The world isn’t always full of surprises and wonders; more often, it’s cumbersome and dull.
On that day, after Yan Luo declared he wouldn’t stop, Sasa didn’t try to persuade him any further.
A month has passed since that day, and it’s time to turn the page on the calendar once again.
The Abyss Calendar year 71 quietly arrived amidst a cold rain.
Having just returned from the Abyss, Yan Luo enjoyed a good sleep in his warm bed, waking up to greet the new year.
However, even if another year has passed, it makes no difference for Yan Luo.
How he lived his days before, he will continue to live henceforth until he completely eradicates the Abyss.
But he still needs to respond to messages from his friends.
The good thing is, he doesn’t have many friends who require a reply... it’s uncertain whether this is a misfortune or a blessing.
After waking up, Yan Luo didn’t get up immediately but lazed in the warm bed for a while longer.
As a competent Hunter, Yan Luo seizes every opportunity for a good rest; only by fully recovering his energy during rest can he face the next hunt in peak condition.
Five minutes later, Yan Luo got out of bed, washed up, and had breakfast.
After breakfast, Yan Luo set out from home, heading to the Hunter’s Guild.
On the way, Yan Luo left a message for Sasa, letting her know if she planned to continue experimenting today, she didn’t need to inform him—he’d be at the Hunter’s Guild all day.
Besides, Sasa now has access to the villa’s entrance.
Riding his motorcycle to the Hunter’s Guild, Yan Luo saw some Hunters helping each other walk outside; from their scent, it was clear they had partied all night at the guild.
Yan Luo, now taller than before, brushed past the drunken Hunters, a few of whom tried to pull him in for another drink, but Yan Luo just shifted his steps slightly to dodge their arms.
Yan Luo arrived on the third floor of the Hunter’s Guild, where several robots were cleaning a messy hall, some even carrying away Hunters sprawled across tables or lying on the floor.
Stepping around some drunkards potentially lying in their own vomit, Yan Luo sat beside a clean table recently cleared by a robot, next to him sat a pink-haired Mohawk Woman, visibly exhausted and rubbing her forehead.
"Yan Luo? Damn, drank too much, vision’s getting a bit blurry..."
The Mohawk Woman flipped her hair, hiccupped, and greeted Yan Luo with a laugh, "You’re such a health nut, I’ve never seen a Hunter like you... burp... who goes home to sleep every night. Since you became a Hunter, it seems you’ve never stayed out all night with us."
"Nothing much fun about it, I don’t drink or particularly enjoy fighting," Yan Luo shook his head.
The Mohawk Woman laughed twice, "Just not particularly fond... hey, brothers and sisters, who still has some fight left? Someone come spar with our Yan Luo!"
Her voice echoed throughout the vast hall, rousing many dazed or sleeping people who turned their heads, and eventually, more than fifty individuals responded to Mohawk Woman’s call.
Excluding those too drunk to think clearly, there were still a dozen or so in decent shape.
Yan Luo sighed, stretching his shoulders and arms.
Sparring is a key entertainment for Hunters, and Yan Luo didn’t mind using himself to cheer up the crowd by engaging in a friendly bout with other Hunters.
Those already lying on the ground managed to prop themselves against tables, eager to watch a clash between strong opponents.
Everyone present knew, apart from the other leader of the Mountain and River Group, Yan Luo was likely the strongest in Crimson No.2.
And that leader had already been knocked out, slumped over a table, unable to be roused; anyone challenging Yan Luo now would probably fall short.
Ultimately, a burly man who stood half a head taller than Yan Luo ’won’ the favor of the crowd, stepping forward to face Yan Luo.
They bumped fists, took three steps back, counted down three seconds in their minds, and then began to fight.
Yan Luo had to strictly control his power; otherwise, even exerting only thirty percent of his strength could potentially kill the opponent.
While power can be controlled, controlling muscles is harder.
Yan Luo could only find ways to dodge the opponent’s attacks, avoiding direct confrontations; otherwise, with the opponent’s punch coming down, it might hurt his own fist instead.
A few feints lured the opponent before swiftly knocking the burly man to the ground with a punch.
No matter who won, as long as there’s a fight, the Hunters would cheer heartily, rejoicing in the spectacle.
The cheers were thunderous, applause roaring.
After enjoying the attention for a while, Yan Luo returned to his previous seat.
The Mohawk Woman poured herself a cocktail mixed with several types of strong liquor; just smelling its pungent aroma indicates it’s almost pure alcohol.
"A toast to the ’brave game’."
Draining the fiery drink like molten lava, the Mohawk Woman inverted the glass, savoring the cheers from the surrounding drinkers.
Only those truly brave dare to tackle such a cocktail; regardless of her motive, the Mohawk Woman proved her worth simply by downing it.
The alcohol likely hadn’t even reached her stomach before her cheeks flushed slightly, intoxicated and smiling, she said, "Ask what you want now, our profit-seeking Yan Luo little~bro~ther."
Typically, Yan Luo doesn’t frequent the third floor of the Hunter’s Guild to play with other Hunters unless he needs information.
Of course, such behavior is the norm within the Hunter community; many Hunters do the same.
Despite sharing the same circle and being kindred spirits, the third-floor hall primarily serves to relax and exchange information rather than providing abundant entertainment options, acting more as a gathering place.
Many Hunters prefer outside entertainment venues, which offer greater thrills.
Yan Luo pondered, "Tell me the recent happenings regarding Crimson No.2 first."
Having spent nearly ten days in the Abyss this time, enough changes could have occurred within Crimson No.2.
The Mohawk Woman hiccupped and said, "The Fields Clan’s shop officially became Crimson No.2’s third-largest Abyss material recovery site, offering Hunters more ’fair’ pricing for processing hunts in bulk."
When the Fields Clan arrived over a month ago, Yan Luo suspected they had plans; unexpectedly, within a short period, the Fields Clan not only secured their position in Crimson No.2 but also became the third largest raw material purchaser.
"And what’s next?" Yan Luo inquired.
The Mohawk Woman pursed her lips, "Recently, lots of Hunters from Crimson No.1 came here; we fought them, and now they’re scared to come to the Guild."
Yan Luo raised his eyebrows.
Why are Hunters from Crimson No.1 coming to Crimson No.2?
Hunters are a territorial group, strongly rejecting Hunters from other exploration towns infringing on their turf; if they’re merely passing through, it’s tolerable, but from the Mohawk Woman’s account, those Hunters from Crimson No.1 seem intent on rooting themselves in Crimson No.2?
As soon as the Mohawk Woman finished speaking, someone beside her chimed in, "Thanks to those bastards, Crimson No.2 has been in chaos lately; in the past seven days, there have been three rape cases. Damn it, they’re really a bunch of dogs!"
These words sparked righteous fury among the surrounding Hunters, mobilizing those inclined for action to rally a group charging towards the elevator to "drive those guys back."
Yan Luo contemplated for a moment, stood up, and followed the Hunters’ footsteps.
Suddenly curious about why those Crimson No.1 Hunters came to Crimson No.2, Yan Luo also felt irritated by their disruptions to Crimson No.2’s environment, knowing this was his hometown, disrupted by outsiders intending to muddy it.
It’s unforgivable; even if he must inquire why they came from Crimson No.1, he should first give them a beating.
As a Hunter of Crimson No.2, sometimes partaking in communal activities is essential.