The smart assistant received the notification of Yan Luo's return the moment he stepped into the elevator. When Yan Luo reached the door, it automatically opened, with a waist-high robot waiting at the entrance.
[Welcome home, Yan Luo. Today is your high school graduation day. Would you like something special for a celebration?]
Yan Luo changed his shoes at the door and quickly walked into the living room, followed by the round smart assistant.
"No need, Keke, help me pack five sets of combat gear, place one set in the bathroom, and take out my assault pack. Prepare lunch before I finish showering."
The smart assistant 'Keke' projected a [√], then went into Yan Luo's bedroom to help pack.
Yan Luo dropped his backpack, took off his clothes, and stepped into the shower, where immediately, water at the most comfortable temperature sprayed from all around.
It's more of a mist than water flow, as the spray holes are ideally sized to provide sufficient impact while keeping the water droplets fine and nearly invisible, allowing for thorough cleansing all over.
Yan Luo showered quickly, taking only three minutes to finish, and the shower room's special drying feature swiftly blew away the water droplets on his skin.
Not every household has a shower with such functionality, but Yan Luo's family does because both his parents are Hunters.
Hunters risk their lives, naturally earning substantial pay.
Once Yan Luo was dressed and back in the living room, Keke was already waiting at the dining table.
The camera extended from its rounded body spun around, spotted Yan Luo, and opened the front cover, retrieving a box meal from a compartment with both warming and cooling features.
[Following Yan Luo's usual preferences, Keke has prepared an Ansen instant meal for you.]
Ansen Group, the largest food company in Lingquan City, specializes in instant food, which is both nutritious and convenient. Yan Luo often buys their instant meals.
The large house fell silent, leaving only the monotonous sound of Yan Luo eating with big bites.
After lunch, Keke began tidying the table and cleaning the house, while Yan Luo returned to his room to pack emergency medication and survival tools into the assault pack.
Such tasks can't be entrusted to a robot, otherwise when needed, you won't know where things are, which would be troublesome.
After checking both sides for omissions and finding none, Yan Luo hoisted the assault pack and called for the already tidied-up Keke to leave with him.
While waiting for the elevator, Yan Luo instructed, "Keke, lock the house. We're going on a long trip, not sure when we'll return."
Keke's head projected another [√],[Received. The house has been set to the highest level of security. No one can open it unless Yan Luo returns personally.]
Yan Luo nodded and took Keke to the ground floor parking lot via the elevator.
He sent a request to the transportation department using his glasses and soon received a reply of [Permission to travel].
Nowadays, transportation tools are AI-controlled. If a human wants to drive, they must apply to the transportation department. Once approved, the AI manages nearby vehicles to prevent accidents.
Given that AI-controlled cars can reach speeds of two hundred kilometers per hour even within urban areas, a human driving at such speeds would mean almost an eighty percent chance of a traffic accident.
Arriving at a motorcycle, Yan Luo pressed his hand against the dashboard.
[Unlocked]!
These words appeared on his glasses, as Yan Luo swung his firm, slender right leg over the saddle, sat on the motorcycle, donned a helmet, and said to Keke, "Get on."
Keke extended mechanical arms, climbed onto the back seat, and connected itself securely to the motorcycle with clamps.
With a twist of the throttle, Yan Luo kicked up the stand, and the motorcycle shot forward like an arrow.
The design of smart glasses perfectly suits the visor, shielding Yan Luo from the oncoming wind.
The motorcycle sped towards the city's edge, passing a nursing home. Yan Luo was tempted to stop and visit, but after some thought, he decided against it and continued towards the city limits.
He's only an occasional volunteer there, mainly to gain Abyss hunting experience from retired old hunters and military personnel. Without him, no one would miss him.
Moments after Yan Luo's motorcycle passed the nursing home, a car arrived and parked in front.
The door opened, and Li Yiming stepped out with his father, entering the nursing home.
Li Yiming's father had learned through some friends that a retired Hunter residing in this nursing home possessed a Soul Imprint and hoped the Hunter would pass it on to his son.
The Soul Imprint emerges when the Engraving reaches a certain level of maturity. Implanting it greatly increases the success rate and growth speed of related Engraving.
Although Li Yiming never aspired to become a Hunter or soldier, obtaining an Engraving yields extraordinary power. In the upper echelons of society, many pursue Engraving even without becoming Hunters or soldiers. Li Yiming aims to join that circle, requiring an Engraving.
Li Yiming and his father quickly found the old Hunter and explained their intentions.
Confident that sufficient payment would resolve the issue, they were shocked when the old Hunter flatly refused.
"My eyes may be failing, but I can see you've never considered becoming a Hunter."
Looking at Li Yiming, the old Hunter replied bluntly, "I won't give my Soul Imprint to someone like you. I've already chosen an heir to inherit my imprint and become a protector for humanity."
Li Yiming sneered, visibly displeased. His father, far shrewder and with deep influence, feigned curiosity instead of anger, asking, "May I know which outstanding young talent has earned your favor?"
The old Hunter proudly raised his chin, declaring, "His name is Yan Luo, a very diligent young man!"
Upon hearing the name, Li Yiming couldn't help but snicker, "Yan Luo? From No. 3 High School? Sorry, old man, he's my classmate, and I know his situation. His physical test results aren't good enough for Engraving. He's a waste if he can't do Engraving, dreaming of being a Hunter is even more delusional!"
The old Hunter was momentarily confused.
Yan Luo is a good kid. Though he volunteers at the nursing home to gain Abyss hunting knowledge, he's diligent in tasks and never half-hearted. These old folks enjoy the company to chat about past times with Yan Luo.
The old Hunter knew Yan Luo always wanted to be a Hunter, working hard from a young age, unaware of his inability to achieve it...
"Even if he can't become a Hunter, my Soul Imprint won't go to you!"
The old Hunter glared at Li Yiming fiercely.
He didn't need the money. Despite fearing his Soul Imprint's dissipation after death, he could agree to military invitations and transfer it to a soldier.
Disgusted by Li Yiming's demeanor, the old Hunter planned to ignore them and promptly chased the father and son out.
Outside the nursing home gate, Li Yiming glanced back and spat.
"What a joke?"
Instantly, a robot rushed over, flashing red light and loudly announced, [Spitting harms the city image, please clean it up immediately! Spitting harms the city image, please clean it up immediately!]
Li Yiming was dumbstruck, feeling the piercing gaze around him, his back muscles tensed reflexively, and his face flushed.
He quickly turned and ducked into the car, angrily clenching his fists.