“Hello? Are you there, Tazi-jie?”
It was that familiar address again, and the familiar female voice that had lost all its former sharpness.
Sitting in her office, Rita couldn’t help but shake her head.
She really couldn’t imagine that the once celebrated chief Demon Hunter—Ange, now known as Angelina, who was so often mentioned by the Academy Head as a role model in speeches to new Students—would show such a humble side.
And not just once, but twice in the span of a single day.
“Sigh.” She let out a breath.
“If you call me that again next time, I might just hang up. I’ve already told you.”
“Sorry! Sorry! Please help me out!”
“Let’s talk payment first.”
“Uh…”
On the other end, Ange sounded troubled. Rita shook her head again.
Honestly, as long as Ange wanted to, even if the Academy stopped paying her, she could take commissions from Heixi.
Some of those paid even better than the official missions, and that was how Rita herself had made her fortune.
As for Ange, in theory, her skills hadn’t diminished at all.
Taking on a few simple commissions should be no problem.
But from what Rita had observed, this girl would only accept commissions if her Magic Mark had already flared up in advance.
Any money she earned was spent almost immediately—she was a textbook case of living paycheck to paycheck.
“Don’t just ‘uh,’ Ange. No reward, no reason or obligation for me to help you with anything.”
“Uh… can I owe you first? I’ll pay you back slowly?”
“Seriously, Ange, you really plan to hire me with money? If that’s the case, you know what I’m worth. If it’s not six figures, don’t even think about it.”
“Six figures… I don’t even have four figures on me…”
“Heh, end of the month, right? No surprise, Miss Disheveled Silver Hair. So? Six figures? How are you going to pay?”
“Then… then forget it. Even if I sold my hand, I couldn’t get that much.”
Sigh, Rita let out another sigh in her heart.
Honestly, she wanted to see Ange break free from her fear of the Magic Mark, take on some big commissions just to pay her fee.
Even if it was on credit, as long as Ange promised to go, that would be enough.
But clearly, Ange had become timid, full of power yet with no chance—or desire—to use it.
“Then that’s it. I’m hanging up.”
“Wait, wait! What about a favor?”
“Tell me what it’s about first. If it’s that thing with Huayin you mentioned before, then I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize! Please don’t! I need your help…”
From Ange’s explanation, Rita soon understood what was going on.
“If you want me to keep it hidden, it’s not as simple as casting a perception block on the egg just once. I’ll have to infiltrate Huayin’s family to make sure the egg isn’t exposed every single time.”
“So you’ll help?!”
Hearing the excitement in Ange’s voice, Rita shook her head for the third time.
If it had been before, Ange would never have come to her like this, so humble—she would’ve solved it herself.
“You think the Phoenix Family is someplace you can just waltz into? That’s a big estate, with tons of bodyguards and servants.”
“Two favors!”
“Oh, decisive, Ange.”
Rita’s lips curled into an amused smile. Ange would never go back on her word. With two favors, she could have her do just about anything.
“Fine, I’ll help. Give me the egg. You two don’t need to worry about the rest.”
“That’s great! Thank you, Tazi-jie!”
“Since your Magic Mark has already acted up today, go get some work done. Don’t just lie around all day.”
“What?! But it’s almost midnight…”
“Do you flare up the moment the clock strikes twelve?”
“I have before…”
“That’s not my problem. It’s not even eight yet. If you finish the task and get back before midnight, what’s the issue?”
“You… ugh, fine. Point me the way.”
“You know that Nightclub on B Street, right?”
“No, have I been there before?”
“Sigh, what a lousy memory. We killed a Demon there once, remember?”
“Oh, I think I kind of recall. Sorry, not many Demons have left a strong impression on me—except for that damned Succubus, of course…”
“Recently, Demons have been lending money in the casino under that Nightclub, using Souls as collateral. A lot of people have already lost their Souls.”
“Doesn’t the Academy care?”
“Would ordinary Students or Demon Hunters be able to handle it? And it’s a complicated venue; we don’t know the Demon’s background. I’m busy with something else lately and don’t have time. For a mission with zero intel like this, you’re the only one I trust. Going or not?”
“Do I have a choice? Really… Fine, tell the Academy: tonight, Ange joins the hunt.”
“I’ve already sent you the exact location. Don’t draw attention, don’t kill the innocent. As for whether to bring your Students, that’s up to you.”
“Not bringing them,” Ange replied decisively.
“Friendly reminder, you probably won’t get in without an identity.”
“Fine, I’ll bring one.”
“Don’t be unfair.”
“Alright! Alright! I’ll bring both!”
That’s fine, too. Let them get some training, Ange thought.