Capítulo 18: The Fortune Teller of the Future
Bai Yi paused, deep in thought. He had been traveling through time for two years, and in that time, many things had happened. Although everything had generally remained stable, it was impossible for him to remember every character in the game in complete detail.
If this person seemed familiar to him, they had to be someone famous in the game.
**Female, Luo Ning, civilian, Dongwu City.**
As Bai Yi pondered, he was suddenly struck by a realization. He remembered that Luo Ning was a fortune teller from the capital, originally from the shattered Dongwu City.
What made her famous was her ability to calculate the locations of the Black Rose members—something even a gold-ranked fortune teller would struggle to do. Despite her modest silver rank thirty years later and limited talent, she accomplished feats no one expected.
The reason Bai Yi hadn't recognized her earlier was because she had died mysteriously at the headquarters of the federal organization tasked with targeting the Night Rose.
At the time, large-scale tasks had been issued to players, but as a newcomer, Bai Yi was too preoccupied with basic tasks to pay much attention. He only watched the videos that more experienced players posted.
Thinking back, Bai Yi stopped in his tracks, retraced his steps, and casually leaned against a streetlamp, waiting in silence.
The profession of fortune-telling was rare, requiring strong mental and spiritual talents. Furthermore, fortune tellers focused on seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, offering little combat ability in their early stages. As a result, few civilians chose this profession.
The federal policy prioritized strong combat power, and fortune tellers were typically found only in large families. So when Bai Yi encountered a fortune teller destined for great success, he knew he couldn't let her slip away. In Dongwu City, no civilian would refuse an alchemist's offer.
Bai Yi didn't have to wait long. A subtle fluctuation in space signaled the arrival of a dirty girl standing before the Hall of Knowledge.
She glanced at Bai Yi cautiously, quickly lowered her head, and hurried away. Her instinctive gesture to protect her chest indicated she had likely purchased something of value.
"Wait."
The sudden sound made Luo Ning stop. Fear flickered in her eyes, and she instinctively quickened her pace, turning into a nearby alley.
Bai Yi, somewhat amused, shook his head. Was she trying to avoid him like a frightened rabbit?
**Buzz buzz buzz.**
A faint buzzing sound echoed through the alley. Not far away, Luo Ning was retreating, fear etched on her face. Several mechanical spheres, which she couldn't afford, were closing in on her, sending waves of danger through her mind.
**Tap tap tap.**
The sound of leather shoes echoed, growing clearer. The wind and snow had intensified without anyone noticing, and each step seemed to make the girl's hair stand on end. Her instincts screamed danger, forcing her to make the only rational choice.
She turned around, dropping to her knees with a thud. Her small frame trembled, and she carefully pulled out a thin book from her arms. With her head lowered, she offered it to Bai Yi with both hands.
"Sir, these are the books I just bought. I don't have any money on me, but you can search me."
Luo Ning's voice trembled, hoarse and deliberate. She looked weak and pitiful, her dirty appearance making her resemble a beggar in the civilian district.
Bai Yi paused, glancing at the cover of the book, which read "Astrological Observation." His eyes grew thoughtful.
"Why did you buy this book?" he asked, his tone interested but still calm.
This was the introductory book for fortune tellers. In the Federation's current trend, civilians typically chose warriors or assassins, as these professions offered immediate combat power without requiring any external resources.
Fortune telling, on the other hand, was a rare and less practical choice.
"Master Huihui, this is a great favor. It will help me find my way at night," Luo Ning replied, her voice still shaking, with a hint of pain in her gravelly tone.
Bai Yi nodded. Some books without magical inscriptions were inexpensive, even available for copper coins. Books focused on star observation or basic martial arts were more accessible, but no one would typically choose those that seemed to lack real power.
"Raise your head," he said, his voice soft yet firm.
Luo Ning trembled but, with a look of despair in her eyes, she complied. She raised her head cautiously, tears welling up in her eyes.
Bai Yi was stunned. Despite the dirt on her face, her features were undeniably Asian—black hair, dark eyes—and despite the stains, she was quite pretty, perhaps twelve or thirteen years old.
The human race in this world was diverse, with many people of mixed heritage, including half-elves, half-orcs, and others. Over generations, these traits blended, giving rise to a population with a variety of skin tones and hair colors, as well as varied surnames and names.
Bai Yi, being of Asian descent himself, was not surprised by her appearance.
He met her gaze, seeing something familiar in her large, watery eyes. He realized, without a doubt, that this was the Luo Ning he had known from the future capital.
A flicker of tenderness appeared in his eyes. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Bai Yi, and I own Dawn Pharmacy. Would you be interested in working there? You'll be compensated."
Luo Ning paused, disbelief flashing in her eyes. She had heard of Bai Yi before—the man who had created a powerful energy gun that had the entire inner city talking.
But that wasn't what shocked her. When the young man spoke, the unease in her heart melted away.
"I would," she answered, her voice brightening, unexpectedly clear and youthful.
Bai Yi was surprised. Had the stains on her clothes and the rough tone of her voice all been an act?
"Get up and follow me," he said with a nod, keeping his emotions in check as he turned to walk into the snow.
He had materials to buy, which would be his biggest expense.
Bai Yi absentmindedly checked his pocket, which still contained 330,000 yuan. He wondered how long it would last.
Excitement filled Luo Ning's eyes as she followed closely behind. Her intuition had helped her avoid countless crises, and it had guided her through many challenges.
To her, this felt like the start of a new life—a life free from the cold, decaying "home" she had left behind.
"Do you have anyone else in your family?" Bai Yi asked suddenly, his tone curious.
"No," Luo Ning replied softly. "The cold was too much for my mother in the past few days. She couldn't hold on. My father passed away a long time ago." A shadow of sadness crossed her face as her gaze lowered.
"My condolences," Bai Yi said, a moment of silence passing between them. He stopped asking questions, quickening his pace.
Luo Ning's sadness faded quickly. She looked at Bai Yi's back, a new resolve building inside her. The dead were gone, and the living had only one path forward: to make the most of the life they still had.
This had been her mother's last wish.
After a long moment of hesitation, she asked softly, as they neared the commercial district, "Are you really Mr. Bai Yi?"
"Yes," Bai Yi responded, his mind already preoccupied with the materials he needed.
Luo Ning hesitated again, her intuition pushing her to speak. "Mr. Bai Yi, I had a dream... Half of Dongwu City will turn red."
Bai Yi froze. "Scarlet?" he asked, turning to face her.
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