Wizard: I Add Points and Hunt Monsters

Chapter 254: Chapter 128: Black Jack, Old Jack?

"The City-State Array is shutting down," Wei’en said without much explanation, quickening his pace toward the Secret Investigation Department. "But I think something big is about to happen."

When he saw the Abyssal Sect’s sacrificial ritual last night, he had a premonition that a major upheaval was coming to Caster City State.

He didn’t expect that before those disgusting Sutle Dogs arrived, other problems would first appear from within the city-state.

Before long, Wei’en and the other two arrived at the office.

"Yo, good morning." Seeing them come in, Lisi greeted them with a smile, seemingly unaware of what was happening outside.

"Captain," Wei’en said, taking out the newspaper and spreading it on the desk in front of her. "Something’s happened. The City-State Array!"

"Oh, you mean this?"

Lisi glanced at it. "We already know."

"Huh?"

"The department already issued a notice this morning. Here."

"A notice?"

Wei’en and Kali exchanged a look, then he picked up the notice and began to read.

"Notice: In light of the current situation among the upper echelons of Caster City State, the Secret Investigation Department hereby issues the following announcement."

"We will not express any opinions, we will not favor any party, and we will not participate in the struggles of the city-state’s upper echelons in any form!"

"This announcement is directed at all members of the Secret Investigation Department. Anyone who fails to comply with its contents will be considered to have voluntarily resigned from the Secret Investigation Department!"

"Furthermore, per the order of the new Director, Nifa Lethia Ellis, all personnel are to be on standby as of today, ready to respond to any emergencies."

’That’s it?’

Wei’en had thought the Secret Investigation Department would issue a notice about the City-State Array, but it was just a declaration of neutrality?

’Not participating in the struggles of the upper echelons... Damn it, is this really the time for that?’

"Um, Lisi,"

Wei’en chose his words carefully. "While the City-State Array is down, if a crisis occurs—say, a Level-Three Calamity—do we have a way to deal with it?"

"A Level-Three Calamity?"

Lisi looked at him and said pointedly, "If a crisis of that magnitude really occurs, it’s definitely not something for the Secret Investigation Department to worry about alone."

Wei’en didn’t quite understand what she meant. ’Does the Secret Investigation Department already know the nobles are behind this crisis and plan to just let it happen?’

"I still think it’s better to prepare in advance."

"Just wait and see. This will all be over soon." Lisi waved her hand, signaling for him to relax.

’I hope so...’

Wei’en sighed inwardly, hoping the city-state’s leaders would be able to handle the crisis when it arrived.

"Huh? What about Marco and the others?"

"Those two haven’t arrived yet."

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but Wei’en noticed a flash of anger and gloom cross Lisi’s face when he mentioned Marco.

’Marco, Lydia...’

’Have the nobles made a move?’

Wei’en returned to his seat, lost in thought. He felt that the Secret Investigation Department’s reaction was far too calm.

The Abyssal Sect had already completed its sacrificial ritual, the Black Pearl was still making arrangements in the Basil District, and Nocturnal City had already made it impossible for the City-State Array to function normally.

’Right, and there’s the Demon Clown. Yesterday, someone was trying to make him lose control...’

Everything he knew indicated that the crisis Caster was about to face might be far worse than anyone expected!

At this thought, Wei’en let out a long breath. ’Since the powerful people are all acting like they don’t care, I might as well just wait patiently.’

He was determined to see what was really going on behind the scenes!

...

...

As time ticked by, Wei’en noticed some subtle changes occurring throughout Caster City State.

Within his range of perception, the major shops in the Dumitru District had few customers, and some had even closed for business.

In the Yidrisu District to the north, people were continuously moving south toward the Ruer District, while many others chose to take refuge inside the church grounds.

And the City Guard, who usually just went through the motions, were fully armed today, their faces grim as they guarded every entrance and exit in the core districts.

The strangest thing was happening inside the Secret Investigation Department itself. Some of the people he had seen in the Detention Area yesterday were now gathered over at the Combat Department, as if preparing for a mission.

It wasn’t until just before lunch, when Marco walked into the office, that Wei’en stopped monitoring his surroundings.

"Lisi, are you sure you’re not going to stop them?" Marco asked, his face cold, the moment he entered the office.

Wei’en’s heart jolted. ’So something *is* happening that I don’t know about. Stop what?’

"Stop them?" Lisi’s expression darkened as well. "Do you think they can be stopped?"

"But the Ernst Clan, the Ceres Clan, the Mandel Family... they’ve already taken their people to the Council!"

"Doesn’t that include your Nascimento Clan as well?" Lisi glared at him. "Don’t tell me you didn’t know about this."

Marco’s face flushed red then pale. He snorted coldly, returned to his desk, and leaned back in his chair without another word.

Wei’en frowned. ’The nobles went to the Council?’

’Are they going for a showdown?’

"Um, can someone tell me what’s happening now?" a bewildered Kali couldn’t help but ask.

Lisi kept her eyes on the newspaper. "It’s just a bunch of self-important fools who think they can achieve their goals through petty schemes."

"Are you talking about the nobles?"

"Nobles? After today, whether they’ll still be nobles... is not a given!"

BANG!

"Lisi, your Montoya Clan clearly has the power to stop all this!" Marco slammed his fist on the table, seemingly unable to contain his anger any longer.

"Why should we stop them? Since some people are so eager to die, isn’t it better to just give them a push?" Lisi’s expression grew colder.

"I..."

"Marco, since you chose to come back to the Secret Investigation Department, stop thinking about those people!"

Marco fell silent. After a long moment, a bitter smile appeared on his face.

"But what if? What if Governor Samir doesn’t compromise? Do you know what will happen?"

"I only know that no matter what happens, the Ernst Clan will not succeed this time!" Lisi said firmly.

"You..."

CREAK.

Just then, the office door was pushed open, interrupting their argument.

"Yo, I could hear you two from a mile away. Are you having a fight?"

"Old Jack?!" Lisi and Marco stared at the newcomer, their anger turning to astonishment.

Wei’en also looked toward the door. ’Old Jack?’

’The old captain of Investigation Department One?’

A tall old man with dark skin and graying hair walked in. He was wearing a slightly worn-out Secret Investigation Department uniform, with a standard-issue firearm hanging from his waist.

"Long time no see, Lisi, Marco. And Tina—I always seem to overlook you. Newbies, too? Good to see you all."

Wei’en and Kali stood up and bowed. According to the rules of the Secret Investigation Department, retired members like Old Jack must be shown respect by everyone.

"Old Jack, when did you get back?"

"Just got back a little while ago." Old Jack was all smiles. Though his face was full of wrinkles, his eyes were still full of life.

"Have you heard about what’s going on in the city-state?"

"I’m not blind or deaf. How could I not know about something this big? Besides, I came this time because I was summoned by the department."

Lisi’s expression changed slightly. "Summoned by the higher-ups? Has the situation really gotten that critical?"

"Critical? I suppose you could say that."

"Hmph! See? I wasn’t joking, was I?" Marco shot her a look. "They’re even calling back retirees. The department must know how urgent the situation is."

"If you ask me, we should head to the Council right now and stop them, or Caster City State is going to be in big trouble..."

"Shut up!"

Lisi glared at him, then turned to Old Jack and asked, "Are you the only one this time, or...?"

"Probably all of us," Old Jack said, sitting down nearby with a sigh. "I was hoping to get some rest, but I didn’t expect something this big to happen in the city-state. And then there’s Ales..."

"But maybe it’s for the best. Better to die on the battlefield than in your bed at home. Don’t you think?"

Lisi pressed her lips together and asked dryly, "Then... those seals..."

"Just as you thought. They’ll probably be unsealed."

"No, I have to go find Yegor and ask him what’s going on." Lisi’s face had lost its earlier composure; it was clear the situation had escalated beyond what she knew.

"Don’t bother. There isn’t much time left, is there?"

As he spoke, Old Jack pulled a flask from his coat, unscrewed the cap, and took a drink, his eyes casually but deliberately scanning the entire office.

[You have been scanned by the Spirit Perception of Jack Kim Adros. Assessment: Would you like me to give you an introduction to this person? Reward: Survival Points +3.]

[You have been locked onto by the killing intent of Jack Kim Adros. Assessment... Reward: Survival Points +30.]

’Jack Kim Adros?’

Wei’en’s heart pounded. He quickly lowered his head, pretending to be lost in thought.

That name—wasn’t that the sender of the letter he’d found on Collins?!

’Old Jack?’

’Damn it, I should probably be calling him Black Jack!’

’And 30 points...’