"I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you!"
In the room, Kurak clutched his broken finger and kicked viciously at Lex's groin. Clearly, this gentleman knew how to fight, understanding how to instantly inflict excruciating pain on a strong man.
Unfortunately, he had encountered Lex.
Even without using his flames, as a Hunter, Lex couldn't possibly be hit in such a vital spot. He dodged the kick, then grabbed Kurak's collar, pulled him close, and pressed the man's head against the wall, making his nose have the most intimate contact with it.
Bang!
Kurak screamed again, his nose askew, his face covered in blood.
Lex crouched beside him and smiled, "Mr. Kurak, will you remember this lesson?"
"I…" Kurak rattled off a string of familiar curses.
Lex smiled and nodded, then pulled up another one of Kurak's fingers, staring intently into Kurak's eyes as he slowly pushed the finger upwards.
"Stop it."
"Stop it!"
Snap!
This finger was now completely perpendicular to the palm; it was broken.
Lex then pulled up a third one.
"I was wrong."
"I was wrong!"
Kurak cried out, "I won't dare again, sir. I won't beat Maggie and her son again. I'll do everything I can to take care of them. I swear the same thing won't happen again!"
"Very good, it seems we have reached a consensus." Lex released the finger and pulled some loose change from his pocket—four or five pounds, perhaps even more.
Lex stuffed the banknotes into Kurak's pocket: "This money is enough for you to treat your injuries and compensate for your losses during your recovery, Mr. Kurak. I hope you won't forget your promise tonight."
He lightly patted Kurak's face, his smile unchanging as he said, "If I find out you've broken tonight's promise, believe me, I will find you. When we meet again, it won't be two fingers that are broken."
"It'll be every bone in your body."
Kurak looked at the smiling face before him and suddenly thought of the word 'devil'. He quickly nodded in agreement and swore to the Lord of Storms that he would not break his promise.
Lex then walked out of the cabin, bowing slightly to Kurak: "Have a pleasant evening, sir."
Fearing an attack on the ship, Lex dared not sleep soundly at night. He returned to his room, lay on the bed, and used meditation to rest his body, ensuring he could quickly become alert if anything happened.
However, that night was calm and peaceful.
When he woke up the next day, Lex found a piece of paper on the table. He looked at the window, guessing someone had slipped it through the gap.
Lex picked it up and saw that the writing on it was elegant, fluid, and pleasing to the eye.
'Duke, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. You're a popular fellow with women. You really should accept Helen; she's a good woman.'
'Alright, getting back to the point. Based on my observations yesterday, quite a few people were secretly watching you. When you boarded the ship, when you talked to that mother and son, when you entered the dining hall, when you broke Mr. Kurak's finger… Poor Kurak, I almost feel sorry for him.'
'At the aforementioned times, a Sailor, a waiter in the restaurant, and a passing female passenger all showed interest in you. Hmm, not the kind of attention a passerby gives, but careful observation.'
'Interestingly, though they weren't the same person, and even different genders, I noticed they all had some common traits. For example, when they observed carefully, they would subconsciously rub their chins.'
'Also, when they walked, they would always step out with their left foot first. They would maintain a certain distance from you, and there would always be at least one or two other passengers blocking the view between you.'
'I suspect they are all the same person. So, the question is, do you know how they managed it?'
Is this a test for me?
A Sailor, a waiter, and a female passenger—different professions, different genders, yet with common body language and the same habits. This means they are very likely all disguised as the same person…
A Faceless Man!
The Seer pathway!
Lex whistled. As expected of an Spectator, Richard's observation was meticulous, providing him with extremely valuable information so quickly.
He continued reading.
'I will continue to observe them. If I confirm they are indeed people who wish you harm, then I can guide them, making them forget their original purpose. So, you can rest assured.'
'See, a daily fee of three hundred pounds is quite a good value, isn't it?'
'Also, if you want to communicate with me, open the window and hang your gray cloak outside; I will come to find you.'
Guide to forgetting.
Grasping the keywords in Richard's message, Lex became even more certain that this musician was a Beyonder from the Spectator Pathway.
He burned the paper, then opened the window and hung out his cloak.
After doing all this, Lex sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door. If Richard came in, he felt he should be able to detect it.
But even when Richard's voice sounded in the room, Lex still didn't notice anything unusual.
"Now, just do something, but don't look over here."
Richard's voice sounded beside Lex.
"Okay."
Lex casually picked up a magazine and began flipping through it.
"So, what do you want me for? You know, I haven't had breakfast yet," Richard said with a hint of complaint.
Lex flipped through the magazine, using the book to shield his face, and said, "I want to hunt them. Although you said you could guide them, you could make them forget their purpose for boarding the ship."
"But that doesn't solve the problem. If they forget, there will be a time when they remember. Moreover, even if it solves this problem, there will be a next time, and the time after that."
"Only by sending a message to those who are targeting me, by letting those with ill intentions see the consequences of provoking me, can this problem be fundamentally resolved."
"What do you think?"
There was a moment of silence in the room, then Richard said, "You're right, but I'm just a bodyguard. My job is to protect your safety, not to assist you in hunting."
"As your employer, please don't increase my workload."
Lex smiled and said, "You don't need to assist me in hunting; I'll figure it out myself. From the information you've given me, things are going smoothly so far."
"What, you're already preparing for the hunt?"
"Wait, the domestic violence incident with Kurak last night, you intentionally intervened, didn't you? You were sending a message to the other party, you wanted them to think you're a busybody, a champion of women?"
Lex turned to a new page in the magazine, looking at a fashionably dressed lady on it, and said, "It can't be entirely called intentional; let's just say I made the most of the situation."
"While I have a plan, if I didn't have your assistance, it would be difficult for me to succeed alone."
"You can rest assured, I won't increase your workload, and even if I do, it won't be by much."
"So, can you help me confirm the identities of two people?"