Clown Game-Chapter 63 - 54 Long Time No See

Chapter 63: Chapter 54: Long Time No See

Chapter 63 -54: Long Time No See

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Mission Brief:

Level: D

Location: (See map for details)

Description: According to a reliable message from ███, at X o’clock X minutes tomorrow evening, an auction will be held on the top floor of the Jinding Building in K city district. A suspected “D-level anomalous item” will be auctioned. (Information and risk level regarding the item are currently unknown.)

Please have the “field agents” assigned to this task head to the marked location at that time to confirm the existence of the anomalous item, to contain it (direct elimination is permissible if necessary), and to complete its archive.

Task funds: 60

Containment reward: +30

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Chen Xiao was holding his phone and looking at the mission brief.

“Speaking of which, how come the Order Foundation has so many informants? They can even detect items that will appear in an auction?” he muttered.

In fact, the Foundation’s detection methods were a bit more than imaginable. Due to the minor reactions from D-level anomalies, detection typically relied on intelligence gathering and pre-installed anomaly alert systems, whereas C-level anomalies would trigger larger detection devices. Reactions from B-level or higher anomalies were directly captured by satellites outside the atmosphere, which could also conduct imaging observations. In some remote areas—volcanoes, polar regions, deep sea, snow-capped mountains—numerous large detection instruments were constantly at work.

What Chen Xiao was dealing with now was merely a tiny “anomalous creature research area,” a very small branch derived from the colossal system of the Order Foundation, so he was still oblivious to the true might of the Foundation.

But that was a story for another time.

At that moment, Chen Xiao looked puzzled, for according to the task introduction, the containment seemed quite simple: just an auction. Knowing the Foundation’s reputation for being financially strong and aggressive, someone should just show up, bid fiercely, and take possession of the item, thus completing the task.

However, this mission had 60 points of funds, not much less than the previous task involving blowing up a villa. It was worth noting that the bunch of bugs from last time constituted a particularly challenging “D-level area” task.

Chen Xiao, still curious, clicked to join the mission and then frowned slightly.

For behind his avatar, there were two blank slots, indicating that this was a three-person mission.

“There’s definitely something fishy…” he thought. “An auction that requires three people. Just for safety’s sake?”

Then, “Ding” “Ding,” there were two consecutive sounds.

Two black avatar shadows joined in.

“Whoa! That was fast. Did they join right after seeing the mission brief?”

Indeed, no one wanted to go on a risky mission, but one that seemed completely safe would definitely attract takers.

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“So, will I meet some interesting characters this time around?”

Maybe he was just unbearably bored, but after receiving the new mission, Chen Xiao kept grinning and muttering to himself, occasionally licking his lips—any bystander might well have dialed 110.

…

…

A good story never needs padding just to fill space.

The time had come, night had fallen.

The streets of K city seemed to come alive only under the neon lights, a bewitching atmosphere dominating, desperately showcasing the city’s opulence. In the heart of the city, the representative luxury of the Jinding Building stood amidst the throng, drawing the gaze of countless materialistic passersby.

Behind the glamour always lay tarnished corners, and not far outside this bustling center was a quiet little street, which in contrast to two blocks away, was like another world.

A taxi stopped.

A slender man in a suit stepped out, pale-skinned, with narrow eyes and a receding hairline—not particularly good-looking.

…and this man… was wearing a mask.

A very common one, the kind people wear on windy days, but in this not-so-cold season, such attire seemed odd.

However, Chen Xiao was quite satisfied. Without the mask, he suspected he wouldn’t even have been able to hail a cab.

He crouched slightly, took out his phone from his pocket, and reconfirmed the location.

“Mailbox number 330…” he mumbled and followed the map’s instructions to turn into an old residential area.

The passageway of the community was somewhat damp, the walls gleaming faintly in the lamplight. Chen Xiao arrived outside the entrance, where a row of dilapidated mailboxes clung to the wall, crooked and covered with rust.

He hesitated for a moment because, next to the mailbox, two men were already standing.

One was very tall and robust.

The other had an average build with somewhat long hair.

In the corner without streetlights, their faces were not clearly visible.

But Chen Xiao recognized the build of one of them.

That person turned his head and also saw Chen Xiao.

Even though he was wearing a mask at the moment, the other party clearly recognized him as well and showed an almost equally stunned expression.

…

…

The atmosphere froze.

…

…

“Uh… hi!” Chen Xiao blinked and waved his hand to greet them, breaking the silence.

Actually, ever since his time at the orphanage, Chen Xiao had thought that the other party would likely turn out like this, smart, strong, with plenty of practical experience, emanating reliability, otherwise, Mr. Zou wouldn’t have given him the special role among the four, and if the management of the Foundation wasn’t foolish, they wouldn’t have let go of such a suitable candidate for an “external agent.”

The other party acknowledged him with a nod, seeming to be at a loss for words for a moment, also somewhat bewildered.

The long-haired man standing beside watched Chen Xiao, then turned to look at the muscular man beside him.

“Brother Xiong, you know this kid?” he asked with some confusion.

“Hmm…” Bai Xiong responded, “To some extent, this guy has saved me before.”

As he spoke, he revealed an uncomfortable expression, as if recalling some unpleasant memories.

Upon hearing this, the long-haired man immediately looked Chen Xiao up and down with a surprised gaze.

“My name is Ding Manshan!” he walked over and extended his hand with a slippery ease.

It was then that Chen Xiao saw his face clearly, gaunt cheeks, a very gloomy space between his eyebrows, definitely the type who would bite off a chunk of his adversary’s flesh, even if it meant losing his own teeth in the process.

Chen Xiao tended to categorize such people as those who often act impulsively, possibly doing something completely out of tune with the situation at hand.

Of course, Chen Xiao certainly wouldn’t show any emotion now; he reached out his hand with a cheery smile and politely shook hands with the man.

…

A sound of old metal scraping ensued as the mailbox was opened.

“I thought Mr. Zou would be in a hurry to execute you,” Bai Xiong’s voice came through.

Chen Xiao chuckled, “I thought so too, but it seems I’m quite lucky.”

he replied.

Bai Xiong walked over and handed Chen Xiao a luxurious invitation.

“Let’s go to the auction first, I’ll tell you about my situation on the way,” Bai Xiong said, his voice as calm as ever, “And… why are you wearing a mask?”

Chen Xiao casually “Oh,” murmured, “It’s convenient like this,” and then casually removed the mask.

Although Bai Xiong already knew Chen Xiao’s face, he still frowned.

And that gloomy man named Ding Manshan was taken aback by Chen Xiao’s look.

“…”

He muttered something under his breath, a look of disgust on his face.

…