Eternal Thief

Since Ace knew he was now stuck in some unknown space, he couldn't investigate Alina's situation.

So, he decided to take another approach. He called Winter, who was still in the Golden Sky World and should be able to do the job.

Soon, Winter's vexed voice rang in his head, "You better be calling me because you're here to pick me up."

Ace sighed and apologetically said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to anytime soon."

"Why?" Winter sounded displeased since she had no idea what was going on because she was still hidden deep inside the dark forest country.

Although the environment was not bad, she still liked her personal space in the thief's house far more.

"I have entered some secret realm and am now stuck for some time." Ace stated helplessly.

Now that he was calm, he couldn't help but feel it was probably for the best because, at that time, if the Demon Ancestor had revealed about Alina before he entered the space tear, he most likely would've surrendered in the moment of heat.

That action of his would've caused him almost everything, so he was now glad he took this road of silver fate location and given the time to calm down.

"How in the world did you get there? Don't tell me this secret realm is inside the imperial domain?" Winter was astonished when she questioned.

"No, I had escaped the imperial domain long ago, and I was just on my way to pick you up when…."

Ace simplified the events that occurred when he escaped the imperial domain and how he entered a space tear while running from Demon Ancestor.

Winter couldn't help but exclaim, "You're one lucky b… I mean thief!"

Ace snorted and sternly said, "I don't call you to collect your cursed praises. I want you to leave that place and investigate someone from me. I'll issue a mission if you agree. Or you can stay there until I come out, but if you agree, I'll owe you one."

Winter fell into deep thought before her voice rang, "Who do you want me to investigate?"

"A hunter name Alina Silver. She's probably from the Silver Ice Clan of Blood Continent, so it shouldn't be hard. And if I'm correct, she's quite famous because of me right now. Just find anything you can and contact me, especially if she's in danger and in how much exactly." Ace solemnly stated.

Winter intrigued voice rang, "Who is she to you?"

Ace's coldly said, "Family!"

"You have a family as well, and you even care about her. This is definitely a piece of news." Winter felt she had discovered something unbelievable.

In fact, she or any member thought Ace didn't have anyone, or he didn't care about them, and he hadn't told them about his past. So, now that Alina came into the picture and she was even in danger, this naturally astonished Winter.

"Cut the chitchat and just tell me can you do it or not?" Ace asked in exasperation, as he was not in the mood to joke around with Winter, especially when Alina's safety was involved.

He could've easily manipulated Winter by giving her a mission with the death penalty, but he didn't and asked for her opinion instead.

Because he didn't want to turn into a tyrant or threaten his house members for his selfishness, they were here to help him in his thieveries, not to solve his personal problems with his family.

They were also people he could trust, and he never thought of them as tools to dispose of. So, unless he had no choice, he won't threaten them with death, or once he started, there won't be a turning back.

He was ruthless to those who threatened him but not to those who stood behind him.

Winter snorted unhappily but still agreed, "The reward better be worth it."

Ace agreed without hesitation, "Don't worry, I know the risk. I'm glad you agreed, though."

"Hmph, don't celebrate too soon." Winter scoffed with a tingle of happiness.

Ace then cut the call and started to create a mission for Winter.

[Thief House Leader Mission Creation]

-Mission: Scouting Mission

-Scouting Mission: Find information on Alina Silver!

-Requirement: Found anything about Alina Silver of Hunter Race!

-Reward: 500,000 House Points

[NOTE: Maximum Reward Limit has been reached for this option!]

-Time: 2 Years

[NOTE: Maximum Time Limit has been reached for this option!]

-Punishment: None

[Are you sure you want to issue this mission to Excellent Member, Winter Fox?]

[Send/Edit Again]

Ace sent the mission without hesitation and sighed with some relief. At least now he had Winter to look for Alina while he figured out how to escape this place.

Furthermore, he knew Winter was perfect for this job, and the moment he got out, he could go on with Alina's rescue with Winter's information.

Without wasting any more time, he activated the live fate map. There was no door inside the small room, and only the formation was engraved.

It was completely blocked by walls, and thief sense was also not picking up anything. So, only the map was left, which should be able to show him the way out.

Just as he thought the moment fate map appeared, he found a long pathway behind the left wall, which was even longer than 3 miles radius as it went straight. Lastly, it was dyed red, and there was no other way!

Ace frowned, but he knew this was the only way out, so he had to take the risk.

'I only have 16 space step talismans left after my last expense, and I'm out of materials, so I can't use them recklessly anymore. I won't use them unless it is a life and death-situation!' Ace thought.

But before opening the path, he ordered the system, "System use the intermediate item upgrade token on Thievish Soul Cord!"

Before, he was saving the intermediate item upgrade token because he still hadn't decided what he should use it on, but now the choice was obvious.

Since the black-blade swords were now out of the picture and he didn't need the thousand-face mask for the time being.

So, he chose the Thievish Soul Cord because it was already a Grade-6 soul weapon, and with the upgrade token, it would be a Grade-8 soul weapon!