The Great Thief

After handing over the intelligence, Mayor Solomon’s face softened.

”It looks like the Gnolls have smartened up. The report says that they have formed a coalition with the Blackrock Orcs and intend to agree on a time to launch an offensive. I need more detailed reports. My friend, I want you to investigate the Rethban Cavern in the Western Red Ridge Canyon to find the dark-skinned Orcs,” he said, then paused and continued intently, ”If you find them, kill them and take any information on their corpses.”

”As you wish.”

The easiest task was to kill something.

Although the repeated expeditions had reduced their numbers, the Blackrock Orcs were still quite strong under their iron rule.

Lu Li and Water Fairy didn’t need to go too deep into the camp. They just needed to kill a single pawn on the outskirts. As long as there weren’t too many other monsters nearby, they could quickly clear out the remaining monsters as well.

Their goal was obvious – the Blackrock Attack Plan.

Since every Blackrock Orc had a chance of dropping this item, why would they go through the trouble of

finding a strong unit in the camp?

The book that was dropped was unexpectedly written in Orcish, which meant that they would run into the problem of translating it. Fortunately, Mayor Solomon hadn’t forced Water Fairy or Lu Li to find a translator.

Instead, he asked them to rest in the town and instructed someone else to send a letter to the Draenei in the Swamp of Sorrows for a translation.

The Draenei people in the Swamp of Sorrow were self-proclaimed losers. Both they and the Orcs had descended from Draenor, but they were irreconcilable enemies. This was why they were able to interpret the obscure Orc language.

After the meeting, they had no idea when the letter would be returned, so they couldn’t just go out training again.

Lu Li and Water Fairy now had a bit of free time, which was quite rare for them. They chose to stroll the around Lakeside Town, which was generally a lively area filled with players.

Although this cozy little town was quite noisy due to the travelers and the businessmen, the people here seemed content. There were people fishing or discussing the politics of Stormwind City while leisurely walking around the shops. Relaxed laughter floated above the bustle of the crowds, as if all the problems of the world could be easily solved.

The Lakeside Town hosted two festive celebrations each year during the middle of Summer and the middle of the Winter.

Although there were still several days away from the festival and the threat of the Gnoll attack made some people apprehensive, the atmosphere of the event was already firmly in place.

Some travelers even decided not to go to Stormwind; they preferred to live in the Lakeside Town.

The Lakeside Town was very welcoming of visitors. There were hotels and taverns where players could gather and drink together.

Players chatted loudly in there and gossiped about the town. Mayor Solomon, whom Lu Li and Water Fairy didn’t like very much, was very popular. Most of the residents felt that it was because of his protection that they hadn’t been disturbed by the Orcs and the Gnolls.

”In the future, when players are able to take pieces of land, I will take the Lakeside Town,” Water Fairy said as she tilted her head and looked at Lu Li. She was implying a question – would he come and take it with her?

”Yeah, I hope that that day comes,” Lu Li nodded in agreement.

He also felt like the Lakeside Town was very beautiful, but he didn’t intend to take it for himself. The reason this place was so lively was because it was safe. It was surrounded by beautiful scenery, the climate was mild and the surrounding dangers were easy to deal with.

However, if life was too easy, people would get complacent.

This was why Lu Li liked being in the front line of the war, regardless of the scenery. There were many areas in Darkshire that he had in mind for the future.

However, the time when players could own pieces of land was a long way away.

”I’m going to buy a house here. If you want, we can be neighbors,” Water Fairy suggested. She was still thinking about buying some land and seemed to be very interested.

All girls were talented shoppers, whether in reality or in games.

This was also true for Lu Li’s sister Lu Xin. Even though their family had been poor, she would be very happy when Lu Li managed to buy her something.

”Well, if I have nothing to do in future I wouldn’t mind living in this town.”

Seeing that she was so happy thinking about buying a house here, Lu Li’s heart was softened.

”The moment the houses are cheap, we’ll buy them,” Water Fairy impulsively said, not thinking about it for a moment.

Lu Li was a poor guy; he didn’t have any money on him at all.

However, buying a house wasn’t wasteful. The safest investment in the game was actually real estate, as evidenced by the small island on the lake in Darnassus.

”Where are the best houses in the area?” the female tycoon asked.

”The best properties, are of course, the cabins on the edge of Lake Everstill,” the Clerk said eagerly. ”If you two lovebirds get up early in the morning, you can enjoy the rising sun over Lake Everstill. The lake’s golden shine…”

”What are you talking about, we’re not…” Water Fairy interrupted, unable to stand it.

”Oh… you guys aren’t together?” The Clerk knew that he had made a mistake, but he didn’t know how to fix it. How was he supposed to know? They were buying a house together.

”Are you a real person NPC?” Water Fairy asked.

”Ah, you’re aware of real person NPCs?” The Clerk was a little shocked. It seemed like this was a closely guarded secret.

Lu Li was shocked too. What was this real person NPC? Even though he had been reborn, he hadn’t heard of such a thing before. Were there NPCs that were played by real people?

”The NPCs that deal with players often are people hired by Dawn and put into the game. Most of them are injured soldiers, but they are just like normal players in the game,” Water Fairy whispered to Lu Li.

Lu Li watched the NPC with awe-inspiring respect.

”I don’t know how you found out, but don’t say it out loud. I will give you a 10% discount,” he said.

”That’s okay – just help us pick out two good houses together,” Water Fairy said as she shook her head.

Lu Li grinned but didn’t say anything. Since Water Fairy had rejected it, he couldn’t take up the offer now. This was the difference between the children of the rich and the poor.

”Two?” The Clerk had just started to believe that these two people were innocent.

When he thought about it, living in two buildings next to each other was not that different from living together in the same building. It would be very easy for them to get up to no good.