Chapter 69 - 43: Arranged Duel, Part 2

Charles Sheridan, who was beside him, snorted angrily. "That Paige Summers was unbearably arrogant the last time we saw her, insisting on blaming Leanne for Hugo Perry’s death. How ridiculous! Everyone knows Hugo Perry died saving her. She should take a look at herself—just because she can charm men with her pretty face, she thinks she’s all that! A mere Speed Superpower user, daring to get loud with us... If we don’t teach her a lesson this time, she’ll think the people of Blade are easy to bully!"

Thomas Woods hesitated at their words.

’Blade is already a small-scale Hunting Party,’ he thought. ’If our reputation takes another hit, things will only get harder. Besides, having a Fourth-rank superpower user like Leanne Walsh on the team isn’t just about her strength—she’s a living advertisement for us. If I just ignore this, it might alienate her, and if that leads to nasty rumors, it would be a real mess.’

"Mia, what do you think?"

Mia Reid was the only other female Superpower User on the team. Although her combat power was weaker, she had always been extremely effective at managing the team’s logistics, so she held a certain status.

"In my opinion, it’s best if none of us get involved." Mia Reid raised a hand to cut off Charles Sheridan’s protest, her tone serious. "The last time she joined our Hunting Party on a trip out of the city, Paige Summers only had a First-stage Speed Ability. Even if she’s advanced since then, she can’t be that much stronger. So, under these circumstances, why do you think she dares to issue an Appointment Fighting Letter to Leanne Walsh?"

"That’s right. She must have some powerful backing. Otherwise, to do this knowing she can’t win—does she have a death wish?!"

"The other party knows something about our superpowers, but we know nothing about the help she has behind her. What are our chances of winning? Or are you saying we should risk our own lives, and even the future of the entire Hunting Party, for one Leanne Walsh?"

These were undeniably heavy words, and Thomas Woods instantly made a decision.

"You’re right. Alright, enough arguing, everyone. We’ll do as I say. Joel Warren, go take the Appointment Fighting Letter to Leanne. Tell her it’s not a big deal and that she should handle it herself."

Joel Warren frowned but still agreed.

However, as he left, Charles Sheridan tugged on his sleeve and gave him a "let’s talk outside" look.

When they knocked on Leanne Walsh’s door one after the other, she was, in fact, seething with frustration.

’Back then, I thought that after killing Cedric Howell and those two nuisances, I could easily get the storage ring, then stage the scene to clear myself of suspicion... Everything was planned perfectly, but who knew it would all fall apart so suddenly!’

’And now, not only have I lost the ring, but Gordon Howell is suspicious of me.’

’If it weren’t for the fact that I’m popular and had people vouch for me, plus my superb acting skills in pretending to know nothing about anything... on top of that, there’s a high probability that the missing Levi Young was colluding with someone else. Otherwise, the furious Gordon Howell would have probably killed me right there, outside the city!’

’This is the absolute worst luck!’

’Who exactly ambushed me and then double-crossed me to steal the ring?’

’Was it really Levi Young...? But I clearly stabbed him in a vital spot. How could he have survived?’

’Or did someone deliberately create confusion by getting rid of his body?’

’The string of questions made my head spin, but it wasn’t over. Gordon Howell’s brother is dead. If they can’t find Levi Young, he could point the finger at me as the murderer at any moment! The Blazefire Hunters are not a group Blade can afford to provoke. I have no doubt that if Gordon Howell uses this to cause trouble, Thomas Woods would throw me to the wolves without a second thought!’

Looking around the cramped room in disgust, she gritted her teeth.

’At this time in my past life, I should have already become one of Shawn Monroe’s subordinates.’

’But for some reason, a while ago, I followed my old memories to a certain street in the Lower District. I did indeed run into a brawl between two small groups. I meticulously followed the script from my past life, showing off my skills and attracting several admiring glances. But the one person I didn’t see was Shawn Monroe, who was supposed to pass by and make a spectacular move because his car got caught in the crossfire.’

’Forget becoming one of his people—I don’t even know how to meet him.’

’Rebirth really has brought changes...’

Her thoughts shifted, and she remembered the destroyed base and its resources.

’That was an operation I had personally participated in during my past life.’

’A small base eight or nine hundred kilometers from The Dead City is going to be hit by a Mutant Beast Tide soon. Shawn Monroe was taking us there because they had received a signal and planned to offer aid and accept their surrender. But no one expected the other party to be so weak; in just one day, almost everyone inside was wiped out.’

’Fortunately, one of the people rescued was a trusted aide of the Base Chief. To get on Shawn Monroe’s good side, he revealed the Base Chief’s private stash, which wasn’t part of the public records. It contained a huge amount of metal for making weapons and a hoard of misappropriated Crystal Cores...’

’I believe this information will definitely earn me a place by Shawn Monroe’s side!’

’The only problem is, finding someone who can connect me to him will be difficult.’

’I was so stupid in my past life; I didn’t cultivate relationships with many reliable people. What’s more, things have changed in this life. Even people who were trustworthy before might not be dependable now.’

Just as she was racking her brain, trying to sift through people she could contact and make use of, Joel Warren and Charles Sheridan arrived.

She took the Appointment Fighting Letter, and when she saw the signature—"Paige Summers"—fire seemed to shoot from her downcast eyes!

’Bitch!’

’I have so much on my plate that I haven’t had time to deal with her, and now she dares to come knocking on my door, looking to die!’

Suddenly, she remembered the others who were present that night they met at the camp outside the city...

’According to the rules of The Dead City, you can ask for two backers in a duel. With that bitch’s strength, if she dares to challenge me, she must be getting help. It’s probably two of those men.’

’But, as long as it’s not that cold man, Young Master Monroe, I still stand a fighting chance!’

’Of course, I’ll need to bring two people as well...’

With that thought, she raised her head and looked at the men in front of her, who were preparing to console her, with a wronged and pitiful expression.