Chapter 768

Chapter 768: Reliable Magic Discrimination

The Pig and Whistle Tavern was quite lively. Jesse leaned against the wall, watching a group of sailors gathered together, shouting and playing some kind of drinking game.

But by now, the game had turned chaotic. One person kept raising his hand and yelling, “One more round, Miss Langston!” while lying on the table, struggling to keep his eyes open but staring at a companion’s backside.

“If possible, your house renovations start tomorrow,” Greed reminded. “Thanks for your hard work,” Jesse said.

Greed tore off a piece of chicken and said, “I had a job from the Warrior Guild for thirty silver coins to deal with a…”

He paused as if choking, shut his eyes tight, and forced the bread and dry chicken down. After catching his breath, he went on, “A ghost, at least that’s what the client claimed. Now I’m tied up with watching your renovations. Can you take this job? We’ll split the pay eighty-twenty, I get two, how about it?”

“I don’t want to go,” Jesse said.

“You’ve changed,” Greed set down the bone. “You used to jump at five silver coins, and now it’s thirty. Besides, is a ghost harder to handle than a black dragon whelp? For someone like you who deals in dark stuff, this is easy money! You’ve got Ms. Molofeel to help; you could even snag a free Soul Shard!”

“Look at my schedule lately,” Jesse took a deep breath. “First, the King wants my help probing the black dragon’s infiltration into Stormwind. I shouldn’t have told you that, Greed, so keep it quiet. Second, a friend set up a meeting with the Mason’s Guild leader to visit the Tower of Ilgalar and finalize renovation plans and costs. Third, I need to ask the Thorium Brotherhood about the fire element. Fourth, the trip to Kalimdor is almost set, so I have to write to Vereesa about it, asking her to find a work reason from the Reliquary to join us. Fifth, I’ve got spells left to learn here, and I must swap spells with other warlocks. Some are crucial… like ones for teleporting.”

Jesse rattled off this list fast and flatly, like a chant. Greed listened, feeling confused.

“I even helped summon a Demon Lord with other warlocks, and it’s locked up in Blackrock Mountain. Now you want me to chase a thirty-silver bounty in Duskwood… Greed, that’s thirty silver coins! Remember what King Varian offered for Hogger? Just sixty silver! How long did that take us? Nearly three or four days, and that was in Elwynn Forest. This trip to Duskwood would take a week round trip, plus finding your ghost, probably half a month. I can’t waste half a month on thirty silver. I could sell one Soul Shard from Maraudon for a few silvers, covering days of food.”

Greed tapped the table lightly. “Back then, the King was broke. If that Gnoll boss lived today, the bounty would be way higher. Haven’t you heard? The dark-furred Gnoll warlord in Redridge offers three gold coins. From what I know, he’s shorter than Hogger, and mercenaries are rushing there. Wait, did you say you summoned a Demon Lord?!”

“Don’t sweat it,” Jesse said. “It’s under control.”

“I don’t trust you warlocks,” Greed propped his chin. “That thing might drop into Stormwind and blow your head off… But are we really going to Kalimdor?”

Jesse replied, “We’re waiting on word from Vereesa. For now, help me finish the house work, Greed.”

The dwarf cut a piece of cheese, stuffed it into bread, chewed, and said, “Good news at last. I can’t wait to see Mosa Woodmane again in Kalimdor.”

“I thought I’d have downtime to train swordsmanship with you,” Jesse said. “But the mages in Quel’Thalas won’t give me a break. A mage named Dar’Khan Drathir is right behind me, and I fear he’ll find that thing first. Also, there’s Dalaran—the Kirin Tor might call me to testify about Kel’Thuzad’s crimes… The Wizard’s Sanctum says the investigation is starting or already on.”

“Isn’t that fine?” Greed said. “Swordsmanship can wait; we’ll practice in Kalimdor!” Hearing that, Jesse paused and realized he was eager to return to Kalimdor too.

He recalled his last trip there—full of danger, scarce meals, near-death scrapes, and even getting caught by Night Elves. But the adventures and experiences felt like the life he craved.

Back in Stormwind, it seemed the whole world weighed him down.

Leaving the Pig and Whistle Tavern, it was dark. Greed headed northwest to the Dwarven District. Jesse aimed for home but spotted Niden Hutt, the SI: 7 agent, sitting on a house step across the street.

Seeing Jesse, he stood up.

Time to test Dazhalm IV.

At the SI: 7 base, Jesse brought the Felhound from its magic cell in the basement to a shaded clearing behind the villa.

Several guards with spears and Matthias Shaw were already there with three prisoners.

One woman lost it at the sight of Jesse and his servant, shouting, “Get that demon away, damn it! You call black dragons evil but team up with demons?!”

Matthias shot her a cold look. “The demon serves the King’s orders; that’s enough.” “Are all three Wyrmcult warlocks?” Jesse asked.

“No,” Matthias pointed. “This one’s a blacksmith, this a Lakeshire guard, and that woman’s a wild mage from Lakeshire. They led a Wyrmcult kidnapping there. We’ve held them in Goldshire for questioning but got little useful info.”

“Reliable intel says a Wyrmkin masterminded it, likely one of these three. Suspecting a Wyrmkin, we kept them from Stormwind Prison. But housing them in Goldshire costs a lot, so I hope your Dazhalm IV can crack this.”

“Using the scent you picked up, Dazhalm,” Jesse eyed the trio, “find the Wyrmkin.”

The Felhound charged at the youngest guard, tendrils flailing. Startled, the guard puffed into arcane smoke, becoming a scrawny Wyrmkin. He whipped the Felhound aside with his tail!

Jesse cast a Curse of Weakness. The Wyrmkin wobbled and fell, howling as he tried to rise. But a soldier speared his shoulder and back, pinning him down in pain.

Cursing weakly, the Wyrmkin was bound tight with ropes. Matthias rushed to help subdue him, forcing him back into guard form.

But the sudden change revealed the dragon race’s shadowy stench and snake-like eyes—disguises that must have been magically enhanced.

After taking the Wyrmkin-turned-guard to the basement, Matthias came out panting. He glanced at the Felhound and grinned. “Efficient and spot-on, Master Seso. Makes our months of torture look silly. Hope his screams don’t ruin Stormwind’s sleep tonight, but I’ll rest easy.”