I Just Wanted to Be a Galactic Hunter—Why Am I on the Wanted List?-Chapter 2: Hope and Nostalgia

"Is that Mr. Loren?"
The flustered woman looked toward the young man who had pushed the door open, the surprise in her eyes momentarily overwhelming her panic.
She hadn't expected the famous Mr. Loren to be such a youthful presence.
"At least on this street, no one would want to impersonate me," Loren said calmly to the woman.
Hearing this, the woman visibly relaxed, having finally found him.
Then Loren invited this somewhat reckless woman into his establishment—the "Raven Agency."
After entering the agency, the woman's eyes began wandering around.
She was examining the interior furnishings.
Trying to use the decor of his living environment, these external things, to make a preliminary judgment about what kind of person she was dealing with.
The agency's interior was primarily black in tone.
Various firearms and books were piled up in corners and near the stairs, appearing utterly chaotic.
Yet the central area of the agency appeared neat and distinctive.
A rather large antique sofa, brown in color, occupied a significant portion of the agency's space.
On the sofa's armrest lay a book with a somewhat damaged cover, suggesting its owner frequently read it.
The book's cover bore its title—"The Naturalist Sect and Environmental Protection Act."
Opposite this classical sofa stood a spacious antique desk and a chair, both black and unified.
On the desk, nothing rested except a neatly placed notebook and a revolver.
Behind the desk stood a human-sized bird nest, forged from black steel.
A rather peculiar bird nest, appearing somewhat menacing yet completely empty.
Not even a place for food, as if it were merely an odd decoration.
After her inspection, based on her knowledge, she could tell that aside from that strange bird nest, all the furnishings were high-quality items from Clear Mine City's upper district.
Seeing this, some of the worry in the woman's heart eased.
It seemed Mr. Loren was quite capable...
Having these seemingly meaningless decorations in a place like the slums—that was anything but simple.
Loren sat behind his classical, dignified desk and spoke in a calm tone:
"Madam, you may now state the purpose of your visit."
Having reached a relatively safe place, the woman finally calmed her panicked emotions.
Hearing Loren's words, she first organized her scattered thoughts.
She also seemed to need some time to consider her phrasing.
After a long moment, she slowly began:
"Mr. Loren, my name is 'Vera Sia.' I've come to find my husband."
"He disappeared seven days ago. After investigating through various channels, I discovered he was taken by the Wild Dog Gang."
"Finally, an information hunter recommended you to me, Mr. Loren."
"That information hunter told me you handle these kinds of troubles with great skill."
After listening, Loren thought for a moment about which unprofessional information hunter would recommend him to their client.
After all, his reputation in the interstellar hunter industry wasn't exactly favorable...
"Ms. Sia, I understand your purpose now," Loren said with a nod.
As for that unscrupulous information hunter, Loren couldn't quite figure out who it might be.
In this chaotic era, there were too many interstellar hunters without professional ethics—unlike himself...
"So, you've come to commission me, hoping I'll eliminate the Wild Dog Gang?" Loren continued.
Ms. Sia's expression froze momentarily, looking at Loren behind the desk with some surprise.
"No... of course not! I just want to find my husband."
Ms. Sia lowered her head, shyly expressing that she wasn't well-off financially.
"And I can't afford that many spirit stones..."
To this, Loren simply smiled slightly:
"Beautiful lady, don't worry about such things. There's a famous saying among interstellar hunters."
"Clients are the greatest wealth of interstellar hunters, and helping others is also a virtue."
Here, Loren paused, picked up the revolver placed on his desk, then continued:
"And what makes me different from other interstellar hunters is that I enjoy seeing living souls struggle and show courage."
"This six-shot revolver contains only one bullet—even I don't know where it is."
"Care to test your luck, madam?"
"Your payment can be your courage and fortune."
"After five shots, regardless of the outcome."
"Then, madam, I will accept your commission."
After speaking, Loren placed the revolver in his hand before Ms. Sia opposite him, indicating she could begin making her choice.
Then Loren sat upright behind his classical desk, watching the standing woman opposite with keen interest.
The corner of his mouth unconsciously turned upward, as if observing a work of art, anticipating her decision.
Ms. Sia's expression became conflicted. After thinking for a moment, she resolutely refused.
"No, I cannot, Mr. Loren."
"If my husband were rescued only to learn I had died, he would follow me in death."
Hearing the woman's refusal, Loren wasn't surprised.
Not everyone had the courage to face death directly—unlike himself...
Those who dared not face death still had people or things they cherished in this world.
So Loren decided to try a different approach to have this financially strained woman pay her dues.
Loren hadn't received a commission in too long; he had been bored for ages.
Due to his less-than-stellar reputation, only those driven to desperation were willing to seek out Loren...
Loren quietly retrieved the revolver containing only one bullet from the table.
At that moment.
The raven on Loren's shoulder flew down from its perch.
The raven skillfully flapped its wings, arriving before Ms. Sia.
Then with its beak, it plucked one of its black feathers and offered it to the woman.
Ms. Sia nervously accepted the black feather, uncertain what it signified.
The unknown always brings fear.
After presenting its feather, the raven flew back to Loren's shoulder and began dozing.
And at that moment, Loren stated his new requirement:
"Madam, use that revolver in your hand to end seven lives—anyone will do."
"If you can return completely unharmed, I will still accept your commission."
Ms. Sia's expression froze.
"But... this is just a feather..."
As her words faded, the black feather in her hand emitted a dazzling purple-black light.
After the glow faded.
The black feather had disappeared, replaced by a brand new black-and-gold revolver in her hand.
Faced with this marvel, Ms. Sia examined the black-and-gold revolver in her hand with amazement and curiosity.
"Is this Mr. Loren's power? Truly miraculous..." she unconsciously murmured in admiration.
"Happy hunting, madam. You have three days."
After speaking, Loren rose from behind his desk, preparing to see his guest out.
After her moment of astonishment, Ms. Sia gradually calmed down and regained her composure.
Thereafter, she firmly gripped the revolver in her hand.
This was her hope for rescuing her husband...
Seeing Loren rise to see her out, she appropriately took her leave.
However, as she was exiting the agency's main door, she suddenly remembered something.
This Ms. Sia turned back with a complicated expression and asked:
"Mr. Loren, may I ask how many bullets are in this revolver in my hand?"
Loren again revealed his gentlemanly smile, stroking the raven on his shoulder as he smilingly replied:
"Six shots. Good luck, madam."