Chapter 82 -82-The Advance Team

Chapter 82: Chapter82-The Advance Team

Back out?

John looked up at Loki.

He could barely suppress the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

There was only one thought left in his mind.

The rougher the waves.

The more expensive the fish.

The next second.

He directly reached out and tapped the quest interface.

[Accept!]

[Ding!]

[You have accepted the A-rank Hidden Quest — Behind Enemy Lines!]

[The quest countdown will officially begin once you enter the Dark Realm!]

John raised his head.

The smile on his face could no longer be hidden at all.

"I’ll take this quest."

Hearing that.

The smile on Loki’s face immediately grew even brighter.

"Good!"

"That’s exactly what I wanted to hear!"

He had originally been worried that once John heard he would have to venture deep into the Dark Realm and enter Night City, he might decide the mission was too dangerous.

Now it seemed.

He really hadn’t misjudged him.

"However."

"I have one condition."

Loki paused.

"What condition?"

John pointed at himself.

"The advance team."

"I choose the members myself."

Loki agreed without hesitation.

"No problem."

"You’re the captain."

"Naturally, the personnel are your decision."

With that.

He raised a hand and clapped twice.

Clap! Clap!

"Come in!"

The moment the words left his mouth.

A set of orderly footsteps quickly came from outside the military tent.

The curtain was lifted.

Six figures entered one after another.

Four men.

Two women.

Some wore heavy armor.

Some carried magic staffs.

There was even one tall man carrying a massive shield almost wider than his entire body.

After entering.

None of them made any unnecessary movements.

They immediately lined up in a neat row.

Loki looked at them with obvious satisfaction.

"These are all people I personally selected from Dawnstar City’s legions."

"Reconnaissance, healing, defense, ranged support, stealth—basically everything is covered."

"Take a look."

"Bring whoever you need."

John nodded.

[Hunter’s Eye] activated.

Lines of information rapidly appeared before him.

[Lv38]

[Ten-Thousand-Player Tier BOSS]

[Class: Holy Shield Guardian]

...

[Lv36]

[Ten-Thousand-Player Tier BOSS]

[Class: Battlefield Priest]

...

[Lv40]

[Ten-Thousand-Player Tier BOSS]

[Class: Flame Warlock]

...

Six people.

Every single one of them possessed a Ten-Thousand-Player Tier BOSS template.

The lowest was Lv30.

The highest was Lv40.

If any one of them were placed near Sunset City.

They would be enough to force even a major player guild at the current stage to organize an entire raid team.

And that was without mentioning the fact that all six had extensive experience cooperating in military formations.

Under normal circumstances.

This was already an extremely luxurious infiltration squad.

But John walked from left to right.

Then from right to left.

And chose none of them.

Eventually.

He stopped at the very edge of the formation.

Standing there was a young man who didn’t look particularly old.

A little over 160 centimeters tall.

Slightly yellowish skin.

Messy hair.

He wore faded gray-brown leather armor that had clearly been washed countless times.

Two short blades hung from his waist.

His posture wasn’t particularly straight.

His shoulders were slightly hunched.

And his eyes kept darting around from time to time.

At first glance.

He looked like someone who had been dragged out of the slums at the last second just to fill an empty slot.

John looked at his status panel.

[Ali]

[Level: Lv30]

[Class: Shadow Thief Assassin]

[Life Tier: Ten-Thousand-Player Tier BOSS]

[HP: 250,000/250,000]

[Physical Attack: 6,350]

[Physical Defense: 2,450]

[Magic Defense: 2,180]

[Agility: 5,200]

[Talent: Hand of the Phantom Thief]

[Quality: SS]

[Effect 1: When actively stealing non-bound items, success rate is increased to 100%.]

[Effect 2: After actively disguising himself, as long as he does not initiate an attack, disguise success rate is increased to 100%.]

[Effect 3: After entering Stealth or leaving combat, Movement Speed is increased by 100%.]

[Skills: Silent Stealth, Shadowstrike Assassination, Weakpoint Throat-Cut, Thousand Faces Disguise, Master Thief’s Hand, Smoke Escape...]

John’s eyes lit up slightly.

Damn.

A professional.

The people before him had combat stats that were more impressive one after another.

But they were going into the Dark Realm to infiltrate and sabotage.

For a mission like this.

Combat strength wasn’t the most important thing.

Stealth was.

Being able to get inside.

And maybe casually bring a few things back out with them.

That would be even better.

And this Ali in front of him.

Was practically tailor-made for the job.

100% disguise.

100% theft.

Double movement speed while sneaking.

It couldn’t get more professional than that.

More importantly.

John possessed the [Faceless Shadow Mask].

It could alter his appearance, body shape, voice, and even the appearance of his equipment.

Ali had [Thousand Faces Disguise].

If the two of them entered the Dark Realm together.

As long as they figured out what Dark Realm residents looked like.

They could each put on a false identity.

"This one."

John raised a hand.

And pointed at Ali.

Loki nodded.

"Ali is indeed one of the most outstanding—"

"The rest can leave."

Loki’s voice stopped abruptly.

"?"

The other five people beside him froze as well.

Ali’s head snapped up.

"Huh?"

Loki wondered if he had heard wrong.

"You mean..."

"Only Ali stays?"

"Yeah."

John nodded.

"That’s enough."

"..."

Loki remained silent for two seconds.

"Endbringer."

"Going deep into the Dark Realm is not an ordinary reconnaissance mission."

"It’s true that bringing too many people would make exposure more likely, but isn’t two people a little too few?"

Before Loki could finish.

John had already raised a hand.

"No need."

"Ali is enough."

Loki looked at John.

Then looked at Ali, who still had a completely blank expression.

In the end, he could only sigh.

"Fine."

"Since you’ve already decided."

"I won’t say anything more."

He waved his hand.

The other five advance-team members immediately saluted.

"Yes, sir!"

Then turned and left.

However.

John wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination.

But when they walked out of the tent.

Their footsteps seemed noticeably lighter.

Very soon.

Only Loki, John, and Ali remained inside.

Loki looked at the two of them.

His expression became serious.

"I only have one requirement."

"Come back alive."

John smiled.

"Don’t worry."

After saying that.

He reached out and patted Ali on the shoulder.

Ali’s body visibly stiffened for an instant.

Wait.

No way.

Seriously?

He looked at the five teammates who had already left.

Then looked at John.

His eyes grew wider and wider.

There were so many people!

And you fucking picked me?!

Are you insane?!

I’m only Lv30!

What part of me looks like I’m good at fighting?!

I even deliberately stood all the way at the edge!

Ali was already screaming internally.

Deep into Night City!

The Dark Realm!

That was the goddamn Dark Realm!

One mistake and there wouldn’t even be a corpse left to bring back!

I’m still young!

I haven’t lived enough yet!

Just as he was furiously ranting inside his head.

He could still faintly feel the hand that had just rested on his shoulder.

Ali subconsciously looked up.

And happened to see John turning back toward him.

There wasn’t even the slightest trace of worry in those eyes.

Instead.

There was only a kind of absolute confidence, as though the outcome were already obvious.

"Don’t be scared."

"Just stick with me."

John thought for a moment.

Then added.

"I guarantee you’ll come back alive."

"..."

Ali froze.

John had already lifted the curtain and walked outside.

"I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll be back in a bit."

The military tent fell silent again.

Ali blinked.

For some reason.

That almost explosive nervousness in his chest.

Actually eased a little.

"Guarantee I’ll come back alive..."

He quietly repeated the words.

The corner of his mouth seemed about to curl upward.

Just then.

Rustle!

The tent flap that had only just fallen closed was suddenly yanked open again.

John walked back inside with a dark expression.

Ali: "?"

John walked straight up to him.

Then held out his hand.

"Give it back."

Ali’s expression froze.

The next second.

He slowly reached into his clothes.

And pulled out a purple scroll.

Then handed it over.

"Hehe..."

"Sorry."

"Occupational habit."

John: "..."

John snatched the scroll back.

Then stared at Ali.

"From now on, unless I give you permission, stay at least half a meter away from me."

"Understood?"

Ali nodded furiously.

Like a chicken pecking at grain.

"Understood."

"Boss, whatever you say is right."

John: "..."

Was this guy really reliable?

...