killing Ryan Stonehart. You are under arrest."
Leo, who no longer understood what was happening, stopped and waited for Lucian's reaction.
"What do I have to do with Ryan's death? This is a random accusation."
"Tell me how Ryan died then," Luke suddenly interrupted.
Lucian realized what he was caught in. If he was the killer, he should have been hiding in the forest all this time. News of Ryan's death would not have reached him. Of course, he knew how Ryan died, but because of the pride of the Stonehart family, they would not say he died in a silly way by wolves.
Silence filled the cave.
"You are good, Luke," said Lucian before putting his sword back.
Luke, who was steady, now looked shaken.
Who is this? How did he know my name?
Leo, on the other hand, did not understand what was going on.
"Sorry, do I know you?"
"What? Did you forget me? Or did your conspiracy theory fill your mind?"
Luke was really confused.
But soon he realized something.
When Lucian saw that, he smiled slyly. 'Damn, I love dealing with smart people.'
"Ah, I remember you now! Sorry, my friend, I did not notice before."
Luke failed.
He was about to arrest Lucian.
But Lucian dropped the last bomb.
He claimed he knew Luke, and this pulled Luke with him. If Lucian fell, Luke would fall too. The Stonehart family would not care about the details. Luke was dead, and he would not risk trying to trust Leo.
He did not know how the man in front of him knew his name and details about him, but he chose to follow his game until he found another solution.
"Haha, don't worry, my friend. Your work as mercenaries means you know many people. It is normal not to remember me easily," Lucian continued pulling Luke with him.
Luke gritted his teeth but decided firmly to go along. "Haha, really, really."
"Right, before I forget, what about your last question? Everyone knows how Ryan died."
"Ah, about that, what is known by the public is not the real story. Only the killer knows the true story. If I were the killer, I would have arrested you now, haha."
"Haha."
The cave filled with the sounds of Lucian and Luke laughing—one laugh seemed real, the other forced.
Leo felt stuck with crazy people.