32: Chapter 32 Hunting

Early the next morning, before the sky was fully bright, Chen Ergou scrambled out of bed. He first opened the Stall System 3.0, retrieved five truth cookies from the item list, and carefully placed them into his backpack. Then, he checked his equipment and potions, confirming everything was foolproof before heading out.

Ye Liuli was already waiting for him at the entrance of the Novice Village. The morning sun had just risen, and its golden rays spilled over her silver-white hair, making her look as beautiful as a painting. She was wearing a light blue mage robe and holding a staff, looking heroic and spirited.

"You're here?" She glanced at Chen Ergou.

"Here, I'm here." Chen Ergou trotted over. "Guild Leader Xiguang, you look really beautiful today."

"Be serious." Ye Liuli shot him a glare, but the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

The two of them headed together to the forest on the east side of the Novice Village. This forest was a spawn area for level 15 to 20 monsters, and many players usually trained here. However, because it was early morning, there weren't many people yet, though one could occasionally see a few early-rising players fighting monsters in the distance.

"Are you sure Shadow Blade will be here?" Ye Liuli hid behind a large tree and asked in a low voice.

"Don't worry, I heard it clearly." Chen Ergou pointed to his ear. "This guy comes here to train for two hours every morning, rain or shine. And he has a habit of training alone, without bringing anyone else."

As they were talking, a faint sound of footsteps came from afar. The two held their breath simultaneously and looked out through the gaps in the leaves.

A player in black leather armor was walking over from the distance. He was slim and agile, wearing a black mask on his face that revealed only a pair of cold, gloomy eyes. Two daggers were tucked at his waist, their blades shimmering with a faint, cold glint.

[Shadow Blade], Vice-Guild Leader of [Dark Night], Level 18, Assassin class.

Chen Ergou quickly obtained his information through the system's appraisal function. Level 18, two levels higher than him, but not too strong. The assassin class was characterized by high burst and speed but low defense; once controlled, it was hard to recover.

"He's here," Chen Ergou whispered.

Ye Liuli nodded and gripped her staff tightly. According to the plan, Ye Liuli would attract attention from the front, while Chen Ergou would take the opportunity to flank and feed Shadow Blade the truth cookie. The key to this plan was speed; they had to stuff the cookie into his mouth before Shadow Blade could react.

"Go!"

Ye Liuli flashed out from behind the tree. Her speed was extremely fast, her mage robe flapping in the wind like an ice phoenix spreading its wings.

"Who?!" Shadow Blade reacted extremely quickly, instantly entering stealth mode, his figure disappearing into the air.

But Ye Liuli had anticipated this. Although an assassin's stealth could make them invisible, it wasn't completely invincible. She waved her staff, and an [Illumination] spell lit up the surrounding area, revealing Shadow Blade's figure. With his stealth broken, Shadow Blade's silhouette flickered in the light like a twisted mass of air.

"The Guild Leader of [Dawn]?" Shadow Blade's expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure. "I didn't expect you to come personally."

"To catch you," Ye Liuli said coldly. She waved her staff again, and a [Frost Bind] flew toward Shadow Blade.

Shadow Blade dodged, but Ye Liuli's attacks came one after another, giving him no chance to catch his breath. Frost spells rained down like a storm, forcing Shadow Blade to retreat repeatedly.

"Damn it!" Shadow Blade cursed under his breath. Just as he was about to counterattack, he suddenly felt a chill behind him. He instinctively looked back and saw Chen Ergou standing three steps away, holding a cookie with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Brother, want a cookie? I made it myself, it's delicious."

"What?!" Shadow Blade was shocked, but it was too late.

Chen Ergou's speed was much faster than he had imagined. He lunged forward, stuffed the cookie into Shadow Blade's mouth, and then rolled away to dodge the counterattack. Shadow Blade tried to spit it out, but the cookie melted the moment it entered his mouth, leaving no time.

[System Prompt: The target has consumed the "truth cookie", effect duration 30 minutes.]

"Done!" Chen Ergou snapped his fingers, his face full of triumph.

Shadow Blade glared, wanting to lash out, but his body wouldn't obey him. "You… what did you do to me?!" He asked through gritted teeth, but his voice already carried a trace of involuntary honesty.

Chen Ergou chuckled. "Nothing, just wanted to ask you a few questions."

He cleared his throat and said seriously, "First question, who is the mole in the [Dawn] guild?"

Shadow Blade wanted to keep his mouth shut, but the effect of the truth cookie made it impossible for him to control his own mouth. "It's… it's the vice-guild leader of [Dawn], 'Windwalker'." He said the answer with difficulty, every word feeling like a struggle.

Ye Liuli's expression changed. "What?!"

Windwalker, the vice-guild leader of [Dawn], had followed her since the day she founded the guild and was one of the people she trusted most. They had experienced countless battles together; she had even regarded him as her own brother. It was actually him?!