Semua Bab Last Man Standing: Bab 361 - Bab 370

"Hey there, Sir, Mr. Louis!" greeted Mystical Chubby with a wide, cheeky smile as he approached Howard and his companion."It's been ages, Mystical Chubby! I see your skills have sharpened once more!" Yoel greeted back, his voice warm with laughter."Oh, Mr. Louis, stop pulling my leg. Next to you, I'm just a small fry." Mystical Chubby chuckled once more.Mystical Chubby, whose real name was Donn Bruce, was a prodigy of the Rectenwald sect. At the ripe age of 22, he was not just a master of the sect's healing arts, his martial prowess had soared to the late stages of a martial knight's major mastery.After tagging along with a Rectenwald elder to the Western Region, he became a permanent fixture there, refusing to head back to the mountains. He took up the mantle of lead expert for the Western Region's Imperial Medical Team.He spent his days in leisure, happily lost among the team's nurses with no desire to return home.Then, Howard roped him in with a simple phone call to Ciol

"Wido, it's an honor to meet Master Howard!"Wido approached Howard with a deep bow, showing utmost respect.He then nodded a greeting to Yoel."Mr. Raad, you flatter me!" replied Howard with a slight smile. "What brings you here today?""Master Howard, before we proceed, I need an answer. What crime has Vihelm committed that your Shadow Sect has sentenced him to death?" Edward cut in before Wido could speak, his voice heavy with authority."Since when does the Shadow Sect owe Special Patrol an explanation for its actions?" Howard's voice turned icy."You..." A chilling aura spread from Edward."You want a fight? Bring it on, I could use a good scrap!" Mystical Chubby leaped forward."You're really asking for it!" Edward's brow furrowed, and his presence intensified."Mr. Larson, just hold your horses," Wido said with a calming wave of his hand before turning to address Howard."Master Howard, the incident with the Shadow Sect from three years back? The Central Authority has

An hour later, Howard and his companions arrived back at the Shadow Sect headquarters."Sir, I've made progress on the investigation you assigned me," Nevaeh reported as they made their way to the council hall."It's as you suspected—it's connected to the Ciolara noble family.""Are you sure?" Howard's eyes narrowed in scrutiny."Absolutely," Nevaeh confirmed. "During our crackdown on the Dark Shady Cartel's intermediaries, I took the opportunity to question Ciolara's representative myself.""He admitted that five years ago, someone had indeed approached him regarding the Ziegler family of Mendorra. Due to jurisdictional issues, they eventually directed the individual to the East District.""How can he be certain they were from a noble family?" A chill flickered in Howard's gaze."The Dark Shady Cartel always played it safe with the big jobs, vetting their clients thoroughly. But when a job came in with a payout north of a hundred fifty million bucks, they were on high alert."

"It's worth a thought," Howard mused contemplatively."It's a chance for you! Besides, the East District can't keep going on like this.""Sir, can I ask you something?" Yoel said after a brief pause. "Would you take charge of the Ciolara war department?"If you're planning on it, I'll take on the mission. If not, I'm sticking to the Western Region."Everyone in the room understood what he was getting at.If Howard was to lead Ciolara, he would need someone reliable to support him.The Western Region alone would not cut it. Even if the Northern defense was stable, it was clear that the Central domain and Southern defense were not lining up with Howard.If they could not get a grip on the Eastern defense, it would spell trouble for Howard down the line."I haven't made up my mind," Howard replied, shaking his head.Truth be told, he had had no desire to deal with Ciolara and its petty politics. Given the choice, he would rather have spent his days in the Western Region.However

In all his years, Mystical Chubby had only ever looked up to two people in medicine. One was his sister, and the other was, of course, Howard.He did not pay much mind to the old-timers of the Rectenwald sect, boasting that with a bit of time, he would leave them in the dust.The old-timers did not take his bravado to heart. They knew he was full of hot air, and they needled him from time to time—suggesting he measure up against his sister and Howard. That would usually take him down a peg."For real?" Talia's eyebrows rose in disbelief.Howard was, in fact, not joking. His serious face said it all."Cross my heart," Howard replied with a grin and a nod.They all piled into two cars and made for the park.Mystical Chubby was like a kid magnet, and on the drive over, he and Riley became fast friends.At the park, Riley stuck to Mystical Chubby like glue, playing non-stop for two hours before she finally gave him a break. She then roped Talia into seesawing with her."Caught up