Chapter 154: Briber
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Xio had investigated and confirmed that the two cultists had no other accomplices. Their access to the factory was facilitated by the workshop supervisor, who was once a follower of the cult.
Both Sequence 9 individuals lacked emergency escape means, so apprehending them shouldn't be difficult with a solid plan.
Due to Xio's extensive preliminary investigation and the associated information costs, she took the lead in this operation, hence she would receive half of the commission, while Hobert and Fors would split the other half.
If it became necessary to eliminate the cultists during the capture, their characteristics will be distributed according to this model.
Hobert had no objections. He considered the police credentials might have some utility in this operation, so the three split up: Xio and Fors continued scouting and planning the capture, while Hobert took a rental carriage to the Blackthorn Security Company in North Borough to obtain credentials.
Thomas had just returned from Tingen City today, but Hobert wasted no time in finding him.
Thomas instructed Borgia to prepare credentials for Hobert and asked him to wait in his office for a moment before leaving himself.
About fifteen minutes later, Thomas returned with a wooden box and handed it to Hobert. "I received a telegram last week about your success with the Night Hawks team in Tingen City, defeating and eliminating Mr. Z of the Aurora Order."
"We intended to reward you with three-fifths of the Briber's characteristics at that time. However, after the incident with the birth of the Evil God's offspring, due to your outstanding performance in that event, we will give you more rewards."
Thomas continued, "Two of these rewards include the remaining one-fifth of the Briber's characteristics. Along with the one-fifth you previously received, you can now take this portion of the Briber's characteristics."
"The second reward is official membership status. As for the third reward, you may make a request, which we will consider fulfilling immediately or partially."
Hobert opened the wooden box to find a crystal ball emitting a charming aura, confirming it as the Briber's characteristic.
After considering for a moment, Hobert said, "For the third reward, grant me the Judge's characteristic."
Daly had taken a Judge's characteristic during the previous battle to divide the spoils from the ambush of the Tamara family members.
Thomas was taken aback. "What do you need the Judge's characteristic for?"
"I have a friend who needs it," Hobert replied. "I'm short of money lately, so I can sell it to her."
Most importantly, he could soon divide the Judge's characteristic into four parts, turning a sum into a significant amount of money.
Thomas nodded. "Very well, but that's a Sequence 6 characteristic. Its value, I believe, needs no explanation to you. You will receive three-fifths of the Judge's characteristic for your remaining merit."
Hobert had no objections to this. At this moment, Borgia arrived with Hobert's credentials, which included the inspector's badge.
Additionally, Hobert would receive a weekly salary of 6 pounds. In fact, given Hobert's Sequence, he was already considered a "senior member," eligible for a salary ranging from 10 to 12 pounds. However, due to his ability to act independently, he was currently receiving the salary of an ordinary member.
Regardless, the unexpected salary from the Nighthawks team was a pleasant surprise, and Hobert found it sufficient.
Leaving the Blackthorn Security Company with the wooden box, Hobert now possessed two portions of the Briber's characteristic, thinking he could sell one.
Upton would be a good potential customer, though Hobert wasn't sure if he was still vacationing in Desi Bay.
Returning to Blanca Street, Hobert found Xio and Fors still absent. He went back to his room, placing the Briber's characteristic into the Nation of Disorder.
Next, he shattered the Sheriff's characteristic and awaited the aggregation of a Sheriff and an Arbiter's materials in a day or two.
Gazing at the brilliant and colorful characteristics on the stone platform, Hobert had only one thought: to cash in! He needed to do so quickly, preparing to purchase items capable of "traveling" to prevent situations where he might encounter such items without enough money.
Just as he was thinking this, Elliot's star lit up, and Hobert extended his spiritual influence.
Elliot's hands crossed as he lowered his head. "Creator in the Shadow of Order..."
After reciting the title, he continued, "Great 'Creator,' Elder Calvin found me today and said he wanted me to join the family's Elder Council, becoming the tenth elder. Should I go?"
This was obviously the Balk family's attempt to actively approach Elliot behind the scenes of the "Creator," allowing Elliot to become an elder in the council, equivalent to opening the family's decision-making meeting to the "Creator."
Hobert pondered for a moment and felt Elliot's current position in the Elder Council was inappropriate, mainly because Elliot's sequence was too low to gain consensus upon entering the Elder Council.
At that time, he might have to announce himself as the "Creator's" spokesperson to appease other family members' dissatisfaction.
However, no matter what method he used, Elliot would be isolated, which was not beneficial to Hobert's plan to go to the Southern Continent to digest the Baron of Corruption potion.
Since he was the spokesperson for the "Creator," he should be supported rather than isolated.
Thinking of this, Hobert made a decision, using his supreme voice. "Not for now."
...
In the Southern Continent.
Having received a response from the "Creator," Elliot breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, he wasn't very keen on joining the Elder Council now, but he knew more that he couldn't decide on this matter.
Fortunately, the "Creator" is wise and did not require him to join.
Elliot took a deep breath and came out to the living room. Calvin was still waiting for news in the living room.
Seeing Elliot only went in for a few minutes and then came out, Calvin was somewhat surprised. He didn't expect that the mysterious existence would give Elliot an answer so quickly.
This made him curious about what extraordinary encounter Elliot had to gain the trust of that existence so quickly.
Perhaps he couldn't even dream that the reason the "Mysterious Existence" was able to give such a quick response was entirely because he happened to be in his "work position."
Elliot said, "After my careful 'consideration,' I temporarily won't join the Elder Council."
This surprised Calvin again. If Elliot joined the Elder Council now, he would become a simple mouthpiece.
The mysterious existence did not intend to let him join the Elder Council, obviously preparing to cultivate him carefully.
"I respect your choice," Calvin said in his mouth, thinking in his heart: "I need to change my attitude toward Elliot."
Elliot asked again, "Uncle Calvin, I have been trying to act as a Briber recently, but why is my 'Briber' potion digesting so slowly?"
Calvin smiled, "That's because the people you've bribed are all relatives in the family. Even without bribes, they are willing to help, so relatively speaking, digestion will be slow."
"Is there any way?"
"There is. According to the family records, there is currently only one method that you can use."
"What method?"
"Bribe the gods!"