Chapter 147 - 146: Commission from Shadow Split Town

Chapter 147: Chapter 146: Commission from Shadow Split Town

The next day, Hesia arrived at the Adventurer Guild bright and early.

Of course, according to his original plan, he should have been sleeping comfortably until noon.

However, it seemed Zoya had been standing outside his door since the crack of dawn.

Then, Hesia was woken up by a certain dog that had detected the movement outside the door.

Hesia glanced at the Elf Maiden behind him, whose eyes were sparkling with excitement, and muttered helplessly to himself:

’I don’t know why she’s so worked up. It’s like she got completely hooked on a horror novel.’

’I wonder what her expression will be when she finds out that *The Skin Peeler in the Forest*, the book she can’t stop thinking about, is about to get a sudden sequel.’

"Hello, Adventurer, please step forward."

The receptionist’s voice pulled Hesia back to his senses.

There weren’t many people in the Adventurer Guild today, but correspondingly, only one service window was open, so Hesia still had to wait in line for a while.

"Ah, it’s Mr. Galen."

Hesia then noticed that the young woman before him, with her neat short hair and sweet smile, was the same receptionist from his first time registering at the Adventurer Guild.

"Hello, Clara?" Hesia handed over his badge, which was engraved with the words Black Iron III. "Could you please update my rank?"

"Oh... Of course."

Clara reluctantly pulled her gaze away from Hesia’s face.

She had a deep impression of the Mage before her, and not just because she had served him once before.

After all, she dealt with so many people every day; how could she possibly remember all of them?

The real reason was that she had heard a few things from her colleague and best friend, Kalin.

Kalin had gotten together with Hulk, the captain of the Dragon Fang Squad.

Although the Adventurer named Hulk was a bit older, he was strong and reliable with a steady personality—a good man to depend on.

Moreover, Kalin’s looks and disposition weren’t considered particularly outstanding at the Guild, so finding someone like him was already enviable.

As the recognized "face" of the Rose Town Adventurer Guild, Clara certainly never lacked suitors.

But she had high standards and looked down on those brutes whose heads were filled with nothing but muscles and ale.

During a casual chat, Kalin had mysteriously mentioned that the Dragon Fang Squad had a new Mage Apprentice.

She’d heard that this Mage Apprentice named Galen was not only exceptionally strong but also remarkably handsome. Most importantly—he was currently single.

From then on, she had quietly kept this matter in mind.

A Mage Apprentice with limitless potential was, in every respect, infinitely better than those oafish brutes.

It was just a shame that she hadn’t seen this Mr. Galen again since he registered.

’Goddess above! Thank goodness I switched shifts with my colleague today!’

She was secretly ecstatic as she respectfully placed the badge on the Magic Stone Plate before her. A soft curtain of light immediately manifested from the plate, clearly displaying: Total Contribution 114 Silver Scale.

A perfectly measured hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she said in an even sweeter voice, "Mr. Galen, with your current contribution, you can already be promoted to a Black Iron I Adventurer. You just need to complete one more Bronze-level quest on your own to officially become a Bronze-rank Adventurer."

She handed a brand-new badge to Hesia. "This is your new badge. Please keep it safe."

"Thank you," Hesia said, accepting the Black Iron I badge. "I’d like to ask about a certain commission. I don’t think I saw it on the notice board."

Clara, who had just been wondering how to get more time with this Mr. Galen, immediately seized the opportunity. She leaned forward slightly and said enthusiastically, "Of course, Mr. Galen. Which commission would you like to know about? Perhaps I can look it up for you directly."

"Is there a commission regarding Shadow Split Town? The one about investigating the Blood Axe Gang’s raid."

Clara froze. Of course she knew about that commission. Just yesterday, someone had come asking about it. But that commission, which had been ignored for years... had already been accepted.

According to Guild regulations, the standard reply should have been: "I’m sorry, but we are not authorized to disclose details of commissions that are currently in progress to other Adventurers."

But she glanced at the impatient Adventurers craning their necks behind Hesia, then back at Hesia’s handsome face, and quickly made a decision.

She chose her words carefully, lowered her voice, and said in an intimate tone, "That commission... was actually taken yesterday. Why don’t you go look at some other commissions? As it happens... I’m about to go on my break. And speaking of which, it feels like we haven’t had a meal together in ages, has it?"

As she spoke, she gave Hesia a quick wink.

Hesia naturally understood what she meant.

Although he didn’t know why this enthusiastic receptionist would risk breaking the rules to help him, he decided to play along. "Alright, I’ll wait for you in the main hall."

...

Hesia had passed by the restaurant "Delicious Rose" several times but had never thought of going inside.

Given the choice, he would have much rather gone to the noisy "Beastmen and the Lute" next door.

After all, judging just by the elegant decorations outside and the interior visible through the crystal windows, the prices here were clearly not going to be easy on the wallet.

However, just as the receptionist had said, it was a restaurant with excellent privacy.

"Let the lady order first," Hesia said to the waiter, then looked at Clara. "Order whatever you like. It’s my treat today."

Clara gave Hesia a sweet smile. "Wonderful! It’s been so long since I’ve had their wild mushroom soup."

She turned to the waiter and ordered with practiced ease, "I’ll have a wild mushroom soup, and the slow-cooked lamb shoulder for my main course. Also," she glanced at Hesia and the expressionless Zoya sitting opposite her, "please bring us the bread with Rose Petal Jam. I recommend you try it, too. The taste is very unique."

The waiter nodded in understanding, made a note on his pad, and then looked respectfully at Hesia.

"Just bread and jam will be fine for me." Hesia pulled his gaze away from the hefty prices on the menu and turned to Zoya beside him. "And you? What would you like to eat?"

The Elf Maiden coolly uttered two words: "Not hungry."

Hesia turned to the waiter and said, "Another wild mushroom soup and slow-cooked lamb shoulder for this lady here."

[Affinity with Moon-eyed Elf Zoya Selene has increased. Decryption Points +1]

Hesia: "..."

After the waiter politely withdrew, Clara took a folded piece of paper from her small leather purse and slid it to Hesia.

"I secretly made a copy~"

Hesia unfolded the piece of paper.

Commission Type: Investigation

Details: Investigate the true cause of Tammy’s death. The events at Shadow Split Manor are not what you think!

Reward: 20 Silver Scale

Client: Buton

Hesia frowned.

’Such a short commission description?’

’The mission description is a complete mess.’

’Who is Tammy?’

’And what’s this about "not what you think"?’

’Besides, for a cold case involving the destruction of an entire town, the reward is a mere 20 Silver Scale? This has to be a joke.’

Seeing Hesia look up at her, Clara produced a second piece of paper and handed it over, winking slyly. "I also secretly copied the Guild’s internal records for you. Here, this is our little secret."

Puzzled, Hesia unfolded the second piece of paper.

Commission Record:

Per investigation, Shadow Split Manor was destroyed by the notorious Mercenary Corps, the "Blood Axe Gang."

Baron Godric Split Shadow was killed.

Adopted daughter Jasmine is missing.

The painter Vio Bell is missing.

Baroness Helena Split Shadow is missing, presumed deceased.

This case has been officially closed.

Notes:

1. This commission has been posted for many years and has long been ignored due to the reward being severely disproportionate to the potential risks.

2. Several groups of low-level Adventurers have attempted to take it, all reporting an inability to find any valuable clues within the ruined manor. Any remaining movable valuables in the manor were looted by early searchers.

3. According to the report from the "Black Stone Squad," the last group to abandon the quest, there are often strange disturbances near Shadow Split Manor at night. It is recommended that subsequent investigators proceed with caution and avoid nighttime activity.

Guild Assessment: The reward for this commission is too low, and it involves a remote area with uncertain risks. Recommend removal.