Chapter 107: The High-Level Meeting of the Sunset Kingdom

Upon hearing this news, Belson had only one thought: the strange creature that killed those two combatants was the same one involved in the hijacking.

“What level is that creature?” Belson asked hurriedly.

“I don’t know for sure, but it’s at least a Class B or higher,” came the reply.

To catch Belson’s attention, the speaker deliberately added an extra level.

Class B or above?

Belson stroked his chin, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “So it’s quite possible it’s Class A, then? What about those two combatants?”

“Oh, yes, yes, I also think it’s Class A. Those two combatants were formidable Class C Spirit Controllers. They didn’t even stand a chance to flee; they were wiped out instantly,” the person in charge said with an awkward laugh.

Sometimes, a small panic requires countless lies to cover it up.

Belson fell into contemplation again. “Instantly killing two Class C Spirit Controllers—that’s something a Class B creature could do. But it wouldn’t let them escape from the southern part of the city all the way to the west.”

Seeing Belson’s doubt, the person in charge hurried to explain, “They were using special badges to unleash their potential while escaping, but once their energy was depleted, they were swiftly slain.”

His words seemed to awaken something in Belson. “Right, under the same level, humans are definitely stronger than the strange creatures. So how powerful must that creature be to kill those three agents…”

Then a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. “Or perhaps there was more than one of those creatures?”

The very thought sent chills down his spine.

Belson had a clear idea of how powerful the Sunset Kingdom’s agents were. If those three joined forces, they might have been able to escape even from an S-level opponent.

Yet they vanished without a trace?

Given the Sunset Kingdom government’s seriousness about this matter, it was easy to guess that the creature—or creatures—were far stronger than he had imagined.

What could he do against such a being?

What was the point?

Simply walking to his doom?

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Belson began shaking his head frantically. Seeing the hopeful expression on the person in charge’s face beside him, he cleared his throat twice. “Alright, I understand. I’ll handle this.”

He intended to leave immediately but was stopped by the person in charge. “So… how do you plan to handle it?”

---

In front of so many people, the usually arrogant Belson was too embarrassed to admit his fear or refusal to act. So he forced himself to say, “What else can I do? Of course, I’ll prepare and go find that strange creature!”

No sooner had he spoken than he disappeared.

Once in a secluded spot, he immediately took out his phone and began contacting people in the Sunset Kingdom.

“Connecting to the Sunset Kingdom’s Strange Creature Research Institute… Beep beep beep.”

“Belson, is that you? Any progress in the investigation?”

“Yes.” Belson nodded. “The combatants from the Painting Nation unexpectedly discovered a high-level strange creature. Its exact level is unknown, but it’s at least Class A. I suspect this sudden creature is connected to the three missing agents.”

“Class A!”

The person on the other end was clearly shocked because they had three hypotheses.

The first was that the three agents, after obtaining treasures from the Desert Temple, were unable or unwilling to return for some reason.

This theory assumed that the agents, having acquired the treasures, either abandoned their homeland and fled or engaged in a battle over the treasures and died, or perhaps were cursed by the treasures.

Then, after their deaths, the pilot flew the plane back but crashed in the Sunset Kingdom for unknown reasons.

Of course, this possibility was nearly zero because the Sunset Kingdom’s agents were absolutely loyal, and the three shared a strong bond—such an absurd event was unlikely. But one must always consider every possibility.

The second hypothesis was that the three agents died during their treasure retrieval.

This was more plausible—for instance, the Desert Temple might house some monster or powerful mechanism that killed them all.

Meanwhile, the pilot, unable to find them outside, prepared to return but crashed in the Painting Nation.

However, this was also unlikely because pilots wouldn’t take off without orders; something must have happened for them to leave.

The third hypothesis was an attack by a strange creature.

This was intriguing: the three agents boarded the plane, ready to return to the Sunset Kingdom, unaware that a strange creature had been following them. The plane was destroyed over the Painting Nation, and the bodies of the three Spirit Controllers were taken as trophies.

Within this hypothesis lurked an even more terrifying possibility: perhaps the Desert Temple held a curse that could transform people into strange creatures.

The three cursed agents might have boarded the plane already transformed, only to fully become strange creatures over the Painting Nation.

Such bizarre speculations abounded, as the Sunset Kingdom valued bloodlines—its upper class was entirely noble by birth—and their competence was somewhat wanting.

---

Each different possibility demanded a different response.

But Belson’s words essentially confirmed one: that the three agents were killed by strange creatures, likely boarding the plane alongside them.

In other words, there was now one or more ridiculously powerful strange creatures within the Painting Nation.

Moreover, their type, abilities, and exact level were unknown.

To make matters worse, the upcoming Art Festival was to be held in the Painting Nation, attracting the entire cultural circle of the Sunset Kingdom.

If the strange creature moved then…

It would be a disaster.

Realizing the dreadful potential consequences, the operator immediately reported the critical information to the Sunset Kingdom’s royal family and high officials.

Hearing this, the Sunset Kingdom’s elite displayed unprecedented fear.

“What! How could this happen? The Painting Nation is hosting the Art Festival in a few days. We’re all going there. If such a creature is present, why would we even go?”

“Why don’t we sever all ties with the Painting Nation immediately? That way, we can avoid conflict with the creature.”

“I think that’s very reasonable. I agree!”

“I also feel maintaining relations with the Painting Nation is unnecessary…”

At the head of the gathering sat a man wearing a crown and a swimsuit. He propped his head up with one hand, eyes half-lidded, wearing a baffling smile.

As the debate grew more heated, he finally rapped sharply on the table.

With the crisp sound, the surrounding noise fell silent. Everyone stared dumbfounded at the man seated above, speechless.

His first words sent cold sweat down their spines: “The Painting Nation provides our royal family with over ten billion in annual tax revenue. If we cut ties, who among you will shoulder the loss?”

His words left the room in stunned silence, no one daring to respond. Yet the man showed no sign of stopping.

“Or perhaps those few family representatives who support severing relations will share the burden?”

The atmosphere plummeted once more into icy stillness.