"A missing person commission…"
It was a very common, very ordinary task… Klein subconsciously thought.
Wait!
A missing person commission?
Another missing person commission!
I just got into big trouble because of a missing person commission, and now there's another one?
At this moment, Klein remembered that the reason he got into trouble was because he accepted Ian's missing person commission to help him find his suspicious employer, Zeriel.
Now there's another one…
Just as he was about to refuse, his face grim—
"This commission is worth over ten pounds…"
"Over ten pounds…" He swallowed the words of refusal.
The receptionist lady lowered her voice, "You're lucky. If the other senior detectives weren't too busy, such a good job wouldn't fall to you."
Lucky? Me!
Klein's mouth twitched. He really didn't think he had been lucky recently. If he really was lucky, he wouldn't have encountered this troublesome matter.
To be honest, Klein, who was deeply mired in trouble, had no intention of taking on any commissions.
But…
Over ten pounds was indeed an attractive figure—enough to pay his recent rent, and even cover the bail money he had lost earlier.
If it was just a simple search, a divination on Grey Mist should suffice.
Klein's right index finger tapped the counter unconsciously.
"So, who needs to be found?"
"Not exactly clear." The receptionist lady shook her head.
Not clear? It won't be some dangerous individual again, will it? I already have enough trouble on my hands… Klein felt depressed.
Seemingly sensing Klein's apprehension, the receptionist lady said, "It shouldn't be too dangerous a task. The client for this task is also a member of our Union…"
"A member? Then she should be able to handle it herself, right?"
"No, she isn't a detective and doesn't usually deal with these kinds of commissions."
A Hunter, perhaps… Klein had some guesses. In the Union, besides detectives, the most numerous were Hunters. Although there was some overlap in their tasks, they were generally clearly distinct.
Hunters often took on tasks of higher intensity.
Although some of them were ruthless characters who hunted suspects with bounties, they were a minority. Detectives were still better at finding people.
'Could it be that she can't find her target?'
A commission from a Hunter made Klein reasonably suspect that the other party might not be able to find her target, so she chose to outsource part of the task.
After all, he himself had been a private detective for a while, and it was difficult for a normal missing person commission to offer such a high reward of over ten pounds.
But, if it was an outsourced task, then it seemed very reasonable.
The Hunter couldn't find the target herself, so she paid some money to commission a detective, who was better at finding people, to do these things.
However, this also meant that the risk of this commission was definitely not small.
"She wants to find someone related to her task?" Klein asked tactfully.
"No, it seems she wants to find a friend whose whereabouts are unknown." The receptionist lady replied.
"For specific information, you can discuss it with her in detail."
'It feels a bit troublesome. I'm already entangled in trouble myself, but…'
Klein was a bit conflicted. If it weren't for these recent annoying incidents, he really wouldn't want to give up such a well-paying commission with less work.
Just as he was hesitating whether to refuse the commission, a rough voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Sherlock Moriarty, you're here, that's great." The newcomer was the burly Bart.
The person who came was indeed the burly Bart. Not long ago, he received news that Sherlock Moriarty seemed to have encountered trouble and had been taken away by the police for investigation.
He immediately reported this news to Charles, who, upon hearing it, believed it was a good opportunity to win him over.
After all, offering help in times of need easily builds loyalty.
"The Director wants to see you."
At this time? Klein immediately became alert.
"Is something the matter?"
"Not clear." Bart shook his head, not intending to say more.
…
The third floor of the Truth Union.
Charles's office was filled with a mixed scent of cigars and sandalwood, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.
"Sherlock, please sit." Seeing Klein arrive, Charles put on his professional smile.
"How have you been doing at the Union recently?"
Why does his tone sound like a boss caring for a new employee… Klein thought to himself, it really does seem to be the case. Could it be that the Director wants to give me a pie in the sky?
"Cough cough…" He cleared his throat, "Not bad, the income is stable, just as we discussed before."
Because he couldn't fathom the other party's intention, he chose to exchange a few pleasantries first.
"That's good." Charles chuckled, "Joining us was the right decision, wasn't it?"
"Hmm…"
"No need to be so reserved, I just want to talk to you…"
…
The two chatted like this for a few minutes.
"I heard you've been in some trouble recently?" Charles suddenly put away his smile and changed the subject.
…
Upon hearing this, Klein was silent for a moment, then asked:
"Director, where did you get this news?"
He had only just gotten into trouble, and the other party already knew. This was too suspicious…
"I just overheard a little something. Someone saw you leaving the police station."
"What? Are you really in trouble?" Charles observed Klein's expression, using a tone of concern at the appropriate moment.
…
Klein fell silent.
"Don't worry, Sherlock. If you really encounter any insoluble trouble, you can tell me. As a member of the Union, if you encounter trouble, we have an obligation to help you."
"Of course, in return, your commission fees for future tasks will probably have to be increased."
"Really…" Klein was a bit skeptical.
He didn't think the trouble he was in could be solved by mere commission fees. Moreover, ultimately, the reason he got into trouble was because he tried to bypass the Union and take private jobs on the side.
Under such special circumstances, would the Union really help…
"Of course, if it's a tricky problem, there might be some additional costs."
"But you don't have to worry about whether the problem can be solved."
"Don't underestimate the power of the Union!" Charles revealed a confident smile.
Although he wasn't sure what kind of trouble Klein had encountered, in his eyes, the problems someone at Klein's level could encounter should not be problems for him at all.
It was nothing more than offending some gangs or nobles. The worst-case scenario would be being targeted by the Church…
He could even get Beyonders out of the Church of the Storm. These problems were nothing.
What, could a guy of low Sequence really get involved with some colossal power?