Translator: Leo Editor: Frappe
‘Members of the Dark Wizard Tower usually have two identities. They’re the shadows in the light, so you must find yourself a cover.’ Henn continued, ‘The Dark Wizard Tower shouldn’t have strict organization rules, so they can do whatever they want. The Dark Wizard Tower recruits assassins and asks them to collect the needed intel. Many wizards chose to accept their offer since they needed an easier way to acquire rare resources. In hindsight, it’s an organization that hides in the shadows.’
‘Interesting…’ Angele did not expect the organization to be like what Henn had just said. ‘I thought they wanted to train me as a potion master…’
‘You’re talented. They want you to accept the offer first, so it’s understandable,’ Henn responded in a light tone. ‘The members of Dark Wizard Tower are everywhere in the central continent. Don’t worry. The thing I want you to do for me is not related to that organization. I’ll tell you what to do when the time is right.’
Angele listened to Henn’s words as he talked with the man with a long beard. He wanted to learn more about the city and the organization.
There’s a division here and since you’re an elite member from the west coast, someone from the council was sent here to welcome you. However, we miscalculated the date and he had to leave…
The man lowered his voice.
So, I’ll have to wait here until the next one comes?
Angele wondered.
Yes, you need to join the next team. You can use the time to check out the city and purchase some souvenirs. The place is very unique.
The man smiled.
I don’t really care.
Angele shook his head.
How long will it take?
The man answered as he wrote down something on a black crystal board. The characters would disappear every time he finished writing a word.
14 to 15 days, I suppose.
Is it possible to exchange for the crystal cards here?
Yeah, I can do that for you,
the man responded right away.
I’ll give you a discount if you need the service.
Alright then, I’ll exchange some crystal cards for the central continent’s currency.
Angele took out several crystal cards from his pouch.
The night was about to fall.
People in the arena were cheering for the fighters and people were still walking to the entrance from the square.
They were all wearing leather outfits and some of the noble-looking women were holding paper fans in hands. They were speaking Metia with a local accent and they were talking about the fight going on in the arena.
The carriages from the streets turned right, then parked on an empty ground beside the entrance.
The kids were playing around the river, giggling while chasing after each other.
Angele pushed the door open and left one of the houses beside the street. He was wearing a long white robe and he checked the time.
It’s 8 o’clock already? I need to find a place to spend the night.
He looked at the street and scanned the pedestrians using Zero. Angele narrowed his eyes and he looked surprised.
‘They’re all mortals? Why aren’t they affected by the radiation?’
‘The purification towers cleansed the area and they can prevent the mortals from being injured by the radiation energy,’ Henn responded. ‘You know this is not the poor west coast, right?’
Angele nodded slightly. He was not mad about the way Henn talked to him. He turned right at the corner.
He walked to a relatively quiet street by the river after crossing the bustling square.
Several old men were chatting under a tree. It seemed like they just finished their dinner.
After about ten minutes of walk, Angele found a tavern on the street. The tavern’s name was engraved on a bronze board and it was called The Wanderer.
There were many customers leaving and entering the tavern. Angele saw the pink light inside and he heard ladies giggling.
He knitted his eyebrows as he walked to the tavern.
DING
A half-naked muscular man pushed the door open and Angele held the door before it closed. He stepped into the tavern quickly.
The bell on the door was ringing all the time.
People were cheering and yelling in the bar.
The dim pink light only brought minimum visibility to the space. There were several women wearing sexy outfits sitting on the male customers’ legs, and some of the shy customers were led into the private rooms by the waitresses.
The smell of cheap perfume permeated the air.
Angele moved to the side and tried not to block the people that were moving to the bar.
I want a room.
He walked to the counter and spoke in a deep tone.
The waitress behind the counter looked surprised.
Sure.
She glared at Angele and lowered her right hand. It seemed that she was checking his identity. Her expression changed when she finished the procedure.
Wendy! Lovely Wendy! Come here and help this customer!
The waitress yelled.
Several seconds later, a girl in purple appeared from the hallway. She eyed Angele with a blank expression on her face.
Follow me, please.
Angele nodded and followed after her.
First, the two went past the noisy bar and hallway. They then went upstairs twice and walked past multiple rooms and hallways guarded by soldiers. Finally, Angele arrived at a dark and quiet hall.
There were about ten people sitting in the hall.
Several of them were sitting together but the rest was all waiting patiently alone. Their outfits varied, some were half-naked.
Their dressing styles were different from the residents on the streets. They looked identical to the people at the west coast.
It seemed that the people in the hall were not concerned about Angele’s presence. Two other people entered the hall before him and they just sat down in the chairs.
The light in the hall came from the four dim oil lamps on the round counter in the middle. The tiny orange flames barely brought any warmth to this mysterious space.
Master Batall said you could stay here for as long as you want but you need to pay for the services. You can check in at the counter on the other side and accept some missions if you want to.
Wendy finished the explanation, then she bowed to Angele and left.
Angele nodded slightly and walked straight to the counter.
I want to check in.
Master Green, right? The boss has already arranged a room for you. The room number is 101. Please carry this badge with you.
A handsome waiter handed a small black badge to Angele. The engraving on its front side looked like a man with a bird’s head.
The badge will guide you to your room. This is the Dream Inn. We assure you a safe and comfortable stay.
The waiter smiled.
Angele rested for several days in the Dream Inn and spent some time getting familiar with the city. He then started searching for dangerous magical creatures around the area.
Sadly, the areas around the city were safe since they were guarded by the families or organizations in charge. If he wanted to find a large group of magical beasts, he would have to leave the safe zone.
It would take Angele too long to travel to the danger zone, so he decided to accept some missions from the inn.
The Dream Inn was created by the Dark Wizard Tower. Its members could accept quests there. The inn was the center of the underground world in the city.
Most of the missions were related to assassinations.
Are you sure you want to accept a one-star mission?
the waiter asked in a light tone.
Yes.
Angele nodded.
Sure. Based on your request, I’ll find you a suitable target…
The waiter started checking a thick pile of leather paper.
He quickly pulled a paper out and handed it over to Angele.
I think this is a good target for you.
Angele grabbed the paper and read it through.
Good, I’ll take this one.
He tapped on the paper.
The information on the paper was simple: ‘Assassinate wizard Neil within two days. Reward, 120 black coins.’
The black coin was the universal currency on the central continent. One black coin could be exchanged for one crystal card or 700 regular magic stone coins. Magic stone coins and black coins could be used in most of the stores in the city. There were several other types of coins here but not of them were as valuable.
It also mentioned that the wizard named Neil just broke the limit and became a formal wizard. His address, daily routine, and family members were all recorded on the paper. It seemed like Neil was discussing the price of a specific item with a merchant from the Molten River.
‘Hey, you don’t have to do dirty works like this, right?’ Henn’s voice echoed in his ear.
‘You’re correct.’ Angele shook his head. The number of the crystal cards and black coins he had could be used to purchase a lot of resources. He accepted the mission only because he wanted to extract the life essence from the targets. He would be able to increase his mentality faster.
‘I have my own reasons.’
Creak
Suddenly, the door of the hall was pushed open, and the emotionless waitress named Wendy entered the room. Two men wearing long black robes followed after her.
Angele turned his head around and narrowed his eyes.
It was the fourth time he saw Wendy bringing people to the inn. Most of them were new members that were selected from different areas. Only the most talented wizards would be recruited as formal members.
