Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 836: Intelligence Peddler?

Long Yuehong read the mission description several times and whispered, “This mission seems difficult. Can we really get funds through it?”

The item had been lost three years ago, and not many people traveled in and out of Gesterbourg. The possibility that the clues were gone remained very real, and the probability wasn’t low.

Ignoring that, it had been two months since the mission was issued. Ruin Hunters had yet to find any useful clues. They had only conducted a preliminary investigation and provided the Hunter’s Guild with statements from corresponding personnels and some results from their field exploration.

Therefore, although the 50 Grand Knight gold coins were tempting, it was just a fantasy in itself. It could be seen but never touched.

The idea of using this opportunity to earn a sum was closer to having a life plan that involved making a killing by winning the lottery in Old World entertainment shows.

Jiang Baimian raised her eyebrows. “To others, this is indeed hopeless. But for us, we might just find ourselves bumping into clues when we head out later.”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Shang Jianyao immediately echoed.

“Uh…” Long Yuehong didn’t know if his team leader was teasing him.

Jiang Baimian relaxed her cheeks and smiled. “Alright, I’m joking.”

Although she claimed to be joking, she actually couldn’t rule out the possibility. After all, certain existences behind them occasionally showed themselves. If the matter regarding the Subhuti figurine was relatively important and involved the battle in the New World, it wasn’t a bad development for the clues to take the initiative to throw themselves into the Old Task Force’s arms.

Jiang Baimian then said to Long Yuehong, “As you can see, there’s no need to really find the Subhuti figurine. You can also obtain a certain bounty by providing useful clues that are different from what’s known. Besides, it’s not like the guild only has one mission. Since we’re here, let’s search seriously and see if there’s a high-bounty commission that’s suitable for us.

“Yes, if it really doesn’t work out, send a telegram to the company to ask if any outfield intelligence personnel are in Gesterbourg and if they can provide us with some funds for our activities.”

On this trip, the Old Task Force still had to investigate the Kalendarium’s rearing of humans. Unless necessary, they didn’t want to contact the company.

“Yes, yes.” Long Yuehong agreed and focused on the mission information displayed on the large screen.

These commissions involved temporary employment in the factories, the search for bodyguards, the acquisition of certain Icefield creatures’ hide, the hiring of people to search for technical information on certain types of special steel in the surrounding city ruins, the need for large goods to be transported, and the recruiting of volunteers for biological experiments…

In addition to the local missions, the Hunter’s Guild in Gesterbourg also had a specific commission from other large human settlements. This was mainly to pursue certain targets. For example, the Hunter’s Guild’s bounty for a Dark Hunter or the bounty from First City’s Hand of Order for October Xue, Zhang Qubing, Gu Zhiyong, and Qian Bai.

Shang Jianyao said with emotion, “If it weren’t for the fact that this place is very far from First City and that the bounty won’t arrive for a long time, I really would’ve gone to First City to turn myself in. This way, we won’t have any financial crises!”

Long Yuehong was shocked. He quickly looked around and realized that nobody was paying attention.

Of course, this was mainly because Shang Jianyao had lowered his voice.

Bai Chen retracted her gaze and changed the topic. “There aren’t any missions we can take on for the time being. The ones that are suitable for us need us to begin today, and we have to wait until all the high-performance batteries are charged.”

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged it. “Then, apply for information on the mission regarding the Subhuti figurine. We’ll study it when we return.”

The corresponding information included two parts. The first was the information provided by the mission client, and the second was the various statements and survey results obtained by the Ruin Hunters.

“That’s all we can do.” Long Yuehong expressed his opinion before Shang Jianyao could. He didn’t want to stay in the Hunter’s Guild for long.

Although Shang Jianyao was a little disappointed, the minority had to follow the majority.

After receiving the paper information and paying the printing fee, the four Old Task Force members left the Gesterbourg Hunter’s Guild and returned to the Fire & Iron Hotel by the same route.

There weren’t many pedestrians as it was during working hours. Ruin Hunters were the majority, and from time to time, a team of White Knights soldiers with alloy armor and bulletproof helmets, submachine guns, and assault rifles patrolled the area.

These soldiers were also divided into ranks. The most eye-catching team was all riding tall horses, making them stand out.

Shang Jianyao’s eyes were filled with envy.

Nothing happened along the way. Long Yuehong walked into the hotel lobby first.

The man at the front desk named Spant looked up at them and casually said, “You’re back so soon?”

Shang Jianyao took a stride forward and asked in ‘surprise,’ “You know where we went?”

The blond, blue-eyed Spant shrugged. “Isn’t it the Hunter’s Guild?”

“You tailed us?” Shang Jianyao showed a plethora of emotions—’anxious’ and ‘angry.’

Spant curled the corners of his mouth and explained, “There’s no need to tail you guys. Isn’t it obvious? You guys have a robot, so it’s obvious that you aren’t weak. You clearly aren’t here as workers. It’s not summer yet, so it’s not suitable for you to go to Icefield. Apart from going to the Hunter’s Guild to find something to do, people like you can only head south to explore the city ruins. Heh heh, you’ve only been here for a day. You probably don’t know the surrounding area well.”

In other words, there was only one possibility left—going to the Hunter’s Guild.

Clap! Clap! Clap!?

Shang Jianyao applauded Spant. He didn’t retort and praised with a smile, “Your logic is pretty good.”

“That’s why I’m still hesitating about strengthening my brain.” Spant revealed a troubled expression again. “It’s above standard to begin with. The improvement gained from basic drugs is limited.”

Shang Jianyao skipped the topic and asked, “Didn’t you say that you were going to the Hunter’s Guild to take on a mission last night? Did you find one?”

Spant hesitated for a moment and nodded. “Yes.”

He paused and said, “You didn’t find a mission, so you returned so quickly?”

“There are no suitable missions,” Shang Jianyao emphasized.

Spant nodded and didn’t ask any further. He began busying himself with his work.

Upon seeing that he had no intention of discussing missions any further, Jiang Baimian smiled and changed the topic. “Who else can I find here other than the Hunter’s Guild if I want to obtain information?”

Although the waiter at Old Henley had already mentioned one, the Old Task Force definitely didn’t want to rely on only one source.

Spant was stunned for a moment before he laughed.

“Haha!” Shang Jianyao laughed as well.

“W-why are you laughing?” Spant was confused.

Shang Jianyao explained seriously, “You’re already laughing. If I don’t laugh, won’t I appear rude?”

Spant clearly choked. After a few seconds, he said, “I’m laughing because the person you’re looking for is my colleague, Gitis.”

“Gitis?” The honey-colored hair, grayish-blue eyes, and dozing female receptionist surfaced in Long Yuehong’s mind.

Apart from her relatively stiff facial features, it was impossible to tell that she was an intelligence peddler.

Spant muttered, “Actually, I don’t believe it either, but I’ve already bought several pieces of valuable information from her. Although she’s usually distracted, likes to be late, unfocused, and likes to be in a daze as if she lives in her own world, she seems to have many secret intelligence channels and knows many things that nobody knows.”

“Unbelievable!” Shang Jianyao exaggeratedly expressed his feelings.

“I couldn’t tell.” Jiang Baimian was also a little surprised.

In particular, Spant had added a bunch of adjectives describing her as being in a daze and unfocused often.

Spant shrugged. “But the truth is before us. I can only tell myself that she likes to be late because she’s busy gathering intelligence. She likes to be in a daze and unfocused because she needs to think and analyze.”

Long Yuehong couldn’t help but ask, “Then, why is she working here as a part-time receptionist?”

Spant said, “I’ve asked, but she didn’t answer.”

Jiang Baimian nodded. “We’ll find her when we need her.”

After bidding Spant farewell and returning to the room, the four carbon-based Old Task Force members and Genava studied the information regarding the Subhuti figurine mission.

Just as Jiang Baimian had previously said, there wasn’t much valuable information. First, it had been three years. Countless people had left Gesterbourg and taken away useful clues. Second, the monk who had passed away was an ascetic monk. He didn’t live in a hotel or enter a restaurant when he came to Gesterbourg. He didn’t have much contact with the residents here. If it weren’t for the fact that he had to make alms for a living, nobody might have an impression of such a monk.

The only valuable information was that the monk died from an illness.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

As the Old Task Force flipped through the information, someone knocked on their door.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao had sensed it in advance, but they didn’t expect the person to be coming for them.

Genava stood up and opened the door, only to see Spant outside.

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Baimian walked over and was slightly surprised.

Spant glanced at Genava and smiled. “Here’s the thing: I took on a mission that pays well last night, and it’s impossible to complete it alone. I originally had companions, but something happened to them, so they can’t help me.

“I think you guys are pretty strong. Do you want to join forces? Don’t worry; you can register at the guild and request them to supervise the allocation of the bounty. Oh, you have Official Hunter badges, right? You guys need to verify them when the time comes.”