Chapter 74: [74]: Kleiber
Traveling by airship from the current continent to Yorbian, where Yorknew City is located, took several days.
Cyr didn't take on any new tasks during the journey, but he reviewed the last task he had yet to complete.
The target was Kleiber Fahl, a serial killer. Initially, his bounty was 150 million, but it had now risen to 200 million. Rumor had it that he had fled from the Balsa Archipelago all the way to the eastern part of the Yorbian continent, committing several more crimes along the way.
"This guy still hasn't been caught? Three Hunters... pathetic." Cyr scoffed, a cold laugh escaping as he recalled the details provided when he first accepted the task.
Three Hunters had spent nearly two months pursuing him and still couldn't catch him. Useless.
The airship landed at Lin Palace Airport in Yorknew City.
Cyr and Marlow disembarked and spotted a group of figures dressed in black suits standing on a clearing not far away.
It was obvious they were members of the local mafia—Yorknew City's infamous specialty.
While other cities also had mafia organizations, Yorknew was unique in that it was entirely dominated by them.
This was why the mafia held their massive annual underground auction here. After all, 90% of their auction items were... less than legal.
Hosting the event in Yorknew ensured minimal interference.
The people around them seemed entirely accustomed to the sight of mafia members everywhere. No one even batted an eye.
Even tour guides for sightseeing groups would go out of their way to introduce tourists to Yorknew City's "mafia culture."
"Sir, would you like to stay at the Pelisha estate with me?" Maro asked respectfully, a hint of hope in his tone.
Cyr glanced at him before waving dismissively. "No, I'd probably clash with your family."
From Maro's descriptions, Cyr had gathered that his father was a cold, ruthless mafia boss, and his siblings were a group of spoiled and arrogant heirs. Otherwise, they wouldn't have done something as extreme as locking Maro in a dog cage.
If Cyr accompanied Maro to the estate, it was almost certain that the family wouldn't treat him kindly.
Not that Cyr cared about their attitudes; he just knew himself well enough.
If those people treated Maro poorly, it was one thing. But if they directed that attitude at him...
"If I went with you, you'd become a real orphan pretty quickly." The white-haired, blue-eyed young man smirked, his words carrying a subtle threat.
The implication was clear: "If I went, I'd wipe out your entire family."
"...True, that kind of environment wouldn't be worthy of your presence," Maro replied without protest, smiling as he agreed.
After all, he didn't like his family either. That was why he had escaped in the first place.
"Where's the best hotel in Yorknew? I'll stay there instead," Cyr asked lazily, turning to Maro, who was familiar with the city.
"The best hotel... it's over there." Marlow naturally pointed in a specific direction.
Due to its rampant mafia culture, Yorknew had numerous abandoned buildings (most of which were sites of gruesome deaths).
During the day, the city didn't look much different from any other. The pedestrians on the streets seemed perfectly ordinary. But once night fell, those same unassuming people could very well turn out to be members of a mafia syndicate.
Underground arenas are everywhere in this city, with competitions as simple as arm wrestling.
Yorknew City has a rotten side, but it also boasts a luxurious, decadent face that stands out as one of the most opulent in their known world.
"Then I'll stay there," Cyr decided immediately.
Ten minutes later, he checked into the most luxurious hotel in Yorknew City. After escorting Cyr to his room, Maro reluctantly left, turning back every few steps.
"Kleiber Fahl... three days ago, he killed someone in a small town near Yorknew and then disappeared..."
"Most likely, he's already entered Yorknew City. It's a mafia stronghold, full of filth and crime. The police won't come here to arrest anyone, and powerful criminals are often welcomed by the mafia. They're given fake identities to evade capture. No wonder this city is called a paradise for fugitives..."
"Kleiber Fahl might have already become one of some mafia boss's henchmen."
That might make things a bit troublesome. But it could also mean more profit.
Too bad Dorink is dead—otherwise, I could've demanded compensation for emotional distress from him.
"Arm wrestling competitions, underground boxing matches... all viable options."
"Yorknew's environment is perfect for broke, desperate criminals to make a quick buck before disappearing again," Cyr muttered as he changed into clean clothes after a shower. Standing on the balcony of his luxurious top-floor suite, he gazed down at the city.
Yorknew City at night was far more beautiful than during the day. The glowing neon lights gave the city a dreamy quality.
Looking down at the vibrant city from this height sparked an inexplicable urge.
To jump.
Jump down.
And immerse himself in the bustling chaos of the city.
Cyr leaned on the balcony railing with one hand, then vaulted over it, leaping downwards.
The full moon hung high in the sky, its gentle glow illuminating the scene. Against the dark night, the fleeting silhouette of a white-haired figure was barely noticeable.
The sound of wind rushed past his ears, his clothes flapped wildly, and his hair stood up from the force.
But Cyr smiled, his expression light and carefree.
As he neared the ground, he spun several times to dissipate most of the impact, landing gracefully amidst the crowd.
A group of pedestrians stared upward in shock, puzzled about why someone had just fallen from the sky.
Cyr smoothed his hair, pulled up the hood of his sweatshirt, and blended into the crowd.
"I knew it would be fun jumping from that height."
An extreme sport, exhilarating and entertaining.
When he was being chased in Meteor City, he'd found it just as thrilling. The terrain there made running feel like parkour.
This time, it felt more like bungee jumping—the only difference being that he didn't use a rope.
Next time, he mused, he could try jumping off an airship with an umbrella. Would that count as skydiving?
His steps were light and full of joy, and the upward curve of his lips showed just how delighted he was.
Walking down the crowded streets, observing the surrounding shops, Cyr showed no sign of impatience.
He casually followed a few rough-looking individuals—ordinary in attire but with good builds and fierce expressions—and easily located one of the so-called underground fight rings.
Unlike the formal setting of Heaven's Arena, this place offered only a small makeshift ring, surrounded by tiers of steps where spectators sat or stood to watch the matches.
As soon as Cyr stepped inside, the pungent mix of cigarette smoke, cheap perfume, and low-quality alcohol assaulted his senses.
The fighters here were ordinary—so ordinary that Cyr instantly dismissed the idea of stepping into the ring for fun.
After watching two matches, boredom crept in, and he was just about to leave when a new man entered the ring.
Short red-brown hair, reddish-brown eyes, pale skin.
Kleiber Fahl?
Why is this guy participating in a fight ring?
Shouldn't he already be working as some mafia boss's bodyguard?
Cyr's gaze locked onto the newcomer, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Do your best, my darling doggie~"
A sultry woman with a curvaceous figure, dressed in a spaghetti-strap dress, waved lazily at the man in the ring. Her hair was tied up elegantly, and her demeanor exuded seductive charm.
To Cyr's amusement, the A-class wanted criminal, known for murdering women, responded to her with wide, puppy-like eyes practically sparkling with pink hearts.
"Oh, now this is getting interesting," Cyr murmured with amusement, taking a seat at the side. He crossed his legs and settled in to watch what would happen next.
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