Chapter 107: A Question

Two days had passed since Julian’s trip to the invaded territory. During that time, Julian spent both days alone, working to understand himself.

More precisely, the privilege he held as someone with an SSS-Grade Talent.

And, just like any other brilliant talent, Julian discovered a great many things. Like the fact that he genuinely learned far faster than everyone else.

Just like Ilunia and Kina.

Then, today, Julian met Lurker, who came to see him at the Academy’s outer fence.

Julian had a guess about what Lurker wanted to tell him. So when Lurker invited him to a luxury restaurant, Julian simply nodded in agreement.

On the way there, something pleasant happened.

[System]

Disciple Skill Progress detected.

Skill: [Sky Mirror]

Source Skill Rank: [E]

Progress Gained: [+2.40%]

MASTER Authority activated.

Return Multiplier: [100×]

[Status Update]

[Sky Mirror] — [E] — [0.0%] → [Sky Mirror] — [D] — [14.0%]

’Oh, Ilunia made progress?’

Just like Julian, Ilunia had started training diligently. The girl hadn’t said a word about the information she’d traded with Aclyris, nor did she show any sign of plotting something.

Perhaps she was simply good at hiding it. But lately, Ilunia had been noticeably calmer and more focused in her training than before.

Back to the matter at hand. Julian arrived at a luxury restaurant located in Dimelia’s commercial district.

This was the second time Julian had been in the Dimelia area. The only difference was that the first time he’d merely passed through, while this time he was stopping by an expensive restaurant.

"I heard Lord Julian hasn’t had the chance to look around the other districts yet. So, I figured Dimelia, with its excellent restaurants, would be the right choice."

Hearing Lurker’s thoughtful voice from across from him left Julian feeling touched.

’Turns out, aside from Aliens and villains, there are plenty of kind people around me.’

He made a rather dramatic expression in his mind as he looked at the restaurant ahead. True to its reputation, it was a luxurious place.

The customers didn’t look expensive, but anyone inside had to be someone who could afford the exorbitant bill.

Following Lurker, Julian couldn’t help but marvel at how dazzling the restaurant was. Rather than calling it a restaurant, no one would disagree if Julian called it a small museum.

Countless works of art lined the walls, sculptures carved into the figures of legends, or fictional characters full of deep meaning.

’Is this really a restaurant?’ Julian even started doubting what he was seeing.

Right then, Lurker seemed to notice Julian looking around. Though his gaze was flat, it was clear Julian was taking in the surroundings in order to understand them.

"This restaurant is owned by one of the current Rank-A Hunters. Lord Julian may know Calcarea, she’s the one I’m talking about."

"Ah, the Rank-A Hunter known for having a heart as kind as an angel’s."

Lurker nodded.

"Yes, she’s a very kind person. She smiles easily, and... all the income from these restaurants is used to help commoners who have no home or are struggling."

"That matches the rumors I’ve heard."

Julian then arrived at a private room. Since this restaurant was reserved for extraordinary people, its dining areas were all private rooms.

It was a room on the upper floor. An open room with thick yet crystal-clear glass windows, revealing Dimelia’s scenery, filled with cherry blossoms in full bloom.

At the same time, Lurker pressed a small button. And the next moment, a waiter came hurrying over.

Julian simply watched as he surveyed his surroundings with curiosity, then sat down across from Lurker, who had just finished ordering food.

"I called Lord Julian here to let you know that the gathering will be held tomorrow."

"...Tomorrow?"

Julian blinked a few times. He hadn’t expected the gathering to come this soon. He felt a bit nervous, but compared to usual, he strangely felt somewhat calmer.

Lurker nodded.

"Yes. Because the Rank-A Hunters are extremely busy, the gathering will be held and concluded as quickly as possible."

That made sense.

"I see..."

Julian fell silent. Since Lurker had finished what he’d come to say, Julian considered for a moment, then looked at Lurker and decided to raise a topic that had been driving him half-crazy with curiosity lately.

"I have a question."

"What is it?" Lurker looked up at Julian, his expression slightly surprised and strangely carrying a certain eagerness.

Julian didn’t understand what that look meant, and he had no intention of trying to figure it out as long as it wasn’t bothersome.

Anyway, it was something he was curious about.

It was about the hunting method Julian had discovered that could be exploited, and he was extremely curious about it.

"I want to ask about hunting Invaders," Julian said, holding himself back for a moment before continuing.

"Why don’t you just capture those Invaders, knock them unconscious, and hand them over to the younger generation to finish them all off?"

Because the progress received depended on one’s contribution to killing the creature.

Lurker should understand what Julian meant. Knocking an Invader unconscious might count as a contribution leading them toward death. But it didn’t deal the damage necessary to actually kill the creature.

What Julian meant was to knock the Invaders unconscious without injuring them. There should be a skill capable of doing that, especially considering Julian himself had managed it with certain types of Aliens.

Lurker’s expression furrowed for a moment upon hearing that, then he rubbed his chin and looked at Julian.

"That can indeed be done."

"...And?" Hearing Lurker’s words, Julian felt a slight disappointment. Because Lurker’s voice sounded as though he already knew about the method.

Which meant something was indeed preventing them from doing it.

Lurker hesitated for a moment, then quickly explained.

"Lord Julian, you’ve seen it, haven’t you? Those Aliens dominate each other’s territories. They fight over land, and we decided to just let them be and almost never interfere with them."

After that, Lurker paused, letting his words sink in, and added.

"What you’re suggesting may be doable, but it’s also extremely risky for humanity’s current resources."