I Have a Task Log

Chapter 316: Chapter 315: Busy Learning

A short while later, Colin arrived at the entrance of the Black Heart Tavern.

The moment he stepped inside, Old Black Heart, who was standing behind the counter, waved him over.

Colin hesitated for a moment before walking over.

Old Black Heart asked, "Are you free anytime soon?"

"What’s this about?"

"I’m thinking of moving the tavern into the city. I’ve picked out a spot in the Dock District, and I’d like you to check it out for me." As he spoke, Old Black Heart laid out a map of the Dock District and several contracts stamped with seals.

Colin said, "Why me? I’d think a real estate agent would be more professional."

Old Black Heart replied, "It’s mainly because it’s a very cheap piece of property. I have a feeling there might be something wrong with it."

"There might be squatters, other gangs, or even some monsters. Having you take a look is a precaution. If there are any monsters, you can help me clear them out."

"Alright, that works. When do you need an answer?"

Old Black Heart mused for a moment. "It’s nothing urgent. Anytime in the next month is fine."

"Alright, I’ll go check it out then." Colin collected the map and contracts.

During his first deal with Donkexes and his group, Old Black Heart had been the one to get the Hundred Eyes Gang to act as witnesses. This would be a good way to repay the favor he owed.

’It’s just a dilapidated building, anyway. At worst, I’ll run into a few squatting gang members or vagrants. Any monsters that show up won’t be anything too troublesome. After all, no matter how run-down it is, the Dock District is still an official part of Thousand Masts City.’

’I’ve dealt with a Demon before. A simple task like this should be a piece of cake.’

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[Quest: Investigate the Property]

[Status: Not Started]

[Reward: Uncalculated]

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Once they finished talking, Old Black Heart shouted to a nearby waitress, "An order of grilled trout with chickpeas in tomato sauce, a few slices of White Bread, and a mug of beer!"

"And a side of boiled cabbage," Colin added.

After enjoying a hearty meal, Colin grabbed his things and headed for the Black Tower. He found a spot for himself in the tower’s public research hall and began practicing his magic.

The round trip to Dragon’s Fang Castle over the past few days had given him enough time to fully master Counterspell. Colin could now be said to have entered the realm of Tier Three Magic.

Of course, learning Counterspell wasn’t the end of it.

The most crucial part was learning to judge the timing.

For example, many Casters who frequented battlefields or the wilderness would feint to bait out a counter. Factoring in the delay of the casting motion, catching the precise moment to counter a spell was something that required a great deal of experience.

Simply put, it was best to have another Caster to practice with.

Colin thought Ale or Orelia would be good choices, but unfortunately, neither of them were with him at the moment.

He practiced until nightfall, then packed up his things and prepared to go home.

Just as he walked out of the public research hall and into the corridor, a familiar figure appeared before him. A closer look revealed it to be Morel, dressed in a long robe.

"Are you looking for me?" Colin asked.

Morel yawned. "As a matter of fact, there is something I need to talk to you about. Let me buy you a drink."

Colin gave him a skeptical glance.

Seeing Morel turn and head outside, Colin quickened his pace to follow.

The two of them left the Black Tower and went to a small, nearby tavern called "Mage’s Choice."

Inside the tavern, all the light fixtures were covered with blue glass, casting a blue hue over everything and creating a serene atmosphere.

Befitting the atmosphere, the main hall was eerily quiet.

The boisterous Wandering Poets, drunkards, and Adventurers seemed like creatures from another world.

The entire hall was sectioned off into private booths by deep blue draperies. The heavy curtains blocked all lines of sight, offering only faint glimpses of the silhouettes moving behind them.

After a quick word with a server, Morel led Colin into one of the small booths.

The moment the curtain was drawn, the sound of footsteps from outside vanished completely.

’Probably some kind of sound-dampening magic.’ While thinking this, Colin asked, "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Morel began, "Suppose there are one thousand people, divided into two groups: one with four hundred ninety-nine, and one with five hundred and one. If a disaster strikes and one group must be sacrificed, which would you choose?"

"I’d sacrifice the smaller group," Colin said without hesitation.

"So those four hundred-some people are just sacrificed in vain? They’re individuals, each with their own soul! Do you have any humanity?"

Hearing such a pointless question, Colin replied irritably, "So, after a tragedy that required the sacrifice of over four hundred people, you’re not going to hunt down the mastermind behind it all? Instead, you’re going to question me, the one who had to make the hard choice to save the majority? Is that it, Lieutenant?"

"Hahaha... Well said." Morel laughed and clapped his hands.

Just then, the curtains around them began to flicker with a distinct, star-like light.

A few seconds later, a server entered with a tray and placed two smaller platters in front of them.

On the platters were goblets of wine and a plate of freshly shucked barnacle meat. The meat from the barnacles’ mouths was still steaming.

After the server left, Colin asked again, "What is it you really wanted to talk about?"

"You’ve seen the state of the slums recently, haven’t you? To put it simply, we want to incorporate the slums into the city as an official district. As for the name... it’ll probably be called something like the Butcher’s Quarter or the Tanner’s Quarter."

"Incorporate the slums as an official district?" Colin was surprised.

’The slums have been around for what feels like a hundred years, and Thousand Masts City has always ignored them. To suddenly decide to make them an official district now... something about it feels off, no matter how you look at it.’

"And for that, we need to make contact with the gangs in the slums. I think you’re a good choice to handle it. Of course, a few other field agents have also been assigned to this mission," Morel said.

Colin picked up a barnacle and sucked the roe and meat clean from below its ’mouth’.

It was incredibly savory, with a texture like shrimp meat. It was quite delicious.

He thought for a moment before speaking. "I’ll need more information. Most of the gangs in the slums have ties to the prominent noble families within Thousand Masts City."

It was the truth.

In fact, most gangs in Thousand Masts City were funded by certain nobles. Their primary job was to do the nobles’ dirty work, and their secondary purpose was to rake in money through shady or illicit means.

Against that backdrop, it was rare to find a capable, self-made leader among these lackeys of the nobility. If he approached the wrong person, things could go to hell fast.

"Don’t worry, we’re already prepared for that. The recent unification of the northern refugees has put a lot of pressure on them. No one will be paying too much attention to you." As he spoke, Morel placed a slip of paper on the table.