Aalto adjusted the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose. "However, I have something far more important to attend to today, and that is—"
As soon as he finished speaking, Aalto snapped his fingers.
A thick white smoke suddenly billowed before everyone's eyes, obscuring their vision.
Lucian was instantly alarmed. "Trying to run? Oh no, you don't!"
Encore stomped her foot. "Hey, Aalto, wait for Encore—"
By the time the smoke cleared, Aalto was nowhere to be seen—only his voice lingered in the air. "See ya later! We've got a world to save!"
Chixia covered her mouth, coughing. "Ugh… We can't let him get away…"
Verina: "I-I'll check the residential area…"
Lucian and Rover exchanged a glance before giving chase.
The four arrived in front of the Misty Hut.
There, they found a 'mist clone' of Aalto—a figure crafted from fog, mimicking his appearance.
The 'mist clone' struck a bizarre pose, as if spreading its wings to fly.
Lucian: "What's this supposed to mean? A eagle spreading its wings?"
Rover: "Could it be… taunting us?"
Chixia pointed at a line of small text in front of the clone. "Look here!"
"Fair deals at the Misty Hut—20% off for first-time customers!"
Chixia: "What's this? An advertisement?"
Lucian rubbed his chin. "I get it now!" Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Everyone turned to him.
Lucian: "He's challenging me!"
Lucian narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment before his expression brightened.
"For young and old alike, the Candy Shop welcomes returning friends with free gifts!"
"Tagline: Honest Business!"
Chixia gasped in admiration. "Lucian, I never knew you were so poetic!"
Lucian waved it off modestly. "You flatter me."
The owner of the Misty Hut clapped and laughed. "You pass!"
Chixia fumed. "So annoying! He's totally mocking us! This is a split in the road—I'll head toward the Patrol Station. I know that area best!"
Lucian, Rover, and Yangyang continued chasing toward the Jinzhou Theater, where they found another 'mist clone' of Aalto.
This one was posed in a 'welcoming embrace.'
Yangyang: "There's another line here…"
"Meeting is fate—may our friendship last forever."
Lucian pondered again before declaring:
"Knowing each other is fortune—may our bond endure through the years!"
"Tagline: Everlasting Friendship!"
"Aalto, my dear friend, I accept your blessing. Next year, I'll swindle you out of another two million!"
Rover: "…Aalto is definitely going to regret wishing you well."
Yangyang chuckled. "This is another split. I'll take the plaza—you two handle the other path!"
Lucian and Rover pressed onward, only to find yet another mist clone.
This one had its arms raised overhead, forming a heart shape with its hands.
Rover: "Third time's the charm. This must be the last one, right?"
Lucian: "One begets two, two begets three, three begets all things—who knows, there might be an infinite number of these."
Rover: "…Surely he's not that bored."
"Let's read the text first."
"Don't rush—the answer is right before you."
Lucian: "Just wait—the truth will soon surface!"
"Tagline: Clarity Comes to the Calm Mind!"
Rover: "Good! Ahead is a dead end—they must be there."
The two pressed forward and, sure enough, found Aalto waiting for them.
Lucian: "Aalto, every riddle you set has been solved by me. Give up—there's nowhere left to run!"
Aalto smiled helplessly. "Who said anything about running? From the start, our target was you."
Encore popped out from behind him. "Ta-da! Encore and Uncle Aalto won't hurt you…"
Lucian scoffed. "Even if you did try to run, you'd never escape me—after all, I am Jinzhou's Speedster Dawn!"
Rover: "…Isn't that Chixia's title?"
Aalto: "Alright, Encore, look—you've scared our guests."
Encore pouted. "Aalto was the one who told Encore to do this! Encore doesn't usually act !"
Lucian coaxed, "Encore, why not join us in Jinzhou? I'll appoint you as Jinzhou's Double Agent—specializing in intel-gathering on the Black Shores. How about it? I'm Jinzhou's Greatest Philanthropist—I wouldn't lie to you."
Aalto was baffled. "Is it really appropriate to poach her right in front of me?"
Encore tilted her head. "Greatest Philanthropist? Then why did you scam Uncle Aalto out of two million?"
Lucian sighed dramatically. "Ah, Encore, you don't understand!"
"When I was little, my family was poor—dirt poor!"
He reminisced mournfully. "Back then, we couldn't even afford baths. I had to press my face against the window just to watch other people wash… Ow!"
Rover smacked the back of his head. "Don't say such things in front of a child!"
Lucian rubbed his head—he was starting to build a resistance to these blows.
Encore: "So pitiful…"
"You… I don't even know what to say to you."
"Let's get back on topic. Rover, Lucian—it was your idea to wear Blake Blooms on yourselves to attract the attention of Black Shores members, wasn't it?"
"I must admit, those fake blooms were convincing enough to fool anyone who didn't know better."
"A Plant Resonator… interesting…"
Encore: "A Plant Resonator? We know one of those too, don't we?"
Rover fell into thought. They knew another Plant Resonator?
If it wasn't Verina… could it be that woman from yesterday—Camellya?
After all, during their fight, Rover had noticed her attacks were plant-based.
Aalto nodded slightly. "True, no need to make a fuss over it."
"So tell me—why are you looking for the Black Shores?"
Having already learned from Lucian that the two were undoubtedly members of the Black Shores, Rover saw no reason to hide the truth.
"My past is connected to them."
Aalto adjusted his sunglasses, his expression one of knowing. "Oh? Is that so? Then it seems my intel was correct after all…"
Lucian: "The two-million intel?"
Aalto: "…Don't bring that up again."
He considered his deal with Lucian the worst business decision of his life.
"I know you must have many questions about the Black Shores… but hold that thought."
"As you've seen, I am a 'Information Broker'."
"At the end of the day, I'm a businessman, not a charity. When it comes to intel, there must be a 'fair exchange'."
Lucian raised his hand. "I can vouch for that—he's very fair!"