Jimmy looked at Jeff with clueless and innocent eyes. “What do you mean?”

Jeff chuckled and shook his head. “You hired those two escorts in the name of tourist protection. And then you lead us to this spot. You knew well that there was bandits here. And you knew well that the bandits won’t back off in the face of 2 C-ranks. Even if they are from large-size settlements.”

“However, you hid this information from Red Fang and Spellbreaker.”

“If they kill the bandits. Great. people here are saved.”

“If the escorts are killed, and the tourists down there, who happened to have some reputation back in town, get kidnapped, the survivor bases will send out elite rescue squads, which will eliminate the bandits.”

“So. Why didn’t you just hire high-rank adventurers? That’s my question. 2 B-ranks would do the job.”

Jimmy sighed in defeat and bitterly laughed. “I can’t afford it.”

Jeff raised his brows. “You can afford all these fancy stuff in the tour, but you can’t afford 2 B-ranks.”

Jimmy powerlessly shrugged. “You think I can afford the expenses for this tour? I’m just a tour guide who got to design the trip.”

Jeff nodded and threw a silver gauntlet at Jimmy. “Put it on.”

Without any resistance, Jimmy followed the order.

Zzzzzz… A mechanical tightening sound. The plastic-looking gem blinked red a few times.

“I feel sorry for you and your friends.”

“But I feel more sorry for the innocent lives you put in danger.”

“If I weren’t here, what do you think would have happened. Did those chefs and critics deserve what they’d get.”

“So Jimmy Cummington. After this trip is over, you will report to the sanctuary’s court.”

Hearing this, the crowd stirred up.

“What?!”

“No! You can’t do this!”

“Who gave you rights to do this!”

“You are not a judge.”

“You are saying what he did is wrong?”

“Yeah! Unlock him!”

“You have awoken strong powers. You are all high up there. What do you know about us people in the dirt!”

Jeff raised his brows and nodded.

There was no sign of stopping though.

Jeff stomped the ground. The ground rumbled a little like an Earthquake. A crack formed on the ground.

“First question. Who gave me the right to do this?”

Silence…

“Me.”

“If you want to contest my decision by force, I stand right here.”

“Second question. Do I think what he did is wrong. Uhhh… Maybe.” Jeff shrugged. “In fact, if I were in his shoes, I’m probably not even smart enough to come up with that plan.”

“As a C-rank, you managed to escape from those bandits. Then you crossed over a hundred miles of fogged up territories. Territories that had monsters roaming around. Maybe by yourself… After returning to Berrystone, you devised a rescue plan, which ultimately worked in the end.”

“That’s respectable.”

“But you have to pay for what you did.” Jeff looked at the tour guide.

“Hmm…” Jimmy looked at the ground and chuckled at himself.

“Yeah… Tsk… Yeah…” Jimmy looked at Jeff with a smile. It’s as if this dude had found inner peace.

Even though he was being tracked and confined, this guy seemed more free now.

“I take full responsibility of what I did.” Jimmy nodded. “And… I am sorry.”

“I’ll go to the sanctuary and serve my time.”

“Well.” Jeff nodded. “Let’s go then. We are heading back to the tourist group.”

“Wait.” It’s a girl about the same age as Jimmy.

Jeff halted and looked back.

“Can you give us a clue on how long Jimmy will be serving?”

“Plotting to harm a S-rank hunter.” Jeff squinted and nodded. “Most likely he’ll be sentenced for life.”

Silence…

“But.” Jeff sighed. “I forgive you. Even though you son of a bitch, ruined my vacation, and forced me to do my very first rescue mission, for free.”

“And you did save…” Jeff looked over the group. Using [Aura vision], Jeff did a quick count. “84 people.”

“I’ll write a letter for you. I think the sanctuary justice will go easy on you.” Jeff winked. “If your tourists all forgive you on what you did, you’ll probably be set free right away. But what do I know. I’m not a justice.”

“So.” Jeff looked at the group. “Where do you guys want to go? Stay here over winter? Go somewhere else? Or-“

*Just indistinguishable mumbles*

Everyone spoke at once.

“Allllright.” Jeff raised his brows and slowly nodded. “Since I’ve helped you guys out this far, I may as well hire a group of escorts for you guys.” (On Jeff’s own expenses)

Jeff reached into his pocket. There was a flip phone there. “And help you guys to completion.”

…

Tourist town of Skihaven. A town with the population of around 20,000 (data prior to the fog catastrophe.)

During winter time, nights sure arrived early. The natural light was already dimming at 5 PM.

Tour guide Jimmy had been held captive.

The final prize had been taken by a mysterious S-rank as escort fee.

The competitive atmosphere here just died off…

In the town of skihaven. Skihaven Resort.

Sitting in a bright dining room, Jeff enjoyed his New Year’s Eve dinner with Alice.

Just like in Berrystone city, electricity was a luxury product here as well, only available at the heart of the town.

Ring~ Ring~

Jeff took out a flip phone.

Alice placed her spoon back onto her plate. “You have signal? Is this another sanctuary insider secret of yours?”

Jeff sucked in some air. He didn’t like where this conversation was going. “It’s a phone… But not a real cell phone.”

“Sorry honey. One second.” Jeff flipped open his phone.

“Jeff, where are you?” This was Liam speaking.

“Uhhh… Bro. I’m on vacation.”

“We have an emergency. We need you to come back immediately.”

“Really? Seriously? Now?!”

“Jeff.” It’s an older and calming voice now. This was the Keyholder speaking.

Listening to the call, Jeff’s relaxed expression gradually turned serious. “I’ll be ready when you are.”

Staring at his phone for a moment, Jeff sighed. “Well, looks like vacation is over.”

“Yep.” Alice chirped. “It’s been really fun though.”

Jeff sighed with a smile. Opening the balcony window, Jeff extended his hand.

Grabbing onto Alice’s small soft hand, Jeff hopped onto the railings. With another hop, this couple was standing on the snowy rooftop now.

Jeff’s flip phone shot a string of light into the sky.

Looking around, the mist started to circle them. In a moment, the mist started to swirl like a cyclone.

Alice looked at Jeff with a concerned look. “Is this safe?”

Jeff held Alice in his arms. “Don’t worry. I had full clearance on this project. And I created this myself.”

Alice’s cheeks puffed up. “Jeff.”

“It’s Jeff speaking.”

“How many more secrets.”

“Uh…”

A pillar of light shot down from the sky, engulfing the couple.