CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 62: CONSORTIUM EXPERTS INTERCEPT THE PRIZE

The atmosphere at the Divine Presence Command Center was dismal.

Facing the pincer attack from two unidentified enemy ships, the NPC captain of the Mist Island team decisively issued a retreat order, abandoning half of the supplies and retreating.

The captain cursed repeatedly, not only did they gain nothing from Spice Island, but the unauthorized investigation of Plague Island also led to losses. The key issue was that nothing was uncovered, and he wondered how to explain this to the Count upon returning...

The Young Master was equally frustrated, as it meant the hard-won relationship with the Count would become extremely distrustful, making future dealings with the Count difficult.

"Peeping Tom, how should we respond?"

The Peeping Immortal said, "Young Master, if nothing was discovered, then declare that nothing exists—let the NPC go back with an account, and say there is no Ghost City at all. It was just this exile colluding with pirates, lighting a beacon on the island to attract explorers who, like moths to a flame, went to investigate, only to be robbed by pirates."

Everyone was in an uproar!

The Young Master was even more shocked: "Peeping Tom, your theory actually seems very plausible!"

The Peeping Immortal said solemnly, "If I were exiled on that island, I would do the same! I mean, when there are no tasks triggered, and no resources on the island, it’s completely deserted."

The Young Master suddenly realized: "But in reality, everyone believes he has triggered a task for the Ghost City to appear!"

The Peeping Immortal said, "This is indeed very suspicious. He spreads the plague on the world announcement while fleeing—a critical point is when he followed the announcement during the lighting moments of the Sariel Silver City celebration, hitching a ride on a tremendous wave of traffic—all of which highlight Plague Island as the focus of the world. What is his goal?"

The Young Master said in a low voice, "To cover up the real actions of his team behind the scenes?"

The Peeping Immortal replied, "That’s possible, but we should still assume he triggered the appearance of the Ghost City. He’s mixing truth with falsehood, and what we need to do is control the situation and go against him—declare it as a despicable scam so no other explorers will venture there, and also tarnish his reputation, causing him to lose worldwide attention, leaving only us secretly investigating Plague Island."

The Young Master was quite pleased: "Peeping Tom, truly worthy of a mission expert! Excellent! The Mist Island Squad will do everything to persuade the NPC Captain to spread this scam."

"Mist Island understands."

The Peeping Immortal also felt it was time to boost the team’s morale: "Young Master, all experts from the Count’s Mansion have gone to prison, the guard dogs are accustomed to my scent, and it’s just getting dark. For the success of the public opinion battle, I think it’s time to take the job of a journalist."

The Young Master was quite looking forward to it: "Then do as you say."

"Understood."

...

To groom Amy as an inside agent, the Peeping Immortal hid in the laundry of the Count’s Mansion, helping her wash clothes and bedsheets for two days. He washed quickly and well, winning the steward’s appreciation and depleting the mansion’s supply of washables, allowing him to help wash the ladies’ exquisite bedsheets and curtains, as well as assist in the kitchen to enhance Amy’s cooking skills.

Yet he still couldn’t wash the Dancers and the ladies’ undergarments. Perhaps in time, or perhaps no matter how lazy, ladies would never allow others to touch their undergarments...

Overall, despite leaving some regrets in the main tasks, the side ventures yielded substantial gains: Amy heard a lot of gossip and tidbits from the chattering maids, enough to complete the hiring process for both the newspaper journalist and a thief.

The most crucial tip came from a mysterious kitchen maid who lowered her voice in the morning to avoid Amy hearing, saying only two sentences:

"The cover was opened again last night..."

"Ah, although they eat well and dress well, it’s truly pitiful!"

...

This information was too much! Throughout the entire beta test, Peeping Immortal focused on the noble route, and even by guessing, it was mostly clear: the cover was likely a sewer lid, and the well-fed, well-dressed pitiable person could only be the Dancer, Amy’s sister, who died of illness, explaining why the maid avoided discussing it with her—leading to the speculative conclusion that the Count’s Mansion has a secret passage used for disposing of bodies.

And indeed, secret passages are common for escaping from noble mansions. This means that players can invade the Count’s Mansion through these hidden corridors! The city remains under plague control, with sewer manhole covers welded shut, making it impossible to retrieve the Sacred Artifact obliterated by Chun. Finding this secret passage is imperative.

In short, he must formally become a thief!

Therefore, the Peeping Immortal bid farewell to Amy: "I need to leave for a while, at most three days. By then, the mansion will have more dirty clothes, and I’ll come back to help you wash them."

Amy was also reluctant: "When you go out, please visit my mother and tell her I am well!"

"Understood. Stay in the house, don’t see me off—remember, any possibility, no matter how slight, where you’re seen with outsiders must be avoided!"

Amy had understood beyond measure: "Got it, just like when the kitchen auntie and the Personal Guard Captain met at night in the garden and still got caught..."

The Peeping Immortal was gratified, for such was the enticing scoop loved by gossip tabloids. But information like this needed to be uncovered deeper, pieced together, and embellished to sell in the paper, and he already had the next pieces in mind: "The Countess unexpectedly passing by with the Personal Guard at night..."

In sum, after leaving the house ensuring there were no dogs or experts in the backyard, he sprinted a hundred meters, crashing head-on into a wall to die.

Although jumping over the wall wasn’t difficult, players flooded the streets, making it impossible to remain unseen, so suicide was the only option.

He then revived at the square, ignoring resurrection weakness, and headed straight for the thief’s secret headquarters—not the tavern as players typically thought, but the offices of the tabloids!

Following insider information obtained by the Young Master, the profession of a thief was immensely powerful during the pioneering age in the game’s background, known even as the Thief Emperor. It was later split under "anti-trust," possibly into Treasure Hunters and Shadow Killers, suggesting the current business of thieves mainly involved gathering and selling information—but that did not imply thieves weakened; those truly in the know understood this signified control over the media narrative, the strongest of all!

Entering the newspaper office through the back door, I handed over more than a hundred pieces of gossip related to the Count’s Mansion, earning a hefty fee for a newcomer. Skipping the tasks completed during the public beta, I passed the interview and directly took the job of a newspaper reporter. This isn’t a combat profession, but having the "King Without a Crown" privilege is the true foundation for taking off.

Then I entered a secret passage to reach the thief’s headquarters—an underground tavern featuring erotic dances! Yes, still a tavern! But the key is where you enter from. Then I took the thief job, gaining the three core skills: Stealth, Pickpocketing, and Sprint.

Stealth and Invisibility aren’t on the same level, but the advantage is that it costs nothing. Even in the hands of regular skilled players, these few skills are more than enough.

Now, the Peeping Tom simultaneously works as a newspaper reporter and a thief, and this level of strength and status is worth the two days of laundry work.

Then, in the tavern, I ordered food and drink to ward off the weakness of death, and then I went to the store to spend my fee on a set of butler-grade clothing. Although I could buy something more expensive, the key is to be presentable without overdoing it.

Once ready, my work should be printed and published. So I’ll buy a copy and go find the main female character, Vivian the Dancer. In the two days of doing laundry, other members of the task group also interacted with this dancer, coming to understand her interests and personality. She highly esteems high society, which makes things much easier.

Arriving at the Harbor Tavern, the Peeping Tom instinctively exchanged glances with two regular surveillance team members to confirm everything’s normal, then went to Vivian’s counter to order a drink, showing the reporter’s ID: "Miss Vivian, may I interview you?"

Vivian looked up in surprise, then lazily said, "Not interested."

The Peeping Tom was very satisfied with her surprise, as it acknowledged his exalted status.

So he presented the newspaper: "I am a very talented reporter. This is my work. I can get first-hand information on noble insiders! You must be very interested."

Vivian’s lazy gaze suddenly lit up, indeed very interested: "Aren’t you afraid the Count will kill you for writing this?"

It’s the price a tabloid reporter has to pay. Although the newspaper office is the King Without a Crown, individual reporters must be prepared. Anyway, much of the Count’s power is tied up underground, so they must seize the opportunity to write about him while he’s distracted.

"Not afraid, that’s my professional creed."

Vivian asked again, "Then, what can you interview me about?"

"First, it’s about the spices."

Vivian said, "It was announced at the banquet; it’s something picked up by the seaside. As for its value, it was left to the Spice Guild to appraise, all public information. I have nothing to add."

The Peeping Tom sighed: "Though we are a tabloid, we’re very popular with the public. Such news disappoints and fails to engage them. I want to obtain more explosive news, and I also want more insider information on the Baron, which could increase your fame. You must be interested; I hope you can assist me in interviewing the Baron."

Vivian didn’t immediately answer but continued reading the newspaper with great interest.

The Peeping Tom patiently waited for her refusal.

For an intelligent NPC with a simple, materialistic personality template like the main female character, there are fourteen variations to deal with. Each refusal eliminates another half of the available strategies, making her personality clearer. Just two more refusals, and success can be locked in!

Finally, Vivian spoke: "So you want to write similarly exciting news about the Baron?"

"Yes!"

Vivian smiled and pulled out something like a door plate: "I’m very much looking forward to it. The Baron’s Mansion needs temporary workers for odd jobs. With this door plate, you can report to the Baron’s Mansion for undercover work. But the condition is, you must give me your writings the first moment, not publish them, otherwise—"

—System prompt: You have triggered the event "Temporary Worker at the Baron’s Mansion," do you wish to accept?

The Peeping Tom was stunned! It’s actually undercover work? Although I am confident, triggering an event beyond expectations in one go doesn’t quite add up, and it’s hard to pin down her personality.

The Peeping Tom instantly thought of Chun; only one possibility exists: Chun has been pushing her task progress throughout the entire public beta!

Thinking of this, the Peeping Tom’s fighting spirit ignited instantly. Although Chun is ahead, I can still pull him down and take the lead!

—Agree!

"Thank you, Miss! I’ll deliver it to you first thing."

Vivian lazily waved her hand again: "Go ahead..."

The Peeping Tom didn’t leave immediately but stayed to eavesdrop on the conversations among the tavern patrons, quickly overhearing talk about the legend of the Ghost City on Plague Island.

The Peeping Tom smiled and asked: "Miss Vivian, how do you perceive the rumors about Plague Island?"

Vivian, a bit impatient, said, "I don’t know."

The Peeping Tom solemnly said: "Actually, I also have news about the Ghost City on Plague Island. I’ll write a piece and deliver it to you first thing—"

Then he sat at the barstool, writing and speaking: "Because this isn’t a matter of the Baron’s Mansion, although I’m giving you the first-hand information, it can be published..."

Vivian took the manuscript incredulously: "Again from the Count’s Treasure Hunting Ship?"

The Peeping Tom laughed: "Yes, I’m very familiar with the Count’s Mansion. Now, Miss Vivian, I’m off to the Baron’s Mansion to work as a servant."

This isn’t just about suppressing Chun, but also testing the main female character’s attitude. The Count’s Treasure Hunting Ship is still on its return journey, and the news hasn’t had time to spread. If the main female character spreads it in advance, it means she greatly disdains Chun. If it doesn’t spread, there are three other possibilities...