62: Chapter 62 The pleasure won't disappear, it will only shift.

Sitting on the sofa in the inn lobby provided for guests, Zhang Mu looked at the tipsy Elf lady sitting opposite him.

He grumbled to himself, "Weak tolerance, yet such a heavy drinker."

The two sat and chatted for a while. Zhang Mu learned that she was staying at this same inn and had left the tavern almost right after him.

He was somewhat speechless upon learning that she had gotten this drunk after only two glasses of fruit wine.

He had ordered the fruit wine at the tavern before; its alcohol content was practically zero.

Fortunately, she was still relatively lucid, and there were no barriers to communication.

"That's the gist of it," Zhang Mu said, finishing his explanation and seeking her opinion. "I only need information on the usual locations where treasures are hidden within the dungeon."

"I don't need anything else."

"As for payment, I can pay in gold coins. If you're not short on gold, magic potions or healing potions work too."

Hearing the keyword "potion," Frederica shook her head to dispel the slight dizziness. "How many magic potions and healing potions do you have?"

"I'd like to buy some."

"Enough for ten people to stay in the dungeon for a week."

"That many?" She was a bit surprised. "Did you stock up in advance?"

"Uh, no, I brewed them myself."

"You're an Apothecary?"

"I know a little bit." Zhang Mu waved his hand, feeling a bit impatient from the questioning. "That's not important. What do you think of the deal I proposed?"

Frederica didn't speak, just stared at him. After a moment, she suddenly asked, "Can you tell me how you solved the monster tide in Kas Town?"

"It wasn't just me and my senior; a Great Knight came to help midway through."

"I see." She leaned back against the sofa and asked in an unreadable tone, "But in the eyes of the townspeople of Kas Town, you were still the one who repelled the monster tide, right?"

"Pretty much."

Recalling the scene at the city gate, she seemed to be asking Zhang Mu, yet also talking to herself, "What if the townspeople blamed you, the one who solved the monster tide?"

"Doesn't matter."

"I haven't even said what they'd blame you for."

"I went to deal with the monster tide because I caused the trouble. Whether they blame me or thank me, I don't care at all."

"Alright, Elf lady, can we talk business now?"

"Oh." She finally noticed Zhang Mu's impatience and nodded. "I accept your deal, but I'd like to change some details."

"What details?"

"Do you want to form a temporary Adventurer Group?"

"It's dangerous for you to enter the dungeon alone. Teaming up with us is not only safer but also makes it easier to obtain treasures."

Zhang Mu looked puzzled. As a local Elf, she must know the harsh social environment for supernaturals on the Saul Continent better than he did. Why invite him to a team?

Thinking this, he scratched his head in confusion. "Why invite me to join a group?"

"Because," Frederica leaned toward him, her eyes fixed on him, "I'm very interested in the mystery-shrouded Mr. Zhang Mu."

"I have no secrets worth exploring."

Team up? Team up my ass.

Being with them would make it troublesome to use his magic, which differed greatly from the norm.

Zhang Mu shook his head. "Sorry, I have no intention of joining a group."

"Does Mr. Zhang Mu suspect I harbor ill intent?"

"That's not it. You were willing to take a low-paying quest that the Bala City Adventurer Groups looked down on to deal with the monster tide in Kas Town. Your character is trustworthy."

"It's just that I'm used to being a lone wolf."

Frederica's tone sounded a bit regretful. "Give me a night to organize the information, and we'll trade tomorrow."

"If Mr. Zhang Mu changes his mind and is willing to explore the dungeon with me, please..."

"Your Highness! I refuse!" a furious roar erupted from the doorway.

Both looked over to see a fuming Vag.

He rushed over and looked down at Zhang Mu. "A noble Elf shall never explore a dungeon with a filthy human!"

Zhang Mu calmly met his gaze for a moment, a strange curve appearing at the corner of his mouth as he stared at the tips of Vag's ears.

"You bastard..." Vag's face changed drastically. He backed away, looking for something to hide his body behind.

"Heh," Zhang Mu laughed and waved his hand. "Alright, alright, I'm done messing with you."

"Come, let's chat. You say you're a noble Elf; what makes you so noble?"

"Bloodline, of course!" Vag stopped retreating and puffed out his chest. "The Elven bloodline is peerless. This is the teaching of the Great Elder."

Standing up, Zhang Mu patted the hem of his wrinkled shirt and smiled. "Would it make you very uncomfortable to enter the dungeon with me?"

"I'd be so disgusted I'd throw up yesterday's lunch!"

"Fine then."

Ms. Frederica, I accept your invitation to join the group."

If you're unhappy, then I'm happy. What's that saying? Pleasure doesn't vanish; it only transfers.

Zhang Mu turned and trotted up to the second floor.

"Your Highness!" As Zhang Mu disappeared up the stairs, Vag looked at Frederica and clenched his fists. "I will never team up with a human whose veins flow with filthy blood to enter the dungeon!"

"Alright."

He was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Frederica to agree so readily. He smiled; as expected, Her Highness would still listen to his opi—

"Then you wait in Bala City until we return from the dungeon."

His rising smile froze instantly.

After a long silence, Vag flattened his mouth and said expressionlessly, "I don't understand, Your Highness."

"On our journey here, you should have seen the greed and selfishness of humans clearly enough."

"Traveling with humans means we face weapons and magic from behind at any moment."

"Vag," she stood up and walked toward the stairs, admonishing him with her back turned. "The purpose of my journey out of the forest to travel the Saul Continent is to appreciate different scenery,"

"Not to seek out only the sights I wish to see."

She went upstairs.

Vag stood there in silence for a while. Instead of returning to his room, he turned and walked out the door.

For the past few days, he had been wandering around Bala City, looking for shops that still sold potions.

Although he had found nothing, he had become quite familiar with the city's streets, alleys, and organizations.

Bala City had an assassin organization.

According to Vag's judgment, this organization was established by one of the only two magic families in Bala City.

Their strength wasn't particularly formidable, but it was enough to deal with Zhang Mu, who could only cast apprentice-level magic.

Along the dim street, Vag walked into a shop with no signboard.

"Commissioning a mission."

Behind the long counter, a young clerk glanced at his pointed ears while pulling out a form and a quill. "Target."

"Zhang Mu. Human male, a lone Magic Apprentice. Currently staying at the Ouren Inn in Bala City. He will head to the dungeon outside the city in seven days."

"I will leave a mark for you then to confirm his identity."

"Mission requirements."

"Teach him a lesson."

"Severity."

After a moment of thought, Vag said, "Torture his spirit and will. Let him taste the fear that death provides."

"No problem. Also, are you sure he doesn't belong to any Magic Family?"

"Yes."

"Five gold coins. If this information is incorrect, additional fees will be charged depending on the situation."

Ignoring the warning, Vag took out five gold coins from his storage bag, stacked them on the counter, and walked out of the shop without looking back.

Standing in front of the door, he looked up at the brilliant starry sky. Filthy humans did not deserve to live under this beautiful night sky.

Let you humans tear each other apart.

At the thought of Zhang Mu being tortured by pain, he felt much better and headed back to the inn with a light step.