849 Investigation 1 (1/2)
The difference caused by Mechs.
After leaving the Eagle's Nest, this was the only thing on Garen's mind.
The entire atmosphere of the Eagle's Nest had a very upbeat and crazed feeling to it as the members inside were all extremely passionate, though albeit prone to violence. Garen started to faintly feel that this had something to do with the Crouched Eagle Talon training method.
It was even the same for him; he too was starting to be slightly affected after starting to train this technique.
According to Sofia's description, other training methods would also bear similar side effects. For example, for the Trails of the Wind technique, regardless of the practitioner's temper, as they mastered the technique, their attitude would have a certain degree of change. They would become more adaptable, agile, varied and quick-thinking.
Another example would be the Brutal Hammer; its practitioners seemed to develop a certain type of attitude. They would become more inclined to use violence and torture, have bad tempers and were overall maniacal.
In comparison, the practitioners of the Crouched Eagle Talon would only become stronger and be more prideful of their strengths.
In the upcoming days, he went to the Eagle's Nest daily and trained with the experts there. With the help of the Staff of Absolute Yin, he also managed to accumulate more and more potential points. However, before completely mastering his foundations, Garen decided to hold back from using these potential points. There was no meaning in increasing his strength that way; as someone who had trained in secret techniques before, he fully understood the importance of establishing a strong foundation. If the foundation was not stable, even when facing an opponent at the same level, one's weak point could be easily exploited into an effortless defeat.
In lethal combat, every flaw could be a fatal one. As such, if one did not have a strong foundation, it would cause one to have numerous flaws.
As the days flew by, half a month had passed in a blink of an eye.
In the canteen, at the noisy dining hall.
”What? Baylon is missing?” Garen exclaimed as he looked at his watch.
”Yeah. We had always thought he was working as a live-in full-time worker at that bakery. He would usually contact us every fortnight. This time, when we called over, they said he had left for home a long time ago. But we haven't even seen Lon in ages!” from the watch screen, he could see that his mother Amy had a worried look on her face. ”We've tried everything we could, but there were no results. It's all up to you now!”
Garen reminisced about his impression on Lon. He was a bashful, gentle, introverted fellow, always had long hair, and was the type who didn't dare to raise his voice. This type of person wouldn't intentionally cut off all contact with his family. Judging by his personality, something must have happened that prevented him from contacting home.
”What about dad?”
”He's still busy working on some stuff at his office, and he also has an urgent meeting this afternoon. He is probably preparing for it now,” Amy looked extremely fatigued. ”Recently, your grandma fell sick again and she also has some problems with her leg, so your dad is also busy taking care of her. Furthermore…” at this point, Amy's face was once again filled with concern.
”Furthermore what?”
”Furthermore, the police came by this morning for some investigation. They say your brother, he's… somehow related to the terrorist attack case, so they needed to come in to do some investigations.” Within one day, his mother Amy had gone through so much bad news, it was surely extremely taxing on her body.
”Terrorist?” did they mean White Light?
Garen frowned. Ever since he had received Blue Narcissus' endorsement, his family's financial status had become much better, but new problems had started to pop up one after another. At first, when he had selected Nonosiva, it was because the Soul Seed felt that he had a different aura from others. However, after such a long time, there still weren't any major changes. On the contrary, now his brother Baylon had such a problem befalling him…
”Apparently it also had something to do with the younger brother of the bakery owner. Now that the warrants are out, what should we do? Your younger brother had to live a bitter life alone ever since he was young… If something were to happen to him…” as she spoke, his mother Amy started to sob intermittently.
”Don't worry mom, I'll try to use my connections over here to do some investigations on the issue,” Garen comforted her. ”Alright, I'll go get some people to help, I'll report back to you tonight.”
”Okay, try to be as fast as possible! If something were to happen to your brother…”
Hanging up, Garen took a deep breath. The soul seed started to have a slight movement; it seemed like it was possibly something big this time.
After thinking for a bit, he started calling up people from his network.
”Is this Celine? I need a favor, my brother might be in trouble. I've no idea of the circumstances, so can you help me dig up some info? Alright alright, I'll treat you to dinner sometime soon, bye.”
”Vivienne, I have something I'd like you to help me investigate. My brother is in some sort of trouble, he went missing around half a month ago, okay, alright, thanks!”
”Kendall, is the Charm Mercenary Troop available? Can you get them to investigate what's going on at my brother's side? Give them the mission to protect my little brother at all costs. Of course, I mean now! Why do you think I pay you guys so much every month? Alright, thanks! Buck up! Alright.”
After countless calls, Garen slumped down while deep in thought. The Nutritious Meal in front of him was only half-finished, but his eating speed became slower and slower and suddenly came to a complete stop.
”What's up? Is there any trouble? I heard you make a few phone calls earlier,” Sofia walked up to his side. She was carrying a tray with a small portion Nutritious Meal and a glass of apple juice.