Chapter 456: The Escort Mission
Zhou Ning took the stack of bills, counting them as he checked their authenticity. Eight thousand Vecktas—exactly the number specified in the mission description. How coincidental.
"The extra thousand is compensation for hiring a legendary-class powerhouse. You didn't seem that strong at first, but after all this time, your abilities are undeniable." Ignatius Woods spoke seriously while efficiently handling the corpses, destroying all evidence.
"As for the payment for this escort, I can craft a custom extraordinary item for you free of charge. The quality won't disappoint you."
"An extraordinary item? That's pretty tempting."
Zhou Ning thought it over. Bantuen was just west of Nathaniell, and a hired carriage would take less than three hours. Not a difficult job—and an extraordinary item as payment was absolutely worth considering. Still, he needed to clarify something first.
"I want to know who your enemies are. Why are they trying to kill you?"
Ignatius Woods hesitated, clearly reluctant, but eventually answered honestly. "They're from the Alchemy and Craftsman Church, same as me. For certain reasons, I left the church and they came after me. As for the deeper reason… it involves an angel. Digging into it won't do you any good."
"But don't worry. That angel is currently in the Ruins Kingdom and can't leave. Otherwise, I'd already be dead."
Zhou Ning nodded, unsurprised. His powerful observation haki naturally sifted truth from lies. For an organization like the Alchemy and Craftsman Church, which had existed for over a thousand years, angels were entirely possible—and likely more than one.
As for the deeper cause, he didn't intend to pry. Everyone had their own secrets. In the supernatural world, curiosity was often the quickest way to die. Even in the game's storyline, countless adventurers and archaeologists had been killed because they were too curious.
After a long pause, watching Ignatius Woods' expression shift between hope and anxiety, Zhou Ning finally lifted his suitcase slightly and smiled.
"I'll take the job. But we need to find lodging first and drop off our things."
Though he accepted, he also prepared for the worst. He had no intention of over-involving himself in this matter. The moment something uncontrollable happened, he'd grab his things and flee.
"That's fine—I can wait!" Ignatius Woods responded with obvious relief, agreeing quickly.
Richie Burke, on the other hand, looked stunned. "Hell… an angel?!"
He was just an ordinary pirate—was he really expected to face something like that?
Zhou Ning ignored his panic. About twenty minutes later, he found a decent-looking inn in a nearby district called the Horizon Inn. Carrying his cane and suitcase, he walked toward it.
A legal notice banning pickpocketing was posted at the door, and several wanted posters hung on the bulletin board—law everywhere.
At a nearby, somewhat quiet newsstand, he casually bought a newspaper and a map. Then his eyes froze. Inside the stand, he saw Yu-Gi-Oh! cards—and something he absolutely never expected.
A book titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
The cover showed a young boy flying on a broomstick, childlike and whimsical.
The author was listed as Wayne Sturwell, and the publisher was the Darkland No. 1 Publishing House—the one he'd arranged previously. So it really had gone through!
He had assumed that after the Darkland incident, the publication would be delayed indefinitely. He hadn't expected such efficiency.
The other two also noticed the book and the signature. Their expressions toward Zhou Ning turned odd.
Even without mind-reading abilities, Zhou Ning understood exactly what they were thinking: A legendary powerhouse? Writing children's books?
A wave of embarrassment washed over him. He suddenly regretted publishing under his real name. He didn't even want to imagine how players would react when they saw this.
He quietly inhaled, picked up the book and gave it a shake. "How much is this?"
"Three Roshen. If it's for your kids, I can recommend a few more." The newsstand owner, a mixed-blood man with Byron ancestry, perked up at the sale.
What? For kids?
From the corner of his eye, Zhou Ning noticed Richie Burke struggling desperately not to laugh.
He slowly turned his head and shot him a look.
Richie Burke flinched, clamped his mouth shut, straightened his face, and pretended nothing happened.
After paying, Zhou Ning watched as Richie Burke hurriedly carried their luggage inside and even paid for three nights' stay.
Once Burke finished busying around, Zhou Ning pulled out the thick bundle of cash again, peeled off a portion, and tossed it to him. "You don't need to join the escort. Over the next two days, rent a shopfront like the one we had in Darkland. Anything extra is your payment."
"Oh, and one more thing. You said you have connections in the Northern Seas Pirate Alliance here in Nathaniell?" Zhou Ning asked casually.
"Y-yeah…" Richie Burke immediately stiffened. What now?
"Help me locate someone named Josie West in Nathaniell. You'll receive additional generous payment."
This was part of Zhou Ning's plan. After the Darkland defeat, Karl Robbins—currently disguised as Josie West—would certainly become even more cautious. Even with the little book's help, finding her alone wouldn't be easy. He'd also be posting a similar bounty among players.
"No problem. I'll get reliable people to look for her." Richie Burke agreed eagerly.
Aside from being overly burdened as a pirate, Wayne Sturwell was a great man—generous and fair. Posting a search commission was nothing unusual in the Pirate Alliance. Burke happily accepted the money. He'd burned through most of his savings recently to liquidate mithril and magic silk, and now his empty wallet finally felt replenished.
Glancing at the clearly anxious Ignatius Woods, Zhou Ning put his hat back on, picked up his umbrella, and smiled.
"Let's go."
Umbrella in hand, he headed to the roadside. Under the dim streetlights reflected in the fine rain, he hailed a carriage. Better to head to Bantuen immediately before more complications arose.
Compared to Darkland, carriage fees in Nathaniell were noticeably higher. After paying three Vecktas each, Zhou Ning boarded, set his cane-disguise of the Heavenly King aside, opened his game interface, and switched to the mission tab. Sure enough, at some point, A Literary Life (Part Four) had quietly completed—his longest and most difficult chain mission yet.