Seraphina gave John a knowing look, then glanced toward the direction Isabella had left and at the hole in the ground.
"Heard you were getting discharged, so I went to the hospital to check on you, but you were already gone. No one was there, so after asking around, I came here."
Seraphina smiled lightly, her tone laced with a hint of teasing.
"I was thinking..."
"John?"
Seraphina hadn't finished speaking when a voice as clear as a warbler's rang out from nearby.
John turned, puzzled, only to see Amelia, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, also looking at him with surprise.
"You got out of the hospital so quickly? I was actually planning to visit you today."
It was Amelia.
John was equally surprised.
Seraphina hadn't finished her sentence when she saw another beautiful girl appear, and her words got stuck in her throat.
With arms crossed, she stood leisurely watching the two, smiling, though the smile gradually stiffened.
"Amelia?"
John was astonished, then glanced at Seraphina and suddenly became curious.
"When did Hidden Stars become so popular? I just came to pick up a task today, and suddenly I've run into three acquaintances! Are you here for a mission too?"
Amelia was carrying a large sword on her back, almost as tall as she was.
Despite her slender frame, the giant sword didn't seem out of place at all.
Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, her face devoid of makeup, dressed in a simple yet functional outfit, she looked exceptionally spirited and dashing.
"No, I'm not here for a mission. Hidden Stars also extended an invitation to me, so I just came to check it out today."
Hidden Stars... issued an invitation to Amelia?
John slightly furrowed his brow, a huge question mark forming in his mind.
Hidden Stars generally has very strict criteria for recruitment—unless there's an internal recommendation, or the person is exceptionally talented, prompting their interest in recruitment.
Even so, there would still be some form of assessment.
He himself had entered Hidden Stars thanks to Victor's recommendation, after passing some other assessments.
Hidden Stars never lacks members, so why now an invitation to Amelia?
And Isabella had joined Hidden Stars too?
That seemed a bit irregular.
Could it be...
John suddenly had an uneasy feeling, suspecting that something not quite right was happening within Hidden Stars, something he was yet unaware of.
It might be related to the recent attack on Star Cluster Academy.
However, the mention of a multi-person mission made him uncertain.
This meant he didn't know who else had taken on these tasks, and what exactly did this so-called information sharing entail?
As John pondered, he walked out of the Hidden Stars building.
Outside, the streets were bustling with noise and activity, yet he was lost in thought.
"John!"
Just as he was about to step out, he suddenly heard an urgent voice calling from behind him!
For some reason, upon hearing his name, his first reaction was, 'Who is it this time?'
He couldn't help but shake his head in resignation, but when he turned around, he was surprised to see Silver Tear?
Dark Fox was also there, looking equally urgent.
"We've been looking for you! We went to the hospital and couldn't find you anywhere, then we found out you had been discharged!"
Silver Tear ran up to John, still catching her breath.
John looked at them, amused, and joked, "You two aren't here to congratulate me on my discharge, are you?"
Under normal circumstances, Silver Tear and Dark Fox might have bantered back a bit.
But now, both wore serious expressions.
"Technically, I shouldn't be telling you this, but we're really out of options!"
After catching her breath, Silver Tear bit her lip, hesitating, but ultimately took a deep breath, her eyes urgently seeking John's.
"There's no one else we could turn to but you; we can only ask for your help!"
Hearing this, John felt bewildered but knew that Silver Tear and Dark Fox were always composed and wouldn't panic without serious reason.
"What exactly is going on? Take your time and explain it to me, no rush."
Silver Tear's hands were trembling slightly.
"Our team leader... he's missing!"
John's expression immediately turned serious.
"What do you mean 'missing'?"
What could that possibly mean?
The only person they would call 'team leader' other than Victor didn't exist.
Although Victor had previously left Hidden Stars and disbanded the squad, everyone knew he still had some connections with Hidden Stars.
He was essentially an external member of Hidden Stars.
But now, his sudden disappearance, what could have happened?
"We don't know, but it's been a week since we got the last message from the team leader, and we haven't received any news from him since!"
"We're really worried, but couldn't find anyone to turn to, so we had to come to you."