The Highest Bounty

Chapter 98: Actually, I’m Only Seventeen

“Seizing someone’s abilities? I’ve never heard of that. Is it really possible? I always thought it was something made-up ages ago.” Gu Ding recalled reading a paragraph on the dark history of the Middle Ages, where it shed light on the Witch Tribe of that time. It was said that the powerhouses of the Witch Tribe possessed the ability, but he had always thought it was just fiction.

“The dark era of the Middle Ages couldn’t be truer. Plenty of powerful people were captured by the Witch Tribe and had their abilities seized.” Neptune confirmed the existence of that part of history.

“Aren’t the people who do that sort of thing virtually invincible? Someone with just a Natural Stream ability would be capable of ungodly havoc! If they had more than one Natural Stream abilities combined, who knows what the limits of their power will be?” Just the thought alone sent shivers down Gu Ding’s spine.

“Even though the seizing ability existed, the risk of seizing one’s ability was extremely high and the success rate was also very low,” Neptune explained.

“First of all, the seizer must have a micro-level of the psychokinesis ability in order to detect the gene chain in the other party’s body. Secondly, the seizer must know the position of the gene chain for the corresponding ability in the other party’s body. These two conditions alone were enough to deter people from trying.”

“Thirdly, the seizer must understand the corresponding secret method for them. These secret methods weren’t passed down during the Middle Ages due to secrecy. That’s why I’d never guessed that it’d be in the hands of someone in this day and age.”

“Fourthly, the stronger the seizing ability, the greater the price to pay. Abilities like Knife Heart would probably require the seizer’s own life in order for the seizing to be successful.”

“The fifth point is, even if it is successfully seized, there is a high probability of a conflict between the ability and the body of the new host. If the conflicts were serious, it may cause a large area of the gene chain to break, leading to the death of the host.”

After Neptune’s thorough description, both Gu Ding and Liliath felt that the success rate of the seizing ability sounded unreliable. “If the risks are that great, why did so many people from the Witch Tribe try it during the Middle Ages?”

“That group of people chose to risk it all for the sake of strength. Since the first person succeeded, countless individuals started imitating the first person, thinking that they will also be lucky enough. This is why humans have always been inferior since ancient times. Humans act on impulse and don’t think things through.” Neptune took the opportunity to express his views on humans.

“Why do you think Uncle’s ability got taken away? Did you find out how he lost that ability?” Gu Ding asked curiously.

“After disappearing when he was seven, the civilian watch on his hand also disappeared. Since then, he’s never worn another intelligent wristwatch. That’s why I couldn’t check his body stats.” Neptune was not sure if that was the actual reason. “I only guessed that because his disappearance is similar to several cases during the Middle Ages where everyone who disappeared was kids who had their abilities awakened for less than three days.”

“The group of people planted psychokinesis seeds in the kids who just had their abilities awakened and made them go through combats and killing so that the corresponding genes in the kids’ bodies would evolve. The entire process took between a few years to a decade. When the ability matures, they would remove the gene chain that was wrapped with the psychokinesis seed and kill the child. Of course, there were one or two children who escaped and managed to expose the practice. That’s why I think Biggie’s case is no different from the incidents in the Middle Ages...”

At that moment, Biggie’s voice came from the kitchen, “I’ve made three dishes. Even though they’re rather simple, I’d like for you guys to try it out.”

They could see that the three dishes were beautifully made, especially evident in the meticulous knifework. Even though Gu Ding and Liliath were not hungry, seeing that got their appetite going again.

“Lili, remember this? This is the one we had in the afternoon that we liked.” Gu Ding pointed at the middle dish.

Each of them picked up a pair of chopsticks.

Even though Gu Ding felt that it was slightly different from the ones they had in the tavern, it still tasted decent. While he was trying to find the words to describe it, Liliath spoke up, “A little more than half an hour ago, we had this dish in the tavern. There’s some difference between them in which the dish at the tavern used more seasonings so there was more oomph and had a heavier aroma. On the other hand, since there wasn’t as much seasoning, the dish was lighter, and you can taste more of the ingredient’s original flavor. Personally, I like the one you made more.”

Biggie stared nervously at Gu Ding in anticipation of his opinion.

“I can taste the difference between your food and the ones we had at the tavern. However, my taste buds aren’t as good as Lili’s, so I only categorize food into two groups – good and bad. And I think that the dish you made definitely falls under the good food category.” Gu Ding showed his pearly whites with a grin.

Immediately, the two of them tasted the remaining two dishes and it turned out that Biggie was indeed incredibly talented in cooking. Even though it was his first time cooking after so many years, he was able to make them by secretly learning through the cooks from different taverns. The place he lived at did not have a kitchen. Furthermore, he never had the money to get kitchenware for practice since all the money he made went toward food, even when it was not enough during most days. As for the kitchens in the taverns, the shop owners never granted him entry in fear that he would steal food as a result of his past.

“So, it’s decided! Uncle, I’m officially inviting you to join our crew as our head chef! I’ll be your sous chef who does the egg fried rice.” Gu Ding grinned as he cheerfully offered.

“There’s one thing...” Biggie suddenly hemmed and hawed, “Actually... I’m only seventeen years old.”

“Seventeen...” Gu Ding and Liliath were both stunned. No matter how they looked at him, Biggie looked like he was a middle-aged man in his forties.

“I just look old...” Biggie scratched his head shyly.

“Alright.” Gu Ding and Liliath accepted the fact as it was, even though it was embarrassing that they addressed him as Uncle the whole time. They decided to just change the way they addressed him.

“Biggie, tell us about the Food Festival! It sounds like a lot of fun.” Gu Ding also noticed that every time they talked about the Food Festival; Biggie had this yearning look on his face so they guessed that he would want to go.

“Every year, Derisis’s Food Festival is held in a place with abundant food ingredients because there’s a challenge that requires the competitor to catch and cook a live ingredient. To win the competition, each competitor will have to present their special skills and try their best to utilize the highest gene level ingredient. This year, it’ll be held at Lake Laker where it is said to be inhabited by a Level 7 Gene Body giant golden alligator. However, I’m guessing that nobody will be able to catch that guy.” Biggie laughed naively.

“Let’s go check it out tomorrow. Biggie, are you going to participate in the competition? It sounds interesting.” Gu Ding encouraged him because he could tell that Biggie really wanted to participate.

“Nah, the people who join are proper cooks.” Biggie hesitated for a moment before he shook his head.

When Gu Ding saw how Biggie shook his head, Gu Ding did not want to push on so he just grinned, “Let’s go and free-load on food together tomorrow!”