98: Chapter 98 Ballard, "Conquered"

Sean nodded.

He put the golden book away; the book turned into a beam of light and returned to his mind.

Ballard put her phone away and looked at Ratchet in the corner.

The woman leaned against the wall with her eyes closed; her breathing was weak, but she was still alive.

Her face was as white as paper, her lips were chapped, and her hair had turned completely white, scattered over her shoulders. She looked like an ordinary, old, dying woman.

Sean knew that without her power, she was also dying.

In fact... she wasn't really alive to begin with; it could only be said that she was being parasitized.

Elizabeth stood to the side, remaining silent and not asking Sean what that golden book was.

The three of them walked out of there in a strange atmosphere.

Walking all the way out of this terrifying hospital, Sean turned and asked, "Ballard, are those names enough for you to report back?"

Ballard nodded repeatedly. "Enough! With names, identities, and missing times, I can check the files, find the families, and confirm their identities. The case can be closed."

As she spoke, Ballard said, "Thank you."

Her voice was flat, as if she were speaking of something very ordinary.

Sean nodded. "You're welcome."

Ballard didn't speak again.

She lowered her head and stared at the names on her phone screen for a long time.

Sean thought Ballard would say a few more words, but she didn't.

That was just how Ballard was: no nonsense, no wasted emotion.

A thank you was just a thank you, without extra embellishment.

However...

The golden book soon gave the most honest reaction.

...

[Character Profile: Updated]

Name: Renee Ballard

Favorability: 90 → 100

Favorability Change Details:

You helped her find the truth +5

You helped her get thirteen names +5

You didn't ask for any reward +0 (She remembers)

You swallowed that demon and took the risk yourself +0 (She remembers)

Current Favorability: 100/100

Note: She was flat when she said thank you, but she remembers. She remembers everything you did. This woman has never owed anyone anything in her life. What she owes you, she will pay back in her own way.

In his mind, the golden book flipped to a new page.

[Detected key character favorability reached 100: Renee Ballard]

[Triggering ability awakening opportunity]

[Detecting...]

[Detection complete]

[Failed to obtain new derivative ability]

[Original ability has grown]

[Congratulations Host: Elementary Combat → Intermediate Fighting]

[Intermediate Fighting]

Type: Active/Passive Hybrid

Effect: Comprehensive improvement in fighting skills. Punching speed increased by 25%, power increased by 20%, and reaction speed increased by 20%. Added throwing techniques, joint locks, and ground fighting abilities. When facing armed attacks, evasion awareness is greatly enhanced, allowing for anticipation of the opponent's attack trajectory.

Passive Buff: When facing sudden attacks, body reaction speed increases by 25%.

New Active Skill: Vital Lock. In battle, instinctively identify the opponent's weakest links, including joints, vitals, and center of gravity, and make the optimal attack choice within 0.3 seconds.

Note: Renee Ballard served as a police officer in the Los Angeles Police Department for eight years and has been through countless close-quarters combats. She isn't the strongest, but she's the best at finding vitals.

She knows how to take down the biggest opponent with the least effort. This isn't talent; it's experience. But for you, it has become instinct.

The golden book was indeed powerful. Even without testing it, Sean could feel that when it came time to fight again, his body would move faster than his mind, his punches would be more accurate than before, and his joint locks would have the opponent on the ground before they even realized it.

This wasn't confidence brought by Self-Healing; it was a true combat instinct carved into his body.

But then again, while he was constantly growing, the golden book seemed to be doing the same.

This thing absorbed even more than what he had learned!

...

The three of them left the hospital and headed back.

Elizabeth continued to serve as the driver.

But she remained silent, hands on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road ahead, her expression very calm.

Her short blonde hair glinted with a cold white light in the light coming through the car window, and her dark red nails tapped lightly on the steering wheel.

No music, no radio; the only sounds in the car were the low hum of the engine and the sound of tires rubbing against the pavement.

Sean sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window.

He glanced at Elizabeth; it seemed like she had come for nothing this trip.

But she wasn't angry.

At least not on the surface; she was still dutifully acting as the driver, taking him back to Los Angeles.

Just as he was wondering if Elizabeth might be a bit annoyed, she suddenly spoke: "Sean, when will you come by my place for a visit?"

Sean didn't react immediately and asked, "What?"

"Where I live," Elizabeth said, her tone casual as if she were truly inviting Sean over. "The Hotel Cortez, right here in Los Angeles. That's my territory."

Sean looked at her.

Elizabeth finally turned her head and glanced at him, a hint of a smile in those gray-blue eyes.

Hmm...

She seemed full of goodwill.

"You helped me," Elizabeth said. "It's not too much to ask to buy you a drink."

Sean didn't say anything.

He knew what Elizabeth meant by "helped her."

He helped her find Ratchet, even though she didn't get anything from her.

But he had found her, so she owed him a favor.

So she was inviting him for a drink to repay the favor.

However...

Sean could sense that Elizabeth's real reason definitely wasn't just that.

But again, Sean didn't sense any malice.

So he simply nodded.

The corners of Elizabeth's mouth curled up slightly.

She turned back and continued driving.

Sean leaned back in his seat, looking out the window.

He remembered Madison warning him before she left not to get into any messy relationship with Ballard.

But seeing as the favorability was already at a hundred, Sean really couldn't guarantee that nothing would happen.

While he was thinking, Elizabeth had already driven directly to Ballard's apartment building.

It seemed her memory was very good; having been there once, she remembered it.

Sean pushed open the car door and got out. Ballard got out from the back seat and stood by the car, glancing at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth didn't turn off the engine.

She sat in the driver's seat, one hand on the wheel, turning her head to look at Sean.

There was a hint of a smile in those gray-blue eyes, faint, like the last glimmer of light at dusk.

"Tomorrow," she said, "I'll come pick you up to visit my hotel."

Sean looked at her: "What time?"

"Afternoon. I'll notify you of the specific time." She paused, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. "Dress decently. My place is more sophisticated than you imagine."

Sean nodded.

Elizabeth stepped on the gas, and the car pulled out of the alley and merged into the traffic.

The taillights flashed twice in the twilight, then disappeared into the traffic ahead.