The King of Beast Trainers

Chapter 53 - 47 The Big Play_1

"Alright, let's not waste anymore time. I'll handle this matter, and you can dismiss your people," Manager Ying said to Zhao Chen.

"With too many people around, we risk startling the snake and letting it escape, which would be problematic."

"You don't need even one assistant?" Zhao Chen asked.

"No need, it's just a Necromancer," Manager Ying said with a relaxed expression.

"Maybe it's safer to take a couple of assistants..."

"You're so annoying," Manager Ying said irritably. "Are you worried that if I solve this by myself, you won't get any credit?"

"!!!" Zhao Chen's expression stiffened as he awkwardly replied, "How could that be? Since Manager Ying says so, then we'll follow your arrangements."

"Hmph."

"If we're talking about an assistant, then let's use this guy. I'll have him lead the way, and he can also get some exposure to the undead." The feline store manager looked at Lu Ran.

"This..." Zhao Chen was startled. When you asked for an assistant, you weren't asking for a dead weight, his expression subtly changing as he said, "Manager Ying, it's fine for Lu to lead the way, but let's not get him involved in dangerous matters like confronting a Necromancer. He's still just a beginner..."

"At worst, after we capture that Necromancer, it won't be too late for Lu to observe him then."

"Don't worry, nothing will go wrong with me around," Manager Ying assured. "A captured Necromancer isn't worth observing anymore."

"It's just that this matter is still somewhat..." Zhao Chen's expression showed difficulty as he continued, "Lu is a newcomer that Dr. Gu has high hopes for. How about I contact Dr. Gu to ask first..."

He was still not at ease with Lu Ran going on such a dangerous undertaking with just a cat for company.

Even though there were legends of Manager Ying's formidable strength, Lu Ran's identity was somewhat sensitive, as it involved another important figure.

Even if Lu Ran was quite capable... the other party was, after all, a cross-country criminal syndicate.

"Huh? He's a newcomer that Qingyi has high expectations for?" Manager Ying was taken aback, then looked towards Lu Ran, who was coughing dryly.

"Cough cough cough, Uncle Zhao, it's fine, I actually want to go," Lu Ran said, feeling a bit embarrassed at the moment. Ah, it seemed Little White Dragon and the others had really built up such an image of him.

But it seemed this cat knew Qingyi, which could be awkward if they actually got in touch. After all, Qingyi didn't know him, Lu Ran...

"No wonder you mentioned Qingyi. You've had contact with her," Manager Ying seemed thoughtful, then nodded at Zhao Chen. "Don't worry about it anymore. I'm more familiar with Qingyi than you are. I'll take care of this kid. Considering Xiao Qingyi's relationship, I'll make sure he's looked after."

"I promise to bring him back in one piece."

"Well... okay then." With Manager Ying speaking so firmly, and with Lu Ran himself agreeing, Zhao Chen couldn't say much else.

In a flash, he couldn't help but feel envy. Having connections sure was nice: not only did Lu Ran have the backing of Dr. Gu, but now he easily tied up with Manager Ying as well.

"Let's go," Manager Ying said to Lu Ran.

"How are we traveling..." Lu Ran asked.

"Have you ever heard of the Spatial Skill, Teleport?"

...

Jinling City, behind Prism City's hill.

With a flash of light, two figures appeared.

After landing, Lu Ran silently surveyed his surroundings.

"That was fast!"

Just a moment ago, Manager Ying had used the Space Attribute Skill·Teleport, spending less than a minute's time, making several spatial jumps, and effortlessly brought Lu Ran back to the hill where King of Sudden Death was catching grasshoppers!

Along the way, because they were teleporting to familiar locations, Lu Ran's experience was different from that of using teleportation in Infinite City.

It was just too convenient.

Lu Ran swore.

No matter which Pet Beast it was.

He would definitely awaken a Space Attribute in the future!

Not for anything else, but simply because using Space Attribute for travel was incredibly convenient!

With Teleport, who needs high-speed trains or airplanes?

"Is there nobody here?" Once they landed, Lu Ran noticed the area was deserted, even the mound of earth where the body had been buried was restored to its original state.

Since the identity of the corpse had been confirmed, it must have been dug up. The site had likely been restored for Manager Ying to reinvestigate more easily.

They really had withdrawn everyone!

"Lu Ran, right?" At that moment, the cat store manager suddenly said, "I didn't like you much at first, but since you're a Beast Trainer who Qingyi holds in high regard, how about taking on a big challenge, for some training?"

"Ah," Lu Ran said. "What kind of big challenge?"

"Necromancers that pop up domestically aren't usually very strong, often on par with Trainee Beast Trainers, it's just that their abilities are a bit more troublesome," explained Manager Ying.

"I could find him and deal with him easily enough, but that would be too boring. Since you're a Superpower Expert and you know Qingyi, I'll leave this training opportunity to you."

"After I find him, you can take him down. I'll cover for you."

Lu Ran: ???

"I'm supposed to deal with that Necromancer?" Lu Ran exclaimed in surprise.

Right then, he could clearly feel something wriggling in his pocket; it must've been the King of Sudden Death getting scared. Ever since that cat showed up, this guy has been playing dead for quite a while, probably sensing Manager Ying wasn't easy to mess with.

Scared of being eaten by the cat? n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Correct, it's a rare experience."

"Actually... I'm not that close to Doctor Gu, she doesn't even recognize me, I just have a sister whom Doctor Gu thinks highly of. Dealing with a Necromancer... I'd rather just watch from the side," Lu Ran chickened out, not particularly eager to personally handle a member of an international criminal organization. It'd be troublesome if he got targeted.

"Do you think I would believe that?" Manager Ying mocked. "Are you scared?"

Scared? You must be joking, I'm just getting used to the idea of Super Beast Mimicry with the King of Sudden Death!

"You can't just decide not to get involved with that organization. In the future, while breaking through the Secret Realm, you might encounter members of the Reaper in disguise. The selection of Beast Trainers entering the Breakthrough Secret Realm is random, and it's the perfect hunting ground for members of the Reaper, who'll hunt without any consideration. You'll have even less time to get used to it then. If it weren't for your acquaintance with Gu Qingyi, I wouldn't bother with you."

"I just don't want to get too involved with the Reaper... Also, I really am not close to Doctor Gu."

"You can't just decide not to get involved with that organization. In the future, while breaking through the Secret Realm, you might encounter members of the Reaper in disguise. The selection of Beast Trainers entering the Breakthrough Secret Realm is random, and it's the perfect hunting ground for members of the Reaper, who'll hunt without any consideration. You'll have even less time to get used to it then. If it weren't for your acquaintance with Gu Qingyi, I wouldn't bother with you."

Lu Ran forced a smile, feeling the misunderstanding was getting huge; why wouldn't this cat believe the truth?

However, Lu Ran could confirm that Manager Ying indeed wanted him to use this opportunity to train and be ready for future dangers.

"Alright then... if the other party really isn't strong, should I give it a try?" Lu Ran said.

"That's the spirit, nothing to be afraid of," Manager Ying remarked with an I-knew-you-could-do-it expression, "Plus, if you really do take care of them, the official reward won't be small. Although I don't care about it, for a Novice like you, it might be a hefty sum of crystal coins, enough to last you a long time."

"If it comes to that, the reward is yours, and internally we'll claim it was my doing, to avoid drawing too much attention to you. Of course, if you can't handle it, let's pretend I never said anything. As a Superpower Expert, you shouldn't be too weak, right?"

"A hefty sum of crystal coins???" Lu Ran startled.

Why didn't you say that sooner?

Had it been mentioned earlier, against a murderer everyone wants dead, surely Lu Ran would've volunteered to capture them himself!

Punishing the wicked and promoting the righteous! Indisputably obligatory!

In that instant, Lu Ran felt full of righteousness.

This shift left Manager Ying momentarily dumbfounded; what happened? This guy wasn't badly in need of crystal coins, was he?

It seemed like he really was; Manager Ying could sense that the Lizard in Lu Ran's pocket hadn't awakened its attribute yet. Short on money to buy materials, perhaps?

Never mind, it wasn't her concern anymore.

She turned her attention back to the grave.

First, she paid a few seconds of silent tribute to the unfortunate Novice Beast Trainer.

Then, faint golden blue ripples appeared around her.

The golden blue ripples widened quickly, soon enveloping the entire mountain!

Countless traces emerged before her eyes, passing by like a flickering slide show.

After a moment, the light vanished.

"All set," Manager Ying stated indifferently. "That Necromancer is a Beginner as well and left behind quite a few traces."

"Let's go find him. As long as he's still in Jinling, it won't take long to locate him."

"Hmm, if he has left Jinling or even gone to Infinite City, that might be a bit troublesome, but let's start searching anyway."

"Okay!" Lu Ran nodded.

"If he's in the city, we might need you to act as bait to lure him to a less crowded place. We don't want a fight in a crowded area, and neither does he."

"I won't show myself if I don't have to, so as not to scare him off and affect his performance."

Lu Ran's face darkened. So, he was still going to be the bait?!

"I just feel like luring him directly is a bit unreliable," Lu Ran said. "If he's not dumb, he definitely won't attack a stranger Beast Trainer without doing some research on their strength first..."

The cat's lips curled slightly as she said, "Devouring souls is addictive for low-level Necromancers, like something very few can control. The domestic ones are usually insignificant and lack the discipline. Only core members and high-ups of the Reaper have truly mastered their profession."

What's that thing? Lu Ran was puzzled.

"These small fry are widely spread by the Reaper, mass-produced and induced much like breeding pests, it doesn't matter if many die. Only those who are born with the ability to truly wield Necromancy are genuinely recruited by the Reaper."

"Just take your Lizard around him; with their sensitivity to souls, they'll perceive that you are tempting but weak, after all, your Lizard really is weak. Considering it's uncontracted and only level 1, that's normal. But he won't be able to tell whether you're contracted or not and will instinctively think that guy is your Pet Beast."

King of Sudden Death: [I'm going to drop dead!]

Lu Ran thought it seemed feasible, and he patted the King of Sudden Death in his pocket, telling it not to drop dead.

Did you hear that?

Just stick with me and get stronger!

Otherwise, with guys out there capable of "grinding levels by killing monsters," you're in even more danger!

The King of Sudden Death trembled in fear, yet felt there was reason in Lu Ran's words. The world was indeed a dangerous place... To avoid being killed, it needed to become stronger with Lu Ran, to the point where even its soul was toughened to the extent that enemies couldn't touch it!