Unable to repay my student loans, I had no choice but to work part-time as a demon hunter.

Chapter 114 Charlotte's True Nature

Gordon continued to discuss matters concerning the Lundenim underworld with Ratstick.

"What do they eat underground?"

"Rats," Ratstick said something terrifying, "where there are few rats, there are many bad people."

"Oh, the rat census method." Gordon nodded to himself.

The rats underground in Lundnium are extremely sensitive to their surroundings; they know exactly where the food is and where the pollution is.

As the Blackwater Hermitage strategically retreated, the Wetfoot Men went underground en masse. They needed food, and it's quite possible they would catch rats to eat.

Therefore, in places where the number of rats has suddenly decreased, there may be a large number of fish-men active.

"Will you protect those little mice?" Gordon asked curiously.

"Mouse is working hard."

"How should I try?"

"The rat stick tells them that bad people eat rats. The smart rats run away, but the stupid rats don't listen. Some rats listen to the rat stick, and some rats bite the rat stick." The rat stick goes around in circles.

"Not bad." Gordon was satisfied. "Just do your best. But since they eat rats, you need to take care of yourself. You're so fat, well-nourished, and rich in fat; you're definitely a high-end ingredient they dream of."

Rat Stripe's chest shrank back.

"Rat strip is scary."

"You should be careful. Observe and listen carefully, but don't get too close. Your job is to investigate. You are the smartest mouse in my hands, so you must not become my dinner."

Gordon confided in it, while Ratcliffe questioned it.

"The rats do the work, but Gordon doesn't. He just stands there and directs the rats to burrow."

"I'm in charge of developing the strategy and procuring the feed, which is very important." Gordon shook the bag of feed in his hand.

"Chirp chirp." Too lazy to curse, the rat saluted Gordon and then returned to the underground world of Lundenim.

The little eye continued to burrow and dart underground in Lundenim, enjoying its rat life while silently observing the wet-footed man's every move.

From the perspective of the mouse, the city is not actually divided into above-ground and underground; it is more like the first and second floors of a house.

Since the Earl of Montfort was taking Gordon to the Source Exchange, Gordon also stayed overnight at the Montfort's house.

He lay on the bed, the mattress covered with soft down, the sheets emitting the unique scent of sunshine.

Gordon stared at the ceiling.

Many events have occurred recently: the Blackwater Hermitage, the Green Mansion, Olivia, Tobias—and finally, the Fishing King, whose tail is still nowhere to be seen.

Now he's no longer a hapless guy with student loans; he has horses, mice, an agency, and is a near-successful person.

But Gordon still cares a lot about the people around him.

For example, Charlotte's essence.

Only 7 days left until the Midsummer Festival.

Refining into the source essence means accepting a non-human tendency, a mutation, which grows in a person's flesh and nerves.

What changes will Charlotte undergo after that, and how will she view the world?

If she chooses perfection, she might become picky and intolerant of flaws.

If she chooses to dominate, she might become bossy and eventually treat everyone as pawns.

If she chooses to be ever-changing, will she be unable to recognize her original self?

Gordon rolled over, deep in thought. This was much more troublesome. Every risk existed.

Just then, he heard footsteps approaching quietly.

Charlotte stopped at the door, hesitant.

Gordon tossed out a wire, opened the door, and saw Charlotte's hand raised but not knocking.

She was wearing a light-colored nightgown, her smooth blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, and soft-soled slippers.

"What's wrong?"

"I was just passing by."

"I won't let you stop here if I'm just passing by."

"I just wanted to see if you'd be so nervous about refining the source material that you couldn't sleep." Charlotte raised her chin.

"I'm not nervous. You seem quite nervous."

"It took me a lot of courage to tell my dad that I need your help."

Charlotte climbed onto Gordon's bed, sat on the edge, straightened her skirt and embroidered quilt, and adopted a serious tone, as if she were in a meeting.

"I only said I'd give you lifetime after-sales service after making a firm decision. Others don't get this kind of treatment. I need to check you out."

Body and personality overhaul, teaching you to develop abilities, monitor pollution —

Charlotte squinted at Gordon, then turned away and grabbed a corner of the blanket.

"That's good, but I still feel a bit strange." Charlotte sat up cross-legged, hugging the blanket with both hands. "I want the power, but I'm also afraid of that day actually coming."

"No, it's normal for people to double-check before making a major decision; that's a sign of rationality. It would be strange if you knew your fate would change drastically in seven days and didn't react at all."

Do you think I'll change?

"certainly."

"So direct—"

"After being refined into Source Essence, everyone changes. But the biggest lesson I learned is that Source Essence doesn't actually change you; it just amplifies your nature. It doesn't create a new Charlotte out of thin air; it might just make this Charlotte understand better what Charlotte is—"

Charlotte remained silent for a moment.

"Hmph—" She lowered her head, "But sometimes I don't even know what my true nature is."

"I have the greatest eyes." Gordon leaned forward, meeting Charlotte's gaze. "You can trust my judgment."

"certainly."

"I know you. You are intelligent, well-mannered, and willing to muster courage when necessary. You are clearly nervous about the future, yet you still bravely made it to this moment. So I believe that your true nature is—the most adorable girl in the world."

Charlotte paused for a moment, then grabbed a pillow and slapped it at Gordon.

"How annoying!" Charlotte jumped back, then happily ran away in her slippers. "Goodnight."

"Good night."

Gordon watched her run five steps away, then return to close the door as a matter of courtesy.

Well, at least for tonight, Charlotte is still Charlotte.

He lay back down and looked out the window. The moonlight was obscured by clouds, plunging the garden into darkness. The hedges trimmed into animal shapes silently stared back at him in the darkness.

Gordon can see the essence and help Charlotte avoid risks, but he knows nothing about what she will become in the future or how the Source will affect her.

This is probably the most mysterious thing about this world; it cannot guarantee that a person will remain the same after gaining power.

The following day, the Earl of Montfort prepared to take Gordon to the Source Exchange.

The summer festival is also held there, so it's good for Golden to scout it out beforehand.

They had a cup of coffee first, then Gordon put on his investigator's trench coat and fixed his hair.

The Earl scrutinized Gordon closely.

Gordon looks well-dressed now, but it's still hard to trust him.

"————" The Earl glanced at Gordon, "You should know that only those who have made many contributions, are loyal to the emperor, and are diligent and reliable deserve this uniform."

"I am loyal beyond measure, have repeatedly shared the nation's burdens, am diligent in my work, and very reliable. But for some reason, people always seem to misunderstand me."