Zheng City, Speed Net Cafe.
Fu Luo sat in the waiting area wearing a ridiculous duck hat, studying the ordinary-looking young man before him who seed vaguely familiar. Though the man's face was mostly hidden behind a mask, there was sothing recognizable about him. Upon closer inspection, he seed to just have one of those common forgettable faces.
"So you're the client who ca looking for , correct?"
Lin Yu gave a slight nod.
"Indeed, esteed Detective. I'd like to commission you to find soone."
"Finding people," Fu Luo mused, "my fees vary based on difficulty—I'll need to hear who you're looking for before quoting a price."
"A player of the Death Ga."
Lin Yu stated calmly.
Hearing this, Fu Luo showed slight surprise.
"You're a player too?"
"Of course," Lin Yu sighed, voluntarily revealing his "identity." "Tell , Furbollo, as soone who's survived a dungeon together, don't I qualify for so friends-and-family discount?"
As he spoke, Lin Yu subtly lowered his mask just enough. He had adjusted his facial features slightly so Fu Luo—Furbollo—wouldn't imdiately recognize him as 'May.' But with this hint, Fu Luo quickly disregarded those minor alterations, matching this face to the one in his mory while unconsciously correcting his recollection. Exactly as Lin Yu intended.
"You're May?!"
Fu Luo exclaid in astonished delight.
"Yes, we et again, great Detective."
Lin Yu replied with a smile. He could feel himself accessing the Doctor's abilities again. All class skills remained functional in reality, though apparently "balanced"—their effects and cooldowns adjusted accordingly. The Doctor's abilities were among those weakened in reality, with skill cooldowns extended to three days.
Fu Luo looked Lin Yu up and down before speaking.
"Ah, you—why go through the trouble of eting offline? You could've just contacted through the forum!"
Lin Yu chuckled at Fu Luo's words. "I happened to be coming to Zheng City to find soone anyway. After arriving, I rembered you're local here too. Considering how... conspicuously you operate, I made so inquiries."
"Didn't expect to actually find you."
Fu Luo nodded proudly. "Naturally—I've built quite the reputation in Zheng City..."
"Since it's you asking, and considering I owe you for getting through that last dungeon safely—not to ntion that Threading the Needle achievent—I'll help you for free!"
Lin Yu shook his head. "You should still charge. The person I'm looking for is... more troubleso than you think."
"Heavenly Artisan of the Marauders."
Lin Yu said quietly. Fu Luo looked surprised.
"Heavenly Artisan?"
He blinked rapidly, searching his mory.
"Oh, right—that Craftsman who killed five people. First-Tier. Currently has an 8,000-point bounty from Order."
"One of the highest bounties on any First-Tier right now!"
Fu Luo sighed. "This guy... is genuinely dangerous."
Lin Yu t Fu Luo's gaze. "Exactly why I'm looking for him. So... you should definitely charge."
"Going after the bounty?"
Fu Luo asked perceptively.
"You could say that," Lin Yu considered before adding, "If you're willing to help directly, that'd be ideal—I can give you 10% of the points if we succeed."
He said seriously. The offer was quite reasonable—after all, Lin Yu had no intention of letting Fu Luo take point.
But Fu Luo hesitated.
"Well... you know I already have issues with the Psychological Society. If I cross the Marauders too..."
His voice trailed off uncertainly. Lin Yu smiled.
"Let ask—without any malice—who poses a greater threat to you: or the Marauders?"
Fu Luo didn't answer, seamlessly changing tack: "Crossing the Marauders would just be adding another debt—so I'm in!"
"But—I want 20%!"
He held up two fingers.
"Deal. Whatever I get, you get 20%."
Lin Yu agreed without hesitation.
"So, can you investigate Heavenly Artisan for ?"
Fu Luo nodded. "Of course."
"How quickly? Before the next dungeon starts?"
Lin Yu asked. Fu Luo grinned.
"Naturally. I work faster than you'd believe."
Pulling out his phone, Fu Luo tapped away. About five minutes later, he looked up. "Done! Let's go, May!"
"Where?"
Lin Yu stared blankly.
Fu Luo said matter-of-factly: "To find Heavenly Artisan, obviously. Weren't you going to take him down?"
Lin Yu looked even more confused. "You found him in five minutes?!"
Fu Luo smirked proudly. "Surprised? Your boy's just that good."
Seeing Fu Luo's expression, Lin Yu grew wary. "You're not actually with the Marauders, are you? Leading into a trap?"
Fu Luo had been about to boast further, but noticing Lin Yu's guarded expression—rembering both the Doctor's tendencies from their last dungeon and certain past encounters—he coughed and explained properly.
"Ahem. Let's just say recent events have led to investigate these guys myself."
"Anyone active in Henan with high bounties on the forum or Hunters' Association lists has caught my attention."
"Your Heavenly Artisan happened to be on my radar."
Lin Yu nodded slightly. "Running low on points yourself, investigating these things?"
At the casual question, Fu Luo seed reluctant. He grimaced, rubbing one cheek as if recalling sothing unpleasant.
"Well... points are always useful!"
"Anyway let's move—Heavenly Artisan won't stay put forever!"
Lin Yu nodded. "Lead the way."
"Where exactly is he?"
Fu Luo checked his phone. "Guy used to be a low-level manager at a construction company. Quit after joining the Death Ga."
"Right now he's holed up in Zheng City's most famous unfinished developnt zone southside—his company's failed project. That's where he spends most of his ti."
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