The strongest hunter... Klein was stunned by this title. After careful thought, he realized the other had no bounty.
In other words, Anderson Hood's self-statement in the dream world was reliable; he was more of a treasure hunter!
Unfortunately, Gerhman Sparrow had yet to kill any Pirate Admiral; otherwise, I would be the strongest hunter... Klein didn't relax his vigilance, staring coldly at the man opposite.
As long as Anderson Hood showed any abnormality, he would immediately throw the charm in his hand. After all, the activation incantation was the same; at his current Sequence, he could infuse spirituality simultaneously.
Hearing the "Star Admiral's" introduction, Anderson shook his head seriously: "No, not the strongest hunter."
Yo, pretty modest... Klein commented inwardly.
Anderson chuckled and added: "If the 'Star Admiral' insists, it's best to add a qualifier: below demigod. "Mm, the strongest hunter below demigod."
...I take back what I just said... Klein's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
Seeing that the "Star Admiral" didn't respond, Anderson let his hands drop naturally and said: "This sea region is dangerous, but it also hides many treasures. I believe you both know that well.
"Many adventurers, or more precisely, treasure hunters, entered here seeking adventure, but most didn't leave alive. Heh, I said most; there are definitely some lucky ones who both gained items and materials and managed to leave safely.
"This treasure-hunting group was organized by two treasure hunters with experience in this area. They claimed that for the first half of the safe route, they had figured out which ruins were safe to explore, which relics could be attempted, which monsters should be hunted with what methods, and which out-of-control aberrant creatures must be avoided with certain techniques.
"I've always been curious about this place, and they managed to convince me to join their treasure hunt."
"And then?" The "Star Admiral" Cattleya, with her dark-purplish black eyes, had long since reflected the figure opposite.
Anderson sighed and said: "It started smoothly, really smoothly. We avoided dangers, obtained many relics from previous explorers, hunted some monsters, and gained several materials.
"The turning point came when we discovered a strange temple on a flooded island. There were many well-preserved murals there. This gentleman also saw them in the dream world."
He used his chin to point at Klein.
"That's not the point," Klein replied calmly.
Anderson shook his head with a bitter smile: "One of the murals was very eerie. It depicted a pilgrimage procession moving through parted seawater.
"The leader of this procession was depicted as an angel, with long silver hair down to his vest, and very delicate features.
"I was the first to reach that mural. I extended my right hand and habitually traced some lines in the air. Honestly, I didn't touch it—there was at least five centimeters distance. But who would have thought, at that moment, the angel in the painting seemed to open its eyes..."
...Your title of strongest hunter must have been forced on you because you stir up so many troubles... Klein sneered silently, without a shred of sympathy.
"A silver-haired angel?" Cattleya asked back.
"Yes, but I don't know which angel this is. At least, it hasn't appeared in the paintings of the seven major churches. Of course, maybe the mural artist added it at will; it might not be real." Anderson was about to raise his hand to smooth his hair, but he noticed that the man across from him—wearing a crewneck shirt, a brown jacket, and a peaked cap—was watching him coldly, as if he would attack without hesitation at the slightest unusual move.
At that moment, Klein was thinking something else: "This guy is really professional in art; at least ordinary people can't be so familiar with so many religious paintings."
Not getting a valid answer, Cattleya turned to look at Klein, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.
She had just heard Anderson Hood say that Gerhman Sparrow had seen that mural.
Perhaps this member of the organization blessed by the Lord could recognize which angel it was... The "Star Admiral" Cattleya inexplicably felt that Gerhman Sparrow might actually know the answer.
Thinking that the "Hermit" lady could casually ask and get an answer at the next Tarot gathering, Klein didn't hide it and simply said: "Ouroboros, the Devourer of Tails."
"Ouroboros, the Devourer of Tails?" The "Angel of Fate"? That King of Angels? Cattleya's lips unconsciously pressed together, and the purple in her eyes seemed more pronounced.
She had last heard that name at the Tarot gathering, thanks to Miss Justice's information.
That was the first time she had learned of the existence of the King of Angels; she hadn't expected to encounter clues in the real world just a few months later!
"Ouroboros, the Devourer of Tails?" Anderson mumbled the name, somewhat bewildered.
Klein didn't say anything else, looking like he wasn't interested in explaining.
Seeing that the "Star Admiral" also didn't speak, Anderson had to laugh and continued: "At that time, I thought it was an illusion, because the mural showed no further abnormalities afterward.
"Then, our team split into two factions. Most were scared by my description and thought we shouldn't explore that temple. The remaining third, eager to gain more treasures, set out into the depths of the temple. We waited for an entire day, through three alternations of noon and night, but they never came back."