Just when my mind was racing, trying but unable to find any effective way to avoid being detected, a system prompt flashed on the screen.

[Would you like to conceal the Authority Fragment’s Fluctuations for 24 hours? Price: 40 SPs]

’Yes,’ I immediately agreed and waited.

I didn’t feel anything, but the system had done its work.

[Stream Points: 46→6]

[The fluctuations have been concealed. No detection device can detect the Authority Fragment for 24 hours.]

I sighed in relief in my heart, but then saw the screen flash again.

[Note: system can only help you conceal the fragment’s fluctuations two more times. You are advised to make the fragment stable to avoid being exposed afterwards.]

’Oh?’ I was surprised. The system had given a well-intentioned warning? I hadn’t expected that.

Then, I fell in thought. ’How do I make it stable?’

I got the answer a moment later, ’Stream Points.’

I didn’t know if this method would work, but I would find out after trying it out. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

For the next 24 hours, I didn’t need to worry about the fragment being detected, so I could relax for the time being.

"What’s wrong?" asked Luna, a curious look on her face.

The corner of my lips twitched. I hadn’t stopped walking and showed any abnormality on my face when the system flashed the warning until now, but she had still noticed something was up.

"Nothing." I shook my head which made her stare at me.

I shook my head, and instead asked while glancing at the trio on the platform, "Do you know who they are?"

Luna gave me a last look before she looked at the trio and said with a thoughtful look on her face,, "They should be from Celestial Order. But this doesn’t make sense."

"Why?" I asked.

"Becuase usually people from the Ironclad Dominion comes here and sometime their subordinate forces. This is the first time the Celestial Order has sent people here."

My eyes flashed when I heard this.

’Don’t tell me they are here for... me or to be exact, my Authority Fragment?’ I thought.

I couldn’t be sure at the time, but they indeed came looking for me because...

When I activated the Predator’s Gaze in the forest, far away in the headquarters of the Celestial Order of Ironclad Region, a device beeped and a handsome man, dressed in pristine white clothes, opened his eyes that shone golden.

He then looked in the north direction and murmured, "Another Authority Fragment has appeared?"

A moment later, he pressed a button and someone soon entered the room and knelt on one knee.

...

I shook my head, not wanting to entertain the thought without proof.

"What’s Celestial Order and the Ironclad Dominion?" I asked.

"The continent we are on is called Aldia and this village is situated on the northern end. The entire continent is divided into several regions and one of them is Ironclad Region which encompasses most of the northern area, including this village. The city I told you about a thousand miles away, remember? It’s also within the Ironclad Region."

Luna explained, then continued, "In this region, there are three major forces—Ironclad Dominion, Eclipse Sect and Celestial Order."

"Ironclad Region got its name from the Ironclad Dominion. Due to this, one might think Ironclad Dominion is the strongest force of three, but that’s incorrect. Eclipse Sect deals in information and assassination business and is as strong as them, but the Celestial Order is the strongest as they have most of the Awakened individuals."

"I see." I nodded in understanding.

Just then, the man in the middle of the trio raised his hand and everyone immediately fell silent.

"Is everyone here?" he asked Joshua, who swept his gaze across the crowd, then nodded.

"Good." The man nodded and began speaking, "There have been some unusual movements in the Black Sea. We are here to investigate it. Also, we are here to ask if any of you have seen something or someone unusual or suspicious. If you have, report it and you will be rewarded."

"There has been an increase in the number of Dark Beasts," said Oliver. Joshua and others nodded.

The man nodded as if he already knew this, and waited. After no one spoke, he asked, "Nothing else?"

Some people looked at me, but they didn’t say anything. However, a middle aged woman, holding the hand of a young, sickly pale boy, pointed at me and said, "He arrived at our Village from the forest last night."

The trio focused their gaze on me.

"You mean he isn’t from your village?" the leading man asked.

The woman gave me an apologetic look, then nodded, "That’s right."

"Come here." the man said, looking at me.

My expression didn’t change as I walked over and stood before the platform.

He took out a strange ball and placed it on my head. After a moment, he took it back, ignored me and flicked a bronze coin over to the woman before sweeping his gaze across the crowd, "Does anyone else want to report anything suspicious or unusual they saw?"

People stirred when they saw he had indeed paid the woman, but they didn’t have anything to report, so they stayed silent. Of course, some glanced at me, the look in their eyes saying that they regretted that they weren’t the first to tell them about me.

I stayed in place for a few moments, then turned around and walked back to Luna’s side.

"Don’t be angry at her. She is pitiable. Her son is suffering from a strange disease. The village doesn’t have a cure for it. So, she just tried her luck." Luna said in a low voice. "Look..."

Right then, the woman pulled her child along and arrived before the platform. The trio thought she was going to report something else, but she placed the coin on the platform and fell to her knees, pleading, "My Lord, I don’t want money. Just heal my son. I beg you. I’ll do everything you want, will become your slave to repay your kindness."

The man frowned in displeasure, then proceeded to ignore her and with his two companions—a middle-aged man and a young man, no older than me—he jumped down the platform and left the village.

The woman tried to chase them, but Joshua stopped her.

"Don’t degrade yourself anymore. They won’t help you." he coldly said, but there was a helpless look in his eyes.

"Let’s go back." Luna said, her voice cold.

I nodded.

Right then...

Grrr! Growl!

Loud, savage beast growls echoed in the distance.

Everyone froze.

"Beasts are attacking!" Oliver shouted, and every hunter rushed toward the eastern gate.