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Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: ... Danger is Coming

"Captain."

After a while, Xiang Nan arrived at a bar in Glam Gas Land.

The other four teammates had already gathered before he got there.

During the daytime, there aren't that many customers inside the bar, so when Xiang Nan walked in, the others spotted him at once and called him over.

The squad had been keeping in touch all along, and Xiang Nan had mentioned what he would be wearing, making it easy for them to recognize him.

These four were all tier-3 players—three men and one woman.

Publicly displayed highest combat power among them was 83 points... but after the previous round, one realizes the "combat power" figures are mere appearances—nothing to overemphasize.

Within the squad, aside from Xiang Nan as the captain, there was one other Nen user.

Everyone briefly introduced themselves and then got formally into "mission mode."

Interestingly, the other Nen-user in the squad did not disclose his Nen-user status when introducing himself—obviously wanting to keep it secret. By contrast, Xiang Nan openly revealed that he was a Nen user, paying no mind to whatever intentions others might harbor.

"I only have one demand of you all... follow my orders."

"If anyone tries to sabotage the group's plan or upset the balance… don't blame me for turning on you."

"… …"

The four looked at each other, not expecting Xiang Nan to be so direct.

"Alright."

Though Xiang Nan's displayed combat power is low, they understand one can conceal most of it.

Plus, being the team leader, with a higher tier, he mustn't be underestimated.

They're all counting on him to pass this round.

"Now, we don't yet know the mission details, so… share whatever info you have that might be helpful."

Sitting at the counter, Xiang Nan sipped a beverage from the bar owner, then casually outlined his own experience from the fourth round, openly sharing a few insights. After that, he smiled faintly.

"Glam Gas Land… Though it doesn't appear in the official manga or anime, I happened to see a video once. This city apparently was the site of an encounter between Hisoka and some circus troupe. At the time, Hisoka was in dire straits, like he'd been attacked, and it was the circus's ringmaster who saved him. That short side-story animation was produced by some fan and supposedly got approval from Togashi."

So spoke the team's Nen user named Dylan, revealing some intel that indeed might be useful—especially since even Xiang Nan didn't know about it.

Hearing this, the others were a bit startled.

"Anything else?"

Xiang Nan nodded.

That info about Hisoka is likely unrelated to their mission—just a tidbit.

"This city is extremely prosperous economically. Social celebrities and elites here are far more numerous than in other cities on the Yorbian continent… Because countless world-famous tycoons, collectors, and top figures from all walks of life come here to enjoy the so-called 'artistic' life… so auctions occur here even more frequently than in Yorknew. The scale might not be as grand or illustrious as the Yorknew auction from the storyline, though."

The female player chimed in, saying she's a local of the Yorbian continent and very familiar with this city.

"So, what do you think our mission might be?"

Xiang Nan asked with a smile.

"The Mafia?"

Someone guessed.

"Could be some super-wealthy individual…"

Another seconded.

After all, Yorbian's a major hotbed of mafia activity—countless underworld families and groups run rampant there. Pick any city, and you're bound to find numerous mafia syndicates.

In the previous mission, Xiang Nan and his group headed to Kakin, and the mission ended up involving the Chimera Ants.

But Glam Gas Land doesn't appear in the original story.

Hence even Xiang Nan, for the moment, wasn't too sure.

All he could think of was also the Mafia.

"Could it be the Ten Dons?"

He thought to himself, connecting it to a potential "story unlock."

Indeed, only the Ten Dons might fit.

Suddenly, the system prompt arrived:

[Ding! The fifth round of the Extinction Game has officially begun. Please be on alert, player squad.]

Since it was addressed to the entire team, but specifically for Xiang Nan it was the fifth round—while for the others, it was only the fourth.

They have the same mission content, but Xiang Nan's role as captain means the system's standards for him will be broader and more demanding.

That is, two different tiers working on the same assignment.

[You've been hired by an unknown individual. Please head to the Mosta Warehouse to meet your employer; the mission details will be issued personally by the employer.]

"Hmm?"

Xiang Nan raised his brow.

For the first time, they get a mission start with the content itself still unknown.

"Let's go."

Xiang Nan said, ignoring his companions' worried expressions. He set down his drink and turned to leave.

The rest of the team promptly followed.

They took two cabs straight to the Mosta Warehouse in Glam Gas Land.

On the way, through chatting with the drivers, they learned that the warehouse is in an industrial zone, far from downtown, basically on the outskirts—and apparently abandoned long ago.

Upon arrival, sure enough they saw only overgrown weeds and broken-down factory buildings, with no sign of people.

[Ding! Player, your protective 'concealment' has temporarily been lifted. Please be cautious!]

Xiang Nan heard this in his ear.

He glanced at the others; their faces were normal, meaning the message was only for him.

"Weird—where's the employer? The system said we'll meet here."

"What kind of secretive job is this, in such a godforsaken place?"

Dylan couldn't help grumbling.

"Let's wait."

Xiang Nan, sensing something, calmly eyed the disused factory zone.

"He lifted the concealment? That means I can fully interact with story characters, but also that I can be attacked by them—my protection's gone."

He sank into thought.

One hour passed… two hours… three hours…

They still didn't see any so-called employer, as if the person had stood them up.

Xiang Nan stayed quiet, leaning on a tree trunk with his eyes closed.

Eventually, after the sky was starting to darken and his four teammates were losing patience, someone showed up at last.

He emerged from an abandoned factory building:

"Ah, apologies, apologies—made you wait a while… We had a bit of an emergency on our side, hehehe."

An effusively friendly person, waving at them with a bright smile, speaking in a tone of sincere apology, rubbing the back of his head.

He had a boyish face, a high-spirited and kind look, light-brown hair, crimson attire, and emerald-green eyes…

The instant Xiang Nan laid eyes on him, a shock rippled across his features.

Immediately, he went on alert.

It was Shalnark— a member of the Phantom Troupe.

A "strategist" role in the Spider.

This completely exceeded Xiang Nan's expectations.

Had the system artificially "raised the stakes," making this more difficult?

Furthermore, now that Xiang Nan's protective concealment was gone— …this was dangerous!

"He's a story character—I can't see him!"

"Huh? Who is it?"

"Why a story character? If he's the employer, then how are we supposed to 'communicate'?"

His teammates all seemed flustered.

But Xiang Nan took a step forward and advanced toward Shalnark.

~~~

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