454 Chapter 454 - A Meaningful Mission? (1/2)

”That's definitely a possibility.” Young Master Han nodded in approval. ”But an oak forest with a little log cabin? That's too little clue to go by; who knows how many such locations exist in this game?”

”There's also that NPC called Gru; I'll go find out!” Brother Assist looked excited, as if he had just discovered the New World, when he got up and headed straight for the exit.

”Where are you off to?” Gu Fei hurriedly asked.

”To investigate the lead,” Brother Assist smartly waved his hand as he rushed out. Such moments were when he looked the coolest.

”And there he goes…” Gu Fei was in a daze as he stood holding that diary. These people sure were gamers. This diary was like a novel to him, so he actually wanted to carry on reading! He had initially thought that Brother Assist was a kindred spirit, but who knew that the latter would take off once he found even the slightest clue he could follow up on?

Quests. All these guys care for are just quests in the end!

Gu Fei thought of this in exasperation as he flipped over to the next page.

'I am talking to myself again today. It's becoming more frequent nowadays. I've always been alone, so I should've been used to this sort of loneliness by now. It seems that being alone isn't so scary, but what's scary is when you're all alone and without help. Am I already in a state of panic deep in the recesses of my heart? I once more came across an oak tree; I find myself coming around here quite often recently. I don't know why, but that oak tree feels familiar. Perhaps, it may jog my memory… Assassins should abandon everything, but I already am nothing. All I have now is this bit of memory, and I don't want to lose it.'

”This is so depressing and tragic!” This diary was an account of a strong-willed and determined Assassin's step by step descent into mental breakdown after getting lost in the fog, alone and without any reprieve. Even though this was clearly just a NPC, Gu Fei could not help but lament. What would the final outcome of someone like this be? Discovered by players and be slain for its loot? Of course, not, for that was just the fate of its role and not the fate of the character. Gu Fei's curiosity was piqued, and he could not wait to get to the next page.

'I woke up with a start and realized that snow is covering the land. Is it winter already? I immediately began searching for that oak tree as if I've gone mad. I'm afraid – afraid that it would lose the color I remember it for and I would no longer be able to recognize it. In the end, all is fine, as that oak tree looks the same as it was before. Just like me, a layer of white snow is covering it, but the color of its leaves remains the same. Do the leaves of an oak tree not fall come winter? If it doesn't wither, what about me? Am I searching for a way out, or am I just searching for this oak tree?'

Gu Fei sighed deeply. It was apparent that this Assassin had started to give up, and it could only find solace from its past. The content of the entries that followed after only served to confirm Gu Fei's thoughts, as the Andrew Su within the diary began to reminisce about the scenes of its 187 assignments one after another until, one day, it finally wrote:

'I heard that the moment someone is about to die, their life will flash before their eyes like a movie, playing back every moment. I've actually been constantly thinking of my past these few days. Has that moment of death already upon me? Is the process of this really so slow?'

Is it about to finish… Gu Fei wondered to himself. He suddenly did not wish for this Andrew Su to die in such a manner, and he was hoping that he would chance on some sort of opportunity to turn its fate around.

It never happened, however. The content of the pages that Gu Fei continued to read through became more and more muddled. However, as the NPC continued to recall its past, the assignments finally reached the 187th count, which was also this very assignment that it was unable to accomplish until today – and quite possibly the last assignment it would get in this life.

'Giordano; to think I'd actually still remember this name. He's the captain of Xiawu City's Vigilante Corps. This man doesn't hold the highest position among all the people I've assassinated, but there may be some unforeseen difficulties given his identity! Thinking about this man now, my numb hands seem to tremble ever so slightly; looks like I've not lost all my fighting spirit, after all.'

”Here!” Gu Fei suddenly slapped the table.

Half the content of the glass Young Master Han was drinking from spilled with that slap; the heartache he felt was so severe he wanted to die. He furiously spat at Gu Fei who was sitting across him, ”What are you shouting out for?!”

”Look here!” Gu Fei turned the diary over and placed it right before Young Master Han. ”This bit here mentions the Assassin's assignment target to be here in Xiawu City. From you guys' line of thinking, we may be able to continue the assignment as a quest if we kill this man.”

Young Master Han casually scanned through it before he asked, ”Did you receive a quest?”

”No…” Gu Fei shook his head. Not one prompt sounded from the system.

Young Master Han sneered mockingly.

”Not getting a quest doesn't mean it can't be done,” Gu Fei said.

”Then, what's the point of doing it?” Young Master Han asked.

Gu Fei, instead, gazed right back at him and asked, ”You're drinking your liquor every day; what's the point in doing that?”

”It's my pastime.”

”Good answer!” Gu Fei nodded.

M*th*rf*ck*r! Young Master Han cursed angrily within him, for he had actually been verbally cornered. Challenging a difficult fight was naturally this man's pastime.

The Shadowmist Assassin's target of assassination, the captain of Xiawu City's Vigilante Corps, indeed sounded like a rather challenging BOSS.

”I wish you the best of luck, then.” Young Master Han raised his glass toward him.