Chapter 123

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Chapter 123: The Mysterious Former Member

The next morning, Jesse went into The Slaughtered Lamb inn, greeted Jarel Moor, and as usual, walked down the stairs to the basement.

Today, he came to explain the situation to Gakin or others here, preparing to say goodbye. After all, he would be leaving for almost two months, so he couldn’t just leave without a word.

Passing through the dungeon gates into the hall, Zardeth was still sitting there. This guy seemed to have nothing else to do, spending five out of the seven days of the week in the basement reading and drinking tea.

"Zardeth, please let Gakin know that I’ll be returning to Lordaeron for The Feast of Winter Veil. We probably won’t see each other for a while."

"Are you coming back?" Zardeth asked.

Jesse replied, "Of course I’m coming back. Why wouldn’t I? I still have so many things to take care of in the Mage Quarter."

In the past, we had a member who said he was going on a long journey last year, but never came back." Zardeth said, "He was the most talented among us. I think both Gakin and I cannot compare to him. His leaving made Gakin very sad. You remind me of him, Jesse."

"I have never heard of this person before. No one has ever mentioned him to me," Jesse said.

Zardeth said, "His whole aura made people feel very mysterious. I even felt from the beginning that he would leave one day, although back then I thought it was just my imagination. When he left, Ursula had just joined us recently, and Erlan was also new. The rest of the people, well, probably don’t want to talk about him."

"Can I ask for his name?" Jesse asked.

"That’s fine. I guess that’s not his real name either," Zardeth said. "His name is Mor’zul. From his accent, it didn’t sound like he was from the Kingdom of Stormwind. He said he came to Stormwind like you, to work and earn money."

Mor’zul? If it’s the Mor’zul that Jesse is thinking of, of course he knows who he is, but only in the game.

In the level 60 version, Mor’zul the Summoner is an NPC for the Warlock epic mount quest, standing at the Storm Altar in Burning Steppes waiting for someone to help him collect materials to complete the demonic ritual connecting to the Twisting Nether.

He’s a very mysterious NPC, dressed in all black standing there, with no future or past.

But he has connections with the underground Warlock group in Stormwind. Jesse isn’t completely surprised, after all, the Storm Altar built by the Orcs is not far from Stormwind, just over the mountains and difficult to reach directly.

"By the way, the Storm Altar itself is a place where magic gathers. Orcs built the Storm Altar in Azeroth to collect Ley Line energy here, to help Gul’dan or other powerful Orc Warlocks channel magic, summon demons, or cast spells that can change the course of war." Jesse could guess why Mor’zul wanted to leave, maybe he thought this little group had no future, staying here was a waste of time, and dealing with these lazy Shadow Magic practitioners was impossible.

So he left to seek a more powerful source of magic, especially the Shadowfiend power, to increase his strength and learn more advanced and terrifying magic.

The Storm Altar in Burning Steppes became a good place to go. In the midst of Orcs and Dark Iron Dwarves fighting at Blackrock Spire, before the black dragons descended on Blackrock Mountain, most of the Orc camps and facilities in Burning Steppes built by Orcs were completely abandoned, with only a few roaming fire elementals and local beasts without anyone taking care of them.

Mor’zul probably saw this opportunity and planned to take over the entire Storm Altar.

That’s why even after more than a decade later, after the Scourge War had ended, reaching the level 60 stage in World of Warcraft, the warlocks in Stormwind were still a group of average practitioners who could only teach superficial magic. In contrast, Mor’zul was already able to communicate with the distant world of Twisting Nether, and had tamed the fearsome dreadsteeds of Xoroth. They were not in the same league as spellcasters.

Speaking of which, is it possible to summon the dreadsteeds here?

"I don’t trust that person," Zardeth interrupted Jesse’s thoughts. "I think he’s full of lies. Maybe it’s a good thing for us that he left here. Gakin thinks he’s an artist, but I think he might bring trouble to The Slaughtered Lamb… or to our ‘Dagger Association.’ Jesse, I want to tell you something. Wherever you go, whatever your plans are, never discuss anything related to the ‘Dagger Association.’ It’s our agreement, our rule. My important task here is to keep our activities unknown to the outside world. Believe me, Jesse, if anyone outside finds out about us, about our goals, I will soon find out who leaked it. I have the ability to make that person disappear forever, whether it’s Gakin, Surena, Ursula, or you."

"Of course, Mor’zul is no exception, but since he left us until now, everything has been normal. I think it’s because his own dirty secrets are much more troublesome than ours, so he can only do what he wants to do on his own, without any involvement with us anymore."

Jesse nodded, saying, "I understand that, Zardeth."

"That’s good, Jesse." Zardeth nodded and said, "I really like you as a person. I would be very happy if you choose to stay, but if you decide not to come back, I will only feel regret, not hold you back. Just please don’t let our relationship end in a bad way."

When Zardeth said, "I really like you," Jesse didn’t feel appreciated at all. Instead, she felt uncomfortable.

Maybe this guy is some kind of spy from Seek out SI: 7, or an underground thief, or an elite member of the Assassins Guild, coming to The Slaughtered Lamb just for fun, making it his hobby.

He had a feeling that Gakin was only at The Slaughtered Lamb seeking approval for his love of dark magic, while the person in front of him truly treated it as a profession.

"Don’t be so nervous, Jesse," Zardeth said. "I will inform the others about your temporary departure, and I wish you a safe journey wherever you go."

How could Jesse not be nervous? A guy with unknown background claiming to have the power to make her disappear at any moment. How could one remain calm in the face of such a threat of death…

Leaving the tavern, Jesse felt as if she were tied to The Slaughtered Lamb by some unseen force. Did Zardeth secretly put a sealing spell on her?