64: Chapter 64 I've Already Moved

Deep in sleep, Zhang Mu suddenly felt his arm being pushed by some force.

In his hazy consciousness, he wondered if his dream was coming true—was a black-stockinged Cat Girl launching a night raid on him?

He dazedly opened his eyes and pushed his upper body up from the simple bed frame made of a few wooden planks.

Something was indeed raiding him at night, and it was black enough, but unfortunately, it wasn't black stockings, nor was it a Cat Girl.

A figure in black was half-squatting by the low bed, the kind with only their eyes exposed. Judging by physical characteristics, it was likely a man.

But with Alice's lesson fresh in his mind, he didn't dare be certain. He prepared to ask what this person was doing sneaking into his tent.

“Shh.” Seeing Zhang Mu about to speak, the man in black raised his index finger to his lips. His other hand pointed at Zhang Mu's right leg. “It has already been activated.”

What the hell is that?

Zhang Mu glanced down. An irregularly shaped transparent crystal was lying on his right leg, emitting a faint blue glow.

“You should feel honored.” The man in black squinted, seemingly smiling. “A lone Magic Apprentice isn't actually worth me dealing with personally.

But because a dungeon is about to open, the Adventurer Group spent all their savings on stockpiling potions and had no spare gold coins to commission tasks.

This heart of mine, thirsting for blood, can hardly be controlled anymore.”

Zhang Mu blinked, understanding now. Someone had paid to cause him trouble?

Who? Vag or the Church? He remembered that Bishop Haige or whatever was in Bala City.

“What I regret is that the employer this time was too kind.” The man in black lowered his head and sighed. “They actually only wanted to give you a lesson you'd remember well enough.

To not be able to have a satisfying slaughter is truly...”

Shaking his head to himself, he looked up. “Although I would dearly love to spend an entire night dismembering you, unfortunately, based on the principle of service first,”

“Even I must strictly adhere to the mission requirements.”

As he spoke, he looked at the crystal lying on Zhang Mu's thigh. “A special gemstone mined from the northern veins of the Lake Kingdom. Its output is scarce.”

“Once infused with mana, any slight collision or movement will trigger a violent mana riot.”

“The power is decent. It's useless against a High-level mage who has learned Magic Shield, but for someone like you who hasn't even cultivated mana, you will die.”

“In twelve hours, the mana in the crystal will completely dissipate. Until then, friend, do not move.”

“Suffering in the fear of death for twelve hours... I think you will learn your lesson well enough.”

He stood up and turned toward the door flap, muttering to himself, “Clearly just a trainee mage who can't even sense mana fluctuations,”

“How was he reported as a Magic Apprentice...”

“Wait.”

A voice called out from behind him. He instinctively turned around. Zhang Mu was smiling somewhat awkwardly.

“Well, you spent so much time talking before making it clear. Uh, I've already moved.”

The man in black: “?”

...

Inside her tent, Frederica lay on her side on the low bed, her head resting on her right arm. Her eyes were open; she was lost in thought and couldn't sleep.

After exploring this dungeon, she thought she'd travel to other human kingdoms. She hoped to see more interesting scenery and meet humans as interesting as Zhang Mu.

Hmm... Why didn't Zhang Mu come to Bala City with his senior sister?

They seemed to have a very good relationship.

Speaking of which, her luck was really good. To think Zhang Mu was actually an Apothecary; otherwise, she would have had to regretfully miss this dungeon.

If he didn't have other urgent matters, perhaps she could invite him to travel through So— What a violent mana riot!

Frederica grabbed her recurve bow leaning against the bed, leapt up, threw open the door flap, and rushed out.

Not just her—from the nearby tents, Adventurers were emerging one after another.

Looking around, she found the source of the riot.

Zhang Mu sat on the grass with a dazed expression. His tent, the simple bed—everything had vanished into thin air.

Adjacent to him, Alice's and Saldari's tents had also been blown away to who-knows-where, leaving only scattered scraps of wood from the broken bed frames.

“What happened?!” Frederica ran to his side and asked with a solemn expression.

“Uh... how should I put it.” Zhang Mu stood up and brushed the grass clippings off his butt. “An assassin wanted to mess with me, but because he talked too much, he screwed himself over.”

“Huh?” Her tone was confused; she clearly didn't understand.

“It's a small matter. Anyway, he's gone now.”

Waving his hand, Zhang Mu looked at the late-arriving Vag. “Mr. Vag, you slept quite soundly today. Such a big commotion and you're only just getting here.”

“What are you talking about?”

Looking at his blank expression, Zhang Mu felt a bit of doubt in his heart.

Was it him?

The only two people he currently had conflicts with, besides the Church, was him. Oh, and there was also Andre.

But given the decisive character that guy displayed, he didn't seem like the type to do something so pointless.

Meanwhile, Frederica recounted what had just happened to the three elves.

Saldari and Alice ran over to ask if Zhang Mu was injured. After learning he was fine, they looked relieved. “Mr. Zhang Mu, go rest first.”

“Alice and I will keep watch tonight.”

“No need. I brought the trouble on myself, so I'll take the watch.”

Vag, however, muttered, “I told you, we shouldn't travel with humans. Aside from attracting trouble, they serve no purpose.”

“Vag.” Alice went over and patted his shoulder. “Without the potions provided by Mr. Zhang Mu, we wouldn't even have the chance to participate in this dungeon.”

“That's only because we went to Kas Town...”

“Quiet.” Frederica stared at him. “I accepted the mission. If you want to complain, the target should be me.”

“I wouldn't dare, Your Highness.”

Frowning deeply, she thought to herself. Conflict within the team would greatly affect coordination during combat and could even lead to unnecessary danger.

“Vag, you go back to Bala...”

“Don't.” Zhang Mu walked over with a smile. “The various treasures in the dungeon are a great boost to one's strength. It would be a great pity for Mr. Vag to miss out like this.”

“I believe he can control his emotions, right?”

The last sentence was directed at Vag.

“That is correct, Your Highness,” he replied sincerely.

“Then fix the tent and get some rest quickly. I'll be responsible for the watch,” Frederica ordered.

The three elves obeyed the command, went to retrieve the tarps and wooden frames, and got busy.

Zhang Mu, meanwhile, walked toward a nearby mound of earth.

“Where are you going?”

“To use the bathroom.”

“Be careful.”

“Got it.”

Strolling behind the mound, Zhang Mu pulled out his business while thinking.

Go back to Bala City? If I let you go back, what was the point of me joining the group? I'm not that bored.

As for the one who sent this assassin...

“Andre can basically be ruled out. If it were him, he definitely wouldn't mess around with some crystal. He'd probably just send a High-level mage directly,”

“To ensure no accidents happen.”

Unzipping, Zhang Mu whispered to himself.

“Mr. Zhang Mu is right. If it were the First Prince, he would indeed do as you say.”

A voice suddenly spoke from behind him, giving Zhang Mu such a fright that he shuddered. While pulling up his zipper, he yelled:

“You pervert! Peeping at someone using the bathroom?!”