There were not many people in the Mission Hall. Although Phantom was the most powerful organization controlled by the royal family, its total headcount had never been very high as this was an organization of specialized elites.

The people who were coming and going wore fierce expressions on their faces. Upon spotting Merlin and Belle, they merely cast them a casual, uncaring glance. Nevertheless, some recognized Belle. After all, regardless of the Combat Team, the Intelligence Team or any other team, they had to go to Logistics to claim their reward or redeem their contribution points.

Upon arriving at the Mission Hall, Merlin glanced around, and immediately sauntered up to a middle-aged man who was buried deep in some kind of writing.

"I'd like to accept a mission."

Merlin inquired calmly.

"There are many missions. Choose it yourself."

The man replied without raising his head.

"Is there any mission relating to the Python Army or the Python Army leader Orsato?"

Merlin glanced at the massive pile of missions but he did not bother to search. Instead, he asked in a deep voice.

"The Python Army? Of course, there are. They're one of the rebel armies, which is the most frequent type of missions issued by the royal family. The Python Army is considered relatively powerful. Their leader, Orsato, has achieved peak fourth-form shifter and is very close to becoming an almighty full-shifter. If you can destroy the Python Army and disband it, you'll receive five hundred contribution points. However, if you only manage to kill Orsato, then you'll only receive three hundred contribution points."

"Three hundred contribution points?"

Merlin considered it carefully. In the Logistics Team, he only secured ten contribution points each month. Typically, ten contribution points would enable him to redeem one batch of materials for the Hermani Nourishment Pond formula.

Whereas killing Orsato would earn him three hundred contribution points. It appeared that the royal family was considerably concerned about the rebel armies, especially someone like Orsato, who was a fourth-form shifter and could develop into a full-shifter at any time. The royal family must be extremely wary of him, thus, the number of contribution points awarded was very generous.

"Very well. I accept the Python Army mission!"

"Huh? You alone? Which team are you from?"

At this moment, the middle-aged man finally lifted his head, revealing a high forehead and a slightly reddened nose. He looked quite comical.

"Logistics Team, Leon!"

Merlin replied coolly.

"Logistics Team? Interesting. A Logistics Team member is accepting a mission to annihilate a powerful rebel army…"

The funny-looking man gazed at Merlin with an intrigued expression.

"Why? Can't someone from the Logistics Team accept a mission?"

Merlin countered.

In Phantom, any team could accept a mission. Even the research fanatics in the Research Team could accept a mission if they wished.

However, everyone knew that Logistics was the most "privileged" team. There was almost no danger associated with it. Many noble youths would join the Logistics Team as soon as they arrive in Phantom, just to collect gold. Since when have someone from the Logistics Team go on a mission?

However, this stereotype was about to be broken by Merlin.

"Of course not, the Logistics Team can also accept missions. Since you're so sure about this, I'll record it down. Once you kill Orsato or dismantle the Python Army, the contribution points will be awarded to you."

The funny-looking middle-aged man explained briefly.

"How would you know that I'm the one who completed the task, and not someone else?"

Merlin felt that there should be a recorder of some sort.

"Never doubt Phantom's intelligence abilities!"

The middle-aged man's expression grew stern. This startled Merlin but after some thoughts, he recalled that Phantom was able to collect such detailed information about Count Stanwin's death within a few days. Their intelligence gathering abilities were indeed impressive.

With that, Merlin nodded and left.

Truth was, the entire Mission Hall had already burst into a discussion. It was not because Merlin was exceptionally powerful or special, but merely the fact that someone from the Logistics Team had accepted a mission. This was a significant development in Phantom.

"Interesting. Leon from the Logistics Team should be watched closely."

In a corner of the Mission Hall, a middle-aged man cradling a liquor bottle. He looked drunk as he spoke softly. Beside him was a shadow-like person, who silently disappeared from the Mission Hall.

"Leon, are you really going to Cedar City to complete this mission?"

Walking behind Merlin, Belle quickly caught up and asked in astonishment. Not only was this the first time for someone from the Logistics Team to accept a mission but it was also a highly dangerous mission. Even the lunatics from the Investigation Team and the Combat Team would not dare to accept such a dangerous mission. The Python Army had many strong contenders. Once caught in their siege, the outcome would be devastating.

Not to mention, Orsato was a peak fourth-form shifter who was close to becoming a full-shifter. Most probably, other than a real full-shifter, no one would be able to defeat him. If Merlin were to go to Cedar City, it would be a death wish!

Although she had not known Merlin for a long time, she still did not wish for Merlin to die a pointless death.

Merlin halted his steps. In a deep voice, he said, "Please help me inform team leader Lotus. Don't worry, I'll be careful. I won't act recklessly."

With that, Merlin did not pay any further attention to Belle and left Phantom Headquarters.

…

In the manor's laboratory, Merlin did not continue to brew the Nourishment Pond. He had joined Phantom Headquarters for three months, so he had thirty contribution points, but he did not exchange them for any Nourishment Pond materials.

Thirty contribution points could only redeem three sets of materials at most. For Merlin, three sets of materials were merely a drop in a bucket. They were of inconsequential value.

"Father, don't worry, Orsato won't be able to get away."

In Merlin's mind, he could still see Count Stanwin's well-built figure. Every time he appeared before Merlin, his expression was kind and affectionate.

However, now, Count Stanwin was dead. He was killed by Orsato, and according to intelligence reports, Count Stanwin's body was mutilated by Orsato and fed to the dogs.

"Rumble rumble."

Merlin was struggling to control his enormous Mind Power. The Illusory World threatened to leak out. At the same time, lightning and thunder flashed outside as if sensing something amiss.

In the end, Merlin managed to suppress the Illusory World. If he was discovered by the will of the Almighty Beast world at this time, he would be struck dead, and even his consciousness would completely dissipate. That meant that he would be irrevocably dead.

Currently, Merlin's Illusory World was recovering very slowly. It had only regained partial strength, so it was still incapable of defying the will of the Almighty Beast world.

Nevertheless, dealing with Orsato alone did not require mobilizing the Illusory World.

"It's time to leave!"

Merlin stood up. At this moment, his eyes were filled with a bone-chilling murderous glint.