"We find the boundary; we push past the boundary. That is the lone expectation here." The Good Doctor.

Chapter 45: Ned Declassified

Hana Mindel

I wouldn’t run but something was telling me to get as far away from the lab coat as possible [Danger sense] didn’t have to warn me about those two.

If only these idiots weren’t so blind. Stupid fucking idiot, the lot of them. If only someone would knock some sense into that king.

The words “Take what belongs to you” popped up and I wanted to punch the air. oh, shut up old man do what dead people do and rest.

I could see that Legan whoever he was. Had lost me in the crowd, the idiot wanted information out of me. I knew good and well when someone was trying to take advantage of me and there was no way I was getting silenced by some lab coat and his idiot.

“Hana, where are you going?” Shit, It Looks like I have a tail.

Turning around I thought about what I was looking for and that was information. Wait a minute Ned here was full of information last time I checked.

“Yes, Ned, is there something you want?” The rabbit-toothed guy was helpful but if he crossed the line. I’d never look his way again.

“I just wanted to ask if you wanted to team up with me and my older sister for the dungeon. By the way, you were amazing back there. Even managed to handle that creepy ass doctor.” I was starting to change my mind about the guy maybe he wasn't that bad.

“He was a doctor. That would explain the black lab coat. I would say yes since I have only one prior obligation, but I don’t think it can wait.” I needed to keep moving.

Ned's bunny ears lowered, and my heart almost sank. 'This guy is good, he almost had me.'

"How about this if I find the guy, I’m looking for maybe I’ll have the time to swing back around and save you two from your demise." Who knows maybe I would have time to spare.

“Don’t be a downer. The Bwijack family is known for our luck; it's how we’re so spread out in the kingdom. But fine it’s not every day you find someone with a hidden class.” He was pretty perceptive.

“How did you know?” I asked, trying to lower my tone.

“Well, first of all, you're a so-called [Vigilant of Fallohum] but you have no weapon at the ready. Seems a bit odd to me. Also, you can't be a young high-level scout in the third tier? It raises a flag: how would you even get experience if you're living in the slums? You don’t look like you're from a higher class than that. No, Guild to even speak of.”

“Ok, ok I get it. No more, I don’t think I can handle you calling me out like this.” The guy had a keen eye and knew how to connect the dots. I figured as much.

“Don’t worry they can’t hear us. When I use my skill only the target can hear it. With that see you later Miss Hana. Until we meet again.”

He bowed just about to head off.

“Wait, Ned, can you help me with something important? You seem knowledgeable.” I was hoping I’d have my lucky break.

“I can be very knowledgeable to a future teammate.” I rolled my eyes as he grinned. 'Nothing came free in this city.'

“Fine if I make it back in time, I’ll try my best to catch back up with you. I could use the levels and you're not so bad.” Not like I had any prior investments.

He smiled as his ears shot up. Those two rabbit teeth were something I guess I could ask him about later.

“See, told you I was lucky, what would you like to know about?” His auburn head of hair made him look well-kept and he wasn’t too tall, so it helped him out considerably.

“What smith in this city has the worst reputation? Or is it the most unlikeable?” Maybe it was the worst smith in Fallohar city. It can’t be if that was the case Samuel wouldn’t have gone to him.

“I love riddles, how did you know? Miss Hana. “He chuckled and I started to wonder if he was using a skill on me.

“Well, Miss Hana you probably didn’t know this, but the most famous smith would have the worst reputation after today. Assuming you're not talking about him. Then I’d say the Cat hiding on Wall Street.”

“Who’s that?” This was a surprise Wall Street intersected with the slums. This may be the guy or gal.

“I don’t know who it is. My older brother and sister just warned me about the place. I usually take their word.”

“Why?” I asked hoping that I wasn’t falling into a trap.

“Well, I don’t know for sure but there isn’t much I’d personally find of interest in an alley in the dead of night.”

“How did you even know he was a smith?”

“Well, my Si- Father is kind of a fluid guy, and he loves getting his armor polished or whatever. Kind of starting to wish you never asked me.”

“Fine I’ll be off then Ned sees you later I guess and thanks for everything. Stay alive and maybe I will see a date in your future! Wait!”

I stopped wondering what he had to tell me. That was so important.

“Watch out for them, you know?”

“Watch out for what?” I didn’t know. Maybe he was talking about the Guards.

“The dead deserve our respect. Make sure not to step on any.”

“Gotcha,” how many could there be anyway? Off I ran to find this so-called Cat hiding on Wall Street. Hopefully, the wall covering the Dungeon wouldn’t come down anytime soon.

=====

“Ned Bwijack” I guess I’m a sucker for nerdy-looking guys. Well, a muscle nerd that armor fits him pretty nicely.

It took me about forty-five minutes to run to Wall Street. I wanted to stop and reevaluate the situation but at the rate, everything was going I would’ve given in to the voice telling me to turn around and give the old man a proper send-off.

I could choose to be mad at him some other time. Nope, that wasn’t going to happen. It's his fault that I’m in this mess.

[Fleeted Foot] always came in handy whether people saw me as a thief or scout. I was getting away. Only this time I was running towards the danger and I’d yet to take what would soon be rightfully mine. I’m getting ahead of myself, that old bastard fed my ego for over fifteen years.

All of it to get me to accept a damn quest that was being forced upon me.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Pulling myself from my thoughts I focused on finding the “Cat on Wall Street”. Ned seemed knowledgeable and it wasn’t like I had any other leads.

“No thinking about Ned, focus.” I was ready to analyze his whole family setup. It was a habit that I needed to shake. How often do you meet an actual nice guy in this damn city?

Thank the Gods, unlike the slums there were people still hanging around this place. Wall Street would cut the city in two if it wasn’t for the “secret entrance” to the Inner Kingdom.

“Hey, miss you should head on home there’s a lot going on at this hour!”

Isn’t that something, a city guardsman who does his job instead of slacking off? Too bad they all stay away from the slums where they’re needed most.

Turning around I put on a smile because directions weren’t just going to offer themselves to me.

I was about to blink my eyes and try to charm my way into what I wanted but then I thought about how Ned saw right through me.

“Let’s just cut to the chase, Hi Guardsman sir, all I want is to be at home in bed but we all can’t get what we want especially when the cities are in turmoil.”

He looked at me like I was a crazy person. Probably because I was telling the truth.

“Would you happen to know about a cat on Wall Street?”

It didn’t sound provocative until the guy blushed through his silver and red-plated armor.

“What would a lady such as yourself be doing looking for such a place?” He stuttered and I started to get the idea that this smith Glothmen was no good.

“My Old man told me to find the smith I don’t know why to be completely honest.” He was testing my patience.

The snow seemed to be coming down way heavier in this part of the city, already covering the shops on one side of the street.

“You look like you're in a hurry, as you should be. That nasty Godforsaken smith should be in one of these alleys. I’m assuming you're looking for the alley cat.”

His nose was beaten red, and it wasn’t because of snowfall.

“The alley cat?” I asked in genuine surprise maybe I’m on to something.

“Yeah, it might take you a minute to find it. I can’t exactly recall which alley the shop is in. The shop owner shouldn’t be far away. He’s rumored to be quite lewd.” This guy knows what’s up.

“Thanks, I’ll be off now thanks good officer for your help.” I nodded my head and kept walking.

This city is doomed. We just suffered a disaster and this guy’s acting like things are all good.

I had taken on more than I could chew. How the hell was I supposed to search every hour on Wall Street before that damn dungeon opened.

They’ll all be dead before I even return.

Hopelessly I raised my head to the sky in defeat and watched the snow wall. That was my best solution.

My skills weren’t the best at finding people. They were more tailored for persuasion, stealing, running away, and lastly distraction. What's the point of having a Hidden Class if it’s never any help!?

*Bing!* [Would you like to Accept the Skill [Frincess Treatment]]?

[Frincess Treatment] ~Help’s user find her way on the snow-covered land.

No, I’m not taking this damn skill! I hate when the same new skill pops up.

Let the search begin!

I ran looking towards a random alleyway and started there. Completely lost track of time and tired myself out.

It's time I take a break."

Before I knew it, I was sitting in the snow eating some bread from my spatial storage,

I wasn’t going to judge myself. I hadn’t eaten all day thankfully I bathed before checking in on the now-deceased old man.

Everything was going fine until he kicked the bucket. In our own home of all places.

He even had the nerve to smile in death.

All that talk was garbage he didn’t even follow his own rules.

I finished up and rested my head in the snow. It wasn’t that cold. My [Frost Resistance] didn’t level not even once. Why the hell is it so hard to level in the second tier ugh?

Taking some time for myself I decided to say “Fuck you” to the coming catastrophe. I was tired and my brain needed a minute to process everything.

Letting the snow fall on me as I lay upright in the foot of snow. I watched it fall onto the brick houses and closed shops.

Who knew Wall Street could be so silent?

If we’re all going to die, I’m going to take in the view while it lasts.

After today if there was a tomorrow would we ever see Snow in this city again?

I sat on the curve and watched as two people passed by random strangers scared to death. For reasons now known to me.

A voice that killed thousands along with a monster invasion. Someone was working overtime behind the scenes to keep this city from approaching this disaster, with the appropriate caution.

I breathed in and out watching my breath disappear in the cold air.

Enjoying the silence while it lasted, closed my eyes, and took it all in.

It wasn’t far from Wall Street where I first met old man Sam. It wasn’t the slums where we first met. I was stuck at an impasse. My mother had disappeared, and I had wandered around lost with nowhere and no one to turn to.

Wall Street was the place where he taught me how and who to steal from.

Closing my eyes, I let the memories resurface.

“Don’t be a thief girl, be better than me. Take from those undeserving. Take what they are throwing away. Make it yours.”

We walked and he pickpocketed. It took years for him to let me try the skill out on anyone other than him. This was the place.

This was the place! It was here he ranted about Glothmin as well. Time passed and I drifted off just a bit sleeping in the snow. It wasn’t as bad as it seemed, and I had slept in worse conditions before.

I was only homeless for a week or two. “Luckier than most at that age.” I mouthed tasting the snow on my lips.

Listening to the silence and ignoring my heartbeat.

Along the wind, I heard voices. I was trying hard not to fall asleep and throw away the worries and cares of this world.

My skill had activated, and I had found a trail. A couple words and I was off following footprints in the snow.

[One with the people] had heard loud and clear.

The words “Glothmin, why are you following us?” It wasn’t hard to sense some distrust between whoever was speaking. The sound of a woman or a young girl. Doubt it was the latter with the rumors of missing children. This city has taken a turn for the worse and I can't stress over it enough.

"Well, Hana do something about it?” I mouthed to myself.

'I'm here, aren't I!' A part of me wanted to deny the bastard's Will. The other part I didn't think I could live with myself if I did.

I trusted my skills. More than I trusted the old man’s little hint. I took notice of a voice that was carrying with the wind and my skill happily picked it up.

Wiping the snow off of my face I followed the tracks left behind by the group. The tracks belong to Glothmin and two others.

“Two birds, one stone.” figured, I would find the smith and keep my life. There was no need to take unwanted risks when I could follow some footprints and listen in on their conversations.

Get an idea of these guys, after all, I'll soon be forced to interact with them.

I had no reason to put my life on the line chasing after a few words left by a dead man. I wasn’t desperate, who knows the rumors about that dungeon could be a hoax.

A bit shady coming from a one-way alley on Wall Street. One of the three walking toward the center had the name Glothmin.

'What were the odds?' Just my luck. 'I had found my guy' At least that’s what I hoped.

Following them was easy, the three rarely looked back. No, awareness of their surroundings whatsoever.

I was becoming underwhelmed by this Glothmin. He talked too much, and he couldn’t even watch his own back.

As for the girl and the other guy who was using his skills a bit excessively there wasn’t much for me to do but listen and follow from here on out.

Keeping a distance and maintaining vigilance. I could’ve sworn I saw a black figure, or something move in the snow where a corpse had lain.

My mind was getting the better of me. After trying my best to ignore the bodies lying and loitering around.

“A bit harsh Hana.” They weren’t loitering per se. I just wasn’t used to walking on this street when it was so devoid of life.

“Devoid- ' It was robbed of life by that damned voice, whoever it was.

They were going to pay somehow. The world is an unfair place but karma has a way of finding its target. The nerve of High-tier fighters thinking they can just take lives wherever they’d like.

“I pray you get what’s coming to you, may the Gods deny the culprit mercy because I know for sure I won't.”