Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Richard Dawkins Joins the Mercenary Guild
Chapter 129: Richard Dawkins Joins the Mercenary Guild
By 6 p.m., Richard Dawkins had successfully been discharged from the hospital and returned to his ancestral home in the heart of Bluewater.
As a leading figure in the study of demonic beasts, Richard owned a traditional courtyard-style residence in the city.
In his final hours, he chose not to have his family by his side.
In the dimly lit courtyard, Richard sat on a recliner, wrapped in a blanket. His gaze wandered between the faint yellow glow of the lamp and the barren branches of an ancient banyan tree. His thoughts drifted far beyond the present.
Just before 7 p.m., he murmured softly to himself, "They should be arriving soon."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a mysterious door appeared on the old banyan tree.
A figure wearing a ghostly mask stepped out and bowed slightly, making a polite gesture for him to follow.
Richard's eyes widened in shock.
Spatial abilities?
The Mercenary Guild… it might as well be supernatural!
Struggling, Richard stood and slowly made his way toward the door.
"Great-Grandpa!"
Clara, his great-granddaughter, stepped out of the house with a tray of fruit, only to find the courtyard empty and the recliner gently rocking.
A terrified scream escaped her lips as the tray clattered to the ground, scattering fruit everywhere.
Emma Dawkins rushed into the courtyard, her expression grave as she took in the scene.
Her mind raced back to her grandfather's words: someone would come for him tonight.
Emma had been pacing near the courtyard's gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever this person might be.
But she had seen no one.
To ensure her grandfather's safety, she had been keeping an eye on the security cameras via her phone. The footage showed her grandfather reacting as though someone were present, his face revealing shock before he rose and walked toward empty air—then vanished completely.
Taking a deep breath, Emma steadied herself and said, "Clara, notify the family. Grandpa has left us."
Later That Night: 9 p.m.
The fields of demonic biology, virology, and immunology were shaken by unexpected news.
Emma Dawkins, now the head of the Dawkins family, announced to the public:
"My grandfather has passed peacefully. According to his wishes, the funeral will be kept simple."
Tributes from scholars, experts, professors, and even celebrities flooded in.
A breaking news headline read:
"A Giant Falls: A National Loss!"
"Richard Dawkins: A Hero Who Will Be Remembered by History."
"Innovator in Virology and Immunology."
"Advancing the Study of Demonic Beasts: The Foundation of a Field."
On social media, the comment sections overflowed with variations of:
"Rest in peace, Mr. Dawkins."
Many people might not have truly understood Richard's contributions, but that didn't stop them from mourning a national hero.
Meanwhile, in a Villa in Bluewater
In a villa in Bluewater City, a door abruptly materialized on the pristine white wall.
Huang Jie stepped through the doorway, guiding Richard Dawkins into the room.
Alexander and Yvette were already waiting for them.
Upon seeing Alexander, still wearing his ghostly mask, and Yvette, wearing a hound-head mask, Richard immediately cupped his hands and bowed deeply.
He understood these were the ones who had extended his life.
Yvette quickly stepped forward to steady Richard.
"Please, Mr. Dawkins, have a seat."
She helped Richard to a sofa, where he settled in.
Richard gave her a curious glance.
He had expected life in the Mercenary Guild to feel like being a dependent, but Yvette's respectful demeanor made him feel unexpectedly honored.
Alexander, too, held a deep respect for world-class scholars like Richard.
However, he didn't waste time on pleasantries. The first priority was to extend Richard's life.
The elderly scholar's condition was as fragile as a flickering candle in the wind—one misstep, and it would extinguish.
Alexander's mastery over the Soul-Soul Fruit had grown significantly. He was now able to separate fragments of his own soul to extend another person's life.
This was an extraordinary feat, requiring incredible control and compatibility with the fruit's powers.
Why would Alexander sacrifice his own lifespan to save someone else?
After all, he was powerful enough to simply drain the lifespans of ordinary people or even other awakened individuals.
The answer lay in his principles.
Alexander was ruthless with his enemies. Even a minor obstacle would be met with decisive, brutal measures.
Yet he abhorred senseless killing.
To him, bullying the weak or committing injustices without reason was a disgrace.
This was Alexander's moral boundary.
Though using his own life force came at a cost, he could replenish it by taking the lifespans of his foes or through the lives of demonic beasts.
This balance was enough to keep him steadfast in his code.
Gray, almost translucent energy appeared in Alexander's hand.
The energy surged into Richard Dawkins's body, filling him with a soothing comfort akin to parched earth soaking up life-giving rain.
Under the influence of this mysterious power, Richard's vitality visibly returned—his spirit, energy, and physical condition seemed to rejuvenate before the very eyes of those present.
Richard looked at Alexander with awe, bowing respectfully.
"Thank you, Guildmaster," he said with sincerity.
Alexander smiled warmly.
"Professor Dawkins, I've just extended your life by one year. Consider this your debt to me."
Richard's expression grew thoughtful.
One year... If my granddaughter tackles the project, it might take three years. But if I work on it myself, one year should be enough!
Alexander continued, "From now on, you will work for me. Your lifespan will be your reward. Every ten months, I will grant you an additional year of life."
He paused, his gaze piercing.
"I know you're working on a project that could determine the fate of humanity. I will provide everything you need. Should you succeed in bringing it to fruition, there will be additional rewards."
Richard's eyes widened in shock.
A year of life every ten months? This... this is nothing short of divine power!
How could such a powerful awakened individual exist in this world?
The Mercenary Guild... Why have I never heard of such an organization?
His thoughts raced as he stared at Alexander. The Guildmaster appeared to be in his twenties. But was he really so young? Or could he be an ancient being, a monster who had lived for centuries?
Was the Mercenary Guild a hidden organization that had existed for hundreds of years?
Richard stood, bowing deeply toward Alexander.
"Thank you for your generosity, Guildmaster. I will give this my utmost effort!"
As for how Alexander knew about his project, it no longer mattered.
An organization as terrifying as this was beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Alexander nodded slightly.
"From now on, these two will take care of your daily needs."
At the villa's entrance, though there was no wind, a swirl of dust suddenly appeared, revealing a middle-aged man dressed in a security uniform.
The man exuded an aura of rugged experience, bowing respectfully toward Richard.
"This is Hunter Dust Walker, responsible for guarding the estate," Alexander introduced.
Even though Richard was not an awakened combatant himself, he could tell that this man had to be a Class B awakened individual. Only those of Class B or higher possessed such profound elemental powers.
In the distance, a patch of the floor suddenly transformed into a swamp, and from it emerged a graceful woman dressed in a maid's outfit.
"This is Hunter Marsh Maiden, who will oversee your daily care," Alexander said as the woman approached.
She walked up to Richard, bowing deeply.
"From now on, I am at your service, Mr. Dawkins."
Richard remained silent, his thoughts swirling.
Both of them... Class B combat awakened individuals.
In any family or organization, a Class B individual would be treated as an honored guest.
Yet here were two Class B combatants assigned to serve him. Such extravagance—this Mercenary Guild's resources were astonishing.
Alexander checked the time, smiling as he addressed Richard.
"Recover well after your illness. Take some time to rest."
With that, Alexander, Yvette, and Jack vanished simultaneously from the villa.
Richard stared at the now-empty room, silent for a long time.
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