Chapter 309 308. I did it

The "Puji House" hotel was particularly quiet after dark. Bianca had gone back to take care of her mother, leaving Dylan alone sitting behind the counter, flipping through the account book slowly in the light of an oil lamp.

On the surface, he was checking his income and expenditure, but in reality, he was reporting recent progress to Lin Jun through the fungus network:

"Today I went to the guild to ask about the Scarecrow Abyss subjugation mission. The bounty has been raised to 800 gold coins, but there seems to be no progress.

I heard that there have been frequent accidents there recently, and the adventurers are all trying to find new strategies to deal with it, so they are currently unable to go deeper.

However, there is some progress in acquiring the corpses of the other two monsters.

The Electric Rat's mission has already been taken, and the Earth Bear's bounty has been fulfilled. The bear's body has been embalmed, so it will take some time to transport it here."

"Oh? That's not bad!" Lin Jun was quite satisfied.

The task of [collecting negative energy] in the abyss has not made any progress yet, so there is no need to rush.

He carefully selected "Electric Rat" from the catalog given by Aidin. It is a monster with lightning attributes and several lightning skills. He thought it might be suitable for Puji.

As for the "Earth Bear", Lin Jun has been coveting the [Gravity Field] skill it possesses for a long time.

Although the elf has a ready-made bear cub at home, the little thing has now recognized the scout Puji as its big brother, so it is inevitable that there will be some psychological barriers to eating it, so he simply offers a reward.

In fact, there are many more monsters that he is interested in than just these two, but posting too many bounties at once would be too eye-catching, so he can only take it slow.

"Boss, regarding the recent use of funds..." Dylan said, flipping open the account book at hand.

But just as he started, he was interrupted by Lin Jun: "Stop, there's no need to give the specific numbers."

Lin Jun had no interest in the boring account details. When it came to money, it was enough as long as it was sufficient. He was too lazy to ask where the excess money went.

Even if we take a step back, if we really want to investigate whether our subordinates are corrupt, wouldn't it be more direct to monitor their daily movements through the Internet rather than listening to reports?

Dylan put down the account book, seeming a little disappointed.

"However, the current funds are almost used up. Will there be any more rewards?"

Of course I have to send it, but Dylan obviously means that he needs money.

Waiting for adventurers' 'donations' is a bit too slow, maybe I should sell another A-grade magic crystal?

"Boss, have you ever considered starting a pharmaceutical business?" Dylan suddenly suggested.

The profits from common medicines were not very high due to competition, but he knew that the boss obviously had some unique formulas that had never been circulated locally.

In Dylan's opinion, as long as the source of the raw materials can be properly concealed, this business will definitely be profitable.

"Selling potions... is possible."

Lin Jun had indeed never considered making money by selling potions before, and he only intended to use the medicine internally. Even the two bottles of hair growth potion in Dylan's hand were originally given to him for his own use.

Dylan didn't seem to realize that the hair on his head had been thinning recently.

However, if I sell potions...

Things like hair growth potions obviously cannot be sold in large quantities. Several of its core ingredients are specialties of the elf territory, and their origins are difficult to explain.

But the old elf has a lot of strange recipes. It should be fine if I go back and carefully pick out a few potions with common ingredients but the recipes themselves have not been circulated locally.

Given that the elves are good at refining medicine and are secluded from the outside world, it probably won't be too difficult to find a recipe that meets the requirements.

At that time, we can symbolically announce some tasks to purchase relevant materials, which will be enough to cover up the source.

Just then.

Dongdong——Dongdong——

The heavy knocks on the locked wooden door of the hotel seemed particularly abrupt in the night.

Dylan almost instantly grasped the hilt of the longsword hidden under the counter and asked in the fungus net, "Boss?"

Lin Jun's response came quickly: "Ah, probably not dangerous."

Dylan then walked to the door and opened it a crack.

Standing outside the door was Rita's rookie partner. He was pale, breathing rapidly, and looking around constantly, as if he was afraid of being followed by someone.

Could this kid have gotten into trouble and come running to me in a panic?!

Dylan's heart tightened and he subconsciously wanted to slam the door.

However, Lin Jun's voice rang out again: "It's okay, you can let him in."

Since the boss had spoken, Dylan no longer hesitated and opened the door a little wider.

The rookie stumbled in and opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Dylan's sharp look.

Even if the hotel business is slow, it is still not empty. How can we let him talk nonsense here?

Dylan didn't say anything, but just pointed his index finger towards the ground.

The rookie was stunned for a moment, then understood, swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, and nodded nervously.

As soon as he entered the hidden basement, the rookie's panic could no longer be suppressed, and he hurriedly said incoherently: "Senior Di, Senior Dylan! Have you... have you met Senior Rita today?"

Dylan shook his head.

"Senior Rita is indeed... missing!" The rookie's face showed a look as if his last hope was shattered.

Seeing him so confused, Dylan sighed to himself: "Don't panic, stay calm, and explain it slowly and clearly."

In front of the senior whom Rita "trusted", the rookie didn't hide a single thing and told her everything: "Senior Rita said this morning that she was going to find out about the rumor about the newly appeared 'parasite' and asked me to go to the old contact point to deliver the previous secret report. But after I came back, I couldn't find her! I secretly searched all the possible places, but she was not there! I thought she might come to you...but, but..."

"Calm down!" Dylan growled. "Hasn't your school ever taught you how to handle situations like this?"

"I think I've been taught... I should... I should immediately assume that Senior Rita has met with an accident, and move and hide first. After ensuring safety, I will find an opportunity to report to my superiors..." At Dylan's reminder, the rookie said as if reciting a regulation.

"So what are you doing now?"

The rookie was stunned for a moment, then looked ashamed: "S-Sorry! I...I'll leave now!"

Dylan grabbed his arm, his tone filled with anger and frustration: "You're just thinking of leaving? It's useless! You should have been exposed long ago! If you run out in a hurry now, you'll only get yourself into trouble! You newbies are really..."

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The rookie apologized repeatedly. He was so ashamed that he could hardly maintain his posture and almost curled up into a ball.

"Okay, stay here for now and stay out of the spotlight."

"Thank you, thank you, senior... I encountered this on my first mission, it's really... so scary..." The rookie's voice was still trembling.

Seeing him like this, Dylan softened his tone and patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, I understand. Everyone started out as a novice. Remember this from now on: think before you act."

After finally settling the frightened rookie spy, Dylan finally had time to contact Lin Jun again on the fungus network: "Boss, do you know what happened to Rita?"

The boss's fungal blanket is all over Mushroom Town, so he might know something.

Lin Jun's answer did not disappoint him. It was simple and direct: "I know. I'm hanging up."

Dylan wasn't surprised by the answer. He curiously asked, "Was he discovered by the church? Or was he caught by the guild?"

"I killed him."

“Ah, this…”

Dylan scratched his sparse hair and suddenly felt that he should have been a little gentler to that rookie...

(End of this chapter)