CHAPTER 46: URGENT NEWS

Max didn’t immediately leave Harley’s Auction House, as he had to set up his CID first. So, he went into one of the balconies and watched the sun dripping down on the horizon.

The towering buildings tried to obscure the sunlight, giving a magnificent view of the sunset in a city.

He looked at the dark blue wristband and put it on his right hand. Then, he muttered, "Activate!"

Instantly, a hologram similar to how his system worked manifested before him. It was inspired by the Labyrinth System so they were quite similar.

[System Installation in process!]

[System Installation is completed!]

[Welcome User Max Ronaldo!]

The Comprehensive Informative Device, commonly known as CIDs, were developed by the Selero Empire to replicate the Labyrinth System.

It was because the Labyrinth System didn’t work outside of the Labyrinth, and similarly, CIDs didn’t work inside the Labyrinth.

CID basically provided a detailed analysis of Hunters and also worked as a mobile and storage device. It was basically a necessity for every Hunter.

’Hmm, the Status is pretty similar to my system,’ Max thought as he read through his status on the CID status interface.

It not only included the information about his ranks and how much more Mana he needed to level up, but also his health status, including his heartbeat and other things.

He could also monitor his progress in normal exercise, create virtual opponents to practice techniques, and many other things.

CIDs were the most advanced technology this world had created, and they were mostly developed with the help of the Labyrinth and the energy it provided.

’That’s good and all,& Max muttered before looking at the list of things stored in his CID.

[Inventory!]

[Identity Card]

[10000 Sel]

[Tier 1 Health Regeneration Potions x10]

[Tier 1 Mana Regeneration Potions x10]

[Tier 2 Health Regeneration Potions x10]

[Tier 2 Mana Regeneration Potions x10]

[High-Silver Rank Light Armour (Moon’s Shroud)]

[High-Silver Rank Longsword (Titan’s Blade)]

[...]

The list was longer than he had expected. Harley had really given him a lot of things and did her part of the deal.

’This is more than enough for a few Labyrinth Diving,’ Max thought, his eyes glistening in excitement.

[She was always a fair person, so not surprising. I don’t remember her going back on her words ever.]

’Yeah, she’s awesome,’ Max had to agree with that.

[Didn’t you plan to pursue her too?]

’Yeah, but not this early. She’s way too powerful so the relationship dynamics won’t work. Besides, she won’t see me as someone equal unless I prove it to her,’ Max nodded.

[True! It’ll be hard to impress her, but with what you did in there, it should have left an impression on her. A not-so-bright kid thinking he hid his thoughts from her.]

"Hehe," Max smiled and focused his attention on something else.

He had asked Charlotte for her CID numbers to contact each other, and now he was going to do just that.

After registering her number, he called her through the hologram. The best thing was that the hologram could be hidden from others, so even if someone noticed him, they would only see him talking to thin air.

After a few seconds, Charlotte’s voice sounded in his ears, as if she were speaking directly in his mind. It was similar to how he talked with Kafka, so he was used to it.

[Hello?]

"It’s me, Char. I just bought my CID so I thought of contacting you first," Max replied, closing his eyes.

[Ah! Hi, Max. I was just thinking about contacting you too.]

"Ho? Are you missing me already?" Max tried to get a flustered reaction from her, but he failed when he heard the seriousness in her voice.

[It’s not the time for fun! Listen carefully, don’t go out at night. I’m not sure, but something is going to happen tonight.]

"Huh? What do you mean?" Max asked as a bad premonition rose in his heart.

[I don’t know, but the Elders of my clan were acting weird and I also overheard their conversation. They were talking about withdrawing forces from the city tonight for some reason.]

’Fuck!’ Max cursed, finding the events a little too familiar.

[That can only mean something big is going to happen in the city today, something that can even threaten or benefit my clan. So, I’m just warning you to stay inside the inn.]

Max took a deep breath and tried to reply in a calm voice, "It’s fine! I’ll be fine! Thanks for worrying about me!"

[You’re my teammate and someone I trust with my life in the Labyrinth. How can I not worry about you, dummy?]

Max smiled, feeling a strange warmth in his heart, "It’s still cute how you were worrying about my safety above everything else."

[I-I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t imagine weird stuff!]

Max could already imagine her flustered face, which made his smile even wider and brought peace to his chaotic thoughts.

He took a deep breath and said, "Thanks, Char. Thank you!"

[As long as you’re safe. By the way, do you know anything?]

Max lingered for a while before replying, "Somewhat. But it’s not something for you to worry about so you can sleep peacefully. Good night!"

[...good night! Take care of yourself!]

"I will," Max sighed and cut the call.

Then, he stormed out of the balcony in a hurry, but this time his eyes held a strange calmness in them.

[Is it what I’m thinking it is?]

This time it was Kafka who asked that, so Max replied, ’Most likely yes. It’s happening way earlier than it should have been. I guess I should stop trying to follow the plot.’

[What are you going to do?]

’Save my ass, of course,’Max said but stopped, remembering something.

Ignoring the other people doing their work, he went into a corner while typing on his CID hologram to Harley.

[Can I get some powerful Escape Talisman? It’s urgent!]

It didn’t even take a few seconds before he received the answer.

[I thought you might need it someday so I left three Tier 4 Escape Talismans in your CID. But I’m guessing you didn’t even check the full list of items in it. You don’t need to thank me, of course.]

"She’s really thoughtful," Max smiled and shook his head.

Then, he marched out of the building and found a white SUV waiting for him.

While coming down, he had already booked a car from Fastec, a private car hiring company.

He entered the car and told the driver, "Take me to Churchill Foundation as quickly as possible. I’ll pay extra!"

"It’s on the western front, so it’s a long ride. You have to pay upfront," the driver said.

Max didn’t bother arguing with him and stuffed notes in his hand. He even gave extra, making the driver smile.

"Heh! You have chosen the right driver, Sir. Hold on tight because we are going to fly!"