Someone's coming?

At Bruno's words, Elise turned her head and looked toward the bathroom door. It was closed, and there was no sound of footsteps.

She was a 3-stage Warlock-Warrior with both high-rank Breathing Technique and Meditation Technique. If someone were outside, she would definitely sense them.

"Are you trying to change the subject?" A slight smile curved at the corner of Elise's mouth.

Right now, she felt incredibly relaxed and happy. After all, her mother's illness now had hope, and Bruno was not what she'd expected.

She remembered back at Bar 19, when she made that move. Bruno had acted calm and natural, but she knew deep down, Bruno wasn't the kind of guy driven by crude lust.

In the most helpless moments, the one who gives her hope deserves her full return.

Elise had prayed to the gods, but it seemed like they couldn't hear her pain or pleas.

Bruno saw it. He heard it. And now, he was about to make it happen.

Elise took a deep breath. If Bruno truly wanted it, she wouldn't mind. She'd try her best to stay silent, that's all.

Just then, a knock on the door abruptly interrupted Elise's thoughts.

She stared at Bruno in surprise. She hadn't expected Bruno's mental strength to be stronger than hers, even though she was a 3-stage Warlock-Warrior with Meditation Technique at high rank.

"Let's go," Bruno said as he walked out of the bathroom. Elise hurriedly followed.

By the time she reached the hallway, the door to the hospital room had been opened.

A young man stood there, his eyes wide in shock as he watched Bruno and Elise walk out of the bathroom one after the other. Especially with the slight flush on Elise's face, which seemed... unusual.

"Elise, what... what did you do?" The man fixed his eyes on Elise, his tone full of accusation.

Elise didn't answer him. She quickly walked to Bruno's side and whispered, "Lyle, from the God-King Cult."

Seeing Elise ignore him, Lyle turned his gaze to Bruno. His expression clearly showed his displeasure. He spoke up, "Who are you? How is Elise with you?"

Bruno calmly responded, "Before you ask someone else's name, you should introduce yourself first. It's basic courtesy, don't you think?"

Lyle's eyes widened, and he scolded, "A mere 4-stage Warlock-Warrior dares to speak to me like that? Didn't Elise tell you about my background?"

"Kid, you don't know the strength of the God-King Cult, do you?"

Bruno knew the other person could see through his strength. The reason was simple—he hadn't activated his mental energy, nor had he used Bone of the Dead to hide his presence.

"4-stage? How is that possible?" Elise's eyes instantly widened. She remembered when she first met Bruno, he was still a 2-stage Warlock-Warrior.

In just a few days, Bruno had become a 4-stage Warlock-Warrior and was even refining his bones?

His talent must be even stronger than hers!

Elise gently tugged at Bruno's sleeve and whispered, "Mister Hornes, it's better not to mess with the God-King Cult."

At first, Bruno didn't want to get involved with the God-King Cult. Although they worshipped the god Zeus, they were still considered a cult in the eyes of the Federation.

His real combat power wasn't that strong yet. The God-King Cult, the Federation's Bureau of Investigation, and even the ruler of Sunset City, Stanford Count, were all not people he could afford to provoke.

But while Bruno couldn't, Great Elder Alex could!

Alex, from the mysterious and ancient Sanctum of All Phenomena, wouldn't be afraid of the God-King Cult.

So, facing Lyle's provocation, Bruno just replied calmly:

"This is Sunset City in the Kingdom of Anlaine. Don't you people from the God-King Cult fear the Bureau of Investigation?"

Lyle instantly turned his head, scanning the surroundings. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes. He snapped:

"You're not from the Bureau! A mere 4-stage Warlock-Warrior dares to threaten me? I'm a 5-stage Warlock-Warrior!"

As he spoke, Lyle's aura exploded. His muscles swelled, and his skin became hard and tough, radiating an overwhelming pressure.

Seeing this, Elise didn't hesitate for a moment. She stepped directly in front of Bruno. Even though she was only a 3-stage Warlock-Warrior, she knew exactly who could heal her mother.

The God-King Cult had told her they could heal her mother's rot, but they hadn't taken any action.

On the other hand, Bruno had only just met her mother and had already improved her condition significantly.

So, Bruno couldn't be harmed.

Just as Lyle was about to strike, Bruno calmly said, "A regular 4-stage Warlock-Warrior would indeed be easily oppressed by you, but I'm not just anyone."

"Bruno Hornes, disciple of Nell Gaston."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lyle's aura suddenly weakened, as if he had been choked. His expression turned ugly.

"Nell Gaston? So what? The power of the God-King Cult is beyond your imagination. The great King of the Gods, Zeus, has granted us the right to save all!"

"Kid, you should be grateful I'm not from The Western Church of the God-King. If I were, you'd already be dead."

Lyle's words were harsh, but he quietly backed off.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Bruno's mouth. As expected, mentioning Master Nell's name worked— even the God-King Cult people were afraid of him.

"If I were you, I'd leave now. It's the best choice, because the Bureau of Investigation has been keeping an eye on this place," Bruno said with a smile.

Back at the hospital in District 8, he'd seen that bearded man— he was probably from the Bureau of Investigation. They had sent someone to follow him and Elise, which meant they were likely watching them closely. Bruno guessed they were waiting to make their move, probably hoping to track down Lyle's connections by going after him first.

"Hmph, Elise, you better think carefully. Your mother's illness can only be cured by us, the Eastern Church of the God-King. The Spring-Born Alchemy Tonic is produced only five drops per year in the entire Federation, and even if you have the money, you can't buy it!" Lyle said, lifting his chin.

Elise shook her head firmly and replied, "There are other ways to treat the rotting disease. I've already found a way to fully cure my mother. Keep your cult's potion."

An unknown Spring-Born Alchemy Tonic couldn't compare to what Bruno had already done—just his actions earlier had already improved her mother's condition greatly. Elise knew who she could trust more.

Lyle couldn't believe it. The one thing he thought he could use to bargain with had been completely ignored by Elise.

The Spring-Born Alchemy Tonic could indeed cure the Nidhogg's Breath, but beyond that, only the Great Elder could help.

The latter was obviously an even more unlikely option for Elise.

Was it possible that Nell Gaston's disciple was trying to drag Nell into this?

Lyle's eyes narrowed.

It was well-known that the most dangerous person in Sunset City wasn't Stanford Count—it was Nell Gaston.

The Eastern Church of the God-King didn't get involved with Nell, nor did it get involved with Gaston's dojo. So, according to the unspoken agreement between them, Nell wouldn't interfere with the God-King Cult's actions.

As for The Western Church of the God-King, those lunatics were nothing more than trouble. Nell had enemies among them, and he would act against them whenever he knew about their moves.

"Bruno, is it? You don't really think you can convince Mr. Nell to help cure Elise's mother, do you?"

"Don't dream. That's impossible. Right now, in all of Sunset City, the only ones who can cure the rotting disease are us, the Eastern Church of the God-King!" Lyle's face spread into a smug grin.

He turned to Elise, adding, "Miss Elise, never mind the rotting disease. With your Meditation Technique now at High Rank, don't you sometimes feel your heart racing, like it's about to burst out of your chest?"

Elise's expression changed slightly. She had indeed felt that way a few times.

"The Fire of Prometheus is a divine artifact. If it stays inside you much longer, it will put your life in danger."

"But don't worry. The Eastern Church of the God-King will help you, of course, I will too," Lyle said with a smile.

The Eastern Church of the God-King needed the Fire of Prometheus, and Lyle had his eyes on Elise.

But he didn't expect that just when everything was almost finished, a Bruno would suddenly appear.

No problem, though— even Nell's disciple couldn't change Elise's fate.

Just then, Bruno spoke up, calm and steady, "The Eastern Church of the God-King should stay out of Elise's business."

Lyle froze, staring at Bruno in disbelief. "What a big mouth. Don't think just because your teacher is Nell, you have the right to say such things!"

"If you keep talking like that, I'll teach you a lesson!"

According to the high command of the Eastern Church of the God-King, they were advised not to provoke Nell or Gaston's dojo. But in this case, Lyle thought, teaching Bruno a lesson shouldn't be a problem.

He was getting excited. This was the perfect chance to show off his strength in front of Elise.

"I'm not the one talking big, it's just... never mind. You'll understand in a moment." Bruno pulled out his communicator and walked into the bathroom.

Lyle stood there for a moment, then scoffed, turning to Elise with a sneer.

"This is who you trust? Pathetic, hiding like that."

"Elise, your time is running out."

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