"…You might not have known, but you seemed to be on the Star Hackers' search list as well!"
Nyx's eyes widened as a dangerous glint flashed past her eyes, "What the hell are you talking about? Why would those criminal bastards be searching for me?"
Long Nose shook her head, "You don't understand. What I mean is that you are in their 'search list,' but this doesn't mean they are searching for your real body out there. The Star Hackers Search List is pretty famous around the Legendary Circle of the Legendary Plains, but it seemed you didn't know."
Nyx became even more confused when she asked, "What is this search list?"
"You see, just like the Star Network had its 'Star Criminal List' and Dark Network has its 'List of Traitors', the Star Hackers knowingly their boldness and enmity with the Star Network, they had their own 'Search List' that they boldly released every decade in the Virtual Star News.
"However, this Search List is different because the people within it are those whom the Star Hackers are interested in, but they failed to find any information on them. Furthermore, this Search List is also a recruitment announcement!" Long Nose exclaimed, showing excitement.
But Nyx was really confused now that she had some idea what this search list was, and her expression became grave.
"Why would I be on that search list? I have not encountered Star Hackers, nor have I ever done anything to provoke or draw their attention, except for that one-time information trade with you. And what do you mean by 'recruitment announcement?" She questioned.
"Who knows if I have to rank the information gathering network of the Legendary Plains, then those bastards would rank second, just below the Star Network. Even the Dark Network isn't their match. They have moles everywhere. But I can assure you neither I nor my organization has anything to do with this. The information about our trade is only known to me, and I would get nothing by selling you out, not to mention that no one knows why those bastards took an interest in you." Long Nose sincerely promised with a hint of anger.
Nyx remained silent as Long Nose's words made sense, but the look in her eyes changed peculiarly as she remained silent and let Long Nose continue.
"What I mean by the Recruitment Announcement is that those within the Search List can join the Star Hackers as long as they can find clues hidden within the Search List." Long Nose revealed.
Nyx was startled. "Are you being serious? You mean to tell me that those guys are bluntly recruiting people by posting this on the Star Network, their worst enemy, and the network is even allowing it?"
"Hehe, that's the beauty of Star Network. As long as the announcements or posts are sent through a Star ID that isn't a Star criminal, then even if it's related to Star Hackers, the Star Network would completely ignore it unless it directly threatens the Star Network or defames it. You know, Freedom of Speech!
"Every decade, the Search List is released through countless Star IDs from all over the legendary plains. Now, you tell me, would Star Network have made them all Star Criminals just because they posted a list? Heh, you're too naïve, Star Hackers know many loopholes of the Star Network more than any other organization, that's how they are able to fight the Star Network all this time." Long Nose stated with a hint of admiration in her tone.
"You seemed to admire them," Nyx commented.
"I do, and you should know my name had appeared in the Search List three thousand and six hundred years ago." Long Nose revealed with a proud expression, which startled Nyx.
But then Long Nose's expression twisted as she gloomily said, "But I wasn't able to find any clues about them in the end, and so I failed the test. You will only get one chance to join them, and after a decade, if you still don't find them, you will fail forever."
A hint of realization flashed past Nyx's eyes as she asked, "So, this big business you were telling me is about this Search List? You want me to try joining the Star Hackers?"
Long Nose instantly smiled as she nodded, "Indeed! As long as you promise to try, I'll sponsor and help you with everything I have! I'm not the same person I was back when my name appeared. Now, I can help you get in, and all I need from you is to help my organization join the Star Hackers!"
Nyx was speechless as she looked at the overly enthusiastic Long Nose and couldn't help but laugh aloud, "Hahahaha! Long Nose, I've always thought you are the third-smartest person I've known, but now, you've become last.
"First, why in the name of zodiac would I be interested in joining the Star Hackers? Second, this search list thing is a huge scam. There are so many loopholes that I don't even want to bother myself by mentioning them individually.
"Third, let's just assume I joined the Star Hackers. Do you think they will just let you join because I told them so? Tell me honestly, you're here to pull my leg, right? Or is this one of your scams where you'll cheat me out of my money by pitching me those glorious dreams like you did to that idiot barbarian in the Game Club?" Nyx seriously questioned with a faint, mocking smile on her face.
Long Nose didn't seem flustered by Nyx's mockery; in fact, she pulled a vague smile as if she was expecting this kind of response.
"Indeed, you have no reason to believe me or join the Star Hackers on my behalf. It's also just as you said, why would the Star Hackers let me join them just because you requested?
"But I think you might be willing after hearing what you'll get if you agree to my request. So, want to hear my offer?" Long Nose impassively probed.
Nyx didn't react, and her expression remained unchanged as she asked, "Well, now I really want to know the sources of your confidence."
Long Nose's expression suddenly turned solemn as she revealed, "If you agree to my request, I can preserve your life!"