Is he talking to me? Annan pursed his lips.
Wait a minute… He’s interested in me.
Whether the “Annan” in this dream was in his first life, he could confirm it as long as he got to have a face-to-face private conversation.
After all, there were some things that only the “Annan” knew.
For example, the content of his previous life, such as things on earth.
If he could gain the “Annan’s” trust in this era, it would help him to get some vital information.
But before that, he had to work on the missions first.
Be part of the Winter’s Hand?
Annan came back to his senses and watched the old-fashioned old man vigilantly.
Is he from the Winter’s Hand?
It looks like it.
The people of Winter’s Hand have no emotions at all.
*Clatter.*
The crisp sound of the cane hitting the ground had a strange rhythm.
“Don’t worry, puppy. I’m not your enemy.”
The old man stopped five meters away, lowered his head, and made a calm, emotionless voice to Annan, who was crouching on the ground, “You want power, right?
“Do you want to be a transcender?”
“Yes.” Annan whimpered, and he couldn’t help but avoid the eyes of the old man and lowered his head.
[TN: We will refer to Annan’s possession as Bella’s body as “she” from here onward.]
When “she” raised her head again, she had already adjusted her emotions and substituted herself into Bella’s identity.
Those dark golden wolf pupils were full of hesitation, vigilance, and hope.
This was precisely in line with her current personality.
Annan played “Bella”, a werewolf girl who yearned for power because of being bullied.
She traveled to Frostwhisper Province in search of a change but ran into obstacles everywhere. Her wallet was stolen. When she became penniless, she could only survive by stealing food. But the other beggars had eyes on her because she was carrying food. Even though she snatched a piece of territory by relying on the werewolf’s innate strength, she could barely sleep by relying on newspapers and rags. Thus, she was not living in a comfortable state.
This was the possibility Annan analyzed from the clues he found on Bella’s body.
Her clothes were shabby, and an exposed laceration was inflicted during a previous fight; her earliest wounds were nearly healed. Some wounds were only a day or so old, so she should have been in a fight twice recently. Since she was not very hungry, she should have eaten last night. Since there was a rag on her body when she woke up, she should have won the fight.
Judging from those clues, she was particularly good at fighting, and she was alone. Considering her IQ, she might even be foolish enough to ask about how to become a transcender before being targeted by the Winter’s Hand.
The reason why the Winter’s Hand did not approach her at the very beginning was to thoroughly investigate Bella’s ancestry for the past few days.
There would only be someone approaching her after ensuring she was good to go.
So at this time, Annan must not be eager to agree immediately.
That would only make them question her motives.
With Bella’s character, she should now…
“But, who are you?” Annan questioned, “Being so secretive… I can’t trust you!”
It was reasonable to show excessive vigilance and appropriate self-abandonment when she was just attacked and hurt.
The old man did not doubt Annan’s actions.
There was still no expression on his face. His pupils were cold, and his expression was stiff like a puppet.
“I’m from the [Winter’s Hand].” He said calmly, raising his right hand hidden in his sleeve.
On the thumb of his right hand, there was an icy ring that exuded cold air.
When the old man raised his hand, the air in the alley immediately became cold. Annan couldn’t help but start to shiver. The gray hair on her skin grew back again, and she felt a little warmer.
“How can I trust you?” Annan’s voice was a little louder at first. However, the more she spoke, the less confident she became. Her voice gradually lowered, and there was a vague sense of fear.
Of course, those were all an act.
But at the next moment, the old man reached out his hand and pointed at her.
Annan suddenly felt her emotions calm down for a moment.
It was like a sedative with her mind going blank. All her emotions were stripped away.
If she were an average person, she might have completely lost her ability to resist at this time. But Annan was used to the Reversed Winter Heart and was unexpectedly fine with it.
But she certainly was not stupid enough to show it at this time.
At this moment, the old man asked her calmly, “How much are you willing to give up for power?”
“I’m willing to give up anything.” Annan kept her expression calm and narrated in a low voice.
“Anything—that statement doesn’t carry much weight.” The old man also responded in the same calm and unwavering tone.
His pupils were deep and blue. There seemed to be a surging chill visible to the naked eye.
*Clatter.*
The old man struck the floor with his cane and said calmly, “Are you willing to give your soul for the path of transcendence?”
“I would.”
“Can you promise to keep all secrets?”
“I can.”
“Can you give all your feelings and never fall in love with anyone in this life?”
“I can.”
“Are you willing to slaughter innocents for orders?”
“I would.”
“What about the women and children?”
“…”
“If it’s a suicide mission, are you willing to do it?”
“…”
“What if it’s high difficulty with a 90% chance of death?”
“I can give it a try.”
“If I ordered you to do it, would you go?”
“I will.”
So far, Annan had thought about how “Bella” would possibly reply so as not to answer too affirmatively and not be accepted.
After all, the Winter’s Hand was a state secret service agency, not an assassin organization. They would incline to have a more upright view, which was better and more reassuring.
But then, the old man’s question gave off a bad feeling to Annan, “Are you loyal to the Grand Duke?”
What is this question?
Loyalty — what’s the point? Loyalty is nurtured. No one is born loyal.
Unless…
Annan replied after giving it a brief thought, “I can be loyal if I’m needed to.”
“Great.” The old man nodded quietly.
He raised his cane slightly and pointed at Annan.
“Hold my cane and stand up. Homeless puppy.” In a voice without the slightest emotion, he replied calmly, “From now on, you are under me.”
“Yes!” Annan held the cane and stood up.
He felt that the chilling touch in the depths of his heart was taken away. Suddenly, a feeling of excitement several times stronger than usual poured out.
He was stunned.
The previous technique was probably not just for lie detection. A considerable part of the reason was to build a good favorability upon the first encounter.
The old man withdrew his cane and asked calmly, “Your name is Bella, right?”
“Yes! My name is Bella. I have no last name.”
“Then Bella — I’m your teacher. You don’t need to know my name. Just call me ‘teacher’, get it?”
“Yes, teacher!” She wagged her tail and leaned forward, her voice full of excitement, “When can I become a transcender?”
“You have to pass the ‘Wolf Kiss’ test first. You will be the ones walking with the Frost Beasts. If you can’t tame a Frost Beast, you don’t deserve to be a Winter’s Hand.”
The old man turned around calmly and turned his head slightly back.
There seemed to be a faint blue light flashing in his deep eyes, “I warn you one last time. The [Wolf Kiss] may kill you.
“If you leave this alley with me, there will be no turning back and giving up.”
“I’ve made up my mind.” Annan said seriously, “Do you need to teach me anything, teacher?”
“No. You’ll have to survive the [Wolf Kiss] first.” The old man answered briefly and turned to leave.
Annan followed without hesitation.
His heart moved slightly.
Wolf’s kiss…
Do you mean getting eaten by the Frost Beasts?