Chapter 78

"Welcome everyone to Alcatraz!"

"I am the warden, Siko!"

After entering the room, Warden Siko welcomed Qin Ran and his group as the host. Unlike the cold and rigid welcome from the deputy warden, the warden had a slight smile on his face, but it lacked sincerity. It was just a perfunctory gesture. The subsequent conversation was also filled with formality.

"Alcatraz is not large, but there are many places that require my personal attention, so I couldn't welcome you all immediately!"

"I am truly sorry!"

"Especially with what just happened, it has left me in a difficult position!"

Starting with an apologetic tone, Warden Siko began to explain the reason why Qin Ran and his group were here.

"The incident happened a month ago!"

"Kilfen Hodge, a name you all must know—the leader of the Hodge Evil Cult, a pitiful schizophrenic who caused the suicide of over a hundred people!"

"After his arrest, he was imprisoned in Alcatraz!"

"In fact, Alcatraz houses prisoners that other prisons cannot accommodate. They are either extremely heinous criminals or possess unique skills. No place other than Alcatraz can manage these individuals!"

At this point, a hint of pride appeared on Warden Siko's face, much more genuine than his previous smile.

"Kilfen Hodge is no exception!"

"Since he arrived at Alcatraz a year ago, he has been completely isolated, and his ability to manipulate people has become useless!"

"So, he despaired!"

"He chose to commit suicide!"

"At least... that's what I initially thought!"

Warden Siko paused for a moment and then continued.

"So, what happened?"

Following the previous rules, Qin Ran spoke on behalf of the group.

"Suicide!"

"Prisoners committing suicide one after another!"

"While there have been cases of prisoners choosing this path in the past, it has never been as frequent as after Kilfen Hodge's death—six people have died in their cells within a month!"

"Combined with the local legends of Alcatraz, some negative rumors have started spreading within the prison!"

"So, I have invited you all here!"

The warden raised his head and scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Qin Ran.

"Mr. 2567 has already proven himself, and I hope you all can match Mr. 2567's capabilities! Jack Ben will be your guide and companion for the next week!"

With that, the warden stood up, preparing to leave.

"Mr. Warden, can we visit the cells where the prisoners committed suicide?"

"And we also need the information about those prisoners!"

Qin Ran asked.

"Of course!"

"I will grant most of the authority to Jack Ben—any matters Jack cannot handle, you can contact me through him!"

The warden nodded.

"Thank you very much!"

"We will handle everything as quickly as possible!"

Qin Ran replied.

This response pleased the warden, and a smile reappeared on his serious face as he quickly left the room.

"What does he mean by 'I hope you all can match Mr. 2567's capabilities'?"

"This guy is not only being perfunctory but also sowing discord!"

As the warden's footsteps faded away, Wu Tian began to mimic the warden's words, his face filled with ridicule.

"Indeed... this guy 'hired' us to put on a show and cover up the truth!"

Wu Tian, holding a cigar, took a deep puff and exhaled a large smoke ring before continuing.

At the same time, his gaze turned to Qin Ran, who had been deep in thought since the warden left.

"2567, what are you thinking?"

Wu Tian asked.

"Kilfen Hodge, the leader of the Hodge Evil Cult!"

"Even if the warden is being perfunctory and covering up, the information he provided should not be false—prisoners started committing suicide one after another after Kilfen Hodge's death!"

"Even though a month has passed, the clues may have become blurred, but if we investigate, we should start from there!"

Qin Ran said.

"Right!"

"I will stay to protect our client!"

Wu Tian nodded, agreeing with Qin Ran and stating his task.

"I will stay to rest!"

Zhang Wei, lying on the bed with his eyes closed, said without opening them.

"Good luck!"

The client, Stanbeck, said kindly.

Qin Ran nodded and turned to leave the room.

The attitudes of the three temporary team members varied, but they were all understandable. Wu Tian's duty was to protect the client, Stanbeck. Although Qin Ran didn't know how much the 'broker' had paid Wu Tian, he was sure it was much higher than what he was paid. At least it matched the high rewards for a successful run in the eighth dungeon. Otherwise, Wu Tian, who had warned him to "fully explore side quests in every dungeon," wouldn't be so relaxed now.

Stanbeck, as the protected client, only wanted to safely get through the dungeon, so staying in one place was the best choice. As for No. 1 and No. 2, they would naturally prioritize Stanbeck. And Zhang Wei? Clearly, this temporary team member wouldn't truly rest here; he just didn't want to explore the same area as Qin Ran. Qin Ran understood this but wouldn't interfere. Exploring side quests in the dungeon was everyone's right. Qin Ran wasn't so domineering as to think all side quests in the multi-player dungeon belonged to him.

...

Leaving the room, Qin Ran entered the adjacent video surveillance center. The guard, Jack, who was sitting in a chair, immediately stood up.

"Mr. 2567, is there anything you need?"

Clearly, after the warden's instructions, Guard Jack's attitude towards Qin Ran became even more respectful, and he had adapted to the strange code name.

"I want to investigate the cell of the cult leader!"

"If possible... I would like to go through the third floor!"

Qin Ran said, then added.

"Through the third floor?"

"Sure!"

Guard Jack was taken aback for a moment, then replied.

"What's wrong? Is there something special there?"

"The first and second floors of the entire building are sealed with concrete walls, except for that passage!"

Qin Ran probed.

"It's for the warden's convenience!"

"The warden likes to go directly from his office to the prison area!"

"Of course, others can also pass through—just not prisoners!"

Guard Jack explained, then joked with Qin Ran.

At the same time, the two walked up the stairs.

"So, that passage was specifically left by the warden?"

"Yes, it was opened in the second year of the warden's tenure!"

"To be honest, it has made things much easier for everyone!"

"Some people have even developed the habit of passing through the third floor instead of going around to the west entrance of the prison area!"

Guard Jack nodded.

The warden ordered it to be opened?

Just for convenience?

Qin Ran had his doubts but didn't ask again. He looked up at the stairs leading to the third floor, which were now within reach. He didn't choose this route for novelty but for a specific purpose!