"What I mean... I'm attempting to convey just how exceptional you are to a researcher. I'm also enduring the torment of resisting the urge to forcefully take you back. Of course, it appears I lack the ability to do so," the woman hastily explained, endeavoring to regulate her emotions.

Another one who desires to study me?… Glen could only feel a sense of exasperation.

Previously, it was that mage named Defa, and now it was this enigmatic woman. Evidently, he was indeed of research value.

"If you have something in mind, say it promptly. My time is of great value," Glen remarked, betraying a hint of impatience.

The woman gently held up the moonstone in her hand and said, "I'm aware that you must be yearning for this in your heart, so there's no need to feign indifference. I genuinely can offer it to you without charge."

"The things that come for free are often the costliest," Glen voiced his innermost thought.

Upon hearing this, the mysterious woman was initially perplexed by this statement that seemingly defied logic. However, upon deeper reflection, she grasped the underlying truth.

Holding the moonstone and folding her arms, she chuckled softly. "You make a valid point. Well, let me disclose that this isn't truly free either. Why not hear my conditions? Trust me, the moonstone is a treasure that's extremely rare to come by. You simply mustn't miss this opportunity."

She emphasized the word "free" with particular force.

Glen exerted great effort to avert his gaze from the alluring object in her hand. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded and said, "Proceed."

The woman put away the moonstone, which brought Glen a sense of relief. However, the words that followed from her mouth took him by surprise.

"I'd like to request a favor from you. It shouldn't be overly arduous for you. I hope you could safeguard my two children on my behalf."

"Children?" Glen was bewildered.

"Yes, my children. You're acquainted with them. One is named Parindus, and the other is Aina," the woman said, her tone tinged with a hint of remorse.

Glen's eyes widened slightly. "You're their master?"

The woman let out a couple of laughs. "So, they've mentioned me. It must be Aina, I presume? She's the most guileless."

This was an admission.

Glen still harbored numerous questions. So, he said, "You want me to protect them? Can't you do it yourself? They seem to have been incessantly searching for you. Why can't you meet them?"

"The situation is complex. I'm in a precarious position myself and would only bring misfortune upon them," the woman said, her tone lacking a sense of urgency, as if she were discussing an ordinary matter.

Glen nodded. Since the woman was only revealing this much, further questioning would prove fruitless. Thus, he shifted the topic.

"You seem to know me quite well. Have you been observing me for an extended period?"

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"Not precisely observing," the woman said, gracefully stroking her chin. "I deduced your circumstances from the memories of my two children, coupled with the news of a Level - 7 werewolf in that area. Hence..."

"I understand," Glen sighed. Since it was her own inference, it indeed couldn't be considered observing him.

He then continued to inquire, "So, you can access the memories of Aina and her sibling at any time?"

"I can merely see the images and hear their words. I can't delve into their thoughts, and I must be in close proximity to do so."

"So, you've been to Bayek?"

"Yes, but I couldn't enter. I could only remain outside."

After posing these questions, Glen lapsed into thought.

He had a general understanding of the situation. Presumably, there was someone or some force that had been relentlessly pursuing or hunting this woman and Aina and the others. The adversary must be incredibly powerful.

He recalled Aina saying that they had been in the town for over a century. With such a prolonged pursuit, the nature of the enmity remained unknown.

However, he remembered that the puppet lady had come to his aid despite her brother's objections, unafraid of incurring the displeasure of the other townspeople. Glen felt indebted to them.

Even in the absence of today's events, if Aina were to be in peril, Glen would have lent a hand. In a sense, he was obtaining the moonstone without cost.

Having thought this through, Glen nodded to the woman. "Very well, I agree. But you'd best not attempt to scheme against me. I have a long - standing memory when it comes to such things."

The woman chuckled again. "I don't possess the capacity to do that. If you transform into a Level - 7 werewolf, you'll be able to discern my strength, and you'll realize that I pose no threat to you."

Glen refrained from doing so because he had already mastered the wolf - poison and enhanced his senses, vaguely discerning her strength.

Based on the Extraordinary individuals he had encountered thus far, she should be at a strength level between Level 6 and Level 7. However, it remained uncertain whether she was a mage. The energy within this woman was peculiar, neither magical power nor battle qi.

"I have faith in the integrity of Aina's master, so I won't transform to assess your strength," Glen said earnestly.

Whether the woman believed him or not was unclear. She merely regarded Glen for a moment, then retrieved the moonstone, held it delicately in both hands, and approached Glen.

"Merely carry the moonstone with you. It will expend magic power to stabilize your rationality and suppress the werewolf's ferocity," she said.

Glen was on the verge of reaching out to take it but halted upon hearing this. "Can't it be activated or deactivated manually? I could use it only when necessary."

When he transformed, he could already manage the werewolf's violent emotions. Using this would be of little use, unless it was employed to control a form above Level 7, which might be viable.

Yet, he wasn't certain if such a situation would arise. He feared that the moonlight magic power would be depleted after a few transformations in normal circumstances.

The woman seemed to fall silent. After a moment, she said, "As long as a werewolf can maintain their rationality, their combat prowess can be significantly enhanced. It will take effect when you transform. For a Level - 7 werewolf, it should be able to sustain for a few days, which is quite a substantial duration. A Level - 5 werewolf scarcely consumes any of it. You needn't be overly thrifty."

"Kindly provide me with a means to activate or deactivate it. Otherwise, I'd rather decline," Glen persisted.

The woman was silent for another moment, then, as if with great reluctance, she produced a small ball with menacing features.

She brought the moonstone close to the ball, and the ball abruptly opened its mouth filled with sharp fangs and devoured the moonstone in one gulp.

Glen nearly lost control and lunged forward to tear the ball apart, but he managed to restrain himself.

Then he heard the woman say, "This is a Bibo Fruit. It can serve as a storage pouch. The items it consumes are completely isolated from the outside world. When you don't require the moonstone, you can store it within."

Glen's eyes immediately sparkled. This was similar to a spatial ring and seemed highly convenient.

"How do I retrieve the item?" he asked as he took the ball.

"You can tickle it," the woman said, attempting to maintain a composed tone.

Glen was astonished. Gazing at the ball in his hand, he was unsure where to tickle it.

Finally, he gently tickled it on the side twice. The ball's features contorted, and then it opened its mouth and disgorged everything within.

There was only the moonstone.

"This is truly amusing," Glen found it highly fascinating.

He was about to look up and say something, but the woman had vanished without a trace.