Evarius's eyes shone with a meaningful sparkle, and so he awkwardly smiled and said, "You are right, it's my fault, please sit down."

Melvin helplessly sighed whilst shaking his head, and he sat down once again.

And without saying anything, he just studied in the room in silence, waiting for one of them to broach the subject.

Borus glared at Evarius before he said, "Sorry about that, but don't mind him." He then looked at the backroom and said, "Old Bael, please prepare some tea."

Glancing at Melvin he said, "The job is about an infamous Priest."

Hearing the word Priest, Melvin's attention was immediately captivated, and he glanced back at the man and said with a solemn tone, "Go on..."

This time, it was Evarius who interjected and explained, "There is this Priest that we suspect does some magical and bloody experiments with those he deems as both unfaithful and unimportant. Maybe there is even some sexual angle to his crimes, but aren't sure yet."

Registering the news, Melvin asked, "I see, so what is the mission? And what do you need me for?"

The duo glanced at each other, before Borus spoke with a serious voice, "He is very closely connected to the Hatys Bishop of Nightmond."

But Melvin merely blankly looked at him without the slightest reaction, but in his mind, he knew that this individual must be crazy powerful for him to evoke such a strong reaction in them. And so he feigned some understanding and said, "Go on..."

"Our goal is to just gather information," Evarius picked up, "But, we personally can't go inside... And that's where you come in."

Melvin's eyebrows furrowed together because no matter how he looked at it this sounded too risky and suspicious. "Why can't you go inside?" He bluntly asked.

Borus looked at him, and said with a wry smile, "There is a guard inside that would recognize us. And if he does, then we wouldn't be able to bring that priest to justice because we would die long before it." He then shrugged his shoulders, and said, "We are known, we have houses and posts. But for you, it's different. He wouldn't even recognize you, and even if he did he wouldn't be able to find you, and probably he would just think that you tried to steal something. But most importantly, if the job is successful, you'll be long gone from the city because we are certain we can help you do that."

After giving it more thought, Melvin asked, "How strong is this priest?"

"Adept!" Evarius said.

Melvin's eyes widened, and he spread out his hands on opposite sides with an incredulous face on his face, "Then how would it be possible for me to do anything?"

"Don't worry," Assured Evarius, "The priest isn't here. He is out of the city. That's why we need to finish this mission before he comes in. You only need to pay attention to that guard, he is at the Novice Fifth Rank."

"Are you certain?" Melvin questioned with a solemn voice.

"Of course," Evarius comforted, "After all, in this case, we have a common interest. Your win is ours, and if you fail you'll be tortured for answers and you'll probably give up our names." He finished with a smile, "So we need to be sure."

Melvin's eyes were glued to the ground as he habitually nibbled on his left index finger's joints, appearing deep in thought. There was just something about this whole mission that felt strange to him.

After a bit of contemplation, he asked, "So what is it that I should do inside again?"

"It's simple," Evarius explained, "We'll accompany you to help you in the entrance because it's filled with guards. Then you'll enter inside and scour the whole house looking for something that you would deem criminal. And if you find anything, especially if you find someone alive, ask them about their names and leave. If you got caught by the strong guard inside, just do your best to flee and don't engage."

The old man finally brought them a pot of tea with several glass cups in a wooden tray. Borus began pouring tea for the three, as they awaited Melvin's answer.

'Hmmm...' Melvin thought once again, his eyes on the ceiling this time as he scratched beneath his chin, 'It seems like they want me to be their scapegoat against this bishop.'

He had understood how he must be some fearsome character, and frankly, his last encounter with an Adept Tier, Johnathan Parker, had taught him a lot about their strength. Thus, he was a bit wary of offending such a strong person when he was this weak.

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However, this was his ticket out of the city. He just had to help them gather information, and they would get him out of the city.

Outside, Melvin was sure he would be able to cruise through the ranks very quickly, then he would be able to create even stronger runes.

With his Legendary class, it was only a matter of time before he would overpower those Adepts as well, but that was the most difficult thing here, time. He needed to do everything to give himself more of it.

"Let's go for it," Melvin finally said with a determined tone

Hearing that, the two were overjoyed, and so Evarius put down his cup after a sip and said, "Perfect, we will go before the sun goes down."

"Eh?!" Melvin mumbled, "That soon?"

"Yeah, the sooner the better. We don't want to risk the priest suddenly coming back," Evarius explained.

"I can't now," Melvin said, "I need some XP very urgently."

In order to go with them on this risky mission, he had to increase his rank to 5 and get his new legendary skill. He was certain that with it, things would become much easier.

The duo glanced at each other, and then Borus finally offered, "Maybe you can go to the Arena, you can fight to the death there and easily hide your identity."

"Oh?" Melvin was immediately intrigued by such an offer, how he had never heard of that place, he didn't know. So, he questioned, "Do I get to choose to fight whoever I want?"

"No," Borus explained, "They will appraise your class and level, and then they will choose an opponent for you."

Melvin's interest was instantly deflated once he heard that, 'Appraisal? I can't go through that.' He thought. He knew that his legendary class was hidden because of his Title, and so he would merely appear as a small Rank 4 Thief who would pummel everyone he countered into the ground. That was a sure way to raise suspicions, and in this vulnerable state of his, he didn't want any more of that. But he was sure such an incident would raise more than just suspicions, but he was unwilling to find out.

Just as he was about to ask them something else that could help him gain some XP inside of the city, he suddenly thought of something important. The only thing he didn't lack were enemies, and though most of them were important and strong, there were two that he could start with.

The Black Rose Assassination Guild, and most importantly The Ghoul.

"It's fine," He said, waving his hand away, "Tell me about that Ghoul or whatever he is, do you know him?"

The duo looked at each other before Evarius smiled and said, "Sure, but you're not thinking of..."

"Yes," Melvin cut him off with a smile.

"You have to think more about that," Borus said, "He's not just some nobody you know?"

"Why?" Questioned Melvin understanding his point, "Who's backing him?"

"We don't know who specifically," Borus explained, "But most of the underworld is in alliance, and chances are there is someone is in charge of all of them. So..."

Understanding his meaning, Melvin just shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter, what's another one to the mix."

Sighing to themselves, the duo gave him the direction where he would be able to find the Ghoul and his goons.

Whenever Melvin felt forced to say that name he would feel awkward. Calling another grown man Ghoul felt tasteless, and he couldn't imagine who this dork was to give himself such a name, but he was going to find out. The man's latest threat was still vivid in his mind.

'Skin me alive if I don't bring the money?' Melvin thought with a seed of violence slowly growing inside of his heart.

After taking the last sip of tea, Melvin stood up and looked at the two. "Oh yeah..." He murmured, just as he was about to bid them farewell, "Do you know what happened to the four boys who were with me?"

Evarius was the one to speak to this time, "That..." He said, his voice carrying a bit of hesitation.

"Just say it, it's fine," Melvin replied unconcerned.

"Well," He explained, "They were separated and questioned independently. The bigger two of the four kept shut and didn't say anything, but the two smaller ones were quick to break under the stress and the fear of the guards, and they explained everything."

Already expecting such a turn of events, Melvin was unmoved, and so he asked, "What would happen to them?"

"We let them all go," Borus said, "Their shack was cleaned, and they went back to it."

"I see," Murmured Melvin, eyes locked ahead, studying the old man's movements in the backroom. After a while he said, "Alright, we'll meet tomorrow at the same time, right?"

"Yes," Evarius said after standing up as well, "We will eat lunch here and depart. It will be just us three."

After shaking the duo's hands, he gave them one final nod and left through the door with Firrol tailing behind him.

Walking through the narrow streets, Firrol asked, "So you'll go see how they're doing then attack that ghoul?"

"Exactly." Melvin nodded and said with a smile, "I need to be as strong as possible for the upcoming job, and if I manage to leave the city, then..."

"Then what?" Firrol asked, puzzled.

"I will get strong," Melvin said, face gradually turning cold and emotionless, "And return to destroy all of those fuckers. You can't treat a man like this and expect nothing in return." His voice turned chilly, "Ohhh what I would do to them, you can't imagine."

Firrol resisted the notion, his tongue poking out slightly, as he responded with a hint of disbelief, "That much?"

"Of course," Melvin exclaimed, "It's humiliating." Remembering something he turned to glance at the cat walking beside him on the sidewalk and asked, "What about those who killed your mother, and even father... Do you not want to shred them to pieces?"

Firrol's face turned slightly introspective, but somber, and he explained, "No... But not because I don't hate them, it's just that I haven't entertained those thoughts a lot... Much of my aggression was targeted at myself that there was no room for anyone else."

"See," Melvin pointed out angrily, "That's exactly the issue. Those people not only have killed your parents, but they've taken your life as well, and here you are still hating yourself whilst they're enjoying their lives somewhere at the expense of your and your parents' suffering... See that's sick."

Hearing that Firrol didn't respond, but his expression was gradually changing as they walked.