Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 46
Added 2024-06-29 01:53:22 +0000 UTCChapter 468: Impressive
In terms of internet information security, several heavy regulations have been listed and incorporated into international law. Even though Ikusebe can stir up trouble online, as a professional hacker hunter, he still does not have the qualifications to act recklessly.
Historically, about thirty people have attempted to test the law, and without exception, they were all arrested on charges of attempted murder, with no chance of parole. Typically, they remain in prison with no hope of release, though some may be specially recruited by the state.
Ikusebe did not inquire about Luo's motive for seeking information on high-ranking officials, but merely explained the difficulty and consequences, dispelling Luo's idea of using him to obtain the information.
"I can only summarize the information for you, which will be quicker in terms of screening and can ensure the authenticity of the intelligence," Ikusebe replied in the chat box.
Their conversation directly involved some sensitive terms, even linking the keywords "cabinet" and "Morin," all thanks to Ikusebe's prowess, leaving no concern for security issues.
"Then simplify it for me, as soon as possible. I need it urgently," Luo replied.
"Play a game with me," Ikusebe proposed.
"No problem," Luo agreed decisively.
The concept of "transaction" seems ingrained in the actions of hunters, as they rarely do anything for free. When personal interests are involved, the choices made vary.
After concluding his conversation with Ikusebe, Luo closed the Luo Ling Museum page and logged into the bounty black market's dedicated page.
Unlike regular web pages, the bounty black market's website has a strong RPG perspective. It mainly features a western-style street, with yellow sand on the ground and a row of buildings on both sides.
Posters of wanted criminals are plastered on the walls of the buildings. Some buildings house taverns that one can directly enter.
Luo manipulated the perspective, clicking on one of the taverns. The door slowly opened, and the perspective shifted as if walking into the tavern.
The tavern's layout was simple, with only a few patrons, and a bartender wiping glasses behind the counter.
Looking around, several high-reward wanted posters caught Luo's eye.
He immediately noticed the wanted posters of the Phantom Troupe members. Each member had a high bounty, thanks to Clover injecting a hundred billion into the bounty pool, along with guests of the appreciation conference contributing another hundred billion.
The injection of two hundred billion pushed each Troupe member's bounty to over twenty billion, sustaining high interest and attracting many bounty hunters.
Confident individuals accepted commissions early on, targeting the Phantom Troupe.
Less confident ones opted for lower difficulty bounties, and some bounty hunters formed teams. Although the rewards had to be shared, the risks were reduced, aligning with the style of some hunters.
Luo clicked on the tavern patrons, each time displaying different dialogue boxes, mainly recent news about various bounty hunters completing difficult commissions, or criminals committing serious crimes, leading to increased bounties.
Every third or fourth click, the NPC patrons would mention the Phantom Troupe, listing their major crimes and the updated bounty amounts.
"If funds get tight in the future, I might consider tearing off a few wanted posters. Each Troupe member's head is worth twenty billion, and the highest is the Kud Pirates, with one member's head worth fifty billion."
The Kud Pirates are a group, though they only have five members. Each member has the highest bounty in the black market, indicating they are extremely difficult to deal with, not targets any bounty hunter can easily handle.
In reality, unless someone is blindly confident in their strength, they won't risk going after the Kud Pirates, as it would be akin to seeking death.
Hence, despite the high bounties, the Kud Pirates remain untouchable, while bounty hunters recently focused on the Phantom Troupe, thinking they might become the next Kud Pirates.
After wandering the bounty black market, Luo logged off.
His purpose was not to act as a bounty hunter, but to monitor the bounty situation of the Phantom Troupe.
He worried about Machi and the others' safety, but recalling the original story where the Troupe committed numerous crimes and still thrived, he felt his concern was unnecessary.
For the next week, Luo stayed in Beigro City, sorting through the intelligence Ikusebe gathered online while lurking in the shadows, observing the security around Morin and her daily activities.
Despite his strength, as Morin is a high-ranking official, Luo would not recklessly attack her. He needed to ensure no traces or loose ends were left behind.
In this operation, Luo aimed to avoid exposing anything that could link back to him, including his strength, voice, and even small habits.
After a week of surveillance, Luo marveled at the solid security around Morin, gaining some insights into his plan, although opportunities for action were scarce.
Meanwhile, in Vita City near Yorknew City, the Phantom Troupe gathered.
They chose a temporary base in an abandoned building complex on the city outskirts. The tall weeds around the buildings indicated long abandonment.
In a six-story building, candles were placed in the corners of the first-floor hall, casting flickering light visible from outside.
The night was dark, with clouds covering the sky and the moon occasionally peeking through.
Despite the summer night, a chilly breeze blew from afar, rustling the weeds.
A fifty-member team, in a single-file formation, moved through the weeds towards the faintly lit building.
Soon, the team reached the building's perimeter, positioning themselves at various entrances.
At a signal, they rushed inside, finding no targets, only litter, beer cans, and snack bags everywhere.
"Where are they?"
The leader quickly scanned the surroundings.
At that moment, the candles suddenly went out, plunging the building into darkness.
As they reacted, shadows moved in the darkness, followed by agonizing screams that grew more frequent.
Moments later, someone relit the candles, the soft light filling the hall again, now with fifty corpses among the litter.
The Phantom Troupe members stood or sat scattered around.
"I suggest we move to the neighboring building," Shalnark said, raising his hand while looking at the bodies.
No one objected to the suggestion.
"Another bunch of bounty hunters? This is getting endless," Phinks said, kicking a corpse.
"It's because our bounties have increased," Machi explained.
"That's right. Each of our heads is worth twenty billion now, so if anyone dies, remember to keep the head," Shalnark laughed.
This was the Phantom Troupe's temporary base. With the new bodies, they naturally needed to relocate.
Just as they were about to move, several members looked towards the second-floor balcony.
"Who’s there?"
As the question rang out, a slow clap echoed.
"Impressive."
A card peeked out from the wall, followed by a tall man stepping out.
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