Chapter 432, Ransom Within Three Days
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Wu Heng returned to his residence.
On the third-floor radio station, he picked up the microphone and called 'Philipa' twice. There was no response from the other side, indicating she was probably not in her room.
He originally intended to inform her about becoming a 'Whisperer'.
That would have to wait until next time.
Walking out of the room, he went upstairs to his study.
Taking off his coat, he poured himself a cup of tea and sat down at the desk.
He took out two newly exchanged skill books.
[Mirror Image][Preset Armor].
Since delving into spells, skills indeed proved to have many uses.
However, in his battles, he relied more on skeletons and modern firearms.
A magazine of bullets was far more efficient than casting magic.
Therefore, his choice of skills began leaning towards functional and specialized ones.
Opening the first book, [Mirror Image], he started reading.
This skill book belonged to the illusion category.
Upon casting, it could create three illusory clones, capable of performing simple actions.
The effect of the clones was closely tied to the caster's intelligence and mental strength.
The better the clones, the harder it would be for enemies to discern them, requiring higher perception.
Additionally, the number of clones affected the outcome.
Three clones made detection more likely, while creating only one reduced the chance of being exposed.
This meant it appeared more realistic.
Depending on the scenario, one could choose to create either a single clone or multiple.
Being in a focused state greatly accelerated his reading speed.
Soon, he reached the last page, and a system notification appeared.
[Skill Unlocked: Mirror Image.]
The skill was unlocked.
Apart from the mansion skill book he hadn't unlocked, all others were still quick to unlock.
Closing the book, he placed it on the shelf behind him.
He got up and walked to the center of the study.
With a thought, three clones identical to him appeared instantly on either side.
Wu Heng scrutinized the three motionless figures standing in place.
Black hair, robes, and a spatial ring.
They were almost indistinguishable from himself.
With another thought, the three clones started moving, performing simple actions.
"Not bad," he remarked.
Deactivating the skill, the illusory clones disappeared entirely.
Returning to his desk, he began reading the next skill book, [Preset Armor].
This skill belonged to the protection spell category.
The effect was to pre-cast a spell on a willing target.
When the target was attacked, a honeycomb-shaped shield would instantly form, reducing the damage from the attack.
Its effect resembled protective pendants.
Many mass-produced magic items were based largely on spell effects.
He quickly reached the last page again.
A notification appeared.
[Skill Unlocked: Preset Armor.]
Unlocking this skill was a satisfying result.
Knock, knock, knock~!
Just as he closed the book, there was a knock at the door.
Then, Minnie's voice came through, "Master, someone from the Guild is here. Sister Viel asked you to go over."
Andviel?
She usually went home after work by this time.
Calling him over now suggested something urgent had occurred.
He stood up and opened the door to find Minnie waiting.
"Did they mention what it's about?"
"No, just asked you to go. It sounds urgent," Minnie replied.
Wu Heng nodded, "Go fetch my armor. I'll head to the Guild."
"Understood!"
The two of them went downstairs together.
After Minnie helped him don his leather armor.
He left straight for the Guild.
...…
Upon arriving at the Guild.
Wu Heng headed directly to the office study.
Inside, Andviel was waiting at her desk, looking slightly anxious.
"Viel, what's going on?" Wu Heng asked upon entering.
Andviel spoke directly, "The bartender from the Nautilus just came to the Guild, saying their boss has been kidnapped."
Wu Heng frowned deeply.
Several thoughts flashed quickly through his mind.
First came anger—how dare someone kidnap someone from the tavern in broad daylight? Then suspicion—was there some mistake, given the growing number of guards on the island? Lastly, a sense of vigilance arose.
If Milisen hadn't offended anyone, the greater likelihood was that his relationship with her had drawn someone's attention.
The ultimate target was him.
Otherwise, capturing 'Milisen', a woman who had only recently become a Professional, wouldn't be worth the trouble.
"Where is the person?" Wu Heng asked.
"Captain Kavina took them for questioning," Andviel answered solemnly.
As they spoke, there was a knock on the door.
Kavina entered directly.
"What's the situation?" Wu Heng asked.
Kavina held a notebook and replied, "Around dusk, several people came in and took her. Their identities and motives remain unclear."
"Give me the details."
"Alright." Kavina organized her thoughts and said, "There were five people in total. A dispute broke out in the room. They injured the tavern guards and took her.
They also demanded 100 gold coins be brought to sea within three days to ransom her, or they'd kill her and sink the body.
Three carried swords, two had scimitars and crossbows. The bartender and other staff didn't recognize them, so they're probably not from Lighthouse Street."
A dispute broke out, and they demanded 100 gold coins within three days to ransom her?
This sounded like pirate behavior.
"Why did the bartender think to seek help from the Guild?"
Kavina explained, "The bartender said their boss mentioned before that she had supported the Guild and that if anything happened, the Guild could handle it. So, after this incident, he came here."
Milisen was indeed clever.
Knowing she handled some dangerous work, she had warned the bartenders in advance.
"What's the situation at the tavern now?" Wu Heng continued to ask.
"The first-floor tavern is closed. The upstairs rooms are still rented out and available to guests."
Wu Heng nodded and told Andviel, "Viel, inform the Steward about this and see what he suggests."
"Understood!" Andviel left the room.
Shortly after, she returned, "The Steward said you should investigate first. If you need assistance, they'll provide it."
Wu Heng sat at the desk, deep in thought.
The other party's team was a typical five-member setup.
This formation often appeared in Guild teams and among mercenaries.
Of course, presenting it this way might also be a deliberate misdirection.
A bartender wouldn't have enough money to ransom a kidnapped tavern owner.
This further confirmed that the real target of the kidnapping was him.
But weren't they worried he wouldn't come to the rescue?
Knowing it's a trap, who would step into it?
Perhaps, the other party didn't care if he came or not. Maybe—
It was more about drawing attention to him.
Even if no ransom was paid and they killed her, it wouldn't be a loss to them.
Thinking quickly, he said, "Kavina, I'll handle this. If I need anything, I'll notify you. Andviel, follow my clone home."
Andviel looked puzzled, "Clone?"
Wu Heng focused, summoning an identical figure beside him.
"Illusory clone. Go home with it to avoid anyone targeting the Guild."
"Understood."
Kavina frowned, "You're investigating alone? Let me bring a team to assist."
Wu Heng replied, "No need. I'll investigate secretly first. Have your team ready tomorrow morning to look into this."
"Alright," Kavina agreed.
With the arrangements made, everyone went their separate ways.
Andviel left the Guild with the clone.
She hailed a carriage along the way and headed home.
After a while.
Wu Heng donned a Morphing Veil and cloaked himself.
He also disguised Kerenwood and left the Guild.
They took a carriage to Lighthouse Street.
...…
The carriage stopped in front of the Nautilus Tavern.
The main entrance was closed, and the usual lively sounds were absent.
Getting off the carriage, they waited in a deserted alley for a while.
A beige headband floated down from a second-floor window of the tavern.
Glenda appeared, "Will this work?"
The headband looked familiar; Milisen often wore it.
"It'll do," Wu Heng replied.
He retrieved a [Tracking Pendant] from his spatial ring. Using a dagger, he pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall on it.
The cold metallic skull seemed to come alive.
Its jaw quivered slightly, and a ghostly blue flame ignited in its eye sockets.
Bringing the headband closer.
The skull bit down on a corner and began chewing.
Then, the ghostly blue flame boiled, struggling in a direction through the skull.
Wu Heng felt a wave of relief.
The soul fire indicated Milisen was alive.
He frowned slightly.
The direction wasn't the harbor but behind Lighthouse Street, in the still-expanding area.
"They didn't go out to sea; they're still on the island."