Chapter 310 Chapter309-Taking on the Mercenary Quest
Upon hearing Saphir's words, Niel immediately halted his work, rising from his chair. While not tall, his muscular frame exuded an undeniable aura of strength.
"Saphir," he began earnestly, "I apologize for not informing you right away. It wasn't my intention to keep you in the dark; I needed to validate the authenticity of the information. I didn't want to trouble you with potentially false leads."
Niel's gaze penetrated deeply into Saphir's eyes, a sincerity unmistakable in his expression. "I understand your rage towards 54, but we must remain calm and rational. Impulsive actions fueled by anger will lead us astray."
Niel's words were brimming with philosophical reflection, reminiscent of an elder imparting wisdom to a passionate youth.
Saphir let out a disdainful snort, clearly unsatisfied with Niel's justification.
His anger still smoldered, though forcefully suppressed deep within.
He didn't lash out further but stared coldly at Niel. "You're aware of how seriously I regard the matter of 54 and AGHHO. For a decade, I've been searching for him. Now that there's finally a clue, you choose to withhold it. I'm sorry, Niel, but I can't forgive your hesitation."
Saphir's tone was icy.
Lowering his head in concession, Niel responded, "I realize my mistake, Saphir. My concern was that the lead might prove unreliable, resulting in a fruitless chase. I merely wanted further confirmation... But I shouldn't have kept it from you. I promise you, moving forward, there will be no hesitations. Every lead will be shared."
Saphir paused for a moment, then nodded.
Although his rage persisted, he recognized the necessity to keep his emotions in check and prioritize the long-awaited vengeance quest.
John narrowed his eyes, observing the exchange with mild surprise.
The bond between these two was evidently deeper than he had anticipated.
"Alright, the past is the past. I trust you'll stay true to your word. Now, share the location of the base with me," Saphir said, his tone unchanging, reflecting a straightforward intent.
Niel offered a faint smile, making no attempt to counter Saphir's stance.
Saphir remained silent, the flames of anger still smoldering in his gaze.
Taking a deep breath, he gradually eased his tense posture.
A shade of worry appeared on Niel's face.
The elder with dwarf lineage didn't immediately divulge the location of the AGHHO base but sighed instead.
"Your current state deeply concerns me. Rushing in like this, how can you overcome the AGHHO maniacs with their bloodlust? Remember, if our intel is correct, the base doesn't just house 54, the master assassin... There might even be an elder ranked in the top ten overseeing it."
"Niel, I grasp your point... I'm not one to act on impulse. But when faced with news about 54, I just can't remain composed," Saphir's voice turned raspy, echoing the deep-seated anguish and despair he felt.
Niel gazed at him, his eyes filled with understanding and sympathy.
He knew the torments and agonies Saphir had endured over the years.
Hearing about his archenemy's whereabouts now, it was impossible for him to fully reign in his emotions.
"Saphir, as an old friend, I sincerely hope you can find a semblance of calm now. Don't let your hatred cloud your wisdom!" Niel cautioned, "Even the City Guard of Cloud Sea don't dare trifle with a behemoth like AGHHO. That's why they've tossed this hot potato to our mercenary guild... Setting aside whether you have the strength to confront and slay your nemesis within their territory, even if you manage that, how would you escape unscathed? Can you withstand the retribution that AGHHO would undoubtedly unleash? These are matters to ponder."
Despite Niel's earnest warnings, Saphir's determination seemed unshaken.
The elder sighed, knowing his long-time friend was past the point of heeding advice.
The vendetta of a murdered family had tortured him for a decade.
With news of his enemy now in reach, how could he be expected to think rationally?
"You must be Mr. Niel? I'll handle these concerns. All we need is for you to hand over the mercenary quest to us," John interjected, stepping forward with a light chuckle.
Niel cast an incredulous glance at John.
"Who's this young man?"
The confidence radiating from John initially evoked a hint of distaste in Niel.
He couldn't fathom from where this youth summoned such audacity to voice such brash words.
After all, they were talking about AGHHO, the ancient assassin organization with countless years of legacy.
Rooted in the fertile soils of the Godslayer Continent, it had nurtured numerous prodigious assassins.
Its depths of heritage were profound. Rumor had it that AGHHO's guild leader was a semi-deity-level powerhouse.
Even the greatest empires hesitated to provoke such a venerable force.
It wasn't necessarily out of fear, but more a desire to avoid unnecessary trouble.
After all, assassins, by their nature, excelled in stealth and surprise attacks.
No one could be on guard twenty-four hours a day, and this had been Niel's constant worry.
With a serene demeanor, Saphir responded, "He's my captain. Have you heard about the Devil hunting battle a few days ago? He led us to victory in that."
A newfound respect for John dawned on Niel.
The skepticism that bubbled up to his lips was quickly swallowed. "If you have managed to recruit such a formidable ally, then perhaps my concerns are unfounded. I wish you all the best."
With that, Niel retrieved a piece of paper from a drawer and handed it to Saphir. "Based on the intel I've gathered, AGHHO's base is likely located to the north of Cloud Sea, in an area known as 'Darkened Lands'. It's an eerie and daunting forest, notorious for the malevolent creatures lurking within. I've heard that the base is concealed by a dark magic array crafted by AGHHO, with an entrance that is exceptionally covert and hard to discern. However, I trust you'll have your ways to unearth it..."
Taking the paper, Saphir noted the specific location of the base and the description of its surrounding environment.
After reading it intently, he turned to John, his eyes gleaming with a blend of wild passion and icy determination.
"Captain, we must prepare thoroughly and tread with caution. The strength of AGHHO is not to be underestimated. We must be meticulous, ensuring every step we take is foolproof," Saphir stated, his voice resolute.
He was determined to personally bring an end to 54 and to find an outlet for the pent-up fury that had brewed inside him for the past decade.
John nodded in agreement.
The two started discussing the specifics of their action plan, drafting a detailed strategy. Simultaneously, a system notification echoed in John's ears.
[System prompt: Do you wish to accept the ultra-hard quest: THE FALL OF AGHHO...?]
Without hesitation, John confirmed.
Niel, as if performing magic, pulled out a stack of documents from under the table. "Since you've decided to take on this quest, let's formalize the contract..."
John decisively chose to sign.
[Contract finalized. Quest accepted: THE FALL OF AGHHO]
[Quest details: Infiltrate the AGHHO base in Cloud Sea. Assist the Cloud Sea City Guard in eradicating the concealed AGHHO assassins...
Quest rank requirement: Minimum of a three-star golden mercenary...
Quest rewards: One piece of epic equipment, two epic items, 200,000 gold coins, one orange Skill Book...
Note: The difficulty of this quest is extreme. During the quest execution, powerful assassin-class adversaries might be encountered. Mercenaries are advised to assess their capabilities...
This quest is issued by the Cloud Sea central government. The quest rewards are verified as genuine.]
John glanced over the quest's description, revealing a contemplative expression.
This title seemed to signify more than just targeting the AGHHO base.
Once this quest was completed, he surmised subsequent quests would swiftly follow.
A glint of cold determination flashed in his eyes.
It was a miracle that an organization solely focused on slaughter had thrived for so long.
It was high time it met its demise.
He opened his quest log and reviewed the quest previously obtained from Saphir, only to be surprised by the significant changes in its content.
[The Commission of the Grand Archmage: Assist Grand Archmage Saphir in locating the AGHHO assassins and fulfill the act of revenge by exterminating them!]
[Locate the Hideout (Completed)]
[Exterminate Them! (In Progress)]
[Quest Rewards: Three items of your choice from Saphir's treasured collection...]
...
Elsewhere, Saphir's cautious demeanor was a great comfort to Niel.
Knowing his old friend, an exceptional Grand Archmage, wasn't allowing vengeance to cloud his judgment, Niel found little cause for worry.
During the initial quest preparation, Niel provided various intelligence on AGHHO, including their personnel strength distribution.
He particularly emphasized AGHHO's influence in Godslayer Continent, urging them to tread lightly to avoid unnecessary complications.
As time passed, a palpable restlessness took hold of Saphir.
The very thought that he was on the brink of exacting revenge upon the foe he had sought for a decade sent shivers down his spine.
After a moment, both were finally ready to embark.
Donned in full gear, with backpacks filled with an array of magical replenishing potions, they were prepared for whatever lay ahead.
Niel escorted them to the entrance of the Mercenary Hall, bestowing his blessings for their success. "May you swiftly bring an end to AGHHO, ridding Cloud Sea of this looming menace!"
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