Inside the main office of the Novice Center, Maggie stood at the front of a long table surrounded by people of different stature.
These individuals were official mbers of the No. 3 Novice Center Frontline Team.
After discussing what had occurred during the mission—while excluding certain details, especially Vincent's request not to fully disclose that he was the one who killed the Howling Spire Lord—she explained that Vincent had helped her defeat the Howling Spire Lord.
During their discussion, she ntioned the Howling Spire Lord's words.
"Are you saying soone helped him escape from the labyrinth?" a blonde-haired, copper-skinned young man in his early twenties, sporting a brush-up hairstyle, silver plate armor, and an azure cape draped over his shoulder, asked in a skeptical voice.
This man, Mauro—an Almaurian—was also a vice leader of the Frontline Team. He had been deployed on another mission during the breakout and thus had arrived late.
"How's that even possible? You know that a labyrinth's bosses are like programd primals that, once killed, only respawn after a specific amount of ti. The only ways for them to leave the labyrinth are to break through to a certain level or cultivate a Labyrinth's Heart!
"And according to your 'assumption'—without actual investigation—he received help from an outsider to escape the labyrinth? You're spouting nonsense."
Maggie kept her eyes shut. Mauro might sound rude, but he had the right to question her. She lacked sufficient proof and had based her assumption solely on the Howling Spire Lord's words.
At this mont, another voice chid in. It was deep, composed, and filled with authority.
"That's enough, Mauro. If you want to know, investigate it yourself."
The speaker was a man with the appearance of a red-scaled dragon and the broad body of a human, wearing the Novice Center's uniform. He was also a mber of the Drakorii race.
This individual was the leader of the Novice Center Frontline Team, D'raur.
Mauro glanced at him. His gaze darkened, but he didn't retort. Clicking his tongue in subtle annoyance, he murmured to himself, "Tsk! He's obviously taking her side..."
D'raur clasped his hands together and stood up, followed by the other mbers. With his back to them, he spoke. "I believe I don't need to say what I want to happen. Bring results."
The ever-mysterious leader of their Frontline Team was a man of few words. He appeared only briefly during discussions and reports, never directly sharing his thoughts. Yet, his eyes and actions were enough for them to understand his intentions. Find your next read at empire
In unison, they answered, "Yes, Team Leader!"
However, one of them kept his mouth shut until D'raur's presence disappeared.
"Tsk! He's going to leave us all the work again and will only co back after we finish the job to take all the credit," Mauro muttered in a low voice, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Despite his words, no one argued with him. Although they remained silent, they shared the sa thoughts. They had no idea what their Team Leader did without them. He was always absent during team missions, claiming to be on "special missions." However, he never once explained what kind of missions these were.
They could only sigh inwardly.
Maggie, on the other hand, was lost in thought, still wondering about Vincent's identity and intentions.
'I have to talk to him,' she thought as she left the main office.
Back to Vincent's side.
After parting ways with Maggie, he left the sanctuary and followed the map she had handed to him. He was curious about where Lizno had dragged Garmus and the mbers of the Hyena Gang.
He was currently in the southern area of Verdant Wilds. After treading a hidden path shown on the map and brushing away thick bushes, he discovered a dilapidated manor.
The building looked ancient, its walls covered with thick vines that spread like veins.
Mochi, perched on his shoulder, perked up her long ears.
"There are people inside," her voice rang in his mind. He didn't need her to tell him, as he could already sense their presence.
Creak~
The manor's door groaned as he pushed it open. Strangely, compared to its outer appearance, the manor was neat and clean inside, as if soone was living there.
At that mont, heavy footsteps approached from beyond the living room door. Soon, a familiar figure appeared before him.
It was Lizno, his expression one of excitent, as though eting his idol.
"Sir, you're here!" Lizno exclaid.
Vincent remained stoic and guarded.
"Why did you call here? What is this place?" he questioned, his voice cold.
Hearing his tone, Lizno hurriedly explained, afraid Vincent might misunderstand.
"Please don't get the wrong idea, sir. I an no harm in bringing you here. It's about this... After you told to tie up and guard Garmus and his goons, I discovered they were part of the Hyena Gang, and the person you killed was their infamous leader!"
"Oh…" Vincent responded with a blank expression beneath his mask, uninterested. He clearly had no idea who they were, and even if he did, he wouldn't care.
Seeing Vincent's indifferent reaction, Lizno quickly continued.
"During your absence, I took the initiative to check their belongings and found the map to this place—their hideout. I also overheard their secret conversation about you. They were planning to abduct you."
Lizno was curious about why they wanted to kidnap Vincent, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He knew better than to say too much. He still couldn't forget how the man before him had killed without hesitation.
Although dying in the Origin World didn't an death in the real world, it was still a massive setback for anyone.
Vincent remained calm as he listened. He had already expected this, and Jessica had notified him earlier.
"Did you find anything else? What about the other gang mbers?"
Lizno realized from the question that Vincent had no idea who the Hyena Gang truly were.
"Yes, sir. I found their stash of treasures. Regarding the gang mbers, the Hyena Gang is notorious for having seven Tier 2 mbers. You killed their leader and gravely injured their vice leader. The others are currently locked in the basent with Garmus."
Vincent frowned slightly.
"They're infamous despite being so weak?"
His innocent question made Lizno's lips twitch.
Lizno wanted to say that only Vincent would think so because of his strength. For a newbie and a Tier 1 Origin Warrior, the Hyena Gang was already considered formidable. However, as usual, Lizno kept his thoughts to himself.
He simply agreed. "Yes…"
Vincent then said, "Take to them."
"Yes, sir. Please follow ."
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