Elorin Police Station - Da Fei, holding the mayorâs recommendation letter, meets Kalon, the director of the Police Station, a middle-aged elf with a scar on his face and a gloomy gaze. Holy shit! Seeing how respectfully the mayor treated him, I thought he was some kind of hero.
But then again, NPC heroes usually hold positions in Professional Guilds and high ranks in the military. Theyâre not so easy to come across.
Kalon glanced at the recommendation letter Da Fei handed him and sneered coldly, "What, did the president take on the post because he didnât trust the cityâs defenses after the fishery incident, so he decided to step in personally?"
Da Fei quickly waved his hands, "No, no, I want to contribute to the development of Elorin!"
Kalon snorted, "Regardless of your motive, with the mayorâs recommendation letter, I have no choice but to let you participate in the assessment, even if youâre a human."
Da Fei chuckled, "Rest assured, Director, although Iâm human, my heart is with the Alliance, and Iâll definitely pass the assessment with flying colors."
Kalon indifferently said, "Enough talk, let me announce the assessment rules. They are simple; our bureau issues multiple merit-based warrant tasks every week. The more and quicker you complete, the higher the merit rewards. The first candidate to reach 300,000 merit points will secure the position of Security Captain. However, another candidate started the test before you and has already accumulated a large number of merit points, which is very unfair to you, isnât it?"
Who the hell got ahead of me?
Da Fei couldnât help but nod reluctantly, "Exactly, itâs totally unfair as weâre not even on the same starting line. How about, Director, letting him take a break?"
Kalon laughed loudly, "Our department is in need of personnel; we canât keep the position vacant for too long. First come, first served. But donât panic, you still have a chance by tackling a high-difficulty task. As long as you complete one before the other candidate submits theirs, youâll pass directly, how about that?"
Holy crap! Oh wise Mayor, this bastard is indeed causing me trouble with a tough task!
It seems that thereâs no other way. As busy as I am, thereâs no way Iâm spending every day doing those warrant tasks like chasing chickens; I canât catch up using conventional methods. I have to pull a big move.
Da Fei nodded, "Please assign the task, Director!"
Kalon threw over a black-covered register and said solemnly, "The criminals listed here are vicious and cunning fugitives wanted across the Alliance, hiding in corners of the world. Just capture one of them. Of course, even if hunting these criminals costs you time and you miss the test, no worries, weâll discuss re-arranging a position for you. And if you capture more, maybe youâll be directly appointed as a Squadron Leader or even Battalion Leader. How about that? Isnât that too fair for you?"
Oh? High-difficulty tests come with such perks? This is a guaranteed win, no loss. Da Fei had no choice but to nod, "Fair! Thank you for the arrangement, Director!"
Kalon laughed heartily, "Alright, time is precious, you can prepare to depart now."
"Understood!"
As Da Fei left the room, he couldnât resist curiosity and flipped open the first page of the black book.
âWanted: Ripper Jack, an S-class felon, brutally dismembered 300 civilians in Turin Town and was sentenced to hanging. However, Ripper Jack resurrected as an Undead and escaped to Black Peak City in Undead City, becoming even crazier. Ripper Jack must die!
Achoo! Da Fei spat out his drink! Are you kidding me, do I have to flatten Black Peak City and drag him out? Or lurk in the bushes for days and nights waiting for him to go for a walk? Such a pain in the ass, PASS!
Looking at the second one:
âWanted: Countess Levenski, an SS-class felon, former member of the Levenski family, influenced by a cult, secretly detained and slaughtered a hundred virgins, drank their fresh blood to transform into a vampire, now affiliated with Blood Moon Kingdom. Countess Levenski must die!
Achoo! Da Fei spat again! Can it get any more credible? A countess?! If I kill such a high-profile figure, and Iâm just made a small Security Captain, youâre kidding, right?
Letâs continue flipping!
âWanted: Scissorhands, an S felon, formerly... now fled to...
The New World, what the hell!
ââ Wanted: Thief Philips, a Class S criminal, who once stole the Eternal Bell. He was last seen in Desert City...
Damn it! Do I have to search the entire desert for him? What a joke! Iâm not exactly desperate for a Divine Artifact, PASS!
Da Fei flipped through the pages repeatedly, growing more frustrated! What a trap! These fugitives either hide in enemy territories or disappear without a trace in deserts and seas, who could possibly catch them? Moreover, who would bother chasing after them? Even though the process of capturing might yield more benefits than the reward itself, no amount of reward aligns with my strategy, so Iâll just disregard it!
Da Fei let out a desperate sigh, thereâs really no hope!
Maybe, I should change my approach, find that rival of mine, have a good chat, and then perhaps make friends. How about spending some money to hire him as a team leader to guard my Chamber of Commerce?
And am I overthinking this? This time, to kill an NPC, the Royal Family and the Blood Sea paid such a huge price, is it even worth it? Maybe theyâll back off when they find it too difficult?
Well, none of this feels reliable. If all else fails, should I build a shipyard in Radiant City and move all of the NPC to that side? That way, I wouldnât have to worry about players causing trouble!
While deeply immersed in thought, Da Fei absentmindedly flipped to the last page of the black book.
ââ Wanted: Former Desolate Barbarian Pirate Leader, Rock, an SSS-ranked criminal, a Pirate Hero. It once required military forces to confront him. After falling out of power during internal conflicts, he fled with a few of his remaining soldiers to the Eastern World. His crimes wonât diminish with his fall; he must face justice and be captured! You will receive a substantial reward from the Alliance!
Da Fei was shocked, holy shit! Catherineâs dad! So thatâs whatâs been happening in Desolate Island, no wonder Catherine hasnât come back lately, she must have been trying to find news about her dad!
Da Fei shook his head with a wry smile, looks like itâs pretty obvious what mission Catherine is about to trigger - "Whereâs Daddy?"
The moment this mission hits, it seems Iâll have no choice but to accept it! Sheâs already disappeared for several days without taking on the mission. If I dare not accept, sheâll just vanish from my sight! Ah, this is the painful part of dealing with Epic Heroes, never letting me have peace.
The Eastern World is scattered with islands, dominated by Nagas, practically a haven for Sea Monster bandits. The official website doesnât reveal much, nor does data from public testing. Itâs not a place current players should venture into, right? But Iâve been to the Nether Sea; where canât I go then? I better prepare to meet my father-in-law, hoping he might surrender willingly, hahaha! Painful!
Anyway, since going to the Eastern World seems inevitable, letâs see how many fugitives are there. After all, the Dwarf General mentioned, itâs a lawless haven for the fiercest criminals.
To no surprise, I found three!
ââ Wanted: Iron Hook Tiger, an S-ranked criminal, a pirate who attacked the navy escorting Purcell Sand merchant fleets and transported Purcell sand to the Eastern World. He must be severely punished.
ââ Wanted: Silver Leg Xiluo, an S-ranked criminal, a pirate, who stole the Blast Alchemy Potion formula from the Seven Cities Federation and hid in the Eastern World. Capture him and recover the stolen formula, you will receive a substantial reward from the Seven Cities Federation.
ââ Wanted: Blasphemer George, an SS-ranked criminal, a Fallen Priest, who betrayed the faith of the Light God and joined a cult, spreading its teachings everywhere, and stole the Holy Artifact Light Tears from the church and hid in the Eastern World. This man is too dangerous and cunning; the church has authorized that upon discovery, he may be executed immediately, but the Light Tears must be brought back. The church will reward generously.
...
Shit, tough and daring enough! Alright, Iâll just wipe them out on my way!
Also, the Eastern World is a territory untouched by NPC Kingdoms; if I can secure a mine there or guard some land, wonât that expand my territory? But for territory, Iâd need a Sealing Order, which players canât obtain before level 50, which is troubling. Could it be like Radiant City, developed in partnership with the Kingdom? But without the Kingdomâs benefits there, why would I cooperate? If I donât cooperate, how will I defend or grow?
Or maybe, like planting Holy Vine Seeds around Netherworld Miracle Island to fence the perimeter, the longer it drags on, the thicker the Holy Vine grows, the better for me?
Well, I might have thought too much! Thereâs already too much on my plate here. So, Iâm really not inclined to vie for the position of Security Captain.
Da Fei left the police station, planning to return to Radiant City and continue his online venture when he suddenly remembered the three employees at the fishery. Nothing much to say, as a guild leader I must visit and bring some fine wine and dishes â a chance to win hearts.
Actually, thinking about it, this is clearly a nonsensical player PK which granted the three brothers a commendatory achievement at the fishery, surely triggering some plot? Besides, *)"