Chapter 291

Oliver and his team reached the Antarctic, before they could even land they felt the strong hostility that was coming from the Leviathan. They knew that it was the Leviathan because no one could release this kind of aura except for the Legendary Creatures and the Leviathan was the closest one.

They were ready with their coats and drunk cold resistance potion. They were strong Hunters but it was better to be safe.

Oliver was the first to go out, there were no signs of life around. Oliver sighed, a little bit disappointed. He wanted to eat a polar bear but it seemed like his dreams won't be a reality.

"The Leviathan keeps releasing aura and the animals are afraid to get closer."

It is the most plausible explanation. They didn't have enough information about the Leviathan because it was always under the ocean and it was docile if no one disturbed it. Some tried to gather information but they died without accomplishing their job. Since then, the Hunter Association decided to cease their information gathering. They believed that the Leviathan was not a threat.

Although that idea was destroyed when the Leviathan started showing movements currently. The aura it was releasing was stronger. In fact, some of his teammates were having a hard time breathing.

"Those who are quite groggy, remain here and protect the ship."

Oliver announced and some tried to protest but Oliver stayed firm in his decision. They decided to go with that plan.

Oliver started walking where the suffocating aura was coming from. While they were on the way, Oliver sensed that there were other people.

He paused and signaled his team.

One of his team cast an invisible barrier that hide their bodies and presence. With this, the others would have a hard time detecting them… Except, the other people were strong Hunters, much stronger than them, aside from Oliver of course.

A flying spear made of ice drifted and almost stabbed one of them. It was fortunate that Oliver snapped the ice before it reached the poor guy.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

With just a single Skill, Oliver immediately knew who the person was. No one could create a fast attack made of ice like her.

"Heh, so the Ice Empress is here."

Oliver was surprised to see her here. Yuuki was missing for almost a year. Some people said that she died but Oliver was not stupid to believe those rumors. Yuuki is one of the people who are hard to die. Oliver could testify to that.

"… Titan."

Yuuki appeared together with a woman who was carrying a little girl. It was a bizarre grouping, especially here in Antarctica. Although Oliver had weak common sense so he didn't know, or perhaps he just didn't care. As for his teammates, they were still raising their awareness in case something happened.

"Yuuki what are you doing here?"

He asked and tried to greet her but the woman just stared at him without showing any specific reaction. She was cold, just like the first time they met in the Ranking Hall. The only time he saw her having an expression was when she was with children, she was always at ease with them.

"…"

"Okay, I made a mistake. I shouldn't have asked you. Hey you, miss, why are you here?"

Oliver asked Kaya and she didn't answer too. She didn't want to say that they were going to kill Delorio. Based on their appearance, it was obvious that Oliver and his team were here because of an important mission.

"Eh? Are these people deaf?"

He tilted his head.

"Oliver… I have something to do here."

Yuuki stated without adding any information.

"Huh, is that so… Well, sucks to be you but I have a mission here too. We are here to monitor the place, especially the Leviathan, we detected that it's starting to cause a ruckus."

Yuuki and Kaya hid their emotions well, they didn't flinch. However, one of them was still inexperienced, Shelley looked at Yuuki and Kaya as if she was probing.

"Hey, your little girl wants to say something. Hey kid, I have chocolate here. Do you want some?"

Oliver offered and a bar of chocolate appeared in his hand.

"R-Really?" Her eyes gleamed for a second but she immediately deny.

"N- No, I don't like it. Sister Yuuki said that I have to be beware of strangers."

She shook her head and denied the chocolate despite glancing at it. Yuuki had a proud expression, she took great care of Shelley. She looked at Oliver as if she was waiting to be praised.

"… You know, if you smile like that, people will start to like you."

Oliver said without bad intention, he just said it because most of the time Yuuki was always cold and expressionless.

Yuuki heard what she said and scoffed, did she blush? No. Although she was happy about getting praised.

"Ah, anyway, it seems like I already know the reason why you guys are here."

Both Kaya and Yuuki flinched.

"I heard that Yuuki is tracking the Shadow Demon, as for this woman…" Oliver glanced at Kaya.

"I know that you are hunting the Shadow Demon too. And based on the little girl's reaction, it seems that I'm right."

Oliver was sharp.

"So how about it? Start talking or else we will have a battle here."

Oliver offered his proposal, his job was to check the Leviathan and not to fight the Shadow Demon. However, if these two problems were connected, then it means that their mission was the same and they could cooperate.

Yuuki looked at Kaya and the woman nodded. They agreed that they didn't have to hide it anymore. Yuuki opened her mouth and said.

"Before I explained it, I want to kill the Shadow Demon and I don't want your help. Can you agree with that?"

"No problem."

Oliver shrugged, he didn't have a reason to reject it. He did not care about the Shadow Demon at all.

Yuuki nodded and brought out an exotic edible plant.

"I have a citrus tree here as a gift for you."

This tree was rare and Oliver started smiling.

"Hehe, thanks!!"

Yuuki was smart for bribing him with food.