The small cloaked figure appeared at the edge of the Ashen Mirage Desert, before he used his Soul Star Watch to make a call.
"I have found the location of the map you provided me. It’s the southern entrance of the Ashen Mirage Desert of the Temple of Balance." The cloaked figure reported with a respectful tone.
"Are you certain?" A gruff voice rang, seeking his confirmation.
"I’m sure. The map you provided led here." The cloaked figure confidently stated before he asked with a hint of confusion, "But I don’t understand, how would you have a map that led to the Ashen Mirage Desert? This is a hazardous place, and mapping the terrain is almost impossible due to the desert’s ever-changing nature. Even if I found the entrance for you, going forward would be like entering a constantly shifting maze."
"Why are you asking so many questions?" The other party seemed to be annoyed, "We paid you for your service. Now that you have found the entrance, you can leave. However, I have another task for you, whether to take it up to you."
The cloaked figure was intrigued as he replied, "Please speak. As long as it’s not life-threatening and the reward is good, I don’t mind working for you again. After all, I’m a mercenary and the higher rank the mission you submit to the agency the better for me."
The other side didn’t seem surprised by this reply, even expected the mercenary’s response as they said, "You are one of the most famous Mercenary Lords, and I know you have been in the Ashen Mirage Desert before, that’s why I hired you specifically, and you didn’t disappoint.
"Now that you’ve already found the entrance, I want to ask you if you can escort a team in the Ashen Mirage Desert. Don’t worry, the reward this time will be Legendary King Rank Star Crystals, enough to make it your worthwhile."
The cloaked mercenary’s eyes shimmered with a hint of shock before greed flashed past his eyes. He was a legendary lord, and Legendary King Star Crystals were priceless to someone like him.
Although he knew that entering the Ashen Mirage Desert was extremely dangerous, with Legendary Kings often not returning alive, he had done it before due to his racial advantages.
Furthermore, this mission could also make him take the leap to the Mercenary King Rank if the agency judged this mission as a ’King Rank Mission.’ This type of mission was scarce, and those Mercenary Kings would fight over them, and forbidden regions were all considered King Rank Mission locations.
That’s why he was very tempted and after hesitating for a few moments, he finally gritted his teeth and agreed.
"I’ll take it, but you need to approve this mission through the agency, and the parties involved need to sign a pacifist type Zodiac Soul Oath Contract to ensure my safety against the clients. I don’t want to be silent or backstabbed, I hope you understand my reasoning."
The other party agreed without hesitation, "That goes without saying. As long as you add the term of confidentiality in the contract, we don’t mind it."
"Then it’s a deal." The mercenary lord was elated, "When will your team arrive? Do I need to fetch them from the agency?"
"No need, just send us your coordinates and we’ll contact the agency on your behalf. We can take care of the official issues in the Virtual Star World."
"Agreed."
The next moment, the call ended, and the mercenary lord seemed in a high spirit as he knew this time he had met with a big client, and it might be the turning point of his life. He would never have expected that a grave robber like him, who had no backing from a big group and was even looked down upon by others, would be recognized for his talent.
After his call, he didn’t waste any time and decided to make a camp before entering the Virtual Star World. After all, as long as he didn’t step into the territory of the Ashen Mirage Desert, he wouldn’t be in any danger, and the locals didn’t dare to approach it.
Furthermore, the Ashen Mirage Desert had nothing in particular or treasures buried within it. In fact, a grave robber like him likes these kinds of places because treasures often appear in such locations, which is why he had ventured there in the past but still discovered nothing.
However, now that this client approached him, with his experience, he had a feeling that there was something in the Ashen Mirage Desert that no one knew about before.
Suddenly, a hint of shrewdness surfaced in his eyes before a treacherous plan formed in his mind. He thought for a while about whether to really go along with it or not, and when he considered the benefits of this plan working, he knew he had to take this chance, even if it was risky.
Soon, he made another call, and this time a disdainful voice rang on the other side, "If it isn’t the famous ’Rat of Leo Continent."
The mercenary lord, despite being called ’Rat,’ showed no expression, as he was accustomed to it, being infamous among his peers.
"Cut the crap ’River’, I have something to report to the ’Knight King’, I hope you can be a liaison between us." Rat impassively stated.
River remained silent for two seconds before he burst into mocking laughter as if he had heard something very amusing.
"Did I hear right? You want me to be a liaison between you and the Knight King?! Who do you think you are? Do you forget who the Knight King is!? He’s an Arch Priest of the Temple of Balance! Even if I had some dealings with the Arch Priest’s subordinates in the past, I dare not even speak his name, yet you want to contact me?! Did you finally lose your brain in some ditch!?" River didn’t mince his words as he reprimanded and hurled all kinds of insults at Rat.
But Rat pretended not to hear it and confidently stated, "Don’t be too quick to disagree with me, hear me out first, and I’m sure the Knight King will definitely agree to talk with me and since you’re the one who introduce us, I’m sure he’ll reward you as well."
River laughed in ridicule as he did not believe it, "Alright, let me witness your great ability. Oh, wait, you don’t have any except for digging tunnels and smelling dead bodies!"
Rat coldly responds, "Just say that I have news regarding a treasure of the Forbidden Region. See if he’s interested or not. But I’m only giving a day before I look for someone else. Trust me, you can’t handle the consequences of this matter. If Knight King finds out, and he will, then you’ll have no one but yourself to blame!"