After sensing Seena's subtle gaze, Loren silently mused to himself:

This team Mr. Cook temporarily recruited is even more interesting than imagined...

His intuition told him that none of the three people recruited by Cook P. Jones were simple...

Clearly, Cook P. Jones truly had no talent for crime.

He had only recruited four people in total. Aside from one who was a Security Bureau Agent, the other three were all dangerous existences capable of triggering Loren's intuitive warnings...

Loren even suspected that if he hadn't arrived in the Jadeite Star Domain ahead of time.

In a while longer, he would have had to storm the Security Bureau just to see this Mr. Cook...

Or, he would never see this Mr. Cook again...

Thinking of this.

Loren's eyes shifted slightly, his gaze sweeping over Cook P. Jones carrying a hint of pity and sympathy.

"Mr. Cook, have you considered a career change?" Loren's tone carried a touch of indescribable strangeness.

Hearing Loren's somewhat sudden and blunt words, Cook P. Jones's expression froze.

"Uh... actually, after pulling off this job, I plan to retire..."

"After years of reflection, I've gradually realized I don't have any particular talent for this..."

Cook P. Jones's tone held a trace of awkwardness.

Loren, with his hefty bounty, had traveled all this way specifically to help, only for his first task upon arrival to be helping catch a mole within his own team...

Evidently, this bizarre turn of events exceeded Cook P. Jones's ordinary imagination.

Seeing the other party had already developed the idea of "retiring after this one last job!", Loren gave a light shrug, reached out and patted the shoulder of the man beside him, praising:

"A remarkably wise decision, sir."

After complimenting Cook P. Jones, Loren stood in place, watching the retreating backs of the three figures not far away, and unconsciously narrowed his eyes slightly.

His gaze revealed a glint of curiosity mixed with danger.

I hope you're not here to snatch that stone slab from me... because that would be fatal...

The three figures in the distance, as if they hadn't heard the conversation between Loren and Cook P. Jones, all calmly entered the tents they had set up in the corner of the abandoned factory.

Seeing this, Loren gave a silent, cold laugh in his heart.

Clumsy acting...

He turned his head and glanced once more at Cook P. Jones beside him, signaling for him to follow.

Then, Loren took the lead and walked out of the abandoned factory building...

After putting away the crude wooden table in front of him, Cook P. Jones also silently followed behind Loren, walking out of the abandoned factory building as well...

Once outside the main gate of the abandoned factory, Loren silently released his Spiritual Power, sealing off the surrounding area to prevent any eavesdropping on their upcoming conversation.

Simultaneously, he also gave a somewhat special order in his mind to Raven.

"Raven, keep watch for any... creatures fond of eavesdropping."

"As you command, Master!"

Raven's reply was, as always, reassuring.

Cook P. Jones, who had followed Loren outside the abandoned factory, now leaned his head closer to Loren and asked in a low voice:

"Mr. Loren, you seem to have something you want to tell me?"

*This guy might not have much criminal talent, but at least he's perceptive...* Loren silently complained to Raven in his mind.

Standing at the entrance of the abandoned factory, Loren gave a slight nod and asked calmly:

"How did you recruit those three into your... crew? Tell me in detail."

Hearing this, an embarrassed smile reappeared on Cook P. Jones's face. He explained in a low voice to Loren:

"I posted a recruitment notice with generous rewards in the Bounty Hunters Guild."

"The notice was very effective; a lot of people came to apply."

"So, I had them fight it out in a spacious area. Then, from the last 10 people standing, I picked 4..."

Hearing that the other party's recruitment method was so haphazard and careless.

Loren frowned, carefully examining the clearly embarrassed Cook P. Jones beside him.

"Having lurked on the Interstellar Hunter Forum for so long, you should know that your careless recruitment could bring you endless trouble, right..."

On the Interstellar Hunter Forum, countless crime enthusiasts who love to reminisce and summarize write their memoirs daily.

Loren didn't believe someone with Severe Internet Dependency Syndrome like him wouldn't understand such basic criminal common sense...

*This guy isn't quite right either...* Loren silently sighed again in his heart.

Sure enough, the next moment.

Cook P. Jones nodded with a complicated expression.

"I know."

Seeing this, Loren silently facepalmed and sighed.

"Tell me, why? You can trust me, Mr. Cook."

Loren's tone was somewhat helpless. Clearly, obtaining that stone slab would involve some twists and turns...

Upon hearing Loren's words, Cook P. Jones gave a dry laugh.

He bent down and skillfully rubbed the large head of the Groenendael dog that had been following him.

"Actually, coming back to Jadeite Main City this time, I'm not here for a heist."

Loren's face showed no surprise. He continued to look calmly at the other man, signaling him to continue.

"I'm about to reach the Legendary rank." Cook P. Jones's tone carried a touch of melancholy.

"Hmm?"

A questioning hum escaped Loren's lips.

"You should know I found an ancient, mysterious ruin, right." Cook P. Jones's voice held a note of reminiscence.

"And then?" Loren asked.

Then, Cook P. Jones cast an extremely envious glance at Loren.

"I'm not quite like you special Rule-Based Psychics..."

"In the ancient 'Night Hunter' legacy I received, it demands that when I advance to Legendary Hunter rank."

"My heart must harbor no regrets, no doubts, and no confusion."

"A firm and enlightened heart is one of the necessary conditions for me to advance to Legendary Hunter."

"It cannot be bypassed. No shortcuts allowed."

"To advance to Legendary, I must first confront the hesitation and weaknesses deep within my heart." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

After hearing Cook P. Jones's explanation, Loren silently speculated in his mind:

*Hmm... Is it mental weaknesses hindering the growth of Spiritual Power?*

*Judging from his description, this 'Night Hunter' legacy seems to be a spellcaster profession more focused on expanding Spiritual Power...*

"So, you came to Jadeite Main City to...?"