Chapter 346: Anxiety

Chapter 346: Anxiety

Jose’s mood was very conflicted recently. On one hand, he wanted to know more. On the other hand, he was afraid of knowing too much. Why did the Saint choose him? Didn’t the Saint have his own trusted followers among the people who came along?

He was just a nobody. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been sent to carry out such a hopeless task. And Saint Kano actually told him, “ They are no different, all are disposable.”

Jose was self-aware enough about this. There were too many differences between the two of them, even a world of difference.

On this isolated small island, Kano had shown him a much broader world. As he learned more, Jose felt more and more afraid.

He acted humble and confident before the Dragon Rider, but it was all just a clumsy disguise. Maybe not entirely a disguise. At least on the point of humility, he didn’t need to pretend.

Compared to the Saint, or the Great Wizard he was facing, he had nothing to be proud of.

The Desolate Continent had awoken. This was what the Saint personally told him. They would face unimaginable dangers, and also gain unimaginable opportunities.

When he heard this, Jose felt a hint of scorn for Kano. This was just another lucky person who had everything handed to him. A nobody like him was always surrounded by danger, while opportunities always passed him by. For many things, even if there was only a sliver of chance, he was willing to risk his life.

Fortune is found in danger. If he didn’t have this awareness, Jose wouldn’t have reached his current position. But in the end, he was just a nobody. Even though he had given too much, his gains were never satisfying.

Jose had grown numb to these things. He was also used to seeing some people reap without sowing, easily taking what he had earned. But for opportunities, he was never willing to give up.

Opportunities were dispensable for people like Kano. They were already used to facing various opportunities and benefits handed to them, so they gradually stopped cherishing them.

Just like this time. The opportunity was right in front of him, but Kano turned a blind eye to it, even giving it away freely.

The Will of the Continent, and its recognition? Kano actually didn’t even think of trying to obtain it.

If this was true, Jose believed this was his own opportunity.

The Northlanders, and the Dragon Rider before him, originally came from the same source as him. Why did they deserve to gain recognition?

If “recognition” was really that important, if the Will of the Continent was truly indispensable, then why hold back until today to erupt? In the countless years past, this Continent had long been forgotten. It had countless chances to awaken, so why choose now to bestow its favor upon the Northlanders?

The rise of the Northlanders had only been a few years, which could be called a miracle. Jose didn’t believe this had much to do with the Will of the Continent.

He believed the key lay with people, with people who could bring vitality and change to this Continent. If the Continent truly had a will, then Jose believed it was some people who made it sense opportunity, and hope.

He could also add a sliver of hope to this Continent.

Being a nobody, Jose understood the feeling of being in a difficult situation. At such times, what he needed most was a little care, a tiny insignificant offering. Any inappropriate action at that time would only bring deep suspicion and hostility.

Trust! Jose needed to gain the Dragon Rider’s trust, real trust. Then, find an opportunity to blend in, become an indispensable member of the Dragon Rider, and perhaps he would then gain the Continent’s recognition. So, in his interactions, he always thought from the Dragon Rider’s perspective and handled some issues accordingly.

Jose believed he had shown enough sincerity and had made considerable progress. But when he wanted to go further, he encountered difficulties. He couldn’t immediately find an excuse to join the Dragon Rider.

He had also thought of pretending to take a liking to a certain woman, but couldn’t overcome the barrier in his own heart. Images of his wife and child at home occasionally appeared in his mind, becoming Jose’s biggest trouble.

Kano entrusted him with passing knowledge to the Dragon Rider. This was a rare opportunity.

His starting point was already higher than these people. If not for the harsh environment here, Jose believed he would have quickly reached that threshold. But as the Dragon Rider kept learning and improving, the gap between them would quickly shrink, and he would gradually lose the opportunity before him.

Jose sat before the island’s Pool of Foresight, quietly thinking. He took a deep breath, then checked his surroundings again. After confirming there was no one else around, Jose asked softly, “How can I gain this Continent’s trust?”

The Pool Water rippled. A blood-stained corpse lay on the ground.

Jose gasped in a low voice, “Kano!”

“Are there any other ways?”

The Pool Water rippled, gradually showing the full picture of the island. People lay fallen in pools of blood.

Jose sighed. This was indeed the fastest method, but he still didn’t want to step over his companions’ bodies to move forward.

He muttered hatefully under his breath, “I just want to become the Great Wizard here. I just want to gain recognition. I just want to become one of them. I just don’t want to harm my former companions…”

The Pool Water bubbled up a string of bubbles, seemingly suppressing laughter with a snickering sound.

“Are there really no other ways?”

The Pool Water rippled. The scene became grand. Countless Alien Races lay fallen on the ground.

Jose felt somewhat powerless. This was impossible! Possessing such power was already no different from the Saint. Only a Saint had the means to cause such large-scale destruction.

“This is impossible. No one can do it.”

The Pool Water bubbled up another string of bubbles, showing a young boy. Then the image rippled. More and more young boys and girls appeared in the picture.

Jose stared dumbfounded. A voice echoed in his mind — how could this be possible? He gritted his teeth and asked, “Who are they?”

The young boy disappeared. Four large characters appeared there — Northern Wizards.

The Pool Water calmed. It no longer reacted to any further questions, as if the earlier question-and-answer session was just a Dream.

Jose stared blankly at the Pool Water, gradually tasting the mockery and derision behind it. Mocking his overestimation of himself, mocking his wishful thinking.

…

Ever since learning that Maya was with the Dragon Rider, Jose had tried to avoid meeting it. Luckily, Maya and Eileen lived separately outside. As long as he was prepared, avoiding them wasn’t difficult.

But today, Jose took the initiative to visit. Facing Maya’s vigilant look, Jose felt somewhat awkward. He cleared his throat and said, “Sorry, we already know it was a misunderstanding. If you want to go home, you can take our boat anytime.”

Maya seemed somewhat tempted, but quickly restrained itself. It still stared warily at Jose, “Did you come here just to inform me?”

Jose felt even more awkward. “I have some questions I’d like to ask your friend Eileen.”

Maya turned its head to look at Eileen beside it, showing an inquiring gaze. When it saw Eileen nod, it moved aside a few steps, making space for their conversation.

“What questions?” Eileen said softly.

“I want to ask about some things regarding Bran.”

As soon as the words were spoken, he saw Eileen’s face turn cold. Jose hurriedly explained, “Nothing private. I just want to know how he would decide on some matters, or rather, how you would decide. For example, if someone blocked his path, what would he do?”

Eileen was somewhat confused. She looked Jose up and down, “He would go around if he could. Many people have blocked his path before.”

“What if he can’t go around?”

“He steps over them.”

“What if the one blocking the path is a friend or companion?”

This question seemed to sting Eileen. Her face darkened, and her voice became a bit hoarse, “No one would block his path.”

After saying this, Eileen made a gesture to see him out.

Jose believed he had obtained the answer he wanted, so he bowed slightly in thanks and calmly left…