The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

[Wanted: Shadow Rat, a Tier 1 peak criminal, possesses the ability of Shadow Teleportation and is skilled in theft. Last seen in the underground black market of the East District of Academy City.]

[Danger Level: D]

[Rewards: High amount of points, Superpower Association contribution points, and partial ownership of seized items.]

It's a very rare wanted mission. It's probably because it's not very difficult and the fugitive happened to be near the academy that the mission was released to give students practice.

At the peak of the first tier, that's just right for Chen Guan to handle.

However, it doesn't seem safe for him to be alone; he needs a helper.

After thinking it over, he sent a message to Long Ao, saying that bringing the main characters along would also help him gain popularity points, so why not?

[Chen Guan: Brother Ao, are you there?]

He started calling him "Brother Ao" like the viewers in the live chat used.

[Long Ao: . ]

A period, very much in line with his style.

[Chen Guan: I'd like to take on a mission. The opponent is a peak Tier 1 player. Brother Ao, want to join me?]

Long Ao slowly sent over a question mark.

In Long Ao's opinion, with Chen Guan's strength, dealing with a first-tier opponent would be as easy as cutting melons and vegetables.

However, he ultimately did not refuse.

[Long Ao: Time and place.]

[Chen Guan: We are currently at the black market in the eastern district of Academy City.]

[System notification: Chen Guan invites you to join his team]

Long Ao clicked "agree" and quickly skimmed through the general task details.

He grabbed a short-sleeved shirt, tidied his hair, and walked out of the dormitory, where he came face to face with Chen Guan.

"Let's go."

He was still as arrogant as ever, but when Chen Guan couldn't take the elevator because it was overloaded, his face twitched slightly.

However, being the proud and arrogant red-haired man he was, Long Ao ultimately said nothing and silently followed them up the stairs towards the East District. Only then could the two of them exchange details about the mission.

"The East District Black Market..." Long Ao narrowed his eyes: "That place is a mixed bag, and ordinary forces can't penetrate it deeply, so it's indeed a good place for rats to hide."

Huaqing Academy was already very large, and the Academy City was a city within a city enclosed near the academy, with a diverse and chaotic population.

The college has never stepped in to rectify the situation. The president of Huaqing believes that the college city should be like this, serving as a small microcosm of society for students to adapt to in advance.

Chen Guan nodded: "We need someone who is familiar with the area."

Long Ao didn't take it seriously: "I know a second-year student whose family is in the underground intelligence business. He's very familiar with the East District. I can contact him and pay him some points as a guide fee."

"We should act without delay," Chen Guan said. "The Shadow Rat's movements are unpredictable; delaying might allow it to escape."

After reaching an agreement, Long Ao contacted the senior student, who quickly replied and arranged to meet at an old coffee shop on the outskirts of the East District.

An hour later, in the East District.

In contrast to the clean and modern college, the eastern district of the college city appears old and crowded, with narrow streets, low buildings, and the air filled with the stale smell of engine oil. Pedestrians hurry by, and many look on with wariness.

The coffee shop is located deep in an inconspicuous alley. The neon sign on the sign is missing a few letters, but you can barely make out the name "Old Jack".

Pushing open the door, I found the room dimly lit and filled with smoke, with only a few guests scattered in a corner, talking in hushed tones.

A young man wearing a floral shirt and a gold chain, looking rather sleazy, sat in the innermost booth and waved to them.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with his hair dyed an exaggerated green and several earrings hanging from his ears.

"Young Master Long, long time no see." The young man grinned. "Bringing your junior to broaden his horizons?"

Long Ao nodded, and without exchanging pleasantries, sat down directly: "Zhao Qi, we need to find the Shadow Rat."

Zhao Qi raised an eyebrow: "Shadow Rat? Those slippery rats are not easy to catch. The association has been offering a bounty for almost half a month now, and some students have come, but they have all failed. The bounty is too high for the strong and too low for the weak."

For example, Zhao Qi is the former. He really doesn't care about such paltry sums. He's a businessman, and there's no need for him to break the rules here for petty gains.

To be honest, Zhao Qi was surprised that Long Ao was interested in this mission. Long Ao's strength was far from sufficient; it was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Moreover, this place was dilapidated and would not exist at all if the academy had not been willing to support it.

Looking at Chen Guan, who had remained silent, Zhao Qi had a sudden realization: this junior student was no ordinary person.

"That's why we came to find you." Long Ao didn't explain much, and simply placed a points card on the table: "This is the deposit. If you find the person, it will be doubled."

Zhao Qi glanced at the amount on his points card and his smile became more genuine: "Sure thing, Shadow Rat has indeed been active in the East District recently, mainly around Viper Alley. He often takes on some shady jobs at the Dark Ditch Bar and also sells stolen goods there. However, that guy is very vigilant and will run away at the slightest sign of trouble."

"Dark Channel Bar..." Long Ao noted the name down: "Is there anything I should be aware of?"

"That place is under the protection of the Black Bone Society, a bunch of street thugs. But they nominally abide by the rules of the East District, which means they don't kill anyone or cause any major trouble. So the Association and the Academy have always turned a blind eye. You can go in to find someone, but don't make a move inside, or the Black Bone Society will get involved, and that will cause trouble."

Zhao Qi rubbed his hands together: "Young Master Long, I must remind you that although we come from a prominent family, we should still abide by certain rules. Otherwise, even if we use our power to intimidate others, it will lead to endless troubles in the future."

Long Ao snorted coldly: "I know what I'm doing. Just lead us to the vicinity and point out the location. We'll handle the rest ourselves."

"Alright." Zhao Qi put away his points card and stood up. "Follow me."

Led by Zhao Qi, they twisted and turned, passing through several increasingly dark and filthy alleys, and finally stopped in front of the entrance to a set of steps leading downwards.

Above the entrance hangs a crooked neon sign, flashing two blurry red characters for "underground culvert," while faint sounds of loud music and noise drift from underground.

"This is it. I can only take you this far. Going any further in would be too conspicuous."

Zhao Qi was a celebrity here, and many people recognized his face, so he didn't dare to go any further. He pointed to the entrance and said, "Good luck. If you catch the mouse, remember to transfer the balance to my account."

After saying that, he waved his hand and quickly disappeared into the alley, having completed his duty as a guide.

The two continued down the steps.

The steps were damp, and the walls were covered with messy graffiti. The music grew louder and louder as you went down, mixed with all sorts of noise.

Pushing open a heavy iron-clad wooden door, a wave of sweltering heat and a stale air mixed with the stench of alcohol, sweat, and perfume hit you like a biological weapon.