Chapter 14: Unravelling Secrets (2/2)

Perhaps it was really an illusion? Angel was unsure. If only the portal would stop glowing –

Angel started. That’s right, why is the portal glowing? Could it be… Could it be… a means to hide something?”

Angel thought it through and began to see the sense in his reasoning. He avoided making sudden movements, and merely scanned his surroundings.

And there it was! Angel nearly went blind with the searching, but he could now see the dim green flash – it was a thin sliver of green light, concealed by the portal’s brighter glow.

It was concealed, even after using his Ripple detection. It was a first for Angel, and he could not help admiring the masterpiece! However, since he had found it, then…

Angel gave the mysterious portal another look – in his eyes, which mirrored a fair maiden’s pair, beckoning him with open arms.

Butler Qiu began respectfully, “Second young master, regarding your orders last time, there have been some developments!”

Jeb was overjoyed. “Really? Where’s he from? His real name? Haha, he will not get away this time!” He sobered, and continued ruthlessly. “Hehe, your offense against me has doomed you!”

Qiu had more to say, but was obviously hesitant.

Jeb noticed and frowned, displeased. “Come on, just spill it! Could it be that he is from a family of high standing?”

The butler bowed a little. “That’s not it, it’s just that… Well…”

Jeb grew impatient. “Just tell it as it is, none of this nonsense!”

Qiu grew nervous. “Young master, after you ordered for this information, I had hired a few capable Mavericks to investigate. While the training center’s security was commendable, they still managed to bypass it and access and information archives. It’s just that… It’s just that, the whole thing looks suspicious!”

“Suspicious?” Jeb inquired.

Qiu grew increasingly edgy, as he knew that the second young master before him was quite temperamental. With the current delicate balance within the family, he must always be on his guard, for any error on his part would have disastrous consequences. If the matter at hand was not satisfyingly handled, the second young master might throw a tantrum, and that would spell punishment, or even his expulsion from the Luo Family. Qiu, who was careful in nature, dreaded the possibilities ahead.

He replied shortly, “Yes, in the information archives, we searched through all of the ID’s, but could not find this YC character, not even one with a similar name.”

Jeb was stunned. “Not even one? That’s impossible! I saw it, clear as day! It must be right!”

Qiu maneuvered through the conversation smoothly. “Of course, this servant believes in the young master’s sharp eyes, you could not have possibly seen it wrong!” Seeing Jeb preening as expected, he continued, “But that’s what’s so suspicious about this, why would there be no records of him in the archives? Access to the virtual world requires identification of some sort, it would have been impossible otherwise!”

Jeb began to realize the situation clearly. “That’s it, this is impossible!”

Qiu continued, “This servant was thinking, perhaps YC is a Maverick too?”

Jeb beamed and followed his logic. “That’s right! Hah! That must be it! Only Mavericks could do something like this!”

Mavericks were people who could bypass limitations set in the virtual world through their skills in using photon processors. They were talented specialists of these processors, and so had an unimaginable advantage over the average person in the virtual world.

Qiu continued, “And so this servant thought, one would need to fight fire with fire. This servant has entrusted a few Mavericks associated with the Luo family to investigate his background!”

Jeb prodded impatiently. “And what have you found about his background?”

The butler’s expression grew even stranger.

*Translator’s note: MPA stands for Mech Pilot’s Association.