Chapter 86

"Different from what I remember!"

"Something has changed!"

After recalling again, Qin Ran could fully confirm that the 'Demon Great Seven Stars' magic array in front of him had undergone some changes since the first time he saw it.

Very subtle changes!

If Qin Ran hadn't just memorized the original 'Demon Great Seven Stars' magic array, he wouldn't have been able to notice this subtle change: only three of the forty-one symbols between the outer and inner rings had changed!

However, Qin Ran would never underestimate such a change.

Because he was very clear that any symbol that might represent knowledge or text, even if just one stroke was altered, could completely change its meaning.

At the center of this altered 'Demon Great Seven Stars,' where there was a pattern resembling a scorpion, there was a pair of footprints!

Zhang Wei's footprints!

When investigating the death of the deputy warden, the footprints left by the person as they passed by him were identical to the ones in front of him.

Looking at these footprints, an image immediately formed in Qin Ran's mind —

Zhang Wei, believing he had discovered some secret, entered this cell.

Without hesitation, he stepped into the original 'Demon Great Seven Stars' magic array, chanting a spell or using some other method, causing the 'Demon Great Seven Stars' magic array in front of him to change.

Then, he met his end.

Possessed by Kilphen Hodge, he became a half-dead person.

"What did Zhang Wei discover?"

"What made him so blindly believe that this would be safe?"

Qin Ran narrowed his eyes, pondering.

Meanwhile, his gaze, with the [Tracking] ability activated, began to scan the entire cell.

"Hmm?"

But this inspection made Qin Ran frown.

Because he did not find the footprints of the lawless one and the half-dead person, or more accurately, the footprints of the lawless one and the half-dead person leaving the cell!

The footprints of the half-dead person were scattered throughout the cell, but there were only those of entering, not leaving.

The footprints of the lawless one were only those left when he flipped into the cell and took two steps forward.

Apart from these, the entire cell contained only the footprints of himself and the guard Jack.

"What happened?"

Qin Ran looked outside the cell in confusion, confirming that the lawless one and the half-dead person did not leave by jumping, which would have caused the absence of complete footprints. His frown deepened.

"Except for flying!"

"Only one possibility remains: the lawless one disappeared with the half-dead person the moment he entered here!"

"Disappeared?"

Qin Ran mused, his gaze once again falling on the altered 'Demon Great Seven Stars.'

Apart from this magic array that created the half-dead person, Qin Ran couldn't think of anything else that could make the lawless one, a veteran player who had passed through seven scenarios, disappear without a trace.

The only good news was that there was no news of the lawless one's death.

Qin Ran's gaze swept over the entire cell.

He hoped to find more clues to deduce what had happened here when he arrived a bit late.

But he found nothing.

Even with [Tracking], Qin Ran didn't find more traces.

He had already thoroughly investigated this cell.

There were no secret rooms or secret passages.

This investigation also yielded the same conclusion as before.

"So, there's only one thing left..."

Qin Ran looked down at the footprints of the half-dead person.

Or, more accurately, the footprints of Zhang Wei before he was transformed into a half-dead person.

Although the footprints did not leave, they had a complete entry path.

Clearly, as long as he followed the footprints, Qin Ran could figure out some things.

Without knowing what had happened to the lawless one, Qin Ran was unwilling to wait idly.

Such a passive approach was not his style.

He preferred to take the initiative!

However, just as Qin Ran was about to follow Zhang Wei's footprints out of the cell, a noise came from the hole in the wall made by a rocket.

Qin Ran turned his head and saw his employer, Stanbeck, climbing up.

"You should have listened to the lawless one's advice!"

Seeing Stanbeck appear, Qin Ran immediately emphasized.

He had no complaints about his employer.

The man was generous, didn't act superior just because he was the employer, and, more importantly, didn't meddle in their actions.

However, this didn't mean that Qin Ran was willing to take him along on the next journey.

The upcoming tracking would be dangerous.

Zhang Wei was a cautionary example.

Qin Ran had no confidence in protecting the man while ensuring his own safety.

After all, he wasn't a veteran player like the lawless one.

Moreover...

Qin Ran looked at the man's pale face and timid eyes, shaking his head inwardly.

If he took such a timid person along, even if nothing happened, something would, and once something happened, it would turn into a big deal.

In short: to Qin Ran, the man was a troublemaker.

"I think I'm safer following you, 2567!"

"That warden looked at me strangely!"

"I'm worried about becoming his punching bag!"

Stanbeck said sincerely.

"With your wealth, if you exchange points and skill points, you won't lack them!"

"The price of a white skill book is only between 1000-2000 points!"

"If you want to learn, you can buy all the white skills available on the market and improve them to a considerable level!"

"Under such circumstances, would you be worried about a warden who is just an ordinary person posing a threat to you?"

Qin Ran looked at his employer with a strange expression.

He couldn't understand the man at all.

As he said, with the man's wealth, it was easy to obtain self-protection abilities in the underground game, at least in the early stages.

If hiring mercenaries for the scenario was for safety, of course, his timidity could be a factor.

But to show fear in front of an ordinary person who posed no threat to him...

How timid was the man?

A mimosa?

Completely outside the realm of animals and humans, shrinking at the slightest touch.

"I, I... am afraid of strangers!"

Stanbeck's pale face turned red, stammering, his elegant demeanor completely gone, leaving only a sense of shyness and embarrassment.

"Animals?"

"Afraid!"

"Monsters?"

"Afraid, afraid!"

"Corpses?"

"Also, also afraid!"

A series of questions confirmed Qin Ran's impression of the man as a 'mimosa.'

Looking at the man's blushing, ashamed face, Qin Ran frowned deeply.

He was more determined not to take the man along.

"As long as you are willing to let me accompany you and protect me!"

"I can give you extra compensation!"

Seeing Qin Ran's frowning face, Stanbeck quickly added.

Although timid, Stanbeck was not oblivious to reading people.

In fact, as a man from a wealthy family, Stanbeck was quite skilled at reading people.

"How much?"

Qin Ran raised an eyebrow and asked.

"5000 points!"

"Can be written into the team contract!"

Stanbeck made an offer.

"Deal!"

Such an offer made Qin Ran nod without hesitation.

He completely abandoned his previous determination.

Although Qin Ran was concerned about the trouble Stanbeck might bring, if Stanbeck offered the right price, Qin Ran didn't mind spending more effort to help him.

Well...

For 5000 points.

But some things, Qin Ran wouldn't forget.

"However, all actions must follow my lead!"

"Otherwise, if anything happens, you will bear the responsibility yourself!"

"These conditions will also be written into the team contract!"

Qin Ran said.

"Okay!"

Stanbeck had no objections.

"Now follow me, and stay within three steps of me!"

"Also, if you encounter anything, you must remain calm..."

After Stanbeck wrote everything into the team contract and both signed it, Qin Ran began a new round of instructions.

However, before Qin Ran could finish the word 'calm,' Stanbeck, standing beside him, saw something and let out a blood-curdling scream.

"Ahh!"

With Stanbeck's scream, a cold, bone-chilling wind appeared behind Qin Ran.