Chapter 2003: First Lead
Chapter 2003: First Lead
Nova City
That midnight, the zero puppet went to the cemetery again. A red smoke reached the compound and infiltrated the place the next second.
There were suspicious people digging up the old graves. The red smoke didn’t disturb them. Its primary objective was to collect information.
After getting closer to them, it began to hear their conversations. The puppet was aware that they could be from a local crime syndicate.
"Don’t make any noise and do the job a little faster. We should collect as many remains as possible before sunrise," a slightly obese man ordered the others.
They could have used their magic power to complete the work, but they were not allowed to do so. Using magic power could expose them; it could leave behind traces.
Hearing that, the workers didn’t stop or take a break. They put the remains in specific boxes. The workers were confused; they didn’t know the use of these remains.
Only the obese man was tense. Unlike the workers, he knew some inside information, which made him worried.
Buzz!
His device buzzed all of a sudden. He picked up the device and saw the contact name. Then, he walked away from the place to attend the phone call in quiet.
Next, the red smoke followed him from behind. The obese man was a Level-9 Wizard, but he didn’t sense and couldn’t see the red smoke.
"Manager, we are doing the work. We will complete it before sunrise," he said to the person on the phone call.
The voice coming from the other side of the call was loud as well. The zero puppet was able to hear it.
"Try to collect the remains as intact as possible. Otherwise, their worth will be reduced. The client won’t be happy. They are puppet materials. Do you understand?" the Manager asked.
Hearing that, the man shuddered. He understood the importance. That’s why he was harsh with the workers.
"Yes, I understand, Manager," he replied.
"And be careful. There are visitors from outside exploring the city. They could find the place. If you get caught, then it’s over for you and the others," the Manager said.
"Don’t worry, Manager. I’m here. Currently, no one is outside the cemetery," he said.
He then spoke for a few minutes before ending the call.
The zero puppet recorded the conversation and stored it in its database. It would let the Master decide.
Time passed.
Before the morning sunrise came, the people left the place with the collected remains. They were inside the obese man’s storage ring.
The red smoke followed the obese man. The workers parted ways, but it followed the main man. By following the person, it reached a pet shop.
It entered inside. Then, it came to a private room by following the man. It recorded the conversation between the man and the manager.
The Manager collected the storage ring, and the obese man left the place. But the zero puppet didn’t follow him; it had spotted someone higher up the ladder.
The pet shop Manager checked the storage ring before calling the owner. When the call connected, he said, "Master, they have collected very little this time. Only a few of the remains are intact. I’m afraid it won’t satisfy the client."
"It’s enough. An Appraiser Team under a Silver Tower member has come here. If even the slightest clue is leaked, it will land us in trouble."
"If the client asks, I will handle him. Just give the storage ring to that person," the owner on the call said.
Hearing that, the Manager agreed. The Manager then began to wait for the client to come.
The red smoke hesitated. It didn’t know whether it was okay to stay there because the client could be a powerful wizard. The Master had given strict orders.
The puppet decided to return and let the Master make the further decision. It exited the shop and memorized the shop’s name and the face of the manager.
Meanwhile, inside the hotel, I waited for the zero puppet to come back. I needed its help dealing with the troublemakers.
A few minutes later, a red smoke entered the room through the window gap.
The zero smoke reverted to its original steel-clad armor form.
"Master," it greeted me the next second.
"How was the task?" I asked.
"Master, there is some lead," after saying that, the zero puppet began to explain.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I knew the zero puppet could do it. I continued to listen. Soon, my expression changed.
This time, the lead seemed to be big.
Ten minutes later, the zero puppet finished saying everything. I calmly digested the information, then I sorted my thoughts.
If we can get something on the client, then I can make the decision whether it’s the work of an evil, hostile force.
Because it could just be the work of a local syndicate. It’s not like grave robbery crimes haven’t happened before. But the pet shop doesn’t give me good vibes.
The Manager seemed suspicious when I visited the place earlier. Maybe he had something to hide.
"You did a good job. But I have another work for you right now," I said before bringing the puppet inside the Gregor Mansion hall.
The troublemakers lay all over the ground.
"I have captured the troublemakers. They are under the influence of a magic smoke plant. The plant doesn’t seem to be ordinary. I want you to interrogate them and record their confession."
"I want to know how they got their hands on the magic smoke plant," I said to the puppet.
The zero puppet obeyed the order. Then, I moved toward the system space. I sat cross-legged on the ground inside the system space.
I took the super-grade mana stones out and held them in my hand. Then, I closed my eyes and began to run the Gravity Ark Mental Method.
The gravity mana in the surroundings entered my body. I began to guide the mana according to the route. The gravity mana traveled through the route.
After circulation, it settled inside the mana core space. The mana core reacted by absorbing the gravity mana.