Yama Reborn Chapter 413 - 410 [Since We’re Here]

Chapter 410 Since We’re Here

Selina’s residence was at a camp not far from the bar. As a regular in this camp for adventurers and travelers over the past year, Selina, with her lavish spending, naturally had her own exclusive dwelling here year-round.

Well, it was actually a semi-permanent tent—to be precise, a set of them.

When Chen Nuo followed her back, he found the place actually looked very professional.

In one of the outer tents, there was heating equipnt. The table was covered with various maps of Antarctica, coordinates of supply points, and the maps were marked with all kinds of symbols, probably only comprehensible to Selina herself. A mobile whiteboard was placed on the side, also covered in various written symbols, including nas and coordinates. On the ground, there was equipnt laid out: empty oxygen tanks, cold-weather gear, supply packs, and things like ice axes.

Selina clearly had no intention of letting Chen Nuo into the inner tent—that was where she slept.

Seeing this, Chen Nuo felt sowhat moved.This woman really could endure hardship. No matter how much money she threw around, life in this place was quite tough. The living and eating conditions were far from comparable to those outside. The food was one thing, but the comfort level of the accommodations was even more incomparable. Days spent sleeping in a tent would be unacceptable to the average person. Although the heating equipnt was complete...

Don’t forget, this is King George Island, the closest to Antarctica. But life was still tough here. Just to ntion a simple detail: there were no flushing toilets in this place. Even though tents could be erected on the island, fitted with heating equipnt, and all kinds of supplies could be transported, a full-scale sewage system wasn’t possible—the ground was permafrost! Heavy excavation equipnt was also difficult to transport in.

"You haven’t lived here the whole year, have you?" Chen Nuo sat down on a simple folding chair in the outer tent, looked around at the environnt, and asked with a wry smile.

Selina casually removed her cold-weather gear and tossed it aside. She then produced two bottles of beer, tossing one to Chen Nuo. She twisted off her cap, took a sip, and shook her head. "Not the whole ti. Each ti I set foot in Antarctica for a search mission, it takes a month. After coming back, I need to find a place to recuperate and recover. I would choose to leave King George Island and stay in South Arica for a while. Then there’s hiring guides, renting equipnt, and planning the next search route. Once a new action plan is formulated, I arrive on King George Island half a month in advance to acclimatize and prepare for departure."

Chen Nuo did so quick ntal calculations—that was quite impressive. It ant she had spent more than half of the past year in Antarctica.

"If it were you, you’d do the sa," Selina said nonchalantly.

"Alright, what exactly happened to Vanel?"

Selina glared. "You... don’t know?!"

Chen Nuo imdiately waved his hand. "Okay, now’s not the ti to make a fuss. The urgent matter at hand is to exchange what we each know to save ti. You go ahead and tell what you know, then I’ll share mine."

Selina, after all, was a forr rcenary and an elite mber of that world. She quickly suppressed her emotional fluctuations. This female rcenary’s ability to express herself was still very strong. In her career, an extrely important professional skill was to grasp the essentials when exchanging intelligence.

"After I left Huaxia, Vanel arranged a new identity for and I joined his organization. However, because of the Octopus Monster’s intelligence gathering on their South Arica operation, I, as a survivor, couldn’t show my face. So, Vanel assigned to work in logistics, hiding in a safe area and maintaining a safe house."

Chen Nuo nodded.

Then Selina began to talk about what happened next.

When Selina ntioned the ti of Vanel’s disappearance, Chen Nuo raised his eyebrows.

So it seems Vanel never went back after the Antarctic operation ended? He vanished completely?But... one thing Chen Nuo was certain of before: Vanel had managed to escape the base’s Red Circle!There were three survivors: Vanel, Nolan, and the female Ability User, Rebecca.Up until today, Chen Nuo had always thought that Vanel probably went back undercover in the Octopus Monster organization.

However, Chen Nuo did not interrupt Selina, choosing instead to listen.

Afterward, Selina started talking about how she had made several inquiries and then ca to Antarctica to search...

「A few minutes later...」

"You’re saying you saw half a year ago?" Chen Nuo finally could not help but interrupt.

"Yes, in an underground glacier."

Chen Nuo’s face imdiately turned grim.

Selina briefly recounted the situation at that ti. She recounted her descent into the glacier, her discovery of Chen Nuo frozen inside, and finally, the appearance of a mysterious little boy.

"You an, the little boy?"

Chen Nuo said with a bitter smile, "Young, quite thin, big eyes, and... his hair is a bit curly?"

"Yes. From his appearance, he’s a typical representation of Central and South Arican racial features," Selina imdiately nodded. "Moreover, his abilities are very strong. Although I couldn’t tell exactly how strong, he’s certainly not soone I can contend with."

"He told you that Vanel is still alive? Said it himself?"

"Said it himself," Selina nodded. "He said Vanel is alive, but in a special situation, so he won’t be returning for now."

Chen Nuo understood. He thought for a mont and asked, "So... because of his words, you think Vanel might be in the sa state I was, perhaps also frozen sowhere in Antarctica’s glaciers?"

"Yes!" Selina clenched her teeth. "Although that little boy told not to worry... how could I not worry! At that ti, I couldn’t contend with him, so... even though I found you, I couldn’t rescue you. I..."

Okay, Selina was actually a bit embarrassed, and her explanation was rather vague.

Chen Nuo nodded. "It’s okay. That guy wouldn’t hurt ."

However, it was clear that this woman hadn’t given up looking for Vanel, so she had been trying hard for the past half year.

After pondering for a mont, Chen Nuo offered so words of comfort to Selina. "That little boy you ntioned has a sowhat special identity, and I can’t explain it clearly to you. Anyway... if he told you that Vanel isn’t dead, then on that point, he wouldn’t lie to you. Davarishi is probably truly still alive."

"Even if he is alive, if he’s frozen like you were, I can’t just stand by and do nothing, can I?"

That made sense...

Chen Nuo shook his head. "I’ll figure out a way to ask that guy for clarification. Vanel is a good friend of mine, and I won’t ignore his plight."

Selina did not hide her special relationship with Vanel.

Nor did Chen Nuo find it surprising.It seed quite fitting.A Russian bear of a man matched well with a fierce female rcenary.Quite good.

"If I hadn’t t you, I would have set out for Antarctica again in two weeks," Selina said slowly. "Now..."

"Now, of course, there’s no need," Chen Nuo shook his head. "I think that little boy’s words are trustworthy. Continuing to search Antarctica would be futile; there’s no need for such actions."

"What exactly is your relationship with that boy?" Selina pressed, then added, "I don’t an to pry into your secrets, but this matter concerns Vanel’s life and death! If you don’t make it clear, I can’t be at ease."

"As for that guy’s exact identity, I’m not in a position to say. But I trust his intentions—so far, at least, he doesn’t seem to have any hostile intentions towards us. Of this, I am certain! I can only tell you that, in my judgnt, he is trustworthy. So Vanel is definitely still alive. As for the exact situation, I’ll have to wait until I’ve asked him."

After hearing Chen Nuo’s words, Selina felt slightly reassured—but only slightly. Until she found Vanel, this female rcenary wouldn’t be able to rest easy.

"Think about it from another angle: if he really had ill intentions when you found and encountered him, he could have killed you on the spot to prevent future trouble."

"I understand everything you’re saying," Selina sighed. "I’ve thought of it myself. But... since it’s not happening to you, you might not understand. Until I find Vanel, I can’t truly be at ease, no matter what anyone says."

Chen Nuo could understand that.Changing perspectives, if it were Lu Xixi or Sun Keke who disappeared, he too would search for them relentlessly.If soone told him ’they’re still alive,’ would he really just go ho without continuing the search?Impossible.

"I really can’t do much, but I can’t stand just going back like this. So, even if it’s futile, even if hope is slim, I can only continue searching. Otherwise, even if I went back, I wouldn’t be able to rest easy, not for a single day."

Speaking in a numb tone, Selina looked at Chen Nuo. "What about you? How did you end up trapped? I an... perhaps the situation in which Vanel is trapped is similar to yours."

"Originally, Vanel and I joined an Octopus Monster organization’s mission to Antarctica. That mission had many unexpected incidents, and eventually, so things happened. I managed to send Vanel and two others out. But I was tricked by a damned bastard and ended up trapped. So, I find this very suspicious, especially since... I am certain that Davarishi should have escaped along with the other two at that ti. Plus, a few days ago, I saw one of the escapees."

Chen Nuo said this and shook his head.

The one who had trapped him back then was that old bastard, Corot.But Corot had good reasons to trap him and absolutely no reason to harm Vanel.Corot also hadn’t ntioned anything like that to him.So, it surely wasn’t Corot’s doing.

Those who were in Antarctica at the ti...Excluding Corot...Seed most likely wasn’t the one either. Considering Seed’s identity, he is a Seed, evolving towards the path of the Mother.To speak a harsh truth, Vanel wasn’t on a level that would require Seed to get his hands dirty.So, considering everything, it could only be related to the Octopus Monster.

The three escapees!If Vanel had disappeared, then the first ones to question about the situation would have to be the other two escapees—Rebecca and... Nolan!

Selina wasn’t a fool. She pondered Chen Nuo’s words for a mont, then understood what he ant.

"Where did you see the other escapee?"

"Tokyo."

"Then I’ll set off for Tokyo imdiately!"

Chen Nuo sighed. This woman’s initiative is just too strong. He shook his head to stop her. "That woman is probably working for the Octopus Monster now, and she only showed up in Tokyo for a brief mont. Where she is now, I have no idea."

When it ca to the Octopus Monster, Selina also felt sowhat helpless. She wasn’t just a lowly rcenary. Although she was formidable by ordinary standards, compared to a colossal entity like the Octopus Monster, a rcenary was truly insignificant.

"I remind you, even if you find that woman, you are not her match. She’s an Ability User, and her strength is quite remarkable." Chen Nuo added, "So, my advice to you is not to act recklessly. We should wait until I find Seed—oh, Seed is the little boy you’ve t. He’s actually not as young as he looks; this guy is an old monster."

Selina gave Chen Nuo a look. "...You people are all monsters."

Chen Nuo gave a wry smile, not arguing the point.

Well, what this woman said, from a certain perspective, seed to be not wrong.However...

After so thought, Chen Nuo frowned and said, "You’ve been in Antarctica for so long and done so much searching... Hasn’t anyone noticed anything? No one’s given you any trouble?"

"...No," Selina shook her head.

That was a bit strange.

Chen Nuo frowned. Selina’s search operations were effectively targeting the Octopus Monster’s Antarctic mission. Inevitably, much of her searching and intelligence gathering would point to the Octopus Monster’s secrets. The Octopus Monster definitely considered that Antarctic incident classified. Xicheng Xun, also known as Little Blueberry, was caught in Japan after investigating for only a few days. Yet Selina, this woman who had been in Antarctica for more than half a year, hadn’t been discovered by the Octopus Monster? No one had caused her any trouble?

This was highly suspicious.

Chen Nuo’s gaze returned to the map on the whiteboard. A particularly highlighted area was obviously the base he had visited before—the Red Circle!

Chen Nuo looked left and right... He felt as if he were overlooking sothing.But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t rember what it was.

After finishing her beer, Selina asked again, "What are you doing in Antarctica this ti?"

"I’m here... to find sothing," Chen Nuo sighed.

"Going to Antarctica?"

"No, to sea," Chen Nuo shook his head. "I need to find a ship and one or two guides familiar with the nearby waters."

After hearing this, Selina also furrowed her brows. "If you were going to Antarctica, I could offer so help. I’ve been there three tis in this past half-year, so I’m quite familiar with it. I can introduce you to equipnt and professional guides. But if it’s the sea..." Selina thought for a mont, then shook her head. "I can’t help you. However, I can introduce you to soone."

"Oh?"

"When I first ca to Antarctica, I was in the dark about everything. But I t soone, an old hand here, very familiar with this place. I initially joined other people’s expeditions to Antarctica; later, I simply organized my own. The gear, equipnt, supplies, as well as guides and professional personnel, were all introduced to by that person. He’s very familiar with the area, and after several collaborations, he should be reliable."

"Are you talking about that bar owner?"

"No." Selina sounded sowhat disdainful. "The bar owner handles that type of business too, but they’re more about scamming rich people with money to burn. Besides, the so-called professional guides they find are just comrcial agencies running Antarctic adventure travel services, adding an extra layer of agency fees. They also can’t get their hands on so of the special gear. The guy I know can procure many items that you can’t find on the market."

Chen Nuo was intrigued. "How did you et such a person?"

"After my first venture to Antarctica—the ti I found you—I ca back, unwilling to give up and still wanting to continue the search. Then, in an adventurers’ organization, I t that guy... Well, more specific details aren’t important right now. I happen to have scheduled a eting with him tomorrow. Tomorrow, you can co with to et him, and you can talk to him yourself then."

「The following evening.」

Chen Nuo and Selina set out together to et the person she had ntioned. The eting place was still the bar frequented by adventurers.

When they entered the bar, business was already booming, with half of the seats occupied.

Chen Nuo smiled. "Is life here so dull that everyone cos to drink before it even gets dark?"

"The weather is cold here, and there aren’t many other entertainnt venues, so drinking has beco the most popular activity," Selina explained.

As they walked past the bar, the bartender saw them coming together and secretly gave Chen Nuo a thumbs-up.

The person Selina had arranged to et was sitting at a table in the bar—the sa spot where she had encountered Chen Nuo the night before.

As they approached, Chen Nuo’s expression changed significantly upon seeing the person’s profile. When they arrived and Selina stopped, the person at the table turned to look at them, a serene smile on their face...

Selina said slowly, "I brought a friend of mine. He’s planning an adventure soon and needs so equipnt and manpower, so I brought him over."

The person at the table slowly stood up, nodded to Chen Nuo, and bowed slightly.

Chen Nuo took a deep breath. At that mont, he suddenly understood the feeling he had last night—the sense that he had overlooked sothing important.

Where had this thought co from?From last year’s Antarctica incident, the final survivors, apart from Vanel, Nolan, and the female Ability User Rebecca...There was actually a fourth person!Moreover, this fourth person was soone he had personally helped escape by activating his ’teleportation’ ability at the last mont, pulling them through the spatial jump!However, at the ti, Corot had tricked him, leading to his capture.But for so reason, from that mont until his own escape and return to Huaxia...Over all this ti, he had unwittingly and persistently omitted this person from his mind!As if completely forgotten!This was extrely unusual!How could an Ability User known for his spiritual power be so forgetful?!

That Japanese man, Kamisou Ichiro!

Kamisou Ichiro stood before the table, smiling at them. Clearly, his gaze lingered on Selina for only a brief mont before settling on Chen Nuo.

"Reunions after a long absence are always a pleasant affair... Sir, we et again!" he said.

Chen Nuo’s expression changed once more!

Reunions after a long absence?Again? We et again?This guy had seen through his disguise!And at a single glance?But that’s not right!The last ti he saw him, he had consistently appeared as "Anderson" in front of this man! A mber of the Abyss Organization, the Captain’s subordinate, Anderson.That was the alias he had presented to this man before.Even if this guy could see through his current disguise...How could he recognize him?And moreover...The very fact that Kamisou Ichiro was here was strange enough. And to appear as an ally of Selina!

Suppressing the emotions in his heart, Chen Nuo remained silent.

But Selina’s expression also changed. "Do you... know each other?"

"Of course. Chen-san and I are old friends," Kamisou Ichiro smiled.

Now, even Selina’s expression shifted!

Chen-san!This Kamisou Ichiro could actually recognize Chen Nuo’s real identity?!

The female rcenary was on high alert, but Chen Nuo suddenly put a hand on Selina’s shoulder, a strange smile on his face. "Let’s sit down and talk... Anyway... We’re already here."