LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 220: Skinning
Realizing he was rude, the merchant apologetically smiled.
"Sorry, sirs. I couldn't help myself after hearing your conversation." He rubbed the back of his head, feeling awkward.
"Don't worry about it."
"Do you know something about the Ember Lion Pride?" The other Orc impatiently asked.
After all, they were not trying to hide their conversation. If they had been, they would have used Mana Transmission.
Being reminded of that brat gang, anger flashed in the merchant's eyes. "Of course, I know something about them. Those two brats took everything I had and nearly killed me in the process. I'm lucky to still have my left arm after they slashed me up." As he spoke, he held up his arm, revealing a gruesome scar running along his forearm.
'Bingo.' Excited, Lucian no longer hid his interest in the Ember Lion Pride.
"We're the same! I also hate those little brats. A few days ago, when I was traveling back to Qingyun City, they attacked my carriage and killed my guards. With the few minutes my guards bought me, I managed to run away."
Lucian's feigned outrage did not arouse any suspicion within the three of them.
The two Orcs looked at Lucian with sympathy.
"Damn bastards." One of the Orcs spat and grumbled. They've been getting bolder lately. But don't worry, Lord Alchemist, they're on their last legs. Their boss hasn't been seen in a week. Probably dead."
Lucian nodded with a relieved expression.
"I just heard that from you three. That's why I came over."
The other Orc nodded and continued in place of his friend, "Without their father, those two brats have been scouring an old mine like rats sniffing for crumbs. They'll be soon dead, too."
Desperation created vulnerabilities.
It was exactly the opportunity Lucian needed. But first, he needed more details.
Lucian turned to the tall Orc, who had apparently seen the two young men last night.
"If you don't mind me asking, where did you last see them?" Killing intent oozed from Lucian's body, but it was perfectly controlled to not scare away his only ticket to finding the Ember Lion Pride.
"I want to report their whereabouts to the Adventurers Guild."
The Orc was not surprised by the Alchemist's killing intent. If he were in his shoes, his killing intent would have been much more terrifying. Then again, it was not fair to compare himself to a weak Alchemist, who had probably never killed anyone or even a Magical Beast in his entire life."Near the Yanming Mines, just past the river.
It's been dried up for years, but they've been poking their noses around there."
"Thank you, if you two ever need potions, come find me at the Alchemist Guild. I'll give you a discount." Lucian generously said as he walked in the direction of the Adventurer's Guild.
The Orcs, meanwhile, were stunned by the old Alchemist's words. It was only when they returned to their senses, they began jumping for joy, unaware they had been completely lied to.
By the time they would visit the Alchemist's Guild, it would be too late, as Lucian would already be far away from Qingyun City.
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Hours later, far from Qingyun City, under the blanket cast by the night, a blazing campfire crackled. Its flames rose high, illuminating the makeshift campsite.
The wind was chilly, yet the campfire kept the wind at bay from causing harm to the withering old man, lying beside it.
Beside the old man, a young man around the age of twenty with average looks held a dead rabbit in his hand.
If one looked closer, not even a scratch could be seen on the rabbit's flesh or fur. It was unknown how the rabbit had died.
The old man opened one of his eyes and lazily glanced at the young man. "Boy, how long is it going to take? I'm starving."
He then yawned.
"And tired."
The young man, who was none other than Lucian, using a different disguise, glanced at the old man.
"I just made the campfire, be patient old man."
After saying so, Lucian ignored him and returned his attention to what truly mattered… the rabbits that the old man had killed.
Light flashed, and a square tub appeared, followed by a jug filled with five gallons of water.
The old man was speechless.
'What the hell is this brat doing? Is he about to take a bath?'
Meanwhile, Lucian lifted the jug and poured the water into the tub, letting the water heat up next to the fire. He then summoned a chopping board and a kitchen knife.
Preferably, he would have liked to have summoned a workstation, or even a table would have been fine, but the Lucian belonging to this world did not have such items in his Spatial Ring.
Sighing lightly, Lucian was forced to place the chopping board on the grass. He then used the knife and quickly cut off the rabbit's head and feet.
The next step was simple. He made an incision in the skin where its stomach was and peeled the skin to both ends. As if he was helping the rabbit take off its extra fluffy jacket and pants, the rabbit was soon skinned.
Followed by another incision, a long and shallow cut was made from the rabbit's belly, up to its chest.
Fresh blood spilled, staining his hands, chopping board, and even the grass underneath.
But Lucian remained indifferent. Blood was nothing new to him. Be it in the kitchen or on the battlefield strewn with corpses and seas of blood.
Even the old man, watching him cook, was calm.
Though… there was one type of blood he and the three Lucians had yet to see.
As if understanding what he was thinking, the System spat disdainfully.
[Pervert.]
Ignoring the System, Lucian lifted his bloodied hand, and, with his index finger and thumb, pinched the top of the rabbit's chest cavity.
In one swift motion, he pulled out every single organ.