Chapter 285 - Humming

“Are you alright, Mat?” Niel peered at him with a slight frown.

They left the residential neighborhood, crossing the town center toward the Hall of Seekers. Stark glass windows opened on empty shops, apothecaries, tailors, runesmiths and bakers. The shadows of the owners fluttering inside.

“Uhm?” Kai stopped fidgeting with the buttons of his coat when his boots splashed in a muddy puddle. Focused on Hallowed Intuition’s humming, he hadn’t paid attention to the uneven cobbles of the road. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s just…” Niel made to pat his shoulder before letting the arm fall back down. “Look, it’s normal to be shaken after what happened. You almost died. This situation is more than anyone can handle.”

Is he worried about me…?

Kai blinked, studying Niel back. The dark circle under his eyes and day-old stubble made the man look older than his twenty years. He still maintained the friendly air of the guy next door, always willing to lend a hand. A buff guy next door, trying to act like the responsible adult.

Appearances could be deceiving, but the man hadn’t given Kai any reason to suspect him.

“I’m…” he caught himself just before saying fine—old habits die hard. “I’m good.” Not much better. “I’m just tired. Your sofa was quite lumpy.”

“It came with the house. We never thought we’d stay this long…” Niel chuckled with more gloom than mirth.

They crossed the main square and turned into Hayze’s Street, sharp gusts buffeting them forward. The few passersby hurried to their destinations wrapped in shawls and cloaks. It was like the whole town was holding its breath.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to leave the archipelago,” Niel broke the silence, hands in his pockets to conserve warmth. “When I was a child, I used to sneak into taverns to listen to sailors’ tales of wild and mystic lands. You know, Wildcliff was so dull, and I wanted excitement.” He let out a bitter laugh. “Now I would pay silver to listen to the waves crashing against the cliff.”

He closed his eyes and breathed in, shaking his head. “Sorry, I’m rambling. What I was trying to say is that I know the mainland can be overwhelming. Especially here.” His friendly wave at a duo of fishers across the street gained them a scowl. “It must be much more than you bargained for. More than anyone could, really. It’s very brave and kind to stay just to help us…”

Hmm… I didn’t really— wait! Is he suspicious of my story?

With all the questions, dread and confusion after escaping Harry’s house, Kai hadn’t paid enough attention to his cover story. A shadowy cult, corrupt officials and unexplained abductions were more than an old acquaintance would be willing to face.

Revealing his true relation with Kea would be harmless by itself, but once the first lie came out, the others would follow in a domino. He couldn’t deal with the fallout of breaking Matthew’s identity while unknown threats loomed over him. His time in the Hidden Sanctuary had accustomed him to danger, but human plots were uncharted territory.

“It’ll be alright.” Niel gave a reassuring squeeze to his shoulder, mistaking the reason for his unease. The pale green eyes shone with concern. “If you need to talk, I’m here.”

“I— thank you.” Kai hid his startle under a weak smile—perhaps he was overthinking.

Spirits, they’ve only been adventuring on the mainland for a year. This conspiracy is more than any of us bargained for…

“I want to find your teammate, so we can all leave,” Kai said truthfully. Two pale-faced kids observed them pass from a window, scurrying away in panic when he glanced back. Despite the clear air with scarcely any mist, Limgrell’s quiet streets left him with an unsettling knot in his gut.

“We agree on that…” Niel tightened his coat against the cold gusts. “I haven’t properly thanked you for your help at the old tower.”

“It’s nothing.”

“No, it wasn’t nothing. We might still be trapped there if you didn’t come. I know Mari and Caeli aren’t good at showing it, but we won’t forget it.”

Kai ran a hand through his hair. Did he deserve such praise? He had only cared about finding Kea, saving anyone else was a happy coincidence. “I’m glad I got there in time. It was a team effort. I would have been butchered by the cloud fairy alone.”

“Then it’s good you appeared when you did,” Niel said with a half-smile and gestured ahead. “Looks like we’re here.”

They spotted the slate shingles of the Hall of Seeker over the line of houses, and soon the brick contraction came into view. Hallowed Intuition hummed in approval as they neared without offering any further clues. There was an opportunity here, a lead, if only he could figure out what to do.

Niel stopped outside the heavy door. “Is there anything in particular you want from Belice?”

“I…” Kai froze, betraying himself before he could conceal his guilty expression.

From the young man’s smug smile, it hadn’t been by accident. “C’mon, there aren’t many other reasons to come. You could have just asked about her.” His voice lowered barely above the whistling wind. “Belice has been a great help since we arrived here. Probably the only help we got. She’s good at gathering rumors.”

Yeah, Kea said the same…

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That was why he had only mentioned checking on the quest and not the clerk. He’d rather not accuse one of their friends without evidence, but there was something odd with that girl. In the three days since he arrived, too many threads already led back to her. And the humming in his mind only strengthened his conviction.

“Why hasn’t the contract been updated? It has been months with no progress. The Hall should have asked the guards to intervene, or whatever they do.”

Niel threw a furtive glance behind him—the street was deserted. “The administrators manage the quest board. I’ve seen Belice send numerous requests to change the rating, but it’s pointless. They spout a bunch of bureaucratic nonsense and bounce the responsibility between them.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you already know this? How long have you been on the mainland?”

“Not very long.”

About the time to run from the Varsea to Limgrell.

“Well, it doesn’t help that the people officially missing are a fraction of the real numbers. I don’t know if an administrator was bribed or it’s just incompetence. But they’ll do nothing unless we bring some solid proof. And if we do that…” Niel let the words hang between them.

We risk being the one getting silenced…

If there was a traitor on the inside, any attempt to go through the official channels risked warning the culprits. They would likely end up dead in a back alley, or worse, another one of the missing like Caeden. The Hall and the Republic would be no help, not in the short term.

“Aren’t you curious how Belice finds her information?” Kai switched back to the topic. “From how you and Kea talk about her, Harry’s house wasn’t the first information she provided. And that guy sure didn’t expect to find visitors.”

Niel shrugged, still scanning the streets. “Rumors spread. Everyone has their skills. I admit knowing Harry’s location was a little unusual. Her tips are usually about gossip, but stranger things happen. Don’t you have any secrets?” His gaze seemed far too knowing. “You can’t demand to know everything about everyone you meet.”

Then how do you trust them?

“Hmm… I…” Kai failed to find an argument that didn’t require him to reveal Hallowed Intuition. “I'll ask her about it.”

“I’ve nothing against that. But I can’t think she had anything to gain from revealing Harry’s hideout. We can’t afford to offend one of the few people who are on our side.”

“I’ll be polite.”

Niel scratched his chin, giving him a long look.

“What?” Kai stared back defiantly.

“It’s nothing. You’re just very… direct.” Niel pushed open the door of the Hall. The rusty hinges creaked like a howling wraith. “I can’t believe they haven’t fixed them yet,” he grumbled, heading inside without further delay.

The enchanted walls shielded the hall from the outside cold. Kai rubbed his hands, warming his numb fingers. Flickering crystal globes lit the large open space, the manned front desk waited in the same corner, only it was already occupied by a group of adventurers.

Five men dressed in mismatched pieces of armor hid Belice from view, their voices muffled by an array. From their travel-worn appearances, they must be coming from the road. A burly fellow leaning on a spear noticed them enter; he gave them a cursory glance before turning back to his companions.

Kai walked up to the line to wait for their turn. From what he could see, the sound enchantments worked both ways once activated. “I thought we were the only adventurers in Limgrell.”

“There is Miles’ group too, but these guys are new.” Niel spared the group hardly a look. “Many teams come looking for the gold reward. They never stay long once they realize it’s not an easy score. There used to be a new one every couple of days, but the flow has slowed a lot. I guess voices must be spreading.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard something similar in Varsea.” Kai caught himself before he could check their grade by habit. If they noticed his touch, there wasn’t anyone else to blame in the empty hall.

What are the chances one of them is a mage?

Channeling Body Augmentation to enhance his sight, he studied their equipment with Mana Analyst. Despite their bedraggled visage, they carried many enchanted pieces. The swords and spear sported intricate runic engraving, likely mid-yellow.

Their grades can’t be much lower to afford those…

It would be good to learn how to judge grades without Mana Observer. The humming had quietened once he entered the Hall, it could mean he had already fulfilled the suggestions or lost his chance. Against common sense, Hallowed Intuition managed to be even more cryptic when his life wasn’t in danger.

Uh, wait a second…

Could the new guys be linked to what the skill was trying to tell him? He assumed the humming rose when he considered interrogating Belice, but it could also be for the idea of visiting the Hall.

Yatei grant me patience. Why do you have to be so damn frustrating?

Behind the sound wards, the discussion was growing heated. While he couldn’t hear the words, the adventurers' demanding gestures and posture was blatant.

“Should we do something?”

“Don’t worry.” Niel shook his head. “No one becomes a front clerk without knowing how to deal with rowdy seekers. Bel can handle herself.”

True to his word, the adventurer’s demeanor quickly switched from aggressive to subdued. Holding a crumpled sheet of paper, the leading swordsman turned to leave followed by the others.

“…cursed backwater.” His sour grumbles echo through the hall as the wards deactivated. Upon spotting them, a sneer painted his angular features, “Stay out of the way, rookies. The prize is ours.”

They strode straight through them for the exit.

Kai narrowly sidestepped. Up close, wisps of aura slipped from their control—perhaps an intentional attempt to intimidate. His hunch had been correct, they were all Yellow, the swordsman probably even mid-grade.

Before he could think of approaching them, the creaking door had opened and closed behind the five. Kai exhaled with relief when the faint humming barely wavered—they weren’t the focus of his lead.

“Oh, Niel.” Belice waved them closer from the desk. Her smile made a dimple appear on her cheek. She cleaned her enchanted spectacles with a silver handkerchief and neatly folded it in the sleeve of her blouse. “I was happy to hear you had all returned safely.”

“Yeah, it was lucky Mat arrived when he did.” Niel clapped his back, forcing him to step closer to the polished desk. “I heard we have to thank you for giving him directions.”

“Oh, that was nothing. I could tell he was an honest guy.” Belice adjusted the glasses on her straight nose to stare at Kai. Her chestnut hair was pulled in a single braid today. “So, what can I do for you?”

“I need some information.” Kai cleared his throat, mainly to take time. Indeed, if she hadn't told him about Kea’s location that day, he might not have made it in time to the tower.

If she’s playing us, I can’t see what’s her goal…

Skimming through his options, he picked the most straightforward path. “How did you find Harry’s house? Did you know he was working with the people responsible for the abductions?”

Belice slammed her knee beneath the desk, her milky face turning a shade paler. Sound wards flared to life around them.

“Please, mind your words.” Her dark eyes rose to the beams of the ceiling. “Even if I’m the only one working, I’m not the only person in the building.”

Niel stared icy daggers at him with a look that promised an extensive earful.

Hey, you were the one who said I was direct.

“Sorry,” Kai muttered—the humming had faded away. He had hoped her reactions would clue him on her allegiances, but apart from shock, there was nothing else useful. “We almost died in that house, more than once. How did you get your hands on that information, please?”

Belice pursed her lips, eyes burning with irritation, though when she spoke her tone was just a little sharp. “Kea told me the intel about the tower came from Harry. So when it turned out it was a trap, I looked into him.”

“You looked into him?”

“Yes, I’m good at gathering rumors. I had an inkling of where Harry hid from his reputation. Then, two days ago, someone saw a hooded individual matching his description run into that house. I imagine when his trap at the old tower failed, he panicked and slipped.

“Obviously, I had no idea he was involved with the missing people. If he really was. Or I would have never told Kea.” She looked up at him with puffed-up cheeks. “Now, tell me something, Mat. Did you burn down his house? That fire nearly swallowed the outskirts.”

“I swear he did that all on his own.” Kai pulled back, suddenly feeling his face heat up. He had been so sure this teenage girl was hiding something…

Was I wrong?

Her explanation sounded awfully reasonable. Maybe it was all a coincidence. After all, she was good at gathering rumors…