I Have a Task Log

Chapter 317: Chapter 316: A Secret Mission

Colin took it and looked at it closely.

Perhaps because of the influx of refugees, the number of gangs on it was unexpectedly high.

Old Black Heart’s Hundred Eyes Gang was on the second line. At the very top was a group called the "Black Crow Faction," and the rest were gangs Colin hadn’t had much contact with. The Blood Hand Gang, with whom he’d had a minor run-in before, was at the very bottom.

Morel continued, "The ones written higher up are more critical. Those gangs either have more members or control key resources. If you can aim for the top, that would be ideal."

"Does that pay more?"

"Secure the top one, and it’s fifty gold coins. The second, forty gold coins. We’ll figure out the pay for the others as we go," Morel said. "How about it? This job is actually quite simple."

Colin nodded silently, calculating in his mind.

’Old Black Heart must have been looking for help for a while now. After all, a few days ago, before Kase and I even left, he took the initiative to treat me to a meal. That definitely wasn’t just for nothing.’

’Since the Black Heart Tavern is controlled by the Hundred Eyes Gang, Old Black Heart’s desire to open a branch in the Dock District must also reflect the gang’s wishes. This means the Hundred Eyes Gang has been planning to expand its influence into the Dock District for a long time.’

’This must be the cumulative result of everything that’s happened recently.’

’From the gangs’ perspective, the recent refugee aid policy must be a pretty obvious signal. Some of the smarter gangs have probably already sensed that something is up.’

Colin looked at the gang names written on the slip of paper.

’Under these circumstances, the Hundred Eyes Gang is indeed a pretty good target.’

’But I can’t just go in and start making demands right away. I should probably help Old Black Heart check out that potential tavern location first...’

"Is this urgent?" Colin asked.

"It’s best if we get results as soon as possible. The outcome of this mission will heavily influence our next steps."

"I’m the only one in the city right now."

"Is that so? This was admittedly short notice. In that case, if you can get it done in the next few days, I’ll double your pay."

"Is this about money?"

Colin thought for a moment.

’Even though I’m by myself, these tasks aren’t actually that hard. To really do it all alone... it doesn’t seem impossible.’

Having made his decision, Colin looked at Morel and said, "When you sent us to investigate those Cultists, you were preparing for this, weren’t you? Training me how to investigate gangs in a city?"

"Of course! Your squad is one of the fastest-improving among our field agents. You’re rising stars!"

Morel said, "If it weren’t for that, you probably would have never met me. Because of what happened the first time we met, Edwin has been teasing me for months on end."

"You had it coming," Colin retorted.

Morel said with a smile, "We should really be past that by now, don’t you think?"

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, finished the barnacles on their plates, and parted ways. A new mission then appeared on Colin’s Panel.

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[Commission: Contact Gangs]

[Status: Not Started]

[Reward: Uncalculated]

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Colin left the tavern, lost in thought as he walked back to his apartment building.

Suddenly, he had the distinct feeling that someone was watching him.

He looked up and saw a small, fair face in Ale’s window, a pair of big, blinking eyes staring right at him. An instant later, the face vanished, followed by a clatter from the stairwell.

Colin shrugged and headed upstairs.

He hadn’t taken more than a few steps before Ale ran out, dressed in a pale green long dress.

"Is something the matter?" Colin asked, looking at her.

"Not really, Colin," Ale said, her face expressionless. "But I’m a little upset."

Colin was taken aback by her words.

He ventured, "Well... want to talk about it?"

"Okay."

"Let’s go to my room, then."

When she nodded in agreement, Colin led her to his room.

He had Ale, who was looking around curiously, sit down at the table while he went downstairs to get some hot water to make two cups of honey water.

Colin handed her a cup and asked, "Alright, what’s wrong?"

"It’s not that anything happened to me... It’s just that the Dragon Worship Cult and several Evil Dragons have been making some very troubling moves. They’re exploiting every opening to plunder poorly defended villages, attack trade routes, and slaughter innocent civilians.

The Silver Star Court has barely had a chance to recover from the winter disaster, and now they have to face this. The Silver Knights and Rangers are completely overwhelmed, and there have already been many casualties."

Ale looked down at the honey water in her hands. "But I’m here in Thousand Masts City, unable to do a thing."

’If Evil Dragons are involved, then that’s just how it is.’

’As of now, he and his team could probably just barely handle a few young dragons, but most adult dragons could wipe them out with ease. Because of Ale’s identity, the older dragons would definitely see them as a high-value target.’

"And what could you do if you went back?" Colin blew away the steam from the rim of his cup. "Lead us back to turn the tide? Slay a few Evil Dragons and get the Dragon Worship Cult to back down?"

Ale shook her head.

"Be married off to someone as a political pawn in exchange for reinforcements from their family?"

"My parents wouldn’t do that. They think I should marry for love. In fact, pretty much everyone we know thinks that way."

’Just like an Elf,’ Colin thought. ’Even in a Magic World like this one, marriages between the children of powerful families are a crucial political resource. Perhaps for a long-lived race like the Elves, time is the only true measure of an ally.’

"Then that’s that. There’s nothing we can do."

Colin glanced at her expression and added, "Of course, if a small job or a minor Cultist outpost comes up that we can handle, you can come and get us."

"But..." Ale hesitated, looking like she wanted to say more.

"I know how you feel. My advice is to do your best to channel that frustration into motivation to get stronger. After all, you can only stop bad things from happening by becoming powerful yourself."

Hearing this, Ale nodded obediently.

But just nodding wasn’t enough. She also took her small notebook out of her pocket and jotted his words down.

Seeing her reaction, Colin felt a little sheepish, as if he’d suddenly become some kind of self-help guru peddling platitudes.

He took a sip of his honey water and said, "Of course, that’s all just talk. I’d be just as lost if I were in your shoes."

"No, you wouldn’t."

"Wouldn’t what?" Colin asked.

Just then, Ale looked up, her bright eyes fixed on him.

She said, "If a time like that ever truly came, you would never be lost, Mr. Colin."

"I wouldn’t be so..." Colin cleared his throat twice. Her gaze made it difficult for him to finish, so he could only change the subject. "We just got a new commission. How about we tackle it together tomorrow?"