Online Game: I Started with Max Charisma and Caught the Goddess's Eye-Chapter 330: The Monster Gene Serum! Let’s Find Them Some Fun! The New Family Heir!
The little girl looked up at Drumph when she heard him, her eyes gleaming with light.
"You’ve actually met Leipoder before? When?" Luca asked, a bit surprised. But then again, considering Drumph’s status, it would be odd if he hadn’t known Leipoder.
"I’ve met him twice recently," Drumph said, ruffling the little girl’s hair. He sighed and continued, "The first time was about half a month ago, when I went to the Imperial Capital for a meeting."
"It was during that conference that Leipoder was invited to become the Deputy Director of the Global Monster Research Institute. But he turned it down, saying that his research had reached a critical stage and he couldn’t afford to get involved in other projects."
"The Global Monster Research Institute..." Luca’s gaze flickered as he recalled some things. The Global Monster Research Institute was a laboratory that brought together the world’s top biologists. Even in the future, it was well-known, and many of the magical potions produced in large quantities were developed by them. He hadn’t expected Leipoder to have been invited there, and even more so, to have turned it down.
Drumph didn’t notice Luca’s change in expression and continued his recollection. "The second time I saw him was five days ago. It seemed like Leipoder had developed something extraordinary. It was some sort of... enhancement serum based on monster genes. The effects were extremely powerful. After his research results were released, they were classified as a top government secret, and even I don’t have the clearance to access it."
"Unfortunately, after that, Leipoder suddenly vanished. The officials who have been searching for him haven’t found any useful information—it’s like he vanished into thin air."
"Monster gene serum... and suddenly disappearing..." Luca muttered to himself. Now it was clear his suspicions had been correct—James Family must be trying to kidnap Tracer in order to force Leipoder’s hand.
In other words, Leipoder is with the James Family? As Luca thought about this, Drumph naturally reached the same conclusion. He furrowed his brows and said, "If it really is the James Family, then everything makes sense."
"With their family’s power, kidnapping a scientist without anyone noticing wouldn’t be too difficult. I’ll report this to the authorities and have them conduct a thorough investigation into the James Family to see if we can find any trace of Leipoder."
He was doing this not only because Leipoder was an important figure but also to help Luca divert some of the James Family’s attention.
"Thank you," Luca said, knowing the intention behind Drumph’s actions, and expressed his gratitude.
Both of them had many things to attend to, so they didn’t talk much further. After their conversation, they went their separate ways.
Before leaving, Quagmire had someone deliver a new silver-white briefcase to Luca.
Upon opening it, there was a brand new Starseeker and a pitch-black Obsidian inside.
"These are the specific coordinates of the node," the soldier who had delivered the items saluted and handed Luca a map.
Luca glanced at it and saw that the high-level node was approximately three hundred kilometers away from Shelter 102.
Such a distance could only be covered by car. Drumph had already considered this and marked a safe route for him.
Additionally, a military armored vehicle had been specially prepared for the journey, which would be more than sufficient.
Luca didn’t waste any time. After receiving the map, he temporarily left the little girl with Tuwnken and Timi, asking them to look after her for a while.
It was worth mentioning that both Timi and Tuwnken had now become auxiliary members of Morning Star. After carrying out a few missions, they would officially become full members of Morning Star.
"Where are you headed?" Tuwnken asked, puzzled, when he saw Luca leave after dropping off the girl.
Luca didn’t hide anything. "Drumph found a high-level node not far from here. I’m going to check it out. If you’re interested, you can come along. Trust me, it’ll be exciting."
"A high-level node?" Tuwnken instinctively shuddered and quickly waved his hand. "Forget it. You go ahead. I don’t want to get myself killed."
Given his current level, entering a high-level node would be like walking into a death trap. If he really went, he’d probably never come out alive.
Timi was curious about what a node was like, but her body was too weak for intense combat. If she went, she’d only be a burden, so she decided against it.
"I’m leaving the little one in your care," Luca said, not saying anything more. Under the watchful eyes of the two, he turned and walked toward the makeshift medical room.
When he arrived, Quagmire and the others were just stepping out of the medical room, their bodies wrapped in bandages.
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Both Quagmire and Fuzzsir had thick layers of bandages covering their faces and bodies, making them look like mummies. Combined with the already bandaged Melania, the three of them had an oddly comical appearance.
"What are you doing here? Got a new mission?" Donlow asked, a bit surprised.
"No," Luca shook his head. "Someone found a high-level node outside the secure zone. I’m going to check it out. Would you like to come with me?"
"A high-level node?" Upon hearing this, everyone seemed intrigued. High-level nodes were incredibly rare and difficult to find. The chances of encountering one were minimal, and entering such a node could significantly boost their abilities.
"Take me with you," Fuzzsir was the first to speak up, his face filled with excitement.
As a mage, Fuzzsir hadn’t sustained any serious injuries in Leaf City, and after a night’s rest, he had almost fully recovered.
With his personality, such a rare opportunity was something he couldn’t afford to miss.
"I’ll go too," Donlow decided without much hesitation.
Though her injuries hadn’t completely healed, thanks to the treatment from Drumph’s appointed healer, she had regained most of her strength and could easily handle self-defense.
Quagmire and Melania also wanted to join, but due to their severe injuries, they had no way of traveling to the high-level node with the others. They could only choose to stay at Shelter 102 to recover.
After confirming the personnel, Donlow and Fuzzsir eagerly climbed into the off-road vehicle that Drumph had prepared, ready to set off with Luca.
This time, Luca was the driver.
Once in the driver’s seat, he glanced at the navigation system. The location of the node was at the border between the Northern and Eastern Territories, in a city called "Sea City," about three hundred kilometers away.
Under normal circumstances, it would take about three to four hours to reach the destination, but with the monster horde outbreak, it would probably take at least half a day to get there.
"Hold on tight," Luca reminded them once the target was confirmed, and then started the engine. The black off-road vehicle sped toward the outskirts of the shelter, its tires kicking up dust, with many passersby watching as it disappeared into the distance.
Unnoticed, in the shadows of the street, a rat with eyes glowing violet watched them silently as they drove away, its gaze following them until they vanished from sight.
...
Meanwhile, in Leaf City.
Once a bustling metropolis, the city had now become a paradise for monsters, devoid of any human life.
Countless monsters roamed the streets, alleys, and buildings, creating a thick, oppressive mass that would make anyone’s skin crawl just from looking at it.
At the highest floor of the tallest building in Leaf City, Zenobia, clad in a white gown, sat atop a throne made of bones. Dark, swirling mist rose from the high-ranking monsters below her, continuously flowing into her body, strengthening her power.
Around her, countless high-ranking monsters crouched on the ground, trembling with fear, not daring to resist in the slightest, allowing their queen, the ruler of the Abyssal Demon Realm, to use them as sustenance.
"Do you want to revive Sophia..." she mused, narrowing her eyes as the scene at the secure zone unfolded before her. At the same time, Zenobia sensed the presence of Luca, recognizing the Sinful Divine Rank and the aura of Sophia on him.
However, she didn’t rush to act. For Zenobia, the most important thing right now was to subdue more monsters and restore her strength. Only then would she be able to obtain what she desired.
Of course, she wouldn’t let Luca have an easy time either.
Zenobia cast a glance at the monsters lying prostrate before her and said, "Go have some fun with them."
The high-ranking monsters shuddered in unison. Then, as if pardoned from death, they let out excited howls and surged into action.
For them, dealing with a few humans was far easier than staying here, accompanying this temperamental lady.
Before long, under the leadership of the high-ranking monsters, large groups of monsters gathered throughout Leaf City, surging like a tidal wave toward the direction of Wind City.
...
Meanwhile, at the James Family estate in the Imperial Capital.
Inside the luxurious hall, the members of the James Family stood in a tense silence.
They had just received the news from Shelter 102 and had immediately called an emergency family meeting.
"What? The Patriarch, the former Patriarch, and young Master Celephais—they’ve all been killed?" When they heard the news, every member of the James Family was stunned. It felt as if their minds had exploded. No one had expected such an outcome. Enjoy exclusive chapters from novelbuddy
"That damned bastard, no matter what, we must make Luca pay the price!" Hummer Nan, Southwind James’s real brother, slammed his fist onto the meeting table.
His eyes were bloodshot, his teeth grinding in fury. He was consumed by hatred, wishing he could tear Luca to pieces. After all, Southwind James was his only brother, and to have him killed like this was simply unbearable.
After Southwind James’s death, Hummer Nan naturally took over as the head of the James Family. But truth be told, Hummer Nan would have preferred not to take this position.
Back when the former Patriarch, Northwood James, was making the decision on who should be the head of the family, it was actually Hummer Nan who had been chosen. However, Hummer Nan had willingly stepped aside for his younger brother, Southwind James, allowing him the opportunity to become the family’s leader.
From this, it was clear that their bond, both by blood and sentiment, was far stronger than that of the other members of the family.
Now that Southwind James was gone, Hummer Nan’s hatred for Luca burned even more intensely.
Most of the people in the hall were also red-faced, seething with rage. The deaths of three generations of family heads at the hands of a single individual was a disgrace they had never experienced in the James Family’s history.
However, there was one person who was different.
