[Intergalactic: Online 14]

Creed left the house after washing up. The plan was to find the Horizon employee from who he would coax some information.

Rea had given Creed the information on what he looked like, where he lived and what places the man frequented. Creed was surprised at how much information Rea had on this guy and almost accused her of being a stalker when she mentioned that the man simply told her all of these details without her having to ask.

"If this guy is as chatty as you say, it won't be much of an interrogation," Creed said with a chuckle as he left the house. He had memorized the local map already, so he wouldn't get lost as long as he did t go to a different district within the city.

Creed walked down the side streets and joined the well-maintained main road with fancy-looking cars driving up and down.

After about an hour of fast-paced walking, Creed arrived at the Horizon building and hid in a nearby alleyway. The outside of the building was simple, with two guards stationed at the main entrance.

Creed waited for another half hour as different people walked in and out of the building. Only when a small man walked out of the building with a bored expression did Creed perk up.

The man tried to strike up a conversation with one of the guards, but he was promptly ignored, making him pout and leave in annoyance.

Creed followed the man for a few blocks until he reached what seemed to be a bar. The man walked in, and Creed followed him.

Inside, the man sat at the bar and ordered himself a drink as Creed casually sat next to the guy.

"Oh man, I'm beat. Nothing like a beer after a long day at work to loosen up, am I right" Creed said to the man with a laugh.

The man looked at Creed in irritation but still responded.

"Yeah, I guess. Especially when you work with a bunch of idiots like I do", The man said with a smirk.

"Haha, tell me about it. You get it!" Creed said in a tone that was clearly egging the man on.

"I mean, what do I have to do to get through to them?. Like Hello, just because we're mercenaries doesn't mean we can't also sell burgers on the side."

"Burgers?... Yeah, burgers, that sounds like a great idea. Who wouldn't want to do that?" Creed said while trying to hold back his laughter.

"Exactly!. Just think about it. Horizon Burgers, we would make a killing, but what can I say. I work with a bunch of idiots".

"You're clearly too smart for them, brother. I'm sure if you ever left, the whole place would fall apart", Creed said as he figured out the man's personality.

"You said it..." the man said as he took a swig of his drink before going off into a long tirade.

Creed continued this line of goading and was surprised at how much information he had gathered from the man within minutes.

Creed learned the names of all the prominent figures in Horizon. He also discovered how Rea refused the advances of the Commander's son. This son was also involved in some dirty dealings that his father disapproved of.

From this, Creed hypothesized that the Commander's son must have been discovered by his father and pinned his dirty dealings onto Rea and her team, causing the Commander to order the hit on them.

Creed looked over to the passed-out man beside him and shook his head. Much of what he said was gossip, but it was still enough to paint a general picture. However, what was clear was that the Commander had clearly ordered the hit on Rea and her team.

Now that Creed had the information he needed, he left the bar with a smile and headed back to Rea's parents' restaurants. Inside, Creed found Tea serving the few customers in the store.

When Tea noticed Creed walking in, she winked at him with a smile and gestured toward the door, indicating that Rea was already down there.

Creed walked downstairs and found Rea staring intently at the map. When she noticed Creed, she immediately jumped up.

"Well, did you find out anything?"

"More like what didn't I find out. The man is as talkative as you said" Creed laughed as he sat down and recapped what had happened.

Rea listened intently and then sighed when Creed gave her his hypothesis.

"So you think the Commander really put a hit on me over something this ridiculous?" Rea asked in disbelief.

"That may not be the only reason. From what I've seen, you're talented, a little too talented. He probably felt intimidated by your quick rise and wanted to snub you out before you got too powerful in the organization", Creed said while shrugging his shoulders. Similar storylines played out all the time, so he wouldn't be surprised if this was the case.

"Hmm, he did become quite cold lately, despite my mission success rate being the best thus far. This might be why he assigned me to the escort mission. He must have known about the attack ahead of time and planned on us all dying there!" Rea said as she started putting the remaining pieces together in her head.

Creed nodded while looking at the mission icon floating over Rea's head.

"What will you do now, then?" Creed asked while standing up. He didn't have time to play house now that he knew how dangerous this era was. His new main priority was to get off this world as soon as possible.

"I don't know. I can't go up against Horizon by myself, but I also can't stay in this city, or they'll eventually find me..."

"Well, you wouldn't have to take on the whole of Horizon. You applied with a fake identity, so all you really need to do is take out the people who have a vested interest in seeing you dead. That would be the Commander and his son", Creed said while walking over to the table.

"Lucky for you, I need some credits, so I'm willing to do this job for you. What do you say?" Creed asked with a smile. Assassination jobs were always profitable in the game, so he had never shied away from them before.

As for killing people, Creed had realized that his mind was switching between thinking of this place as a game and reality whenever it was convenient. Creed knew this was clearly just a coping mechanism that could lead to more significant problems later down the line, but since it helped him progress, he decided to turn a blind eye to it.

"So you're saying you'll eliminate them for me? Why would you go so far?" Rea asked in disbelief while watching Creed put on the Horizon gear.

"It's not for free. I'll need you to fund my next venture in exchange for my services", Creed said while picking up the sniper rifle's briefcase and then covering his body with the cloak.

"Venture?. How much do you need?..." Rea asked skeptically.

"Haha, not much. I'll need an off-road vehicle and supplies. Can you do that much?"

"If that's all, then I can!" Rea answered with a smile as she assumed Creed made it up so that she wouldn't feel burdened by his offer.

"Good. I'll be back in a few hours", Creed said as he pulled the cloak over his head and headed back upstairs.

Rea followed him as Creed quietly left the now empty restaurant.

'Looks like I'll have to eliminate them if I want to complete her companion mission,' Creed thought with a smile as he walked down the street in a good mood.