I Have a Task Log

Chapter 323: Chapter 322: The Moran Immigrant

Afterward, the bodyguard led the two of them down a narrow underground path, wide enough for only one person at a time.

The path twisted and turned so much that Colin began to feel the bodyguard was just leading him and Ale in circles.

’Probably a defensive measure to keep visitors from memorizing the route.’

He lost track of how long they walked.

Finally, a staircase appeared at the end of the tunnel.

"Please wait a moment, sir." The bodyguard walked to the top of the stairs and knocked on a door. After whispering a few words to someone on the other side, he returned and beckoned for them to proceed.

They ascended the stairs and entered a rather well-decorated room.

The room was unnervingly quiet, the only sound being the scrape of a knife and fork against a plate.

Colin scanned the room.

In the center of the room sat a long table draped in a white cloth and surrounded by wooden chairs. A massive candelabra chandelier hung overhead. Several burly men stood in the corners, all wearing Leather Armor with iron-clad wooden clubs at their waists.

The men were silent, and Colin could tell just by looking at them that they were not to be trifled with.

Colin’s gaze fell upon the head of the long table.

An old man sat there, focused on cutting a steak.

He had white hair and a full white beard. He wore a monocle with a gold chain and a white formal jacket, similar to a suit coat.

If he had to put a label on it, the old man was the spitting image of Colin’s every stereotype of an "old gentleman."

A young man stood beside the old man.

The young man was also dressed respectably, and he stood with a fawning smile, pouring wine into the old man’s goblet.

The bodyguard who had led Colin in walked forward and presented a small metal plate to the old man.

The man nodded nonchalantly, and the bodyguard gently placed the object on the table.

"You’re the leader of the Hundred Eyes Gang?" Colin asked.

Before the old man could speak, the young man beside him set down the wine bottle and slammed his fist on the table with a loud THUD.

He shouted harshly, "This is the esteemed Don Vincenzo Greco! Who gave you permission to be so disrespectful?"

Then, the young man looked Colin up and down, a deliberate look of disgust on his face. "You poor Adventurer, good for nothing but swinging swords and sticks. I can tell by your accent—you’re from the slums!"

Colin was so taken aback by the outburst he didn’t know how to react at first.

He couldn’t imagine why someone like this would suddenly appear in such a setting. The feeling was as jarring as finding an unfrozen lake in Snow Deer Valley.

’Does the leader of the Hundred Eyes Gang have a habit of keeping an idiot around?’

He heard Ale take a deep breath beside him. Colin gave her a subtle look before speaking calmly, "There’s no need for such pointless posturing. We’re just here to deliver a message."

Seeing that his words were being completely ignored, the man’s dark-skinned face flushed a deep red.

"Hey, you punk! What street are you from? Just you watch..."

"Good day, Mr. Colin. You can call me Don. And yes, I do run this gang," the old man said, interrupting.

At these words, the young man fell silent, turning to look at the old man in disbelief.

The Don drew a handkerchief from his breast pocket and delicately dabbed his mouth.

He rose slowly and walked over to the young man. "This is Colin. A few months ago, he dealt with a Winter Wolf. More recently, he journeyed to Snow Deer Valley in the far north. If he so wished, he could snap your neck with his bare hands as easily as an eagle snatches a rabbit."

With that, the Don viciously backhanded the young man across the face.

The rings on his hand split the young man’s cheek wide open.

"Now, now, boy," the Don said with a nod. "Get out."

Clutching his bleeding cheek, the man walked past Colin and left the room through the tunnel entrance.

"Please do forgive me, Mr. Colin."

The Don stepped onto a chair and then hoisted himself to sit on the edge of the table. "At the same time, I must thank you. I suppose I used your reputation to get rid of that annoying fool.

You know how it is. There are always some entitled relatives looking for a handout. He has nothing to be proud of besides his fists. I doubt he can even count to twenty."

Colin wasn’t in the mood for small talk. He cut to the chase. "So, I take it you’re interested in contacting the officials of Thousand Masts City?"

"The Hundred Eyes Gang has been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time," the Don said with a smile. "As an immigrant from Moran myself, I must say, your black hair looks very much like that of my people. It’s just a little on the straight side."

"I was born here in Thousand Masts City. I only just recently read the word ’Moran’ in a book," Colin replied. "Since you’re interested, I can report back. How do you wish to communicate with them going forward?"

"Through Old Black Heart. What do you think?"

"A fine choice. I have other business to attend to. It’s been a pleasure." With that, Colin turned and walked back toward the tunnel. The burly man who had guided them hurried to follow.

The Don’s voice followed them. "May fortune travel with you, my friend."

’I certainly hope so,’ Colin thought.

He led the way into the underground passage, and the other two followed close behind.

The burly man trailing them remained silent. None of the three spoke a word until they had exited the barbershop.

Colin headed back into the city without a word.

Only after they were well inside the city gates did he turn to Ale. "Are you coming with me to report to Morel?"

Ale nodded, then glanced back the way they came. "That man... he seems very clever. And not in a good way."

"That was probably the last time we’ll ever see him," Colin said.

On the way, Colin considered contacting other gangs to see if he could earn a little more commission.

But on second thought, it was just as Bob had said: it was better not to get too involved in these matters. Since he had already secured an opportunity for Old Black Heart and Bob’s people, there was no need to make unnecessary contact with other gangs.

Just as the two of them reached the entrance to Horn Castle, Morel emerged from within.

The man was all smiles. "So? Which gang did you find?"

"I think you already knew," Colin said with a sigh. "The Hundred Eyes Gang. I didn’t bother with any others."

Morel clapped Colin on the shoulder and handed him two coin purses.

He said, "Alright, don’t look so glum. I know you have your concerns, but the system in Thousand Masts City is quite democratic. If something goes wrong, we’re the ones who’ll be held accountable first. You’re just the enforcers, kept in the dark."

"We’ll see about that," Colin said. "Does Edwin know about this?"