Hot summer afternoon. The guild hall was even more deserted than in the morning. If the mole-hawk man wasn't snoring, the place would be dead silent.

Ray walked up to the counter and tapped the bell. A crisp 'ding' echoed through the hall.

"Mmhm, You again? Why are you back here?" The mole-hawk man robbed his eyes.

Ray handed over a quest description.

"You can't accept this quest. Your level is too low and you need a team of four."

"You can't do this either. Just hand me the stack in your hand. Bro, you wanna die or something? Break the world record for the most short-lived adventurer?"

"Other quests pay too little though." Ray frowned.

"If you want money, you can always go after the wanted haha. No I'm just joking. You are going to get your ass kicked."

"May I at least have a look though?"

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"One gold per view for the general list, five gold for detailed personal information." The mole-hawk man said with a wide smile.

Ray could not look gloomier. "Is there a bank somewhere? I'll get a loan."

"What?" the mole-hawk man raised a brow.

"You know, banks, loans with interest."

"What's a bank? What's a loan? Doesn't interest me at all."

Ray felt like banging his head against a wall.

Just as he stormed out of the adventurer's guild, a man under purple cloak approached him. "Hey man, I heard you are short on money. I'll sell you some information for one silver."

"Not interested in making deals with eavesdroppers." Ray continued walking.

"I'm sorry alright? Twenty copper. Seriously man? five copper. That's the lowest I can go."

Ray paused and thought for a moment. In the end, curiosity won.

"Good decision. Slave trader Anthony is going to pass by the Niqal mountain range fifty miles north five days from now. He will pass through the main valley. If people ambushed by mine entry three, they can easily catch him by surprise and escape through the mine tunnels. You can get a map, torches, bat repellant, and everything else you need at 'long-live mining' store across town." The figure did not need to whisper. The street noise provided the perfect cover.

"Have you told anyone else?" Ray asked.

"Not that many people."

"How do I know this is not a trap?" Ray asked with laughing eyes.

"umm, I'm pretty sure it's not. Hey look, gotta catch my buddy over there." The cloaked figure blended into the crowd.