Arcane : Begging for Help in a Parallel Universe!

Chapter 6: Exclusive Interview!



The evening of the same day, at a corner of Sun Gate Square.

At the front of the Shrike Bird Newspaper office.

"You're really crazy!"

Tamara walked out the door with Link, and the editor-in-chief smiled and waved goodbye to them.

Behind the editor-in-chief, the newspaper office looked impoverished.

After years of losses, someone was finally willing to take over the paper!

Heaven truly has eyes!

"As long as I can get into the Ghiramann family's door, none of this matters."

Link glanced at his press card, his face calm as still as a lake.

A nearly bankrupt newspaper had almost drained all his Gold Seas, but Tamara had bargained for him.

Still, everything was worth it. He had bought the management rights to the paper for only 920 Gold Seas, inheriting its debts and assets.

The newspaper Link had bought was called the Shrike Bird Daily.

It was a paper targeted at the common people, known for its accurate handling of hot news. At its peak, it even outperformed all other newspapers in the city and was known as the "News Butcher" by its competitors.

Wherever there was hot news, you could find their presence.

Unfortunately, too many envious competitors had forced the Shrike Bird Daily into decline.

It accumulated a lot of debt, couldn't even pay rent and wages, and the editor-in-chief was the only one struggling to keep it alive.

Despite this, the paper was on the brink of bankruptcy.

This worked to Link's advantage.

But even though he bought the paper for a very low price, all the debt and problems piled up on Link's shoulders.

However, to fulfill his agreement with Cassandra from another universe, he didn't care.

Moreover, after receiving Cassandra's funding, the paper's debt and creditor issues were just small problems.

"You've really changed, Link," Tamara said, staring at him for a moment before shaking her head. Link stuffed his press card into his chest and asked Tamara, "Do you think Mrs. Norin's boutique rents out formal dresses?"

"Others probably don't, but you—" Tamara took a step back and made a playful gesture, "Oh my genius, the rising star of P City, Link Stutt, absolutely deserves that!"

"Sharp-tongued!" Link laughed and patted Tamara's shoulder, then pulled out a few Gold Seas and handed them to her, "Alright, here's your commission."

"Then I'll thank you."

Tamara didn't refuse, taking the money directly.

As for where Link got all this money, Tamara didn't ask.

Asking too much out of curiosity would ruin friendships.

She knew where to draw the line.

With a playful wink, she said, "If you climb the ladder, don't forget your old friend!"

"Don't worry, I'll definitely hire you as my personal housekeeper!"

Link raised his eyebrows at Tamara, who shrugged.

After chatting for a while, they parted ways.

Link walked to Mrs. Norin's boutique to rent a formal dress, then rented a carriage to the Ghiramann Estate.

At the estate's gate, Link used his press card to sneak in successfully.

The carriage stopped in front of the entrance hall, and after letting Link off, it left without a backward glance.

Link tugged at his slightly tight tie, took a few deep breaths in front of the door, both nervous and excited.

Whether he could rise to the top and complete his transformation from apprentice to workshop owner depended on this visit!

Entering the hall, Link found there were a lot more guests than expected.

As Tamara said, most of them were high society figures—noblemen and elites—his position as an apprentice wasn't even a consideration.

The so-called "progressive city" of the rune land had only made progress in technology, but its social system was terribly backward!

"Kaitlyn—" Link stood next to a pillar in the hall, squinting as he searched for Kaitlyn.

Unfortunately, there was no sign of her.

As the eldest daughter and only heir of the Ghiramann family, she would only appear in the hall where coffins were stored.

"Look at this—" A mocking voice came from nearby, "A little guy sneaking into a funeral, trying to use it as a stepping stone!"

Upon hearing this, Link frowned.

Many people in the hall turned to look, their gazes critical and cold.

"Sorry, sir—" Link said calmly, "I need an explanation for your earlier words."

"Explanation?" A young man with golden medium-length hair, his back to the door and wearing a sharp black suit with a flower pinned to his chest, shook his head and laughed, "I think the explanation should be for you."

The butler of the Ghiramann family walked over to Link, and the young man smiled, "Tell me, how did a small reporter like you sneak in?"

"Small reporter?" Link asked as the butler drew nearer, his face unchanging and calm. "May I ask who you are?"

"Editor-in-chief of the Progressive Daily, Wallace!"

"Well, Mr. Wallace, it seems your teacher didn't teach you manners and respect before you joined the Progressive Daily!" Link's tone remained calm, but his words were sharp, making some prominent people glance his way.

Wallace almost opened his mouth, but Link didn't give him a chance.

"Indeed, the Progressive Daily is an industry giant that our Shrike Bird Daily could never reach, but the founding of Shrike Bird Daily predates your paper by a long time."

"Yes, we've fallen," Link stood up straighter, "But I believe Shrike Bird Daily will rise again, like the legendary phoenix reborn from the flames."

"Just like P City, though it's in decline now, it will surely see a bright future after the clouds part."

"I think if you have any sympathy or sense of responsibility, you should be interviewing the gentlemen and ladies here, listening to their views on this disaster, and understanding their demands of the authorities, instead of wasting time on irrelevant conversations."

"What do you think, Mr. Wallace?"

As Link took a step back, he nodded slightly.

Wallace's face turned red, his fists clenched, but he dared not act.

This damn kid had embarrassed him in front of everyone, and it was—

"Mr. Wallace!" The Ghiramann family's butler stepped forward and whispered, "Please calm down."

"As for you—" The butler faced Link, who smiled politely and said, "Link, Link Stutt, special reporter for Shrike Bird Daily!"

"I believe the master would be very willing to have a conversation with you." The butler nodded slightly, but Link hesitated, "I feel it's inappropriate to disturb a gentleman who has lost a loved one on such an important day."

"Moreover, there are already so many sympathetic and responsible gentlemen and ladies here, so I'll refrain from entering."

Link's poised behavior made the butler look at him with admiration, and after a gesture to leave, Link pulled out his pen and camera, smiling as he approached the group of upper-class people who were mourning as if they had lost their closest family.

Wallace watched this scene, his teeth almost grinding.

But under the butler's watchful eyes, he didn't dare to do anything. He could only wait for an opportunity to pick up the scraps from this damn kid.

Damn, why am I thinking like this?

Shrike Bird Daily, huh!

This isn't over!

After interviewing several prominent figures, Link packed away his pen and camera, went to the banquet hall for some food, and found a quiet balcony to enjoy the breeze.

Although he hadn't seen Kaitlyn yet, Link was confident that he was getting closer to her.

He just needed a small opportunity—

As Link scanned the banquet hall, his gaze suddenly fixed on someone who seemed out of place with everyone else.

With rose-red hair and tattoos on exposed skin, she had a bold and carefree appearance but also a sensitive, lonely heart that tried to appear strong.

Wei Olay, the future law enforcer of P City.

Perhaps sensing Link's gaze, Wei walked toward him.

She arrived at the deserted balcony, leaned on the railing, and stared at the garden in the night.

After a moment's hesitation, Link spoke softly, "I heard you're from Zaun."

"Heh, sharp-tongued, huh? What do you want to say?" Wei turned to look at him, her sharp gaze hiding a conflicted heart.

"I just want to ask you a few questions, hear your views on the current situation."

"After all, this attack has clearly hurt P City, and the culprit is from Zaun. If we let these conflicts fester, there will definitely be an unprecedented clash between the two sister cities!"

"Hmph!" Wei scoffed, "Aren't you used to looking down on us from above? Don't talk to me about your opinion. What use is my opinion? Once I say something, you'll just twist it however you like."

Feeling the resentment in Wei's words, Link kept his smile, "But speaking out makes you feel better, doesn't it?"

Wei was taken aback, her expression complicated.

She was about to speak when a voice interrupted.

"Wei, I've been looking for you for a while." A woman with purple hair approached them. Compared to her anime version, with the sharp face and high cheekbones, this policewoman was much more appealing to Link.

Her delicate face looked pale from worry, and her bright eyes had lost some of their luster, with lingering tear stains at the corners.

"Hey, Kaitlyn."

Wei greeted her, and Kaitlyn's gaze fell on Link. After scanning him, she noticed the camera hanging from his neck.

"Reporter?"

"Not right now," Link shrugged, "Just finished work."

"Heh, don't listen to him. This kid was just asking me about my opinion on the attack, and wanted to know what I think about Zaun and the Upper City's future."

"This is a different time," Link suppressed his expression and nodded slightly, "On such a day, no one has the heart to reopen the wounds of a beautiful lady."

Kaitlyn's scrutinizing gaze faded slightly.

Her voice softened, "Thank you for coming—"

"Link, Link Stutt!" After shaking hands with Kaitlyn, she swept her hair from her forehead and said softly, "Link, thank you for coming, and thank you for your kind intentions."

"However, I think you're mistaken."

"Mistaken about what?"

"You might have to work overtime," Kaitlyn said to Link, "But you'll need to wait a bit."

"Of course, I have time," Link smiled and nodded, feeling relieved.

The investment from the Ghiramann family in another universe had, at this moment, seen the light of dawn.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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