Morpheus and his group did not linger for long.
Before they departed, Lin Gui called out to them and asked two questions.
First, he asked about methods to avoid spectral demons.
He had noticed that Morpheus’s party did not have a "guide."
"What do you rely on to disperse the demons within the wall?" Lin Gui asked directly.
Morpheus did not hide anything. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small leather pouch.
Untying the cord, he revealed several sections of dark red, nearly black thorn spikes that seemed to be faintly pulsating.
They emitted a thick, ominous aura, along with... the spiritual pressure belonging to a powerful spectral lord.
"Portions of the remains of Lady Blood-Thorn," Morpheus explained.
"Carrying this can disperse the vast majority of weak spectral demons."
Lin Gui understood instantly.
The principle was similar to carrying the scales of an Epic dragon in the wilderness to intimidate Low Rank demons.
However, the difficulty of obtaining a "part" from an Epic spectral demon was far higher than obtaining materials from a living Epic creature.
These were likely left behind by Gusion.
There was indeed some special connection between that Demon King and the Blood-Thorn that guarded the entrance to Avalon.
Morpheus was generous, directly picking out two of the thorns with the strongest auras and in perfect condition to hand to Lin Gui.
"Take these. They might come in handy."
Lin Gui did not refuse, thanking him as he took them.
Although he possessed the Eyes of the Netherworld and didn't strictly need them, these were indeed extremely rare soul magic materials that would be greatly beneficial to his future studies of deeper Soul Magic.
While the magics rewarded by the System were powerful, they all remained at the Novice Magic level.
If he wanted to break through, the number of letters he needed to deliver was still far out of reach.
Now that Theia was not by his side and Eve was also about to leave, he truly faced the predicament of a severe lack of offensive methods.
Suppressing a faint sigh rising in his heart, Lin Gui asked his second question.
"Do you know someone named 'Moro Troy'?"
"He is a resident of Avalon who commissioned me to deliver a letter to Blackwater City."
Hearing this, Morpheus was stunned. He frowned in thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"I don't recall such a name."
He looked toward Kilian the Sage.
Kilian stroked his beard, pondering for a few seconds before saying with absolute certainty:
"Avalon does not have such a person."
"I remember the names of every resident, including those who have passed away."
"It is impossible for me to be mistaken."
Lin Gui nodded and didn't press further.
He had only been curious and didn't necessarily have to find the sender.
He had long ago learned of the foxkin's memory—a previous foxkin companion's expense reporting, which was accurate down to a single copper coin, had once left a deep impression on him.
It was time for the final farewell.
Morpheus looked at Lin Gui. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke:
"Would you... like to come with us to the Voiceless Abyss?"
"I think Lord Gusion would be very pleased to meet you... a little mage who has given us quite the shock."
Ruger and Kilian behind him were both slightly surprised, but neither spoke out in opposition.
Lin Gui smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"My apologies, but I still have letters to deliver."
His refusal was expected, and Morpheus had only mentioned it in passing.
However, Hugh, the usually taciturn Legendary assassin, suddenly stepped forward.
His sharp gaze scrutinized Lin Gui as he spoke slowly:
"With the ability you just displayed..."
"I believe you can traverse the Blackwater Corridor, reach the borderlands, and deliver Avalon's mail."
"When the post office first opened, I heard rumors about a High Rank mage who wanted to help deliver letters; I simply dismissed it as hearsay."
He paused, looking at Lin Gui.
"But now..."
"My eyes were clumsy."
"I actually have a letter I want delivered as well. The location is a bit far, and I originally planned to entrust it to a transport team later."
"If you are willing to take it, I will pay the reward."
Lin Gui became interested.
"Where to?"
Hugh spat out three words:
"Dawn City."
"The Assassin's Court."
"Deliver it to the hands of the Grand Instructor of the Assassin's Court, Hugh."
【Ding! Extra Commission updated!】
【Content: Deliver Hugh's letter to Hugh, the Grand Instructor of the Assassin's Court in Dawn City.】
【Route: Planning will begin once the Host confirms the activation of the mission.】
【Time Limit: None】
【Reward: One random special magic.】
【Risk Warning: Grand Instructor Hugh has an explosive temper. Please be careful and do not step on a landmine; otherwise, be warned of being stripped naked and hung from the city wall.】
Lin Gui looked at that final "Risk Warning," and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Stripped naked and hung from the city wall?? What the hell???
It felt terrifyingly ominous.
He looked at Hugh and asked,
"You and that Grand Instructor 'Hugh'..."
Hugh remained silent for a while before speaking flatly:
"I am his good-for-nothing son."
He said no more, simply handing Lin Gui an ancient-looking black metal token that felt ice-cold in his hand.
The token was about the size of a palm, with slight wear around the edges.
The front was engraved with a pattern of a dagger passing through a shadow, while the back bore the sharply incised character for "Hugh."
It felt heavy and solid, subtly exuding a chilling air of slaughter.
Beside them, Eve seemed to suddenly recall something.
Her purple eyes widened slightly as she looked at Hugh:
"You... you are that 'Shura'?"
"The Shura who assassinated the previous Council President, slaughtered the Demon Hunter Unit, and caused the Assassin's Court riot...?"
Hugh merely curled his lip.
He neither admitted nor denied it.
It was as if that fearsome reputation, which had caused torrential waves in the outside world, was nothing more than a passing breeze to him.
He unfastened something from his waist and handed it to Lin Gui.
It was a dagger, very small and delicate.
The sheath was plain black leather, devoid of any decoration.
Drawing it, the blade appeared dull with no magical fluctuations whatsoever; it looked completely ordinary.
"This is the reward: Gray Dagger."
"It was forged from meteoric iron," Hugh explained.
"Cast by a top-tier master dwarf artisan who passed away long ago, it is exceptionally sharp."
"It cannot be enchanted with any energy, but based on its own merits alone..."
"It is enough to cut through unactivated Stellar-tier armor."
"In other words, even a commoner without any cultivation could rely on it to slice through Stellar-tier protection."
He paused.
"There are said to be only ten such daggers on the entire Akara Continent."
"It is useless to a top-tier assassin, but for you..."
A rare, extremely faint, yet somewhat strangely meaningful smile tugged at Hugh's habitually cold face.
"At least the next time you are 'kidnapped' by those two beautiful companions of yours and they attempt to use force..."
"You won't be unable to even cut through the ropes they prepared."
Lin Gui was instantly dumbfounded. "...How do you know about that?!"
From the side, Eve added in a flat, expressionless tone:
"It was probably spread by a certain demon who trespassed into someone else's house without permission."
Morpheus gave two awkward coughs, his gaze drifting away.
"Cough... well... it's really because what you guys did was a bit too ridiculous..."
Lin Gui: "..."
He estimated that this fellow definitely hadn't told only Hugh.
Likely...
the entire Avalon already knew about it.
Theia would probably be so embarrassed she’d hide at home and not dare to see anyone for half a year.
He silently accepted Hugh's dagger and token.
With this, the commission was officially accepted.
Although Dawn City was absurdly far—even further than the City of a Thousand Towers—the Extra Commission had no time limit.
He could take his time delivering it.
Morpheus finally gave Lin Gui a solemn thank you, then lingered no longer.
He turned and exchanged a look with Ruger, Kilian, and Hugh.
The four of them hoisted their packs and walked quickly toward that deeper, silent mist to the north.
Their figures soon vanished among the broken walls and ruins of Blackwater City.
Lin Gui withdrew his gaze and looked at the letter from "Moro Troy" in his hand.
Then he looked at the new commission in the System pointing toward the distant Dawn City.
He let out a soft breath.
"It’s time for us to set out too."
He spoke to Eve beside him.
The flying vessel vanished into thin air, and the oak staff floated before him.
Lin Gui sat upon the staff, took Eve with him, and began to fly toward the address on the letter for Blackwater City.
Rate on N.U.
