Billy

As Arthur opened the door, the sight that greeted him surprised him.

Rather than Evangeline, the woman he had grown quite close to during the last mission, it was a half-man, half-insect.

[Billy - Level 7 Acolyte]

It seemed like he had grown quite a lot from the last time he had seen him.

"Who might you be?", Arthur asked aloud. He was surprised to begin with since Black Widow Brotherhood members were not supposed to meet in the open like that. However, Billy was bound to have a good reason for that.

If he didn't, then Arthur wouldn't mind cut him down to keep his [Head Hunter Acolyte] title.

Billy smiled: "It seems like you are quite good for a newcomer. However, don't worry about the people in the tower. They are all asleep already. I have bugs throughout the beginner acolyte's dormitory. I once tried to put some in the intermediate acolyte dormitory but I lost my bugs and lost a lot of cultivation. I am the eyes and hears of the Black Widow Brotherhood. Can I enter?"

Arthur had heard about Billy. He had merged with a magical Queen Bug, which allowed him to control insects and control his mutations. He had earned an exoskeleton providing him magical defences, and his bugs could act as spy. However, these bugs contained part of his magic power, part of his soul. Crushing them would cause him excruciating pain and a loss of magic power. Of course, the higher your realm, the better your senses. And there would be no way for intermediate acolyte not to realize the presence of mere bugs in their meditation rooms.

Arthur cursed: "Yes"

Billy smiled again: "The Old Witch is quite impressed. To think that you would be able to earn the [Acolyte Head Hunter] title in such a little timeframe. She has a mission for you. Our main enemy is the Arcane Faction. We possess comprimising information about them. Create as much trouble as you can for them"

Arthur squinted: "And I guess you don't expect me to follow your orders blindly, right?"

Billy smirked: "Hahaha! You have a lot of nerves. Most people would say that you have to believe in the cause. However, our faction does not do charity, and any work is paid with utmost care. The Old Witch is wealthy enough to afford that. As always, you will even be paid prior to the completion of the rewards. If you don't complete the mission, you will be killed. You can't refuse the mission, of course, since I am the one who will kill you if you do so, haha!"

Arthur laughed and snatched Billy's book from his hand: "Mmh...Enslaving natives for mining purposes, massacring natives, unregulated human experiments...I expected them to be quite controversial, but these crimes are worthy of the Black Widow Brotherhood"

Billy laughed again: "They are not any better than us. We are proud of what we do. They hide it. Exposing them will reduce their influence a lot, but it will also make you their main target. They will try to kill you by all means necessary, although they would never try it openly. They might hire assassins though"

Arthur was aware of it, but taking the Arcane Faction down was within his plans. He wanted to replace the Arcane Faction by the Law Enforcement Faction after all.

"As for the rewards?"

Billy gave a box to Arthur, before disappearing. Arthur was in awe. Billy turned into a mountain of bugs which quickly dispersed.

'So this was a clone all along...', he thought.

Closing the door, Arthur opened the box.

Inside, there was two items:

[Reactive Elixir - Medium-grade

A medium grade elixir made by the Old Witch Diana Blackhope. It is commonly known for helping beginner acolytes to break through the intermediate acolyte realm.

Effect: Increase the chances of breaking through the intermediate acolyte realm after reaching Level 7. For the Host, consuming the elixir will grant 2 000 EXP instantly]

[Scorpion Body Elixir - Medium-grade

A medium-grade body-refining elixir made by the Old Witch Diana Blackhope by mixing valuable high-grade magical resources. A problem occured during the brewing process, destroying a few properties. Still, this elixir can be consumed to significantly increase physical attributes. It is especially suited for body refinement path acolytes.

Effect: (+2) Strength, (+1) Agility, (+1 Vitality)]

[You have accepted a mission]

[Faction War - Mission

You have accepted to diminish the Arcane Faction's influence by exposing their crimes, thus making a target out of yourself. However, you are not weak anymore.

Task - Expose the Arcane Faction's crimes to Dorian and punish the arcane Faction (0/1)

Rewards: 500 EXP, 10 points of proficiency in a skill of your choice

Optional Task - Kill 10 Arcane Faction Acolytes (0/10)

Rewards: 1000 EXP, 10 points of Ice-elemental Spell Proficiency

Optional Task - Close 3 Arcane Faction Shops in the Market Floor of the Ivory Tower (0 / 3)

Rewards: 1000 EXP, 10 points of proficiency in a skill of your choice]