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"You want me to take on this commission?" Wayne's expression shifted to one of curiosity as he observed Shaw, whose stiff demeanor betrayed his intent.

SI7, Stormwind City's elite intelligence agency, was no ordinary organization. While it wasn't exclusively populated with experts, it had no shortage of skilled operatives. For Shaw, the head of such a powerful entity, to approach Wayne personally with a mission was unusual, to say the least.

Shaw's stoic demeanor remained unbroken as he replied evenly, "A bounty of five hundred gold coins for a single engagement."

"That sum should be more than enough for an average adventurer to live comfortably for a year or two," Shaw continued, his voice steady. "All we require is for you to help us deal with a handful of enemies. It's an excellent deal."

"What do you say, Mr. Wayne? Will you accept it?"

Before Wayne could respond, the familiar chime of his system sounded in his mind.

Ding! Master-level mission: 'The Man Behind the Scenes.' Help SI7 uncover the mastermind pulling the strings.

Wayne's eyebrows raised slightly. The system's classification of a mission as "master-level" was no trivial matter; it indicated a significant level of difficulty. Shaw's offer, while seemingly simple, clearly involved more than met the eye. The reward of five hundred gold coins felt almost insulting, considering the stakes involved.

Leaning back slightly, Wayne laughed and addressed Shaw in a teasing tone, "Chief Shaw, SI7 has a reputation that precedes it. I can only assume you've been investigating me for the past few days."

"Do you truly think someone like me would care about a mere five hundred gold coins?" He gestured dismissively. "Frankly, your offer lacks sincerity."

"You're also withholding key information and expecting me to risk my life blindly. Do I look like such a fool?"

Though Wayne's words carried a mocking edge, Shaw's expression remained unperturbed. A lifetime of intelligence work had trained him well to maintain composure, even in the face of such jabs.

After a pause, Shaw's tone turned serious. "Van Cleef's escape from prison was orchestrated by SI7."

Wayne's eyes narrowed as Shaw continued, "You need not worry about retaliation from him. Van Cleef has agreed to cooperate with us. Both the unrest caused by the Defias Brotherhood in Westfall and the earlier riots in Stormwind City were the work of a larger mastermind."

"Our objective is to identify and expose the true orchestrator of these events, someone who has allowed Van Cleef and the Stonemasons to bear the blame for far too long."

"Our intelligence points to someone with substantial power and deep connections—likely a prominent noble. Their influence has infiltrated both the military and the Noble Council."

"This is why we're enlisting an outsider like you. Your strength and neutrality are invaluable in a case where trust is scarce."

Shaw's voice softened slightly as he added, "If you succeed, you will gain SI7's friendship. Such an alliance will ensure your future endeavors in Stormwind City proceed far more smoothly."

For the first time, Shaw's sincerity was evident. Naming Van Cleef as an informant was an extraordinary revelation. Wayne nodded slowly, recognizing the weight of the opportunity being offered.

Pretending to deliberate for a few moments, he finally said, "Very well. I'll take the commission."

Shaw's composure didn't falter, but there was a hint of approval in his gaze as he nodded and handed Wayne the details of the mission.

After returning to his hotel, Wayne began to reflect on the situation.

Unlike Shaw, Wayne's knowledge extended beyond the limits of this era. As a veteran player of World of Warcraft, he was privy to truths that the people of Azeroth couldn't yet fathom.

The Stonemasons' Brotherhood riots, the corruption of the Noble Council, and the rise of the Defias Brotherhood all pointed to a single mastermind: Onyxia, the Black Dragon Princess.

Currently disguised as Countess Katrana Prestor, Onyxia wielded significant influence within Stormwind. Her proximity to Bolvar Fordragon, the regent of Stormwind City, only solidified her power.

It is worth noting that the current king of Stormwind, Anduin Wrynn, remains incomplete as a ruler due to the ongoing turmoil. Former King Varian Wrynn was kidnapped several years ago by the Defias Brotherhood under the manipulation of the Black Dragon Princess, Onyxia, while en route to Theramore. Through the use of dark magic, his soul was split into two distinct personalities: a timid, compliant king and a fierce, combative gladiator. The timid king was returned to Stormwind and installed on the throne, while the gladiator king continues to fight for his freedom, likely within the arenas of the Horde.

In the present power structure of Stormwind City, SI7, the military, and the Noble Council balance each other in a tenuous web of influence. Among these, the Noble Council holds the most significant power, as it is responsible for formulating and enacting the kingdom's policies.

However, due to the ongoing machinations of Onyxia, who has infiltrated the Noble Council disguised as Countess Katrana Prestor, the council has fallen under her sway. The regent, Bolvar Fordragon, is unwittingly influenced by her magical manipulations, allowing her to shape the council's decisions and, by extension, the fate of Stormwind. Onyxia's grip over Stormwind's politics has directly contributed to the instability in the region, including the chaos in Westfall, Duskwood, and the Redridge Mountains.

Van Cleef, the former leader of the Defias Brotherhood, seems to have undergone a dramatic change following his capture. Whether this transformation is the result of self-reflection during his imprisonment or the persuasive efforts of Shaw—who, like Van Cleef, was trained within the Brotherhood of Stonemasons—is unclear. What is certain is that Van Cleef has decided to turn against his former allies and work with SI7, seemingly positioning himself as a key informant in the effort to unmask the true mastermind pulling Stormwind's strings.

This turn of events has set the stage for an intriguing mission. The involvement of Onyxia, one of the most cunning and powerful agents of Deathwing, adds a layer of danger that elevates the challenge to the level of a master-tier assignment.