Chapter 74

When Qin Ran took over the amulet, the item information appeared on his retina—

【Name: Woven Amulet】

【Type: Armor】

【Quality: Common】

【Attribute: When a ghost-type creature appears within a five-meter radius of you, it will give you a warning!】

【Special Effect: None】

【Can it be taken out of this instance: Yes】

【Note: Woven from snake mist grass picked under the sunrise by the owner with dexterous hands and a pure heart, it warns you of the approach of non-human entities, but remember, it only warns you and cannot help you resist!】

...

What is the most terrifying thing about ghost-type creatures?

It's their intangibility, their invisibility to the naked eye.

If they could be seen, in situations where fire and electricity can cause damage, ordinary ghosts would not be scary to Qin Ran.

The [Woven Amulet] in front of him couldn't make him see them, but the warning it provided was enough for Qin Ran.

After all, compared to others, Qin Ran had an expert-level [Tracking]!

'You can already faintly sense special existences!'

After upgrading [Tracking] to the expert level, this note appeared.

What are 'special existences'?

If Qin Ran was unsure before entering this multiplayer instance, he was now completely certain.

They were entities like ghosts and wandering spirits without physical form.

However, the word 'faintly' in the note made Qin Ran realize that even at the expert level, [Tracking] still had limitations.

But with the [Woven Amulet], these limitations would be greatly reduced.

At least with the warning, the chances of Qin Ran detecting these intangible entities would greatly increase.

He must obtain this equipment!

Such a thought arose in Qin Ran's mind.

Because if such monsters appeared in the fourth multiplayer instance, they would certainly appear in future instances. Before finding better equipment, the [Woven Amulet] was essential for Qin Ran.

"Can you sell me this amulet?"

"I can offer a high price!"

"I can feel the power it has to help me!"

Qin Ran looked up at Captain Raul without hiding his thoughts.

Similarly, he wouldn't use any despicable means.

Partly out of disdain, partly out of principle.

So, he proposed to buy it.

"What?"

Captain Raul was taken aback; he hadn't expected Qin Ran to make such a request.

Unconsciously, a hesitant expression appeared on Raul's face.

Although Raul had great respect for Qin Ran and his group, this didn't mean he would give away his family heirloom amulet for free.

As Captain Raul hesitated, a small red gem, the size of a pinky fingernail, appeared in Qin Ran's hand.

It was also from the Dawn Church's thousand-year treasure trove.

However, it wasn't an [Embedded Gem], just a regular gem.

It made up the majority of Qin Ran's previous harvest.

In this instance, Qin Ran brought some as a precaution.

After all, in the instances he had experienced, even the most common gems were very valuable.

No one could guarantee that they wouldn't need money.

Just like now—

The originally hesitant Captain Raul's hesitation vanished the moment he saw the red gem, which sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

He was reluctant to part with his amulet and respected special things, but he was fundamentally a businessman!

Otherwise, he wouldn't be the only local person transporting food and medicine to Alcatraz Prison.

"It is my honor to assist Mr. Qin Ran!"

Captain Raul replied with a smile.

Qin Ran also smiled, flicking his finger to send the red gem accurately into Raul's shirt pocket.

Seeing this, Captain Raul's smile deepened with more respect.

Although they were only about forty to fifty centimeters apart, the ability to flick an object accurately to a specific point without touching anything else was something Captain Raul had never seen, but he had heard of it—through occasional chats with the guards on Alcatraz Island, there was a guy in the prison who could do something similar.

Before being imprisoned, that guy was a famous master thief and escape artist.

He was imprisoned for theft, a 'minor crime,' because no prison could hold him.

Except for Alcatraz!

Thinking that any one of the six people could have the skills of that master thief, and also had unknown abilities to deal with 'special things,' Captain Raul's respect for them deepened.

Captain Raul's thoughts were unknown to Qin Ran.

However, Qin Ran was in a good mood.

To obtain such useful equipment at this price was a great deal.

If it were between players, it would cost at least 3,000 to 5,000 points, and maybe even 1 or 2 skill points.

Qin Ran immediately put the [Woven Amulet] around his neck.

Of course, Qin Ran had more speculations about the appearance of the [Woven Amulet].

Coincidence? Or a sign?

Qin Ran couldn't know more, but it didn't stop him from continuing to chat with Captain Raul.

As a local, Captain Raul was very familiar with Alcatraz, and with his intentional flattery, by the time the ferry reached the prison dock, Qin Ran was well-versed in Alcatraz.

As Captain Raul entered the cockpit to take over from his first mate and guide the ferry to the dock, Wu Tian, Zhang Wei, and Stanbeck, along with their two bodyguards, came out.

"Sure enough, you have great luck!"

"Getting equipment at the start of the instance!"

"Come, let me shake your hand, and I'll get some of that good luck!"

Wu Tian, holding a cigar, extended his hand.

However, Qin Ran rolled his eyes and ignored him.

The others, including Wu Tian, didn't ask what Qin Ran had obtained.

That was a rule in temporary teams.

"We have a general understanding of Alcatraz!"

"Once a legendary place, now a prison due to government policy!"

"An island of slaughter and prisoners... it sounds fishy!"

"Especially that resurrected baron!"

"He might be the trouble we need to deal with!"

"The heir and the bishop who appeared later are also suspicious!"

Wu Tian, as the team leader, summarized.

Although the others hadn't left the captain's cabin, they had heard Qin Ran and Captain Raul's conversation clearly, as there was no attempt to lower their voices.

"What do we do next?"

Stanbeck asked.

Qin Ran could clearly see that the nobleman's face seemed... even paler.

Is he really that timid?

Qin Ran wondered.

"Of course, we'll take it one step at a time!"

"We haven't even met the person who hired us yet!"

Wu Tian said with a smile.

It made sense, and no one contradicted him, waiting quietly.

"Gentlemen, we have arrived!"

With Captain Raul's shout, the ferry docked steadily. After Qin Ran and his group were invited off first, Raul directed the sailors to unload the supplies.

Qin Ran and his group then met their host.

The reason it was a host and not a hirer was because the person had a cold expression.

He was about the same age as Captain Raul.

However, his attire was much more proper, a black suit, polished leather shoes, a neatly trimmed brown beard, and neatly combed brown hair. His deep gray eyes and stern face showed his strictness.

When he spoke, his sternness was even more evident.

"I am the deputy warden of Alcatraz Prison, Swark!"

"I don't know where the prison found you!"

"But I hope you understand that this is not a place for you to act as you please. Follow the rules!"

With a brief introduction and a strong warning, the deputy warden waved to a waiting guard.

"For the next week, they are your responsibility!"

With that, the deputy warden turned and left the dock.

"Tsk, tsk, really arrogant!"

Wu Tian said with a tsk.

"Deputy Warden Swark is just a bit anxious due to recent events!"

"Normally, he's quite nice!"

"Gentlemen, I am Guard Jack Ben, you can call me Jack!"

The guard, in his thirties, with an ordinary face, introduced himself with a friendly expression.

However, his tone then became stern.

"For the next week, I will assist you in your investigation!"

"Of course, due to Alcatraz's special nature, I hope you inform me before investigating, and I will inform Deputy Warden Swark—this is for your safety, believe me, it's not a joke!"

"Please remember this!"

Guard Jack emphasized again.

"Understood, thank you!"

Qin Ran nodded with a smile.

Wu Tian and Zhang Wei remained silent, letting Qin Ran handle the conversation. Stanbeck, with his two bodyguards, seemed completely absent, leaving everything to the 'mercenaries.'

Clearly, Wu Tian's 'My speaking skills, the natives can't understand!' was not an exaggeration.

Zhang Wei acknowledged Qin Ran's previous victory, but only temporarily.

"Gentlemen, please follow me!"

Qin Ran's cooperative attitude made the guard smile again, and he led the way.

The distance from the dock to the prison was not long, about three hundred meters.

The flat terrain provided a good line of sight for the guards on the prison walls.

The same was true inside the prison.

After passing through the gate, Qin Ran and his group faced a large open courtyard, with the main prison building in the center, surrounded by the outer walls.

There were over twenty armed guards patrolling the walls.

Qin Ran even saw two light machine guns mounted.

The defense was tight!

Anyone would think so.

The main prison building was a large three-story structure.

It had no front door, only side doors on the east and west.

The west side was guarded by a team of armed guards, and the building had no windows, just a gray cement exterior.

The east side was better, with windows and flower pots on some of them.

Jack led Qin Ran and his group into the east side.

"This is the administrative and management center, the video surveillance center, the prison doctor's office, the guards' dormitories, and the storage building!"

"Here are your rooms for the next week—right next to the video surveillance center!"

"I'm usually in the video surveillance center, so you can find me if you need anything!"

"For meals, you can go to the guards' cafeteria!"

"However, today is your first day at Alcatraz, and the warden has instructed the chef to prepare a sumptuous lunch for you—I'm lucky to be able to join you!"

Jack introduced everything, ending with an eager smile.

And the lunch was worth the anticipation.

A short while later, in Qin Ran's group's room, a round table was filled with food.

Baked snails, clear beef tail soup, roasted lamb chops and fish, a whole roasted chicken, a basket of bread, a bottle of red wine, and drinks.

"Welcome to Alcatraz—though it's not a good thing, I have no other welcome words!"

Guard Jack stood up with a glass, welcoming Qin Ran and his group.

Qin Ran and the others also raised their glasses.

However, Qin Ran and Zhang Wei, along with 1 and 2, drank the drinks.

Only Wu Tian and Stanbeck had red wine.

Qin Ran brought the drink to his lips, the sweet orange flavor mixed with a unique fragrance and a hint of sweetness.

When he smelled that hint of sweetness, the knowledge from the [Medicine. Drug Knowledge] skill immediately came to mind, specifically about poisons.

"Don't drink it, it's poisoned!"

Qin Ran shouted urgently.