Hal trailed a few ters behind ten n as they walked deeper into the forest.
He was quite glad that they weren’t headed to any shady establishnt because if they were, he wouldn’t allow himself to be detained and would have to fight to the death.
It was also fortunate that the bastards had grown complacent due to their Manatech hoverboards, which was why they allowed him to walk behind them, believing he wouldn’t be able to escape even if he tried.
The current situation was better than he expected.
He doubted these underlings would be willing to take the expensive Manatech hoverboards deeper into the forest, so not only would he have a chance to escape from these ten if the situation called for it, but he might also be able to slip away from mbers of the other factions likely trailing them from the shadows.
’The only problem is...’
Hal glanced at Loki.
’Would he be able to keep up?’
’Ahh...whatever, I’ll just grab him if the situation calls for it...’
Low as the chance was, he might be able to outwit the bastards.
They also wouldn’t be able to identify him, as both his Grand Magic Academy and Arcanist Alias Identification Cards, along with his registered jester mask, the clothes he used in the competition, and his silver coins, were all stored in the system’s inventory.
There was nothing in his sack and modern training bags except his daily wear, training clothes, and a week’s worth of rations for both him and Loki.
Soon, the n stopped and turned around to face him.
Hal’s eyes darted about.
It seed that he was taken deep into the forest, but not too deep that there was a possibility of encountering C-ranked creatures or higher.
He sneered inwardly.
The bastards were also afraid of dying, it seems.
Logically speaking, though, being this deep in a place teeming with terrifying beasts and monsters would be enough for a helpless arcanist to spill all his secrets in exchange for his life.
’Heh, unfortunately for you guys, I’m also a combat wizard...’
"So, kid. What we want is simple," a middle-aged man with long green hair and a goatee began. "We’re looking for soone, you see, and that soone is hiding behind a mask and an alias. First, tell , what is your na and why did you go to Azmarin City? From what our n told us, you’re from Calaren City, no?"
Hal feigned a confused look, furrowing his brows.
"I’m Tang In-Ha, and I’m indeed from Calaren City. As for your other question, I went to Azmarin to watch the Manaforge Initiate Competition."
The leader gazed coldly at Hal for a few monts before responding:
"I see, that’s fair...Now then, how about you show us what’s in your bags, huh? That would most likely solve everything."
To the goons’ surprise, the young man easily complied with their request, though the displeased look on Hal’s face never left.
He laid out everything inside his bag: his clothes, his rations, his towels, and a few silver coins.
Hal also made sure to turn his bags upside down and shake them a few tis to prove that these were everything he had.
The goon squad leader and his n frowned.
Was this another bust?
This guy’s height and hair color resembled Joker’s the most among those they had followed...
However, a registered mask was inscribed with the Imperial Arcanist Guild’s brand to ensure authenticity, and there should be a registered alias card that ca with it.
No one would be crazy enough to throw away such important items, especially not Joker, who had built his entire reputation on those two things.
The celebrated young arcanist would need them to prove his identity and claim his glory, as no one would believe him otherwise.
It seed that the young man wasn’t the person they were looking for.
But just to be sure...
"Give us the bags. There might be hidden pockets," pressed the leader, unwilling to let the young man go so easily.
If their squad managed to find Joker, their standing in their boss’s secret organization would skyrocket.
And so, Hal pressed on with the act, gritting his teeth as he tossed both bags to the bastards.
The other mbers of the squad kept a close watch on his facial expressions the entire ti, making sure he wouldn’t be able to bluff his way out—if he was really Joker, that is.
A few minutes later, the long-haired leader clicked his tongue and sighed.
"There’s nothing here. He’s not the one."
The man then tossed the bags back to Hal and ordered his n to leave with him, not caring in the slightest about Hal, who was still putting his items back into his bags.
Watching the squad of a rival faction leave, the others who had been watching from the shadows lowered their guards and also sighed.
They had been ready to fight the long-haired man and his squad for the trophy if the young man was truly Joker.
But unfortunately, it seed he was not.
The majority also left to return to Azmarin City in search of new targets.
Only a few remained, though even they didn’t hold out much hope, lingering for just a few seconds before sighing and turning to leave.
Everyone froze, however, when they saw the Buskarr Clan’s n returning to where Hal was.
"B-Boss Hector, why did we suddenly turn back?" asked one of the long-haired man’s subordinates.
"Ahh, I just want to take a photo of that young man, just in case," Hector explained.
Despite all the evidence suggesting Hal wasn’t Joker, a nagging feeling inside the goon leader persisted.
Hector planned to take a clear photo so he could search for Hal and keep an eye on him later, in case Joker managed to sohow slip through the net in Azmarin and keep his true identity hidden.
They also had the option of trying to pull a few strings within the Imperial Arcanist Guild.
However, that ant daring to cross the emperor.
Even the aristocrats wouldn’t risk the fate of their entire clan for the sake of a re rising arcanist—at least, not until they were desperate enough.
But after just a few steps, they noticed sothing crawling from the direction of the young man, sprawling across the ground...
"Mist?"
Hector’s eyes widened as realization crept in.
"T-That bastard! Leoric!" the leader exclaid in a slight panic, turning to his vice-leader, who was a wind elental mage.
"On it!"
The next mont, Leoric summoned a gust of wind that gradually blew the mist away, revealing the path back to the interrogation spot.
But the young man was gone...
"Damn it all!!" cursed Hector.
"Spread out and search for the bastard!"
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