Translator: Stellar Novels Editor: Stellar Novels
Bocchi hesitated for a moment, but then he extended his left hand, spread his fingers toward Ma Lu's glass, and muttered a string of awkward and strange syllables.
In the next instant, the remaining liquid in the glass seemed to be scooped up by an invisible hand, floating in mid-air and forming a tiny round shield.
Ma Lu poked it with a fork and easily pierced through it without much effort.
"That's it?"
"That's it," Bocchi responded, a bit deflated, withdrawing his hand and letting the liquid fall back into the glass. He then picked up his own glass and took a few large gulps.
"Water-based Psychic Ability in a desert environment is indeed a bit tricky. Have you thought about trying a different environment, like by the sea?" Ma Lu suggested.
"The sea? What’s that? I’ve never left this desert since I was born, and no one else has either. You’re the only outsider I’ve ever met, and I’m not leaving The Giant Screen. My mother is still here, and so is the Harpist Hunting Party... even though I’m no longer part of it." Bocchi said, feeling downcast.
"I see, then we'll have to find another solution."
"Don’t waste your energy. Once a person’s Psychic Ability awakens, it’s permanently fixed and can’t be changed."
"The solution I’m thinking of isn’t about changing your Psychic Ability, but there are a few things I haven’t figured out yet. I’ll need to experiment a bit."
"Experiment? Experiment with what?"
Before Ma Lu could answer, a voice came from behind him.
"Well, if it isn’t the top student. I heard you went out hunting Thousand-Toothed Sandfish over ten days ago. So, how’d it go? You must’ve come back loaded with spoils, right?"
The door to the Little Bear Bar was pushed open again, and this time, seven people walked in at once. Judging by their matching pins, they seemed to belong to the same hunting party.
One of them, a young man dressed in a leather jacket and carrying a pitch-black katana, walked straight over to Bocchi.
"Get lost, Yong Mu," Bocchi warned.
However, instead of leaving, the young man named Yong Mu plopped down right next to the little boy.
"Don’t be so cold. We’re classmates, after all," Yong Mu said, placing his hand on Bocchi's shoulder. "It’s rare to run into you at a bar. Why don’t we take this opportunity to see who can hold their liquor better?"
His companions, grinning, looked over and started cheering in agreement.
Bocchi shook his head. "I thought you were just deaf, but I didn’t realize you were blind too."
Yong Mu followed Bocchi's gaze and realized that the table knife had somehow disappeared, and he suddenly felt a chill between his legs.
Yong Mu raised his hands. "I was just coming over to say hello to an old classmate. No need to get so aggressive. If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave right away."
But before he left, he lowered his voice and added.
"By the way, I have some information you might find interesting. Consider it a free gift to make up for bothering you just now. That newbie in your hunting party, Chi Qi, seems to have been in contact with several captains from the bigger hunting parties last month."
Bocchi was taken aback. "Really? Why?"
"Who knows? I heard he’s trying to team up with stronger hunters to earn more rewards. It’s only natural, right? After all, you know the state of the Harpist Hunting Party these days. Your gains last month, and the month before, weren’t great...
"Although the Harpist Hunting Party used to be one of the top three hunting parties in The Giant Screen, that was a few years ago. Honor isn’t something you can eat, is it?"
In addition, the captain clearly favors the older members..."
Bocchi's body trembled slightly, and he clenched his fists.
Seeing this, Yong Mu decided to leave it at that and stood up from the couch.
"Anyway, if you run into trouble, feel free to come to me. If you want to teach that guy Chi Qi a lesson, I’m always on your side as a classmate."
With that, he glanced at Ma Lu sitting on the other side, then walked over to the other end of the bar with his companions to play darts.
After they left, the waitress Fa Ya came over again.
"Are you guys okay? It’s best to stay away from the Black Horn Hunting Party in the future. The members of that group don’t have the cleanest hands.
"In the city, it’s one thing, but once you leave the high walls and are out of sight of the marshals and the guild, who knows what they might do."
"It doesn't matter. I’m not planning on being a hunter anymore," Bocchi said slowly, as if he had made up his mind.
"Huh?"
"I’ve already left the Harpist Hunting Party, and I don’t intend to join any other hunting group. Wherever I go, I’ll only be a burden, holding others back."
"But hasn't becoming a hunter been your dream since you were a kid? You worked so hard in school, all to follow in your father’s footsteps and see the same sights he once did."
"I... don’t have my father’s talent." Bocchi said dejectedly. "No matter how hard I try, I can never become a qualified hunter. Since I took over the Harpist Hunting Party, it’s been going downhill, dragging Uncle Gu Li and the others down with it. I should have left sooner. Holding on any longer would be too selfish."
The waitress was at a loss for what to say, so she turned her gaze to Ma Lu for help.
Ma Lu thought for a moment and then nodded. "He has a point."
"What? Can’t you see how guilty Bocchi feels right now? Even if it’s just out of friendship, shouldn’t you be encouraging him a little?" Fa Ya said, dissatisfied.
"I haven’t known him for long, but I don’t think he’s the kind of person who needs false encouragement to get motivated. Someone who’s experienced his father’s death and still dares to venture into the desert and face danger shouldn’t be so fragile."
Ma Lu finished the last sip of his Bobo Wine, letting out a satisfied sigh, and then turned to Bocchi.
"Let’s form a new hunting party, together."
"Huh?" Fa Ya’s eyes widened in surprise.
"No," Bocchi shook his head. "Didn’t you hear what I just said?"
"Don’t be so quick to refuse. You don’t want to join a hunting party because you’re afraid of dragging down your teammates, not because you really don’t want to be a hunter anymore. If we form a new hunting party ourselves, you won’t have to worry about that anymore. Besides..."
"Besides what?"
"You may have left the Harpist Hunting Party, but with the reputation your father left behind and your relationship with Gu Li, if you change your mind halfway and want to return to the group, do you think Gu Li could refuse you? I know you’ll say you won’t do that, but can you guarantee that Chi Qi doesn’t think that way?
"Forming a new hunting party could also put his mind at ease, making him believe you won’t go back, and he’ll stay with the Harpists. If you’re really the reason he’s considering jumping ship."
Ma Lu finished in one breath, leaving Bocchi deep in thought.
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