Chapter 109 Black Pearl

After hesitating for a moment, Paiqi decided that it was better to be safe than sorry and truthfully said, "A Silver Spirit person claimed to be an envoy of DarkStar. I found a pitch-black bead on him. I didn't know what it was, but I thought it was a treasure, so I carried it with me. However, I lost the bead in the pier brawl a few days ago, and someone may have picked it up..."

Since the bead wasn't on him, there was no loss in telling the truth. The other party was likely from DarkStar. Apart from the fact that DarkStar was his idol, judging from their style, he knew what would happen if he refused to provide information. According to risk assessment, compromise was the safest option.

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes.

A bead? What the hell was that? He had never heard of this incident in his previous life.

Could it be a hidden plot?

Han Xiao's heart stirred. It seemed possible. DarkStar had sent Ash as a representative, placing great importance on it. It might be a large-scale secret mission that no one had triggered in his previous life.

"You are very cooperative. I will pay a certain amount as an intelligence fee."

"No need for rewards. I only hope to join DarkStar."

Paiqi rubbed his hands and said.

Hearing this, Han Xiao suddenly understood. No wonder Paiqi didn't bargain before revealing the information. It turned out he was a potential supporter of DarkStar. Back then, when Han Xiao saw that Paiqi's information said he was a mixed-blood Gedora, he had a guess. Besides stirring up trouble, his choice to impersonate DarkStar also had a hint of luck involved, and he actually hit the jackpot.

Actually, the reasoning wasn't difficult. Paiqi was a mixed-blood Gedora and a wanted criminal who couldn't be tolerated by the authorities, so his political inclination was more likely to support DarkStar.

Han Xiao dared to use DarkStar's name, considering that Ash would hide his true identity for secrecy's sake. Even if Ash came to ask first, he would use another identity. Han Xiao was just borrowing a chicken to lay an egg. If he were a mercenary, Paiqi would definitely hate them, and he might not get any information and could even expose himself.

Coughing slightly, Han Xiao pretended to be serious.

"I see your belief. You are an enlightened Gedora. Our great cause needs passionate people like you..."

Before Paiqi could get happy, Han Xiao changed the topic.

"However, we have a strict screening process for newcomers to prevent spies from infiltrating. Coincidentally, there is something you need to help with. There is another force on this floating island secretly competing with us for this bead. Before me, did anyone ask you the same question?"

"Uh, no."

"That's good. We were one step ahead. This is an opportunity for you to contribute to the organization. Later, they may come to you like I did and ask the same question. Just tell them that the bead has been thrown into outer space."

Han Xiao suppressed a smile and said, "After you complete this matter, DarkStar will accept you at the appropriate time, take you to a secret base, and receive formal training."

"I understand."

Paiqi was convinced, his expression solemn.

He didn't expect the Silver Spirit person incident to be so deep. He couldn't help but be curious about what secrets the bead contained that would attract such a large force to secretly snatch it!

At the same time, Paiqi was also annoyed. If he had noticed the bead's extraordinary nature at the time, he might have obtained greater benefits. He wouldn't have done something as foolish as buying a casket and returning the pearl... But now, it was too late to regret.

Ending the communication, Han Xiao turned around and left the pier. He waited until he was in a deserted place before changing back into his original attire.

"So, what DarkStar wants is a black pearl, but its whereabouts are unknown."

Although there were gains, the information was still scarce. If he followed the normal method, the clues would end here...

However, Han Xiao didn't take the usual path.

"Now that I know what the target is, let's try using the Son of Destiny card. Hopefully, it will be worth it." Han Xiao decided that he had to know what the target was before using the premonition card. Paiqi's information, although scarce, happened to meet the conditions.

[You used [Character Arrival Card - Son of Destiny], usage count 3/5]

The familiar hazy mist appeared, like a scene in a dream. Han Xiao's vision pierced through the mist, and a pitch-black bead appeared before his eyes, held in a palm. Following the arm upward, a handsome face was fixed in Han Xiao's eyes.

After a full two seconds, the image shattered and returned to the original environment, as if he had experienced a hallucination.

"Li Ge?!"

Han Xiao's eyes widened.

He really didn't expect that the bead had been picked up by a player, and it was this rascal who picked it up. No wonder it wasn't handed over to him.

…

Twenty minutes after Han Xiao left, Ash arrived late at the pier and found Paiqi.

Paiqi remembered Han Xiao's instructions, and his expression changed slightly. Sure enough, DarkStar's competitor had come so quickly.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"I am a mercenary. The client is a Silver Spirit person. The captives have been rescued. You are no longer our enemy. Now I have some things I want to confirm with you. Did you kill two Silver Spirit people? We want to know the specific details, and I can pay a certain amount of information fee for this."

Ash chose to impersonate a mercenary. Only mercenaries knew about the two dead Silver Spirit people. It was reasonable to ask questions this way, otherwise, it would easily arouse suspicion and be reported as the murderer who attacked the slave market. In his impression, he hadn't been exposed yet, and no one knew their DarkStar identity.

But his choice happened to form a coincidence. Han Xiao and Ash had inadvertently exchanged identities!

Paiqi believed it to be true. He thought Han Xiao was "DarkStar", while Ash, who truly belonged to DarkStar, was regarded as DarkStar's enemy!

What's more, because everyone only had a portion of the information, both Paiqi and Ash were kept in the dark. Only Han Xiao could barely see the truth. His wave of bold actions successfully misled the two on the path to the truth!

"You are a mercenary?!"

Hatred immediately appeared in Paiqi's eyes. It was the mercenaries who had made him lose a lot of money. You still want information?! If DarkStar hadn't told me, I wouldn't even bother with you!

Ash said at the right time, "As long as you are willing to answer, I can pay an information fee of 50,000 to compensate for your losses. This is a lot of money."

DarkStar's confidence was its financial strength. Ash directly transferred 10,000 as a deposit, confident that he could get Paiqi to speak.

Even Paiqi, who wasn't a money-grubber, was shocked by this generous offer -- it didn't look like a mercenary licking blood off a knife's edge at all.

He rolled his eyes, pretending to be moved by the money, and spoke about the process of capturing the Silver Spirit people, only hiding the Cipher Pearl as a test.

As expected, Ash heard the end and found that the information he wanted was missing, so he had to point out the target and said, "Did you find a black bead on those two people?"

"What bead? Never seen it. I threw them out of the spaceship, too lazy to waste time searching them. What you're talking about is probably drifting in the universe."

Paiqi sneered in his heart, telling a lie according to Han Xiao's instructions.

A gloom flashed in Ash's eyes.

This was the worst outcome!

If the corpses of the transporters were accidentally captured by a star, the Cipher Pearl would also be annihilated. If it was attracted by a black hole, it would be impossible to find.

"By the way, has anyone asked you the same question?"

Ash suddenly asked.

"No."

Paiqi immediately denied it.

Ash frowned, transferred the remaining payment to Paiqi, and left with a heavy heart.

Now that the clues were broken, their task force was useless, and they could only report to headquarters.

In the spaceship, Paiqi looked at the darkened communication screen and revealed a smile, full of anticipation.

Joining DarkStar had always been his goal. Because DarkStar was too mysterious, he had no chance to contact them, and he had always regretted it.

But now, the opportunity he dreamed of fell from the sky!

Paiqi was secretly excited:

'I have done meritorious service for DarkStar! After waiting for so long, I finally got the opportunity. I can finally, finally join DarkStar…'

…

Near the ruins of the slave market, the players didn't have to return to the Guards and temporarily settled down the Volga brothers and Aroshia.

The crowd surrounded Aroshia, like moths to a flame. Aroshia's beauty was off the charts, pleasing to the eye, and she was also a beautiful woman with amnesia. With Meatbun as the representative, most of the male players' hormones were overflowing. They were in high spirits, chatting with Aroshia one after another.

Aroshia had a calm "whatever, anything is fine" attitude and was not interested in the things around her, responding in a half-hearted manner.

Nearby, the big shots of the various clubs maintained their composure, staying far away and chatting with each other.

At this moment, all the players of the Black Star Mercenary Group simultaneously triggered a new mission.

[【Looking for the Bead】]

[Mission Introduction: Some time ago, Black Star lost a black bead. If someone can find it and give it to him, they will receive his reward.]

[Mission Requirements: Hand in the black bead [Attached - Appearance]]

[Reward: 180,000 experience, Black Star Mercenary Group favorability +200, Sunil Sergeant-level Armor x1]

[Note: This mission is a competitive mission, and only one person can receive the reward.]