Chapter 1168 Death of someone important (New Arc Begins)
Curiosity glinted in Ayag's eyes as she leaned closer.
"So, what's next for us?" she inquired, her voice echoing the excitement of their newfound venture.
Michael's gaze shifted from the map to the horizon, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"First, we need to pick up Pink from the safehouse," he outlined their immediate plan.
"Then, we'll head straight to this new base of operation," said Michael.
Unfolding the map further, he examined it more closely, his finger tracing the lines and contours until it rested on a specific point. The name 'Kingdom Verdant Forest, ' the domain of the Goddess of Nature, Flora, caught his eye. A new realm, a new adventure.
With a chuckle, Michael looked up from the map, amusement evident in his tone. "Seems like we're going to meet another goddess," he said, the prospect of encountering the Goddess of Nature adding another layer of intrigue to their journey.
Ayag's smirk mirrored Michael's amusement. The idea of venturing into the domain of a goddess, especially one as significant as Flora, was thrilling.
Then, Michael activated his portable divine portal, stepping through the swirling vortex that opened up in the dimly lit room of Pink's safehouse. The sudden appearance of the portal startled Pink, who let out a surprised squeal.
"Ghost!" Pink exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and annoyance.
"A little warning next time, please?" she playfully complained.
Her reaction drew a laugh from Ayag, who couldn't resist poking fun.
"Scared you, didn't he?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Pink, not one to be easily flustered, responded with a playful smirk.
"Maybe just a bit," she admitted, her tone light and playful.
Her attention quickly shifted to the map in Michael's hand.
"What's that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's our new base of operation," Michael replied, a hint of pride in his voice. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the map to her.
Catching the map deftly, Pink unfurled it, her eyes scanning the details.
"Where did you get this? And how?" she inquired, looking up at Michael with genuine curiosity.
"Yes, where did you get it?" Hearing Pink's question, even Sarba chimed in, echoing Pink's question.
Michael responded with his usual calm demeanor.
"Let's just say I have my ways," he said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. The answer, while vague, hinted at the depth and breadth of Michael's resources and connections. In other words, the system.
After a while, Pink's practicality shone through as she inquired about their ability to travel to Verdant Forest without the necessary travel runes.
"Can we even get to Verdant Forest without the right runes?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Michael nodded thoughtfully. "We can pick up a travel rune in Durran," he suggested, already formulating a plan.
With a hint of pride, Pink revealed, "Actually, I found a travel rune to Durran while I was cleaning up this place."
"I had a feeling we'd be moving out soon after dealing with Rainar, so I decided to take everything we might need from here," she said. Her eyes gleamed with a sense of preparedness.
"Did you find anything else that could be useful?" Ayag, always looking for useful items, quickly asked.
Shaking her head, Pink replied, "No, that was pretty much it." Her response was straightforward, indicating she had been thorough in her search.
"That travel rune is going to be a great help," Michael acknowledged, appreciating the foresight Pink had shown.
Holding the portable divine portal in one palm and the metal card engraved with a glowing green rune in the other, Michael carefully placed the rune on the cube-sized device. The portal vibrated slightly as it absorbed the rune, a soft hum filling the room.
"Now, we can leave for Durran," Michael announced, his voice steady and confident.
With a deep sigh, Pink slung her bag over her shoulder, her half-orc physique making the action seem effortless. She took a moment to look around the room, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.
"I'm going to miss this place," she said softly, her gaze lingering on the familiar surroundings.
Michael, sensing the moment of departure had arrived, declared, "Let's go," and stepped towards the swirling vortex of the portal.
Without hesitation, Pink followed, stepping into the portal right behind Michael. As they disappeared from the room, the portal closed behind them, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
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Soon, Michael and Pink, with Vedora perched comfortably on Michael's shoulder, materialized in a dark alley upon their return to Durran. The familiar sights and sounds of the bustling city greeted them, a stark contrast to the quiet seclusion of the safehouse they had just left.
Pink glanced around the dimly lit alley, a sense of nostalgia washing over her. "It's been so long since I was here," she remarked, her voice tinged with a mix of fondness and wistfulness.
Before Michael could respond, Sarba, with his keen senses, pointed towards a group of orcs moving along the street. They were all dressed in gray, their expressions somber and reflective. The unusual attire and demeanor of the orcs caught Michael's attention immediately.
Pink's eyes followed the direction of Sarba's gesture, and her expression turned into a frown. "Orcs don't wear gray unless it's a sign of mourning, for someone important and dear to their kingdom," she explained, her voice low and serious.
Intrigued and concerned, Michael and Pink stepped out of the alley, blending seamlessly into the crowd. As they walked, they were struck by an unexpected sight. Portraits of Gilrut, the runemaster who had been instrumental in their journey, were displayed on various walls and carried by numerous orcs. Each portrait bore the words "Rest in Peace," a tribute to the fallen master.
The realization of Gilrut's passing hit them both like a wave. The runemaster had been more than just an ally; he had been a crucial part of their story in Durran.
As Michael and Pink followed the crowd, they were enveloped in a sea of mixed emotions and hushed conversations. The orcs, humans, and a few elves within the crowd were engaged in solemn discussions about the tragic fate that had befallen Gilrut.
"He was brutally murdered, they say," whispered an orc to his companion, his voice heavy with grief.
"Still no suspect... How could someone do this to Gilrut?" a human added, her tone reflecting a mix of anger and disbelief.
Elves in the crowd shook their heads in dismay. "Such a senseless loss. He was a friend to all races," one of them lamented.
Pink, overhearing the conversations, muttered "Murdered?" in a state of shock. The reality of Gilrut's untimely death was hard to grasp, especially under such violent circumstances.
Michael's expression turned into a frown as he listened to the whispers around him. The crowd spoke of hidden details and conspiracy theories, fueling a sense of unease and suspicion.
"I heard the Durran guards are hiding the truth about the murder," an orc said quietly to his neighbor.
"Ritualistic style, they said. It's frightening to think about," added another voice from the crowd.
"And they haven't shown Gilrut's body to anyone. Why the secrecy?" questioned a skeptical elf, her voice tinged with suspicion.
These conversations painted a picture of mystery and intrigue surrounding Gilrut's death, suggesting that there was more to the story than met the eye. The hidden details and the lack of transparency from the Durran guards only added to the growing sense of unease.
Pink's determination was evident in her voice as she spoke to Michael, known to her as Ghost.
"I want to get to the bottom of this murder, and I want you to kill the murderer," she said firmly, her eyes reflecting a rare intensity.
"This is the first time I'm asking you for a favor," Pink continued, her voice earnest.
"I haven't asked you for anything before, and I don't have anything to give you in return-"
Before she could finish, Michael stopped her, his expression serious yet understanding.
"You don't need to give me anything," he assured her. "Gilrut was a part of a greater plan of mine. Whoever killed him, they didn't just take his life; they interfered with my plans."
Michael's tone hardened as he concluded, "And anyone who messes with my plans will face the consequences. They will die."
His words carried a weight of finality and a promise of retribution for the wrongs done to Gilrut and the disruption of his larger strategy.
Pink nodded, her resolve strengthened by Michael's commitment. They both understood the gravity of the situation and the need for justice in the wake of such a heinous act.
(Read Chapter 1087 to refresh your memories)
After listening to the conversations, Michael and Pink discreetly slipped away from the crowd, blending into the shadows of Durran's bustling streets. They had a new purpose now: to infiltrate the Runemasters' Guild and speak with Officer Barug to gather more information about Gilrut's murder.
Sarba, ever observant, suggested, "We should also talk to our heist buddies and the Vilnius gang. They might have heard something about this murder."
"You're right," Michael agreed, his mind already strategizing their next moves.
"And I bet Elmer has some knowledge about this. He always has his ears to the ground."
As they moved through the city, Michael's expression was one of determination and killing intent.
"It looks like we'll need to extend our stay here in Durran," he stated, the implications of their extended mission clear in his voice.
Unbeknownst to Michael, this investigation would lead him down a path far more complex than just solving a murder.
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