AT the distance, the two could already see the headquarters of the Crimson Corps. It's located at the very edge of the west part of the city. They actually had to walk quite a long distance to get here. Because it was quite far from where they were initially. Due to that, Luo Yan realized just how big the city really was. It's probably the biggest one out of the four. 

 They could probably rent horses to ride on, but Shen Ji Yun didn't even suggest that. Luo Yan bet this cinnamon roll just wanted to spend more time with him that's why he'd rather the two of them walked. Good thing this was the virtual world or else he would probably be panting by now.

"Do players actually use mercenary groups?" he just thought of asking.

"No, the in-game mercenary groups are just simply part of the narrative of the game. It's just like a furniture. Sometimes, it's just there for decoration. But other times, they could be used too. In this case, for players' tasks and stuffs. Just like now," Shen Ji Yun answered.

That was actually quite a good analogy, Luo Yan thought. "You mentioned 'in-game mercenary groups', does that mean players could also make their own mercenary group?"

"Yes. Some players tried. But only one group succeeded. They're called Stonebane. Players mostly hired them to get materials that they couldn't get by themselves. Some even hire them to go dungeon raiding with them. Of course, all of that for a hefty commission. So, most of the players who hire them are those rich players who don't really have great gaming skills and just want to use a shortcut to get stronger."

No wonder Luo Yan didn't know about them. Because he had never thought of hiring others to get things that he needed here in the game. But that must have been a very lofty business. Considering how there's a lot of rich players here. 

"By the way, is it really okay not to bring Dusk with us?" he suddenly asked, changing the subject.

Shen Ji Yun's forehead showed a bit of crease when Luo Yan mentioned the dragon. "It's fine. We're just looking for information anyway. It wouldn't matter if he's here or not."

Besides, why would he add another lightbulb with them? Eclipse was already enough. At least the little fox was well-behaved and very cute. Unlike that taciturn dragon.

[Captain is right. There's no need to bring that lizard.] – Eclipse seconded.

Luo Yan just shook his head helplessly. It seemed that these two really didn't like the black dragon. Poor Dusk. But he didn't insist and just continued walking with Shen Ji Yun.

They stopped in front of a four-story building. A sign in red saying 'Crimson Corps' was hanging at the front. They entered inside. There weren't any players inside, instead, all they could see were NPCs. They walked towards what seemed to be a reception desk. 

"How may I help you?" the female NPC behind the desk asked with a hospitable smile on her face.

"Good day. Is it possible to talk to your leader?" Luo Yan asked very amiably.

"May I ask if you have an appointment?"

Appointment? Really? Luo Yan was still amazed by how these NPCs could be so in-character sometimes. "No, we don't have one. But we really have to talk to him about a pressing matter."

"I'm sorry but you can't talk to our leader without an appointment," the NPC insisted again.

"Then could you just please tell him that we're here because we were sent by the husband of Finnea," Luo Yan said still with a smile on his face. Then he removed the hood he was wearing, revealing his long white hair and pointed ears. "You can also add that the one asking to meet him is a moon elf."

He noticed a slight ripple in the eyes of the NPC when he said the name 'Finnea' and when he revealed that he's a moon elf. That could only mean that the members of this mercenary group were quite familiar with Finnea. 

"Please, wait a while," the NPC finally relented.

She walked back towards what seemed to be a telephone and dialed a number. "Leader, there's a moon elf here asking to meet you… yes, he was talking about Finnea… okay… I understand. I'll ask someone to lead them to your office."

Then she hung up the phone and walked back towards the desk. 

"The Leader is willing to meet with you," she said. "Please, wait awhile while I ask someone to lead you to his office."

Then she walked to the side and called another NPC. The male NPC she called then led them to the stairs. It seemed that this place didn't have an elevator. They continued to walk until they reached the fourth floor. The NPC led them towards the room at the very end of the corridor.

He knocked on the door. "Leader, the guests are here!" 

"Let them come in," a gruff voice said inside.

The male NPC opened the door and gestured for Luo Yan and the others to go in. After they walked inside, the NPC respectfully closed the door.

What Luo Yan first saw was a messy office. There were piles of paper inside, piled one after another and some were even thrown on the floor. There were shelves full of books. And the whole room were filled with smoke. It almost looked like there was a fog inside the room.

The source of the smoke was the big man sitting behind the desk. He had shaggy brown hair and a pair of small glasses sitting atop his large nose. His whole face was also covered with a thick brown beard. He was biting on a black pipa where all the smoke was coming from. He looked like Santa, if Santa had brown hair and beard and looked like he hadn't had a bath for a month.

Luo Yan couldn't help but cough. Even though this was a virtual world, the feeling of inhaling smoke was quite real. And he didn't like it. He never did. 

To his surprise, Shen Ji Yun suddenly stood in front of him. He took his sword from its scabbard and waved it down. It produced a strong gust of wind that completely parted all the smoke inside the room. Not letting it touched Luo Yan. Then he said in a cold voice to the leader of Crimson Corps;

"Extinguish that smoke or I'll do it for you."

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