219: Into the Mountain Range

Lucious looked towards Oliver who was busy talking to the cashier of the coffee shop.

He smiled, "I guess the young boy that was like an abandoned cat with his claws out, unwilling to trust anybody, has already grown into a man." 

He then turned to Val and expressed his worry.

"Since I can't journey into the lesser dimension, I must entrust you with the responsibility of safeguarding him. Please, protect him in my absence."

"Rest assured, Lord Lucious. I'll ensure his safety during the expedition." Val nodded with determination.

Lucious cast his gaze downward to his shadow, "Bring out the cursed artifact #99, The Tracker."

"Yes, master," a lazy voice rang out from within the shadow.

It was then that Val realized Lucious's familiar was present.

Up until that moment, despite his enhanced senses, he hadn't detected its existence.

A set of rings emerged from the shadow.