The good times are destined to be short-lived. Before going out the next day, Lindong had transformed back into her feline form and returned to her preferred seat.
There was still much work to be done today. The first stop upon arriving in Gear City was the casino operated by the Lofic Consortium in the southwestern corner of the city. This is where Kane was first known, having lost everything and accrued massive gambling debts in the casino, only to lose all the borrowed money like every other gambler.
Afterward, unable to repay his debts, he and several other similarly situated gamblers were forcibly sent to work off their debt in Haywood Mine.
In the mine, Lindong never got to see Kane’s true face.
"It’s quite peculiar. Someone signaled a charge to the miners, but Hagrid and I couldn’t see him."
One person and one cat were in a deserted alley near the casino, discussing matters about Kane.
Every casino has such an alley where enforcers usually drag those who cheat, and the dried blood on the ground and walls tells part of the story of what happens to them afterward. The nearby garbage heap emits a putrid stench, and a severed finger can be seen in the distance.
"This might be some kind of magic unknown to me, or perhaps he’s some sort of abnormal creature associated with the Evil God. His purpose is clear, which is to incite conflict."
The rebellious miners and the sudden madness Ethan mentioned, including the magician that cast a flight spell against Talon, found themselves plunged into a certain abnormal state. "To see him probably requires triggering a specific condition."
Lindong’s interest was thoroughly piqued by Kane. The mysterious phenomena she had yet to witness were few in number, and her intuition told her that Kane wouldn’t stop here; he would surely incite greater chaos in the future.
"What are you sneaking around doing here?"
A loud shout interrupted their conversation. The casino’s enforcers came aggressively from afar, blocking their exit with two more enforcers closing off any retreat.
Ethan stepped forward, proactively handing over his identification card to the enforcer. "It’s related to a case that recently happened at Haywood Mine."
The enforcer’s expression changed immediately. "Reception Bureau? D-level investigator?"
Normally, the enforcer wouldn’t show Ethan any respect, but last night they heard many rumors. Some said that creations of the Evil God attacked Gear City. The number of patrols on the streets multiplied, and guests who entered the city yesterday complained that they underwent the most rigorous inspections, being scrutinized down to their luggage and goods. Anything slightly related to mysticism was confiscated by the Kingdom Army, leaving them with only a pamphlet and the instruction to collect their items after an audit.
This disturbance seemed to be the real deal.
Moreover, the card labeled "The Boy Who Survived Great Peril" seemed to imply a figure who had truly faced danger.
The enforcer politely returned the identification card to Ethan and quietly asked, "What exactly has happened at Haywood Mine? I heard people say there’s a contamination zone there; is it true?"
"That’s precisely why I’m here."
Ethan neither affirmed nor denied it; there was nothing to keep secret anyway. The first batch of mercenaries who fled back to Gear City had already spread the word, including the incident of Talon the president transforming into a monster and being killed by guards. Numerous people were discussing this matter along the way.
"Come inside and talk."
The enforcer extended an invitation, still somewhat concerned, asking, "Could it be possible that the Evil God has really come to Gear City?"
"So far, there’s been no official information on that, but rest assured, the research department at the branch has collected samples. If any transmissible possibility is discovered, it will notify everyone immediately."
"That’s good to hear, that’s good."
The enforcer heaved a sigh of relief and led Ethan to the bar at the edge of the casino, signaling to the bartender, "Guest from the Reception Bureau, two ice-cold beers... So, what would you like to know?"
"Kane, have you heard of this name?"
"Heard, it’s him again. Did he cause trouble at the mine?"
The enforcer appeared unsurprised, indicating that Kane left a profound impression.
"Based on the information we have, he incited the riot at Haywood Mine."
"What did I say? This guy would definitely cause trouble, I’ve long said to leave him to me to handle!"
The enforcer seemed straightforward and rugged, now mentioning Kane with resentment as he slapped his thigh in frustration, lamenting, "I lost three brothers to this guy’s schemes!"
"Of course, a scruffy man, with messy hair as if he hadn’t bathed in months. That guy wasn’t lucky either; he lost all his money in one night."
Such gamblers were far too common in casinos. "But he actually collaborated with several other gamblers who owed high-interest loans, using broken beer bottles to attack the money lenders. When we rushed over, they ambushed us! I killed a few, and the remaining surrendered, but three of my men were seriously injured, and shortly after being sent to the hospital, they didn’t make it."
He admitted they were caught off guard due to insufficient preparation.
After all, this was Lofic Consortium’s territory, and typically, no one dared to cause trouble on their turf.
"Did you see Kane with your own eyes?"
"What do you mean? I told you the troublesome gamblers were already taken care of!"
"What weapon did Kane use? How did he attack you? Who caught him, and what kind of physical contact occurred between them?"
This series of questions left the enforcer somewhat puzzled, growing a bit impatient as he said, "Didn’t I say already, he was a scruffy man, messy hair... huh?"
Suddenly, he sensed something amiss.
He could easily recall Kane’s image, clearly knew that night Kane incited indebted gamblers to attack the high-interest lenders. Everyone knew Kane was the ringleader, an undeniable fact, but when he followed Ethan’s line of questioning, his thoughts suddenly stalled.
Who caught Kane that day?
What weapon did Kane use then, was it also a broken beer bottle?
The scene was somewhat chaotic; Kane mixed in with the crowd, what exactly did he do?
Goosebumps rose on the enforcer’s skin as he found he should have easily recalled these details, given Kane’s memorable appearance, a disheveled gambler.
Seeing this, Ethan shared his speculation, "The gamblers confessed to you that Kane was the mastermind, but the reality is that you can’t recall what he did that night."
"I’m not blaming you," Ethan said. "Because everyone from Haywood Mine is like you; they all can recount Kane’s exact appearance. Interestingly, everyone’s impressions align perfectly."
Generally speaking, people form completely different evaluations of someone due to subjective factors, but all the information Ethan gathered about Kane from the mines could only be described as precise.
Precisely aligned impressions, with no divergences when it came to evaluating Kane.
Rather than a real existing human, Kane resembled more of a concept.
The enforcer faintly guessed Ethan’s intention, "You’re saying that he might not be human?"
"At least not an ordinary person."
Ethan said, "As for what exactly he is, it requires deeper investigation, which is also why we—"
His words were interrupted.
Some commotion arose nearby, and they looked in the direction of the sound to see an enraged middle-aged man entering the casino, carrying a crossbow.
The man quickly found his target inside the casino—a noble young master slumped over a gambling table, drunken and oblivious.
The crowd let out a gasp, but the middle-aged man seemed wholly unconcerned with the surrounding people or the repercussions of his actions.
He pointed the hunting crossbow at the sleeping noble young master and fired the crossbow arrow without hesitation.