Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 39 (Patreon)

Chapter 39: Proposal

When the Southernpiece Auction was mentioned, the subtle changes in Luo's eyes did not escape Chrollo's notice.

"It seems you know about the Southernpiece Auction."

Chrollo slowly stood up, gently placing the tea cup, which was emitting a curling aroma, on the windowsill, then picked up the book he had been reading earlier and walked over to one of the bookshelves in the room to return the book to its place.

"Are you implying that the Elder's only source of collectibles is the Southernpiece Auction?" Luo, looking down, gazed at the brown liquid in his mug.

With his back to Luo, Chrollo looked up at the neatly arranged books on the bookshelf and said, "Indeed, every year as September approaches, many gang leaders, due to their numerous enemies, have a certain need for security before going to the Southernpiece Auction."

"Where there's a need, there's a deal. The Elder provides security personnel, on mutually beneficial terms, to ensure the safety of those in need, and in return, gains certain benefits from them."

"Since the Elder is interested in collectibles, his clients are mostly headed to the Southernpiece Auction for antique treasures, and what the Elder wants in return is a collectible from them."

"Now, it's only the end of April; the Elder won't have any new collectibles until after the Southernpiece Auction in September."

Chrollo's statement outright declared that Luo's method of making money was not feasible.

Luo understood, rubbing his forehead, slightly troubled.

Then, Chrollo continued, "Since we're on the subject of the Southernpiece Auction, let me also tell you that this September, you will be one of the security personnel."

Security personnel, in essence, meant a bodyguard.

Luo was momentarily stunned; Chrollo's statement was not a guess but a definite conclusion.

"What if I refuse?" Luo asked tentatively.

Chrollo smiled slightly at this question, though since he was facing away, Luo couldn't see it.

"You may refuse, but the Elder will remove the dog's collar, and by 'dog,' I don't mean the one in the basement."

Luo understood, sighing, "That's troublesome."

Chrollo said no more, instead extending his index finger, sliding it across the books arranged neatly, seemingly choosing his next read.

The Southernpiece Auction was a stage for the Phantom Troupe to make their appearance more than a decade later, in Luo's memory, summarized in four words: a massive killing spree!

The dead were mostly gang members, which had nothing to do with him, and it was an event more than a decade away.

However, from scattered memories, the task of protecting a gang leader as a bodyguard was no easy task, where life-and-death fights were commonplace.

Not to mention possibly encountering other Nen users hired for the same reason, even the firearms possessed by the gangs could kill someone with insufficient Nen ability.

If, as Chrollo said, he was to be appointed as one of the security members, then he must train his Nen ability to a level that could withstand bullets in a few months.

Regarding this task, Luo was not particularly resistant, as it would give him access to collectibles, and he might even encounter special ones to enhance his own abilities.

Thinking this, Luo shook his head, looking at Chrollo's back, and asked, "Setting that aside for now, are there other ways to make money?"

Chrollo's sliding finger abruptly stopped. He knew Luo was determined to make money and then help Machi and the others recover from their injuries better.

Paying three million Jenny for Machi and the others was the most he could do to help; after that, he was powerless and did not want to find more ways to help them.

The law of survival was ingrained in each of their minds, and what to do next did not need to be taught by others.

However, Luo, who was new to Meteor City, was different from them, so Chrollo knew Luo would not let Machi and the others fend for themselves.

After a moment of silence, Chrollo said indifferently, "There are countless ways to make money if you really want to, the difference is in the speed."

Luo scratched his head, seriously saying, "I'd appreciate it if you spoke plainly."

Hearing this, Chrollo didn't mind, pulling out the book he had touched and said, "The fastest way, of course, is... plundering."

"Plundering…" Luo's eyebrows raised.

Chrollo turned to look at Luo and said, "Cook's wealth is not bad; I can give you the address. With your strength, Cook's brothers probably can't do much against you."

This was a rather brute force suggestion.

Luo hesitated for a moment.

Even though he had killed Cook, Cook's cruel and cold demeanor was still deeply etched in his mind, and even a thousand cuts would not be too much. Now, to loot his money...

Truth be told, Luo found troubles quite distasteful, but Chrollo's suggestion seemed to be the fastest way to make money.

"Chrollo, actually, I have a proposal. I wonder if you'd be interested." Suppressing the impulsive thoughts swirling in his mind, Luo thought of the idea of opening a restaurant.

"Let's hear it." Chrollo walked towards the chair by the window, curious about Luo's proposal.

Luo said with enthusiasm, "How about you finance, and I put in the effort, to open a restaurant in Meteor City?"

...

Thirty minutes later, Luo stood in front of a house with a dejected expression. This was Cook's old haunt, so in the end, they came to rob the place, as for the restaurant plan...

"Why doesn't anyone believe me? Without any competitors, plus my cooking skills, opening a restaurant would surely be a hit."

Luo sighed, recalling Chrollo's incredulous expression from thirty minutes ago.

Can you imagine?

A person who usually only smiles faintly, as if nothing could disturb his calm, actually showed such an expression. Even without his following "not interested" response, that expression was already the most thorough rejection.

Since the restaurant plan fell through, the only option left was to rob.

The target was Cook's wealth, and Luo felt no guilt about it. After clearing up some concerns, he directly headed to Cook's previous stronghold.

As long as no murders occurred within Meteor City, the Elder Council wouldn't care. Although Chrollo didn't specify whether injuring people was allowed, Luo didn't need to ask in detail, as his Nen ability didn't require harming people.

If Cook's brothers were weak enough, then there was no need to use Nen at all.

Luo walked up to the door of the house and politely knocked.

Moments later, the door was violently opened by a burly man who looked down at Luo with cold eyes, not even asking his purpose, and immediately snapped, "Looking to die?"

Luo looked up at the burly man, who was conservatively estimated to be nearly two meters tall, and shook his head, "No."

The burly man's expression turned colder, as he raised his muscular arm, ready to strike immediately.

"Wait a moment." Luo extended his hand in a stopping motion.

For some reason, the burly man actually halted his action.

"Do you know what I intend to do?" Luo asked.

The burly man, still maintaining the position of raising his arm, shook his head.

"Oh, I'm here to rob."

Before his words finished, Luo concentrated a small amount of aura on his foot and then kicked the burly man, sending him flying into the house, immediately causing a commotion.

Across from the house, on a building, a red-haired youth sat on the window ledge of the third floor, witnessing this scene, his mouth curving into an exaggerated arc.

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