Chapter 12: The Pursuit

At this moment, the Shinzenza base was bustling with activity.

The young master’s phone rang incessantly—calls from partners around the world expressing concern and inquiries. This, to some extent, eased the young master’s frustration, making him feel the presence of friendship even if these people could hardly conceal their mocking tones.

A team member reported, “Young master, a luxury carriage just left the northern gate of the city! It should be the noble Baron Bapon from Black Iron City.”

The young master immediately hung up and stared at the LCD wall. “What is the crime of attacking a noble?”

“A grave offense! But young master, the key point is that traveling in the afternoon is not typical behavior for nobles; they are quite lazy.”

The young master suddenly realized, “All irregularities are clues. The Red Name team, continue attacking the offenders! Captain Saito Zokamaro of the Warrior Corps, immediately send people to fell trees and pile stones to block the carriage’s path! Assist the task force in tracking and investigating—collect all information on this carriage.”

“Understood! Task force’s ace sniper ‘Sneak Sage’ is deployed for covert surveillance!”

“Zokamaro received!”

…

At the northern gate of Black Iron City, witnessed by over a hundred thousand players, the coachman’s whip cracked like thunder and a wild wind, tearing through the Red Name’s formation. Tens of thousands of large guild players surged after the carriage, turning the massive PvP scene into chaos.

A white-name player quickly broke away from the crowd, sprinting to catch up with the fleeing carriage.

This was ‘Sneak Sage,’ the task force’s ace sniper, ranked 7,371st on the leaderboard. He had successfully taken up the hidden thief profession during the public beta. His current rank was not high because on the first day of the official server, he only completed a few tasks: reporting to the Thieves’ Guild headquarters, running through the profession’s questline, and completing a rare newspaper interview job that ordinary players could hardly trigger. Then, using clues from the public beta, he obtained a box of stamina potions, which allowed him to train his advanced running skill to level 10 and triggered a hidden skill, Beginner Marathon level 1. He was probably the fastest runner in the world and would play a decisive role in critical future missions. Yet even so, he soon ran out of stamina and couldn’t keep up.

Fortunately, leveling teams were scattered throughout the outskirts. Even if each person just moved a stone, there was enough time to set up roadblocks. When setting roadblocks, they must not be seen by the carriage, otherwise it would be considered obstructing traffic and the offender would become Red Name and be killed.

For Sneak Sage, who had acquired a wealth of noble intelligence during the public beta, just catching up with the carriage and clearing the roadblocks for the noble would gain a little favor, enough to work wonders. Setting up multiple layers of roadblocks and clearing them repeatedly would boost favor exponentially.

Sure enough, he saw the carriage barely halted by a roadblock in the distance.

Sneak Sage immediately requested headquarters, “Please have the leveling team leave 10 people to help me clear the roadblocks. The rest should retreat and build a second and third roadblock. When constructing roadblocks, make sure they are outside the NPCs’ line of sight.”

“Headquarters received! Leveling team executing immediately.”

“Zokamaro received, but the third roadblock cannot be set—it is in the coyote zone, beyond our current strength.”

“Clearing two roadblocks… favor still insufficient!”

Sneak Sage’s voice was resolute: “At least three roadblocks! We must complete this at all costs!”

“Headquarters agrees, leveling team, expedite execution!”

…

Sneak Sage jogged up to the carriage, speaking obsequiously, “My lord, do you require assistance?”

The coachman cracked his whip and pointed to the roadblock, “You have 5 minutes to clear this obstruction. I’ll pay you 5 mining coins!”

“It is my honor to serve you, my lord. I do not accept payment!”

The coachman chuckled, “Not bad, you’re quite sensible.”

Sneak Sage glanced subtly at the carriage. Indeed, the big fat man was Baron Bapon. This rotund noble was notorious among the aristocracy for stupidity, gluttony, and lechery, often exploited by noblewomen. Who sat opposite him? The carriage curtain was only partially drawn, hiding the view.

He dared not look longer or speak more—clearing the roadblock quickly was paramount. Among nobles, talking too much at first meeting was taboo; commoners who talked excessively were suspected thieves.

Having cleared the obstruction, the coachman did not take advantage but tossed 5 mining coins to him as he left. In the capital city, where financial digital transfers were highly advanced, holding mining coins physically was rare—and players rarely kept physical coins, as they were often stolen upon entering the city.

Taking advantage of the farewell wave, Sneak Sage caught sight of the person opposite the fat noble and immediately took a screenshot. Two women: one dressed splendidly, likely a noblewoman; the other plainly dressed, probably a maid. Regardless, anyone connected was a thread in the mission.

Though his actions were livestreamed to headquarters, proper procedure was followed: he promptly uploaded the screenshots, requesting, “Headquarters, please assist in investigating these two individuals!”

“Headquarters received!”

Sneak Sage continued pursuit and soon spotted the carriage halted at the second roadblock.

He smiled. The second encounter allowed more conversation. For instance, the fat Baron Bapon and Baron Gadon, who oversaw traffic, had a poor relationship. Sneak Sage could openly insult Baron Gadon, greatly increasing favor. Although this event was unrelated to Whale, gaining favor with this fat noble was a major win.

Sneak Sage promptly inquired, “Headquarters, what is the progress on the third roadblock?”

“Damn it! We were attacked by a pack of coyotes! Only half finished!”

Half was still acceptable.

Sneak Sage was unconcerned about the coyotes—they had likely been dealt with by the coachman by the time he arrived. Besides, coyotes excelled in stamina, not speed. He could use his speed advantage to lead the coyotes back to the coachman for elimination. His heroic display would skyrocket his favor…

He planned while jogging, and soon the carriage arrived.

But the coachman was absent, and the carriage door was locked. The fat man inside was gone. The two spirited horses snorted warningly.

Sneak Sage was startled and dared not approach. What was happening? Could they abandon the carriage just because of one roadblock? Was their destination not the northern fishing port?

As Sneak Sage and his team dispersed to investigate, the coachman appeared from the coastline carrying the fat noble on his back, accompanied by the two women. The maid held an umbrella over the splendid noblewoman.

Although Sneak Sage’s gaze usually lingered first on women, this time he could not take his eyes off the coachman carrying a mountain of flesh! What a jarring scene—what powerful NPC was this?

Drawing closer, Sneak Sage noticed the coachman also carried a large sack, bulging with two dripping bundles. Clearly, something was retrieved from the sea.

Sneak Sage wanted to ask something but was stopped by a flash of red light—an explicit warning from the coachman: “Step aside!”

Realizing his favor was insufficient to question them, Sneak Sage withdrew and saw the fat noble and two women all smiling joyfully. No doubt, the contents of the sack were crucial!

He watched helplessly as they boarded the carriage, turned the horses, and returned to the city.

“Reporting to headquarters: target has returned to the city. Please dispatch agents for full city surveillance. I will check the coast…”

“Damn it, did we die in vain in the coyote zone?”

“Headquarters received…”

…

At Shinzenza headquarters, discussions buzzed.

The young master, as the victim, was suspicious of everyone: “That sack must contain spices! Such a large quantity cannot be smuggled in by ordinary people—guards at the gate would confiscate it. Only a noble of this stature could transport it. The stop at the coast was clearly for smuggling and rendezvous!”

A team member quickly added, “Usually pirates collude with nobles for smuggling! Could the Spice Island have been discovered by pirates?”

The young master’s expression twitched, “Pirates are a tough problem, but this fat man…”

The team member hastened to reassure, “Young master, NPCs respawn after death, so only storyline kills apply. There are only two spice bundles now; more will surely be smuggled later. We just need to monitor the follow-up.”

The young master gritted his teeth, “I will take down this fat pig sooner or later!”

“Reporting, the appearance of female NPC number one has been identified—she is Vivian, the lead dancer at the Harbor Night Rose bar. Female NPC number two was always under the umbrella with her head down, too ordinary to identify. There are over 1,400 female NPCs with similar features in the city.”

The young master was stunned, “Just a dancer?”

The team member replied, “Dancers have low status and are greedy—she could be a key target.”

The young master nodded, “Then wait until she returns to the bar and assign Sneak Sage to focus on her.”

Soon, the carriage raced through the chaotic PvP scene outside the city and returned to the baron’s mansion, monitored by Shinzenza’s player spies along the route.

Shortly after, servants from the baron’s mansion appeared, carrying exquisite envelopes and scattering out to deliver invitations.

The young master frowned, “What’s this?”

A team member explained, “Likely invitations for a banquet. If the sack contains treasure spices, it could be a gem appraisal gathering.”

The young master was furious, “The carriage returns and immediately sends invitations—these must have been prepared long ago!”

Another team member reported, “Female NPC number two was seen delivering invitations as well!”

“Focus on tracking female NPC number two!”

While waiting, various tracking results came in:

“Servants are going door to door in the noble district, delivering invitations.”

“The president of the Maritime Merchants’ Guild was invited; servants returned and headed to the seafood market for ingredients.”

“The city lord’s mansion was invited; servants returned and went to the vegetable market.”

“The jewelers’ guild was invited; a maid returned and went to the florist…”

“Female NPC number two entered the residence of the famous mage Favna and has not returned.”

The young master’s brow twitched, “Hasn’t returned? She’s no ordinary maid… What’s the star mage’s identity?”

“She is the youngest daughter of Duke Faradin, the city lord’s most beloved. Sent to the Golden Empire for studies, upon returning she became the Empire’s cultural envoy to spread its prestige—every major city has a star female mage.”

The young master knew well what kind of fool such envoys were: “They’re just high-level spies the Empire cultivates to monitor their own fathers.”

…

At 2 a.m. real time, 2 p.m. in the game world.

Da Chun was in a complicated mood as he worked on the last collapsed mining site. Although he uncovered five magic stones, he had not soared to Grandmaster level as he had imagined, stuck stubbornly at Expert level 10 with no progress. Whether the final stone could push him to Master was uncertain.

Well, his expectations had been too high. He had assumed the Grandmaster rank was as easily attainable as dandelions on a hill, thinking it was a cheat by top players. In reality, Grandmasters were exceedingly rare in the NPC world. The trials needed and the luck required were not something a few magic stones could overcome.

Finally, the last magic stone was discovered!

—System prompt: Congratulations! You have mastered the essence of mining, blessed by six magic stones... Your mining skill has advanced to Master rank! You receive achievement rewards: +3 stamina, +3 carry capacity, +1 luck! Talent skill enhanced to “Master Pickaxe Expertise.”

Master Pickaxe Expertise: When using a pickaxe, durability and stamina consumption are further reduced; combat with a pickaxe gains additional effects.

—System prompt: Congratulations! You have successfully upgraded a skill to Master rank within two days, an extraordinary feat. You receive the “Three-Day Newbie Discount Blessing” achievement reward: +2 wisdom!

…

At least now he was a Master! That meant +3 to stamina and carry capacity, plus +1 luck from the achievement.

Da Chun breathed a sigh of relief—reaching Master was enough! Life often meant aiming high but settling lower, and he had been lucky to grab this Master rank for free.

Next, he replaced the moved stone and returned to the elevator, resting and waiting for news from Sherry. The six magic stones collectively added nearly 200 carry capacity. Without his skill training, this would have been impossible.

He checked his attributes:

Level: 1. No profession newbie—each level grants +1 attack, +1 health, +1 carry capacity, +1 stamina.

Reputation: -100,000.

Attack: 22 (Scavenger profession bonus +10, Whale’s Might +10%).

Defense: 5.5 (Scavenger bonus +5, Whale’s Might +10%).

Attack Speed: 12.1 (Scavenger bonus +1, Whale’s Might +10%).

Movement Speed: 12.1 (Scavenger bonus +1, Whale’s Might +10%).

Health: 220 (Scavenger bonus +100, Whale’s Might +10%).

Carry Capacity: 379.5 (Scavenger bonus +50, Master Mining level 1 +53, Advanced Swimming level 10 +30, Advanced Fancy Swimming level 10 +30, Advanced Underwater Mining level 10 +30, Advanced Underwater Construction level 10 +30, Advanced Fishing level 1 +21, Beginner Cooking level 1 +1, Whale’s Might +10%).

Stamina: 379.5 (Scavenger bonus +50…)

Wisdom: 5

Luck: 1 + ? (Mystical luck bonus from six magic stones)

Hunger: 41

Damage Reduction: -10 toxin corrosion damage.

…

No major boost to combat power, but the carry capacity and stamina were incredible—like a beast of burden! Previously, he had thought the newbie stats and the 10% boost from Whale’s Might were minor, but applied to stamina and carry capacity, it was like having a high-level skill.

Then Da Chun worried about the spice smuggling progress and went online to check for news. If nothing happened, that was best. But—damn!

Seeing the webpage, Da Chun was stunned: it really was the fat man’s carriage. The commotion was huge! This was troublesome. As Sherry’s protector, he was always near her. If Sherry was recognized by a big shot, he wouldn’t be able to escape either!

Just then, a voice came through the protector’s badge—clear and shocking: “Are you there?”

What the hell?

Da Chun excitedly replied, “Dear, I’m here! I’ve gathered six magic stones.”