Chapter 596 - 595: Another Promotion

Chapter 596: Chapter 595: Another Promotion

As he walked, Colin took a look at his Task Log.

-----------------

[Commission: Protect Target]

[Rating: 1 (Mortal)]

[Reward: 50 Skill Level Points]

-----------------

’That’s about it, I guess.’ Colin hadn’t expected much of a reward. He had thought the mission’s rating would be zero.

After all, he had just stood there for a while, had a drink, and basically did nothing.

Colin allocated the Skill Level points to Armor.

With that, his Skill Proficiencies were now: Casting (Expert) 4402/7000, Empowering Armor (Expert) 2813/4000, Silent Sword Skill (Expert) 2188/4000, and Magic Artisan (Apprentice) 662/1250.

After his recent training and adventures, all his Skill Proficiencies had generally seen some improvement.

’Once my Armor Skills level up, this set of armor I’m wearing should get even stronger.’ He didn’t know what kind of specialty it would grant him, though, so he would just have to wait and see.

Colin continued walking, looking over his Skill Proficiencies.

A short while later, he arrived at the entrance of the Black Tower.

As usual, he passed directly through the outer wall and into the Black Tower.

However, the moment Colin entered the Black Tower, he wasn’t teleported to the main hall. Instead, he found himself in a strange room.

Directly across from Colin was a large oak desk cluttered with several stacks of documents, inkwells, and other miscellaneous items. Seated behind it was none other than Asvir, the Master of the Black Tower.

She was wearing a black Magic Robe today, her long red hair cascading over her shoulders.

Colin took in his surroundings as he walked to the desk.

The room was about the size of Morel’s laboratory. It had no doors, but all four walls were transparent glass windows hung with sheer curtains.

A gentle breeze wafted in from outside, causing the curtains to drift intermittently.

He looked up and saw a multitude of bookshelves packed with books floating near the ceiling. They were arranged in such perfect order that it was strangely satisfying to look at.

"Does it match what you imagined for the office of the Master of the Black Tower?"

Asvir’s voice came from across the desk. Colin looked at her and asked, "Um... is there something you need?"

"Didn’t you just attend that party of rats with the Hundred Eyes Gang? I’d like to hear what happened."

"They were planning to sell addictive substances..."

Colin gave her a rough summary of what happened at the banquet, focusing on the other gangs’ hostility toward the Hundred Eyes Gang and the Northern Faction’s plan.

"Hmm... about what I expected." Asvir leaned back in her chair.

Colin asked tentatively, "So, do we have a plan to deal with this?"

"Of course," Asvir said nonchalantly. "The Northern Faction is likely colluding with the Viper Association. These two gangs might be connected to the Devil Cultists that have recently appeared in the city. Even if they’ve taken precautions, it’s not enough to evade our eyes."

"So, will we need to eliminate those gangs and Cultists directly?"

"Perhaps after some time. We must confirm that we’ve gathered all possible intelligence on the enemy to ensure nothing goes wrong. After all, some High Tier Demon Lords can even deceive my Magic.

"For example, several hundred years ago, the Deceitful Master Fraz-Urb’luu carried out a similar plan in Noisy City, east of the Supreme Forest. At the time, people thought everything was fine after they dealt with the infiltrating Demons.

"But that Abyss Lord used an Illusion Technique to conceal himself and ended up summoning another Abyss Lord within the city. As a result, rampaging Demons destroyed half of the city, and the Silver Star Court lost its staunchest ally."

As Colin listened to Asvir, he mentally reviewed the knowledge he had read on the subject.

The Bottomless Abyss was formed from countless stacked layers, each a small world with its own independent ecosystem. The rulers of these layers were known as Abyss Lords.

Most Abyss Lords were powerful Demons, while a minority were Deities exiled to the Abyss.

Gnoll King Yenogu, Frost Giant King Kostchtchie, Minotaur King Baphomet... these were all Abyss Lords. Deceitful Master Fraz-Urb’luu was one such Demon Lord who was particularly skilled in Illusion Technique and deceit.

Abyss Lords like that were incredibly powerful.

Aside from some lesser lords, most Abyss Lords could go toe-to-toe with Legendary mortals or even Demigods.

Hearing Asvir speak so casually about it gave Colin a strange feeling, as if the legends and myths from books were suddenly much closer to reality.

Asvir continued, "So, we need to let those gangs remain active for a while longer. That’s the only way to pick up on any clues and find the potential mastermind behind all this. It will also make our case more persuasive before the Masked Lord Council."

"What if people get hurt in the process?"

"Then the blame will fall entirely on the mastermind’s head," Asvir said nonchalantly. "We can’t look after everyone, Colin."

Colin resisted the urge to frown.

He was suddenly reminded of the trolley problem Morel had once posed to him about how many people to sacrifice. It now seemed that this line of thinking was shared by both him and Asvir; someone like Edwin would surely never agree with them.

After a moment of contemplation, Colin said, "I know I can’t protect everyone, but no matter what, I won’t stand by and watch my friends fall into danger."

"I know," Asvir said with a nod.

Colin then asked, "By the way, do the other gangs know the Hundred Eyes Gang has sided with us?"

"No. All the gangs in the slums know we’re contacting them, but no one knows which ones have actually joined us," Asvir said.

"That’s probably why the local gangs didn’t speak up for the Hundred Eyes Gang. The seeds of suspicion have already been sown." Colin sighed. "Do we have a plan for this?"

"A small one, but it will take some time."

"Also, what will happen to the gang leaders in the end?"

"Once the transition is complete and we have control of the slums, all the gang leaders—aside from the Hundred Eyes Gang’s—will be disposed of and replaced with cleaner administrators." Asvir ran a hand through the red hair falling over her shoulder. "Well? Any other questions?"

"No. That’s a fitting end for people like them," Colin said.

"Alright, have a seat. There’s no need to be so tense here." Asvir snapped her fingers.

Colin glanced back and, sure enough, a bench had appeared behind him.

He took a seat on the bench.