A few days later, Chris once again set foot on the land of Middleton.
After his return, he heard countless rumors about his disappearance. To most people, Chris was already considered dead.
“I wonder if Judge and Kameda Taro are still in Middleton. If I suddenly appeared now, everyone would be shocked. But this isn’t the time for me to show myself,” Chris thought.
“The threats from Judge and Kameda Taro are still present, not to mention Ethan Stone from the Dragon Order, who’s been watching me like a hawk. If word gets out that I’m alive, I’ll become everyone’s target.”
“So, why not fake my death? Let the world believe I’m gone. That way, I can act in the shadows. When I reappear, I’ll deliver a devastating blow to Daniel Williams and everyone who stands against me.”
With that plan in mind, Chris disguised himself.
His skill in disguise was remarkable-ordinary people wouldn’t be able to recognize him, and even those familiar with him might not notice at first glance.
—
Meanwhile, at the Vance family estate, Caspian was sitting alone in the courtyard.
“Chris… I don’t know if you’re truly dead. It’s been so long without any news of you. You’re Archer Wintersong’s disciple-how could someone like you die so easily? If you’re really gone, how will I explain it to your mentor when Archer Wintersong returns? And my granddaughter, Candace… she’s fallen deeply for you. Sigh…”
Caspian let out a heavy sigh as he spoke.
Since Chris’s disappearance, the situation in Middleton had gradually calmed. Without Chris’s disruptive presence, everyone seemed to breathe a little easier.
—
“Mr. Vance, it’s been a while.”
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
“Who’s there?” Caspian shouted, instantly alert.
From the shadows, a figure emerged, clad in black. The unfamiliar face immediately caught Caspian’s attention.
This was the Vance family estate, heavily guarded with patrols everywhere. For this stranger to infiltrate meant he wasn’t ordinary.
Boom!
Caspian released a terrifying aura, his entire body exuding menace. He fixed his eyes on the stranger.
“Who are you? Why have you come here?” Caspian demanded.
The man in black chuckled. “Mr. Vance, have you already forgotten me?”
As he spoke, the man reached up and peeled off a lifelike mask, revealing a familiar face beneath.
Caspian’s eyes widened. “Chris?!”
Indeed, the man was none other than Chris, who had been missing for so long.
Instead of seeking out anyone else upon his return, Chris had come straight to Caspian.
“You brat, it really is you!” Caspian exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. “I knew you wouldn’t die. Someone like you-a troublemaker-couldn’t possibly die so easily!”
Chris grimaced. “Mr. Vance, you make it sound like I’m some sort of pest.”
Caspian chuckled, then grew curious. “Chris, why are you dressed like this?”
Chris replied calmly, “There are too many people who want me dead. I decided to fake my death and let everyone think I’m gone. This way, I can act in the shadows.”
Caspian nodded. “That’s a smart move. If everyone believes you’re dead, your enemies can’t come after you.”
Chris’s expression shifted. “Mr. Vance, I stopped by the hospital earlier but didn’t see Candace. Where is she?”
Hearing this, Caspian smiled. “Chris, Candace woke up after you disappeared.”
“What? Candace has regained consciousness?” Chris’s face lit up with joy.
Candace had been injured and fell into a coma while saving Chris. Ever since, he had carried immense guilt. Now, knowing she had woken up, he felt a heavy burden lift from his heart.
Caspian nodded. “Yes, she woke up about two weeks ago. She’s already been discharged from the hospital.”
Then, Caspian’s tone turned reproachful. “Chris, where on earth have you been? Do you know how worried everyone was while you were gone? Your wife, Candace, Tiger-they were all frantic. They sent people to look for you every day, but there was no trace of you.”
Chris looked a little embarrassed. “It wasn’t intentional. That day, I was ambushed by three assassins and fell off a cliff. The current carried me downstream…”
Chris then recounted the events of his disappearance. However, he left out any mention of Dr. Raymond, respecting the doctor’s secluded life in Peace Village. Chris didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble for him.
Caspian sighed deeply. “Chris, you’ve been through so much.”
After a moment, Chris asked, “Mr. Vance, do you have any news about Judge and Kameda Taro?”
Caspian shook his head. “Since your disappearance, it’s as if they’ve vanished from the face of the earth. I’ve sent many people to search for them, but there’s been no trace. I believe they’ve likely left Middleton.”
Chris’s expression grew serious. “Mr. Vance, this experience has made me realize how insufficient my strength is. I need to grow stronger, and fast. But I’ve hit a bottleneck, so I’ll need external help. After much thought, I’ve decided to go to Monster Camp. Can you help me arrange it?”
“What? You’re going to Monster Camp?!” Caspian exclaimed, visibly shocked.
Caspian’s face was filled with disbelief. “Chris, are you insane? Do you know what Monster Camp is?”
Chris nodded firmly. “I do.”
Monster Camp was a secret military training facility in Amerosia. Everyone who came out of it was a super-soldier.
However, the death rate in Monster Camp was staggering-almost nine out of ten didn’t survive. Even in the Amerosia military, few dared to go there.
Yet Chris, determined to grow stronger as quickly as possible, had made up his mind to go.
As a former marshal of Amerosia, Caspian had the influence to get Chris into Monster Camp without difficulty.