Chapter 51: The Driver

Chapter 51: The Driver

"Alright! Thank you, President!"

Lily didn't hesitate as she picked up the flower and swallowed it in one gulp.

A reaction quickly followed.

The power of the Sap of Ascension began transforming Lily's body, causing a cellular tearing pain that would be unbearable for most. However, her reaction truly surprised Alexander.

Sweat covered her face, yet not a trace of pain appeared.

Her face even flushed, showing hints of enjoyment and excitement!

She was enjoying the pain!

About ten minutes passed, and the poisonous flower finished modifying her body. Lily immediately attempted to initiate the virus transformation.

Her fingernails visibly grew longer, her pitch-black eyes turned gray, and her skin took on a sickly white hue.

She looked every bit like a zombie girl.

The extent of mutation varied based on each individual's physique.

Some who consumed the Sap of Ascension would sprout tentacles, others grew giant arms on their backs, while some became bloated like a meatball.

Generally, the more the mutation, the stronger the ability. Lily's transformation seemed somewhat lacking.

Feeling the surge of death energy within her, Lily's gaze toward Alexander grew even more fervent:

"President, tell me what you need me to do, and I'll do it tonight!"

Alexander replied:

"I've sent the mission to your phone. I expect good news."

With that, he cast a cold glance at Jack before vanishing from the desolate wilderness.

In the darkness of the night, Alexander walked among the tall buildings of Bluewater City, suddenly stopping to look up at one of them.

Golden Splendor KTV.

A month ago, it was a place he could only look up to. The executives inside could regard him with condescending eyes.

But now?

He found those buildings to be particularly grand, particularly dazzling.

This place now belonged to Giovani, who had to hand over half the monthly profits to the café as tribute.

In other words, it now belonged to him.

Alexander turned around, looking back at the path he had taken.

Did he just force an A-rank into a pitiful escape?

That guy could never have imagined that just a month ago, Alexander was still a struggling high school student, someone who had tasted all the bitterness of helplessness.

It was only after truly experiencing the thrill of battle that he felt how different he had become.

He extended his hand, grasping at the intersection as if clutching the world in his grip. Then he burst out in wild, uninhibited laughter.

It was the feeling of "I was born to seize the stars; the heavens shall not constrain my boldness and arrogance!"

Passersby couldn't help but glance his way, cautiously distancing themselves, fearing that this person wasn't in the right state of mind.

Alexander laughed wildly for a while before straightening up, a gleam in his eyes like a starry sky.

In his heart, he swore that he would live this life to the fullest.

To grasp his own fate, unrestrained, and with absolute freedom!

The Hunter's Guild was his foundation, and he would make sure hunters appeared in every corner of the world!

A taxi pulled up in front of Alexander, and a middle-aged man stuck his head out, cautiously asking:

"Sir, do you need a ride?"

Alexander stopped laughing and looked at the man.

The driver hesitated for a moment:

"You don't have to pay. Just tell me where your family is, and I'll take you there."

It turned out the driver thought Alexander was mentally ill.

Alexander couldn't help but smile again:

"Perfect timing, I need a ride. I have money."

Alexander still didn't know how to drive. His family's conditions had been poor, so he had no chance to get near a car.

After coming into money, he was busy with matters concerning the Hunter's Guild and hadn't found the time to learn. As a result, he still had to take a taxi to rush to fights.

In the car, the driver finally realized Alexander wasn't mentally unstable and began chatting with him intermittently.

"My son goes to Bluewater First High School. He's a senior this year, in Teacher Jackson's class."

"Do you know who Teacher Jackson is? He's the one who taught two S-rank Awakened."

"Unfortunately, both those S-rank students awakened lifestyle talents in the end."

Alexander knew exactly who he was talking about—Teacher Jackson, known in the Hunter's Guild by the nickname 'Joker.'

The driver's face showed a blissful smile:

"Heh, luckily, my son's not that unlucky. He awakened his abilities a few days ago. At least he won't have to drive a taxi every day like I do."

The dim light inside the car allowed Alexander to see the driver's hands ease on the steering wheel after saying those words.

"My life has been pretty much set," the driver said. "I awakened with a mason's talent back in the day."

"Our family had no connections, and I couldn't find work. Fortunately, before my father passed, he gave me his spot at the taxi company."

"Once my son is settled, I'm done working. I'll finally take it easy."

The driver spoke with pride, and Alexander remained silent, listening intently.

There were far too many people in this world burdened with hardship, but this driver seemed to have it relatively good. His son had a promising future, and he could finally enjoy some peace.

The driver's eyes reddened:

"I don't know why, but now that I don't have to worry about my son, I feel this surge of sadness."

"In my younger years, I never enjoyed life. I spent my whole time working for my family."

"Now, my health is failing, and the doctors say treatment is too expensive. I don't want to burden my family."

His worn face showed a complex expression that Alexander couldn't quite decipher.

But there wasn't a trace of resentment—just the sense of relief.

This world, with its stark contrasts between the privileged and the powerless, had never been fair to men without status or influence.

Realizing his own emotional slip, the driver wiped his eyes and forced a cheerful smile:

"Kid, you look pretty young. Have you graduated? Which school did you attend?"

Alexander replied:

"Yes, I graduated from Bluewater First High School."

The driver paused, a gleam of surprise in his eyes:

"Do you know my son then? He's a year younger than you, Liu Zhongyou."

The name struck a chord. Alexander remembered that Teacher Jackson had been scolded for this student.

The time Jackson had made a scene at the KTV was for this student and two other girls.

Alexander had told Jackson that if he couldn't ensure the secrecy of those three students regarding Jackson's identity as a Hunter, the Hunter's Guild would step in to eliminate the students and Jackson himself.

In order to protect them, Jackson participated in the "Demon Execution Order" mission and performed exceptionally, obtaining three Sap of Ascension plants.

And so, the Hunter's Guild gained three low-level hunters.

Alexander's expression turned complex. So, the driver's son was one of those hunters who had been transformed by the Sap of Ascension.

The driver probably didn't know that these hunters were meant to be cannon fodder.

As they arrived at the Old Oak Cafe, the taxi stopped at the entrance.

The driver had collected himself by then, and after glancing at the meter, he flashed a friendly smile:

"We're here, kid. That'll be three hundred solars."

Due to the arrival of monsters in this world, fuel prices were incredibly high.

Alexander pulled out a wad of cash from his wallet and tossed it onto the driver's seat, his voice calm:

"Keep the change as a tip."

"Huh? Kid, you—"

The driver stared at the thick stack of bills, feeling as if he were in a dream.

There had to be at least seven or eight thousand in that pile.

Halfway to the café, Alexander suddenly turned back:

"If you ever need help, come to this café and find me."

Before the driver could react, Alexander had already entered the dimly lit café, vanishing from sight.

The driver stared at the money in his hands, lost in thought. He wanted to return it but decided to keep it after a moment's hesitation.

He wanted to live, and living required money.

He got out of the car and bowed deeply toward the café.

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