After a quick 15-minute break, the ssenger returned downstairs and addressed the crowd, saying, "The participant with an IQ of 199 scored four gold cards in the first round and cleared five rounds in the second round, giving them a total of nine gold cards, which puts them in first place."
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Avery, their eyes filled with envy.
With a smile, the ssenger continued, "This brilliant participant not only gets to take ho their nine gold cards but can also make a request that matches their intellect."
He paused for dramatic effect before adding, "You can make your request here in front of everyone or privately, if you prefer."
Avery locked eyes with the ssenger and decided to take the plunge.
"I’ll make my request right here," she said confidently. She continued, "I want to know what you look like."
It was a surprisingly simple request, yet it ignited a wave of whispers among the onlookers.
"An IQ of 199, and this is how they choose to spend their mont? Just to see the ssenger’s face?"
"They must have everything they need; they’re not even trying to get sothing useful out of this event."
"If they could just show his face, would the ssenger still be hiding behind that mask? This request could put them in a tough spot. How intriguing."
The focus shifted back to the ssenger, who stood silent for a few seconds, weighing their options.
Then, the ssenger stepped forward, closing the gap to just a few inches. Raising their left hand to shield the crowd from view with their flowing sleeve, they pulled down their mask with the right hand and smiled.
"Did you get a good look?"
Even though the lighting was dim, Avery’s eyes widened in surprise as she took in the ssenger’s features.
To her shock, the ssenger was...
Before she could fully register it, the ssenger quickly pulled the mask back up, lowered their hand, and smoothly moved into the light, saying, "Now, I have a bounty to announce."
A hush fell over the crowd, everyone eager to hear what the ssenger had to say.
The ssenger declared, "I’m looking for cases of patients who have suddenly woken from comas for dical research. The goal is to find treatnts for awakening comatose patients. If anyone can provide a legitimate case, I can grant them a corresponding wish. You know how to contact ."
The crowd started murmuring among themselves.
"This bounty seems too easy."
"Not really. Finding a comatose patient isn’t hard, but finding one who has suddenly awakened is a different story."
"I’m a doctor, and I’ve seen many comatose patients; out of ten, if one wakes up, that’s considered a success. So, hunting for similar cases won’t be easy."
"This bounty is appealing because anyone can search for it without any special requirents. I’m willing to go from hospital to hospital asking for leads..."
anwhile, Avery quietly sipped her drink, her eyes fixed on the ssenger, sharp and focused.
"The formal activities of this gathering are now concluded," the ssenger announced. "Next, we’ll move on to the Unity Circle discussions. You can choose to leave or stay to propose bounties or seek help from others."
Avery had already heard others ntion this concept.
The Unity Circle discussions allowed participants to engage in various "trades," including resource exchanges, buying and selling information, and collaborations for mutual benefit. The ssenger wouldn’t interfere but could serve as a notary or judge, ensuring no deceit occurred between participants. This enigmatic organization was known as the "Unity Circle."
Avery didn’t have any imdiate needs that required help from others.
She turned to Alexander and asked softly, "Are you staying?"
Alexander shook his head. "Not interested, but I can stick around with you if you want."
Avery replied, "Then let’s head out."
A few people approached them, inviting them to join the Unity Circle discussions, but they politely declined.
Once they reached the lockers and grabbed their phones, they faced no obstacles at all.
However, after they had walked a good distance from the villa, soone ca running after them, shouting angrily, "Hey, wait up, you two!"
Avery stopped and turned to see Zoe sprinting toward them.
Zoe, her mask unable to conceal the fury radiating from her, stord up to them.
"You two are the ones I hired! Why didn’t you make my request after coming in first? You’ve got no professional ethics! Do you think I won’t take this to the Unity Circle and have them deal with you?" she shouted.
Avery couldn’t help but scoff, her eyes flashing with disdain.
"You think you’re worthy of my loyalty with that level of stupidity?"
She was already on the ssenger’s radar and had no intention of sticking around for any more of these gatherings, so there was no need to put on a show for Zoe anymore.
"You... you..." Zoe stamred, shock rendering her montarily speechless. "You’re just a private detective! How dare you look down on ?"
Avery raised an eyebrow, shooting back with a mocking grin.
"I might be just a private detective, but I’m a thousand tis better than you. If anything, this gathering has shown just how foolish you are! Monts ago, there were tons of participants eager to connect with us, and I have no interest in a low-tier client like you."
"You little brat!" Zoe screeched, her anger bubbling over as she clenched her fist and swung at Avery’s face.
With effortless grace, Avery leaned to the side, dodging the punch, and then stomped down hard on Zoe’s foot.
Zoe yelped in pain, bending down and hopping on one leg, cradling her injured foot.
"See? A fool is a fool. You couldn’t even hit when you were standing right in front of ," Avery laughed derisively, leaving Zoe with that parting shot as she turned to walk away with Alexander.
"Just you wait! I won’t let you get away with this!" Zoe glared at their retreating figures, determination written all over her face as she hopped back toward the Unity Circle, eager to rally others to help her deal with them.
For more than three years, Zoe had relied on the investnts for her family, tracking down her hacker ntor, Chaos, and even having Unity Circle mbers devise strategies for her to use against Avery.
But the Unity Circle looked down on her for consistently losing to the sa person. They deed her not clever enough to be among their ranks and, since she couldn’t afford to pay their fees, she remained on the outskirts of the organization.
Once outside the villa, Avery pulled out her phone, only to discover there was still no signal. The service in this area was blocked.
Alexander took out his phone as well, and as soon as he turned it on, he remarked, "My phone’s been hacked."
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