The Adventurer's Mission Log

Chapter 19 Uninvited Guest

"I've never seen you before." Simon quietly pressed his sword, his hawk-like amber eyes scanning the newcomer. When he caught sight of the faint blue scales peeking out from under the cloak, he shifted into a sitting position where he could draw his sword at any moment.

A mutant? No, he's half-human.

"Now that we've met," Tenor said, sitting across from Simon. "You can call me Tenor, Mr. Simon. I'm very interested in the commission you're working on."

Simon withdrew his gaze, his voice as cold as iron, "For Mor's sake, leave before I draw my sword, and return to Banusirhan."

This is the territory of the empire, and even the 'ruling ruler' has no right to interfere in the affairs of the empire!

The Black Rose Knights will handle out-of-control anomalies; it's not your place to illegally cross the border and hunt them down yet!

Tenor realized there had been a misunderstanding. "I'm not from Sirhani. If I were serving a Mamur, why would I be working day and night for clues about sublimation reagents, to the point of finding out about you?"

Simon remained suspicious, leaning forward slightly. But seeing that Tenor had the same short black hair as him, he was a typical Imperial, a descendant of Nomo. His demeanor and mannerisms were also those of an Imperial, so he was definitely not from the Sylhani side.

But who can guarantee that this isn't a spies of Sylhani infiltrated into the Empire? Imperial citizens can also become slave warriors of the "Mamur".

Perhaps he is an imperial citizen on the outside, but a Silhani on the inside!

"I swear to Sirhan!" Simon pressed on aggressively, showing no sign of letting up.

Despite his doubts, Tenor did as he was told. "If you need... I swear to Sirhan, I have nothing to do with Sirhani, I've never been there."

Simon breathed a sigh of relief, his tense face relaxed, and he picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

For the Silhani people, they can deceive about anything except lying in the name of Silhan.

"If you're here for the sublimation reagent, you'd better put away your curiosity, pretend you know nothing, and don't ask me any more questions. Don't put yourself in front of the 'Shadow Hand's' blade."

You can try your luck in other cities; there's always a chance you'll find the reagent you need.

"Thank you, but I've already made up my mind." Tenor was no longer just after the sublimation reagent; he also wanted the power belt.

"Unless you don't need my help, I'm definitely getting involved." Tenor stared intently into Simon's eyes and saw the man's anxiety; he needed help.

Sure enough, Simon hesitated for a moment, then said, "If you're not afraid of dying..."

Just then, the bell by the door rang. Looking up, a man in black appeared at the tavern entrance. Tenor recognized him as the one he had seen before entering.

His face beneath the hood was filled with terror, large beads of sweat streamed down his forehead, and his eyes darted among the customers in the store, as if hinting at something.

"What's wrong, Pamir?" Giovanni, the halfling, poked his head out and asked.

Pamir walked stiffly into the tavern, each step feeling like a struggle against another will.

He seemed to want to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth.

Everyone in the tavern noticed something was wrong. Tenor put down his wine glass and picked up his weapon.

A voice came from Pamir's mouth, but judging from his contorted and struggling expression, it was clearly someone else speaking through his mouth:

"Mr. Simon, where is Basel the 'Fearless' hiding? He's the last one."

Simon's expression changed drastically.

Giovanni, the halfling, realized the newcomers meant trouble and screamed, "Get out! This isn't a place for you! You weren't recommended!"

A chant-like incantation came from upstairs, carrying a calming power.

Pamir's eyelids grew heavy, and the next moment he fell into a deep sleep and collapsed to the ground.

But his shadow still stands.

No, that wasn't a shadow at all.

The viscous, almost tangible shadow trembled, the room temperature rose rapidly, and stray flames flickered around it, barely outlining a humanoid shape of flame.

"Shadowfire Monster!" the ranger at the next table exclaimed, scrambling to dodge the fireballs thrown by the monster.

A hoarse, brutal incantation clashed with a requiem, and a pair of scarlet sparks ignited on the monster's head. The warriors at the table opposite it, who had just gotten up and charged forward, suddenly froze halfway there.

"Don't look into its eyes!" the ranger warned, nocking a silver arrow onto the bowstring and slowly pulling it back.

The shadow was engulfed in flames as soon as the hidden arrow shot by Simon got close, and Simon began to chant a spell.

The flames on the Shadowfire were flickering precariously, as if it had fallen into a disadvantageous position. It let out a rough roar, and the flames on its body intensified.

The Pamirs on the ground were affected by the heat wave and instantly turned into fire.

The uninvited guest stirred up a hornet's nest, and multiple curses echoed throughout the first floor.

Tenor took the lead, overtaking the crowd, and activated his alienated form.

In an instant, the Shadowfire monster, which was the size of a normal person, became a dwarf in front of him. He unleashed a sudden attack, slamming his shield down hard on the monster.

The oncoming heat wave did not render Thoros incapable of moving; on the contrary, after his scales were burned off, he became even more ruthless.

The pair of scarlet sparks looked at Tenor, but he had already actively aroused his bestial nature, and Thoros was completely unaffected by this mental shock.

The shadow rapidly expanded, and countless crackling flames burst forth within its blackness, seemingly preparing to explode.

"Thump!"

Within three steps, the shield moved swiftly, and Ternor slammed it to the ground with a single blow.

An ordinary shield might not be able to hurt it, but Tenor's is an anti-magic shield, so it can strike magical phantoms as if they were real.

The flames suddenly dimmed, and the shadows vanished quickly, revealing a brown-skinned man with a flattened head.

Blood and brain matter flowed out, he was dead beyond dead.

The conflict, which occurred in the blink of an eye, ended just as abruptly.

The gazes fixed on Ternor were filled not only with surprise but also with awe.

"Fancy and flashy," Tenor sneered, having regained control of his body and returned to human form.

Even Anthony wouldn't dare let him get that close.

The ranger, who had just nocked his bow, let out a long sigh of relief and put down his weapon. "Someone dispose of this idiot's corpse; it's ruining my appetite."

"Alas, poor Pamir," someone lamented, "that unfortunate fellow couldn't be more dead."

Simon approached Tenor and acknowledged his abilities. "Since you're willing to help Basel find release, get ready!" Simon bent down to offer a preliminary prayer for the two corpses and began to prepare them for burial.

Moore's doctrine requires believers to "never refuse to officiate at a funeral."

Amidst his busy work, he said without any joy or sorrow, "When you join in, you should know that there will be many more guests like this."

Once we're out of the city, daggers could be thrust out from any corner, and the Hand of Shadows will eliminate all those who know the truth.

"It doesn't sound like a big deal." Tenor didn't care; he was thick-skinned and unafraid of being attacked from the shadows.

Simon expressed his admiration for Tenor's fearlessness, "...Rest tonight and set off tomorrow morning."

We must bring Basel under control as soon as possible; he is causing great distress to the local villagers.

"What if we can't control him?" Tenor returned to his seat and downed his drink in one gulp.

Simon paused for a moment, then said, "Then kill him. As for what you want... I can use my psychic powers to get it for you."

"Then, the task is simple." Tenor was already prepared.

He doesn't know what kind of half-human assassin he'll encounter, but he's determined to get the recipe.