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"Intelligence?" Russell raised an eyebrow. "You have detailed information on the contestants in this Riverview Province unified examination?"
Misty couldn't help but roll her eyes. "You give a girl too much credit, sweetheart. It's just information on some of the students who were already famous before the exam. You're one of them, you know."
Russell nodded slightly. This wasn't unexpected. "That's fine," he said. "It's better to know something about your opponents than to go in completely blind."
Misty's red lips curved into a slight smile. She pulled several documents from her desk drawer. "The files are here. But shouldn't you say a few nice words to thank a girl for her trouble?"
It's not like I asked you to collect them, Russell thought. But a few kind words wouldn't cost him anything. He put on a deadpan expression and recited with theatrical formality, "Oh, my kind and beautiful benefactor, your generosity knows no bounds! How could I ever repay you? I am forever at your humble service." He was thinking of old fairy tales—the handsome prince who saves the princess gets to marry her. Anyone else just gets a pat on the head and sent on their way. Though, to be fair, Misty was certainly easy on the eyes.
She looked at Russell's emotionless expression and rolled her eyes again. "No sincerity at all. But you pass." As she spoke, she handed him the information, letting her fingers brush against his palm.
Ignoring her touch, Russell took the dossier and settled onto the sofa to read. The first person he saw was an old acquaintance: Cole Kong, the boy he had defeated in the Prodigy Cup. The information indicated that he had now advanced to the bronze level, but there were no specific card details. Russell had his own theories, however. Not everyone had the freedom to create cards like he did. Cole's bronze-level card was most likely another exotic beast from the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
The second person was someone Russell didn't recognize: Holden from Seaview High. Also a bronze-level cardmaker, but again, the card information was unknown.
Seeing this, Russell was exasperated. "What's the point of this if all you have is their rank?"
Misty, who had been watching him with an amused expression, just chuckled. "Honey, I just run a business here. How much top-secret intel do you expect me to get?" It was true. Although she was the boss, her operation was small-time. And while it might be easy to obtain information about the comings and goings of important people, not many would pay attention to news about high school students. The fact that she had managed to get this much information was already impressive.
Russell calmed down and continued reading. To his surprise, the next student's profile actually contained card information.
Shane from Northgate University High. His card was a bronze-level [Hirsute Zombie], quality unknown.
Russell silently memorized the name and continued reading. Some of the following profiles contained card information, while others did not. But without exception, every student listed in the dossier was at the bronze level.
Seeing that he had finished reading, Misty looked at him with a smile. "Well? Is this gift generous enough for you? But this information has been around for a while," she added. "Don't take it as gospel."
Russell wouldn't. After all, he himself had already created three bronze-level cards after making Luffy. Even if others weren't as prolific as him, he didn't believe for a second that the people in these files had just been sitting idle. Not to mention there were likely other bronze-level students who weren't in the files at all. He would not underestimate his competition. It was just that there were far too many bronze-levels in this information. Based on previous years' standards, there shouldn't be so many.
However, he was still very satisfied with the intelligence. "Thank you, Misty," he said, deciding to be direct. "What do you want?" In his opinion, she didn't have to collect this information; the Spirit Begging Society had no mandatory requirement for it. Since she had taken the initiative, she must want something from him.
Misty smiled with satisfaction. "You are quite perceptive."
"I don't have any major requests, handsome. I just hope that when you're a big shot, you won't forget about little old me." To be honest, she hadn't spent too much effort on this information; the girls under her command had gathered most of it. She had collected it simply to do Russell a favor.
After thinking for a moment, Russell said, "If circumstances permit, I can take action for you once, within my capabilities." He would not be bound by such a vague favor. He immediately stated his bottom line. As for what fell within the scope of his "capabilities," he, of course, would have the final say.
Misty didn't seem to care about the loophole in his words. "Just do whatever you want," she said indifferently. "I believe in your character."
Setting the information on the table, Russell stood up. "Then I'll be heading back." There was no way he could take the files with him; he couldn't explain their origin. Since there was nothing else to do at the moment, he prepared to leave.
At this point, an ambiguous smile appeared on her face again. "So, you're really leaving so soon? A girl could show you a side of Northgate you won't see on any tour..."
Looking at her slightly flushed face, an inexperienced young man might not have been able to control himself. But who was Russell? As an artist in his past life, he'd seen more debauchery in reference materials than she'd probably encountered in person. Besides, he didn't believe for a second that the woman who ran this establishment was some charitable angel, here to guide young men into manhood. If such a person really existed, she would have been devoured by this world long ago.
Turning around, Russell just waved his hand slightly and left the top floor. "I think I'll pass," he said without looking back. "I'm sure you have other clients to attend to."
After he had left, Misty's slightly flushed face gradually returned to normal. "Interesting..." she murmured. In her opinion, Russell was so mature that he didn't seem like a high school student at all. "But if it weren't for that," she added to herself, "I suppose the Society wouldn't have allowed him to go undercover in the first place."
Outside the Everspring Clinic, Russell waited for the ride he had called. After a while, a car stopped in front of him. After getting in and skillfully giving the last four digits of his phone number to confirm the ride, he noticed that the driver was looking at him strangely in the rearview mirror.
Ignoring him, Russell closed his eyes, waiting quietly to return to the hotel. Just then, a slight murmur reached his ears from the driver's seat.
"Kids these days... spending money like water. This country is going to hell."
(End of Chapter)