The Master of Cards Chapter 60: Ninja

Alex, the Ninja and the remaining six made their way back to the shelter together. Along the way, the others tried to talk to the ninja.

"Senior, I am a big fans of yours." Joyce waxed eloquent.

The Ninja simply nodded. "Thank you." She said, but her voice was cold and Joyce immediately felt afraid.

Alex looked at the Ninja and saw these theatrics as the young masters were trying to please the ninja. With the Ninja's lineage, he wasn't that surprised, the great grandchild of a powerhouse, so their family being in the Family Alliance was expected.

Alex asked the Ninja. "How did you end up joining the Adventure House? Shouldn't you have joined the Family Alliance?"

The Ninja shrugged. "I like my freedom."

Alex nodded. "Well said." Then he thought something. "We haven't introduced each other, I am Alex."

The Ninja nodded. "Nia Nocroft."

Alex was surprised. "Nia? So you're a woman? It's quite hard to tell from your outfit. Though I guess, now I can see it from your eyes."

When Alex said that so offhandedly, the hearts of the other six cooled down and cursed Alex in their hearts.

Nia was stunned by what Alex said as well, though for a different reason. "What do you mean you can see it in my eyes?"

Alex stopped and stared at her eyes carefully, which made her feel a deep embarrassment amd her cheeks became reddish, but they were hidden by the ninja mask. After a minute he nodded. "I think it is your eyelashes. They are too long amd beautiful. Men don't have such eyelashes. Earlier I didn't notice them, but now that you told me your a woman, I realized it."

Bill amd Beth were shocked, but they also thought that this guy is really good with words. He was hitting on this senior while being so matter of fact.

In fact Alex was really being matter of fact. He thought that Nia had posed him a problem and he analyzed the situation.

Nia didn't say anything for sometime and the group became quiet and awkward.

A few days later, the group finally returned to the Highland shelter. The young masters in the family alliance split up from Alex and Nia.

"Alex, you have helped us out twice. Please do come to the Family Alliance when you have time, so we can repay you for your help." Bill smiled and waved goodbye.

Alex nodded. "I shall pay a visit after a few days."

Beth nodded. "I will write to the alliance about your help and ensure that they give you a reward."

After parting, Alex and Nia went to the Adventure House.

"How do we divide the points?" Alex asked.

"80:20 is enough. I didn't do much more than find a lead." Nia said.

Alex nodded, that wasn't too bad for him. He walked to the counter with Nia and explained that the investigation mission for the Negima group had been completed by the two of them.

The person at the mission counter looked up to see the two adventurers. Then he nodded. "I will inform the Administrator of the Highland Shelter."

Half an hour later, the two were sitting in a conference room with several higher ups from the Negima corporation as well as the Administrator of the Adventure House and his secretary at the Highland Shelter.

"So... what did the two of you find out?" Gula, the Admin asked in a deep voice that rang in everyone's ears.

Alex opened his mouth to explain. "According to the details, we followed the final signs of the trail and found clues about the exploration groups travel into a cave... located at this position.

... Soon, we found the dead and mutilated bodies of the twenty members of the exploration group. An examination of the bodies uncovered that the group had turned into a frenzy and attacked each other like they had gone rabid. We also discovered this record on one of the dead bodies."

Alex threw the diary onto the table. "It describes the attempts of the group to access a secret chamber and find a special item. The item appeared to be a drop of blood which seemed to have terrifying psychological effects inducing a bloodthirsty craziness.

At the moment we discovered the area, the place was on the verge of collapse and no special item was found. It is hypothesized that the group tried to use this drop of blood and ended up going crazy, killing themselves.

We uncovered a chamber with a mysterious door, with fairly elaborate designs on it. The markings on the door appeared to be very complex." Alex finally ended his explanation.

"Why didn't you two bring any of the bodies back?" The Negima representative asked.

"Firstly, our mandate was only to investigate the disappearance. Secondly, the area collapsed the moment we entered and the entire tunnel was flooded by a terrifying water current, flushing away the corpses." Alex calmly replied.

Gula finally intervened. "Good job, both of you. Negima, we have uncovered the details, please provide the payment to the Adventure House."

The representatives from Negima Corporation nodded. "For completing this mission and for the intelligence, we can give you two choices for rewards. You can redeem twenty thousand adventure house points or we can give you the opportunity to take some three special items from the Negima vault whose value cannot exceed forty thousand adventure points."

Alex looked at Nia and she nodded, which Alex understood. He looked at the representatives from Negima. "I'd like to know the list of items from which we can choose before making a decision."

The representatives from Negima nodded and provided Alex with a list. As he went through the list, he felt some surprise, but hid it on his face. Among all the special items in the list, he found one item of the Dark Attribute. He stoically handed the list to Nia to see if she wanted something, only to see her nod.

Alex agreed with the Negima Corporation's proposal. He and Nia followed that group to the headquarters of Negima within the Shelter.

Alex could thus purchase items worth thirty two thousand points while Nia had eight thousand points to purchase from.

Alex identified the item he wanted.

"Night Grass - Dark Attribute Herb x1 - 1,500 points."

Alex ordered as many of these herbs as he could obtain from thirty two thousand points, which turned out to be 21 herbs. When the exchange heard Alex's order their eyes bulged. "If we sell you all these dark attribute herbs, our stock will be depleted." The woman on the counter said with some perspiration.

Alex snorted. "Negima corporation promised me I could purchase whatever was on the list. Seeing items of such a rare attribute for sale, why wouldn't I purchase it? I'd make a killing selling it outside." He sneered.

The woman shook her head and finally handed Alex a package with the 21 units of Night Grass. Meanwhile, Nia purchased an item of the Life attribute."

Chapter end