Catastrophe Card King

Underneath the gas mask, Tracy Garcia seemed to sense something and broke into a faint smile.

“Boom- Boom- Boom-”

The restless rumbling filled the air as the boiler of the steam motorcycles flared up, with the two bikes racing through the pitch-black wilderness.

It was quite a scene.

The sentries of the Black Wolf Group stationed at the arrow tower spotted them immediately.

“The guys are up ahead!”

With a furious shout, countless motorcycles and armored transport vehicles revved up and relentlessly gave chase.

However, the motorcycles ridden by Liam Martinez and his partner were significantly superior in terms of suspension, boiler power, and the quality of mechanical parts compared to the Black Wolf Group’s. Moreover, these off-road bikes were far more suited for the wilderness. The large transport vehicles simply couldn’t keep up.

The chase grew more intense, and the distance between the two groups grew wider.

The Black Wolf Group members behind tried to halt them with various firearms and shells, but both Leonard Churchill and Alison, who were sitting on the backseats of the motorcycles, were excellent sharpshooters.

One with a gun, the other with a crossbow.

Their precise shots almost always hit their mark.

Any members of the Black Wolf Group who caught up were promptly sent tumbling off their bikes.

Occasionally, they dropped some bombs, causing sporadic bursts of flames in the darkness.

Their pursuers were just ragtag troops. After a few of them were killed, the rest grew afraid.

Soon, those guys had been left far behind, and their presence vanished from sight.

“Hahaha…”

A belly laugh echoed from the motorcycle, carrying far across the black wilderness.

They’d just navigated through a nerve-wracking A-rank difficulty space and now had escaped their pursuers, so the moods of the trio were pretty good.

Being at the prime of their youth, they reveled in the exhilarating sensation of wind in their hair.

From his position at the backseat, Leonardo Churchill could sense the trio’s happiness.

Only then did he realize that Tracy Garcia, who gave off an elegant impression, had some seriously impressive motorcycle-riding skills.

With no real roads in the suburbs and all kinds of potholes and uneven terrain

– even rugged mountain roads – she seemed to navigate effortlessly.

She must have done a lot of biking in her day.

As she claimed when they first hopped on, if he didn’t hold on, he might be thrown off.

Leonard was curious, he thought that this skill set did not seem to match Tracy’s character, so he ventured to ask, “Miss Garcia, do you ride motorcycles often?”

“Ah…what?”

The wind was loud, so Tracy leaned back a bit, trying to hear better.

Leonard leaned in and repeated his question.

“Yeah,” she replied.

Tracy knew it might seem a bit of a disconnect between her two different styles, so she explained, “Because it’s a long way from home to Sinless City, I often have to ride a bike…”

Only then did Leonard understand why they housed a motorcycle, which took up quite a bit of space, in their Storage Ring.

Significant powers far away from Sinless City were either bandits or the legendary remnants of the old era.

Leonard had suspected as much already and didn’t think much of it, nor did he think it necessary to press further.

Sinless City was teeming with fugitives on the Federation’s most-wanted list.

Tracy added, “We were lucky this time. Thanks to Mr. Leonard Churchill, we found some Witch formulas. We’re not sure if they are effective against the plague, but we are going back to test them.”

She turned slightly to ask, “Mr. Leonard Churchill, would you like to come back to Sinless City with us?”

Leonard replied, “No, thank you. I plan to spend more time on the Old Continent.”

His trip to the Old Continent was to lay low, intending to stay for a month or two until the heat from the Silver Moon Church cooled down before returning.

Also, he had collected all the necessary crafting materials. He wanted to see if it’s possible to level up.

“Oh.”

After listening, Tracy thought for a moment and asked, “How should I contact you when I bring the books next time?”

Leonard remembered his casual question from their time at the Windmill Inn. He didn’t expect her to remember it and replied, “Leave a message at the Hunter’s Association in the city. Use the code, ‘Miss Bulbhead.’ I’ll get in touch when I see it.”

This was a commonly used way of communication in Sinless City.

Although a bit primitive, it was relatively discreet.

Tracy heard this, and her round face turned curious. She responded, “Alright.”

The two steam motorcycles sped across the wilderness, and at that moment, they climbed over a small mound.

The bodies of the two people in the car stumbled for a moment. Tracy, laughing, reminded, “Hold tight-”

Leonard wouldn’t fall off, but the bumps made his hand brush against something soft and plentiful.

But if the young lady didn’t mind, he wouldn’t put on airs either.

At this time, Tracy Garcia seemed to think of something and said, “There’s one more thing. Mr. Leonard Churchill, your mental power might actually be a bit problematic. Be careful. I haven’t learned too much about this yet, but I’ll ask around for you when I get back…”

“Okay.”

Leonard Churchill knew in his past life that he had some problems with his mental state, as if there were multiple selves inside his head.

He had even seen a psychologist about it.

But such uncontrollable growth is often referred to as…mental deformation in the eyes of a card master.

Both interpretations could very well lead to the same conclusion—insanity.

In his previous life, he relied on medication.

In this world, however, there’s a better solution—mental secret skills.

Since Tracy Garcia brought up the issue, she also directly proposed a solution: “But you can first try the visualization secret skill I’m practicing, though it might not be very suitable…”

Having saved his life twice, she obviously didn’t consider Leonard Churchill a stranger anymore.

She directly took out a piece of iron and handed it over.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the secret skill I’m practicing.”

Leonard Churchill had heard of mental secret skills before. They were an area that only high-tiered magic-type curse card masters would touch. Visualizing them could enhance mental power.

This was the real contraband in the Federation.

Just like high-tiered transcendental knowledge, mental secret skills were monopolized by the great nobility.

After years of confiscation and destruction, practically no complete visualization secret skills remained among the ordinary people.

Even in Sinless City, they were carefully hidden.

Such treasured items were almost as valuable as exclusive secret manuals.

Having them made one more capable than others.

So they were most often passed down through families and master-disciple relationships, almost never being sold to others.

Looking at the small iron piece, Leonard Churchill did not refuse but stored it away. “Thank you.”

A slight smile appeared on Tracy Garcia’s face at his words. “No need to be polite.”

But Leonard Churchill didn’t like owing favors.

In the team for “Greed Cavern” this time, the three of them, including Tracy Garcia, had actually made too many concessions.

He thought of something and also took out a notebook, saying, “I also have something for you.”

“Huh?”

Tracy Garcia was slightly surprised and playfully asked back, “A gift for me?”

Leonard Churchill said, “This is a secret skill book, which should be very compatible with your profession.”

What he took out was the incomplete “Cellular Activity Boiling,” a Demon God secret skill from Plague Doctor Hensen.

It’s not like the secret skill would be gone once gifted. Since he had already memorized it, it also made for a good favor.

Moreover, besides this secret skill, Leonard Churchill didn’t think he had anything of equal value to offer in return.

The secret skill would also suit Tracy Garcia quite well.

If she learned it, it would be as if she possessed an undying body.

It was ideal for a medical profession.

He had some reservations before.

After all, the source of the secret skills was very sensitive.

But now, he didn’t need to worry.

Tracy Garcia and the other two had already seen his relic-level scalpel.

Anyone who had seen the arrest warrant issued by the Silver Moon Sect could easily guess what was going on.

Having several secret skills was no big deal.

But the methods used by the Old Days Believers were very deceptive, and these people were better left alone if possible.

Leonard Churchill, being a loner, didn’t care about this.

But Tracy Garcia had a group of people behind her.

Not many could withstand faith pollution.

He reminded her again, “There is another thing. The scalpel I have and this secret skill have a very sensitive source. You must not mention them to others. Otherwise, it will cause you a lot of trouble.”

Tracy Garcia seemed to have known for a long time and agreed, “Okay!”

As the steam engine traveled, they encountered disturbances from small groups of wild monsters on the road, but the four of them were able to handle it without much danger.

Several hours later, they had arrived at Thunderbolt Fortress..