Mr Crow jumped from one side of the roof edge to the other. He critically looked at the ants running about down below. Mila had asked the little feathered ball of energy to calm down and retreat where she and Anthony were hiding, but the bird didn’t listen.

After the first report had come, the City’s Guard station exploded into a series of loud actions. There was screaming and orders, the clanking of weapons and the rumble of rushed footsteps. Messengers ran out from the building in various directions.

As the minutes passed, more guards arrived, called from their homes to fulfil their duty. Mila had sensed some titans move along the ants. Her senses had picked one such case passing right below them - the mana pool towering over the others. Not quite to the level of the Temple Inquisitor’s, but certainly not much behind.

The wrinkled woman in a uniform had joined a few other important-looking people at the main entrance into the station. Mila quickly pulled back, with Anthony following. Only Mr Crow had refused, and Mila had no way to convince him.

When Mila had asked if The Guards would react to the murder of Brandy, this wasn’t what she had expected. Perhaps it was the amount of the bodies she had left? But she and neither had Naran, didn’t see the local law reinforcement as an institution that cared for anyone but the figureheads.

Maybe it was the ties with the noble house? Mila found that more likely. Anthony had warned this Basalt family cared for Brandy. As it was, it was too late to regret now.

Besides, the important-looking group left with at least a hundred guards in tow. And behind them, the army also sent a good amount of people to see what they were up to.

Mila watched the guard station empty in relief. More and more people poured out of the building. But to her annoyance, people also kept coming.

Anthony quietly whistled in surprise. “That’s a lot of guards.”

“And they are well armed,” Mila noted the equipment. Back in Ocheon, the guards had not been nearly so well armed. “Not something I expected from the people who rule the city. Perhaps they are funded by the criminal circles?”

“Hardly.” Anthony narrowed his eyes and watched the proceedings. “Brandy paid the officers. There is no reason to believe the money would trickle down to buy swords. And in that amount…”

“A show of force?” Mila guessed. She saw some soldiers eye the shining weapons with envy. “Perhaps they are preparing to fight your forces?”

“No. There has to be more.” Anthony had no answers. “I have to report this.”

“But not now, do you?” Mila stopped the man. She had already explained where Andrew was held and the general gist of what she wanted to do. “We still have more to do here.”

“Not now,” Anthony reluctantly agreed and returned to watching the building. “How much longer?”

Beneath the mask, Mila licked her lisp. When to act, indeed? She still had the painting to steal. And from how Mr Crow glared at her, he wouldn’t accept any delays. “Let’s go.”

Mila jumped from their observation spot on the roof into a dark crevice between the buildings. There, she changed her clothes to look like a simple local girl down on her luck. She made sure to roll in the dirt and smeared a suspicious liquid on her neck that seeped from one of the walls.

“How do I look?” Mila asked Anthony, who scrutinised her attire.

“A little too healthy…”

“Oh?” Mila allowed a small smile. These words lifted her mood. Gone were the days she looked a step away from death.

“...The filth does mask you well enough.” Anthony decided.

Mila nodded and added some yet-to-fully-dry blood to her face. “And now?”

“Better.”

“Good.” She tore her tunic and cut her robe. “I am going. I trust you will do your part.” Mila meaningfully looked at the man. “And don’t run off. I will find you.”

“Wouldn’t think to do that.” Anthony cracked his neck and climbed back up on the roofs. “Ten minutes?” He asked from the top.

“Maybe fifteen.” Mila guessed. “It’s hard to tell. I trust your judgement in this case.”

After a grunt of affirmation came, Mila rubbed her eyes until they were teary and made a downcast expression.

Now ready, Mila stumbled out of the hiding spot into the streets. She kept her head low and protected her body with her arms. With unsteady steps, she hobbled towards the Guard Station.

Even though Mila received a glance or two from the rushing guards, no one interrupted her. She kept walking while avoiding giving them a reason to question her too soon.

It was nerve-wracking. Mila crossed the open area and closed towards where the complaints could be made. She rubbed her face to appear hurt and cleared her throat.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

A single guard stood before the entrance. He looked at Mila and frowned before showing his weapon. When there was no effect, he sighed and spoke. “Girl, this is not the time to come here with your nonsense.”

Mila sobbed and stumbled before the cold man. Her shoulders shook, and she tried to speak. “P-please-” She hiccuped. “-help me…”

“I cannot leave my post.” The guard was unmoved.

Not that it mattered to Mila. She crawled closer to the man, trying to appear as pitiful as possible. “-help-”

“Beat it.” The guard still didn’t react.

This was annoying. With the current approach failing and the final option being simply killing the guard and hoping no one notices, Mila decided to try something else.

The tears she had made earlier while roughing up her looks revealed more than enough skin to appear indecent or, would be if Mila wasn’t crying, dirty and covering.

After letting her robe slip, Mila flashed the chest region and tried to appeal. It left her feeling sick - sicker yet because the guard’s attitude changed.

“What is it?” He suddenly questioned.

“-plesae… I just need to get away.” Mila whispered. “Please let me in.” She glanced behind as if fearing pursuers.

The guard tore his eyes away from Mila’s skin and looked around, seeing if anyone was paying attention. He scratched his cheek thoughtfully. “What happened?” There was a change in his tune.

“...t-they tried to…” Mila stammered. “I-I got away, b-but…” Her fake sobs interrupted her story. She let more of her robe slip with the shaking of her cries.

“I see,” The guard hummed and shifted in place. He glanced around again. “And you need a place to hide, yes?”

Mila hurried to nod. “Please.” She glanced upwards, playing up her innocence.

“I can do that. But I’ll need something in return.” His eyes tried to strip Mila.

“...money?” The guard shook his head, and Mila looked behind again. “W-whatever it is, please let me in.”

The guard smiled lecherously. After another scrutinising look around, he opened the doors behind him and shooed her in.

Mila scurried inside, being quick enough to avoid the guard’s attempt to feel her. She looked around, finding herself in a quiet room. There was no one here. What appeared to be a reception desk was unattended.

The room was plain and with no decorations. Only a row of chairs at one side filled the room beside the empty desk. Mila looked towards the doors, wondering which ones led up. Her mana radar didn’t pick up anything notable.

It was as simple as that. Only now, Mila had to deal with the sick person behind her.

The guard closed the doors and unfastened his belt. His sick smile showed nothing but perverse greed. “There. That room is empty.” He pointed at one of the doors. “No one will visit it until the morning. You can stay there for the night.”

Mila fearfully moved towards the door. She pretended to not notice the guard's actions. She opened the doors and stepped inside a room with only a table and two chairs.

And at that point, the act was over. Mila straightened her back and pulled out her trusty dagger from the back, where it had been hidden. She walked deeper into the room. There were no windows here.

“Perfect, right?” The guard asked while closing the doors.

“Perfect indeed.” Mila agreed. “A perfect place to hide your corpse. Burn in hell.” She whipped around and rammed the dagger through the guard's neck. “Disgusting.”

This whole night sucked. Mila would not tell Isabel about this part. She yanked the dagger out and let the pig collapse with his pants halfway down.

Perhaps Naran would oblige that wonderful wine upon Mila’s request. Isabel had to try it, too. Two or three, maybe four bottles would not hurt the man. Now that her body could handle it, she would not say no to some alcohol.

Mila had to admit she was curious about how being drunk felt. Her memories contained many such occasions, but none of them were hers. The next day was hard for many drinkers. She wondered if it was as bad as it was made out to be.

And if it was, she would share it with Isabel. It certainly would be a memorable event to recall years later.

While thinking about the possibility of getting drunk with her girl, Mila exited the room, closed the doors and sneaked towards the possible way towards her friend. She had to find a way up.

Andrew better have a good excuse for why he was here. Mila placed her ear against one of the doors and listened. Hearing voices, she tried the next ones. She had better luck this time.

Slowly, Mila opened the doors and revealed a corridor. Contrary to her expectations, there was a woman at the far end of it snacking.

Applying every bit of skill she had, Mila slipped into the corridor and closed in on the distracted guard. The woman did not get the time to regret her choice to slack in secret.

Mila grabbed the woman’s head and sharply twisted it. The sickening crack signalled the unfortunate souls passing. This way, she didn’t have to worry about suspicious blood puddles dirtying the floor in random spots all around the building.

With the job done, Mila quickly dragged the corpse back to deposit it next to the first trash she had killed.

It was time to check the rooms the corridor contained. Mila flicked an unruly lock of hair away from the face. It was a repeat of her earlier deeds. Only this time, the people she killed were awake and could attempt to scream.

Most rooms contained one or two people resting, chatting, working with papers or waiting for assignments.

And this couldn’t continue. Mila knew someone would come and notice. She had already killed one such occasion when a guard had arrived to report something.

Mila infiltrated further into the building, finally finding stairs leading up. She looked across the room towards her goal. The large, open area made it hard to cross. People kept coming and going, increasing the difficulty. She needed a distraction.

Which Anthony finally decided to provide. Mila heard someone rush into the building and start screaming about someone attacking guards.

Mila retreated back into one of the rooms and hid behind one of the shelves. She heard footsteps approach and open the doors, but since the room was empty, they didn’t enter and rushed further, trying to alert people in this part of the station.

There was no one here left. Mila couldn’t allow the man to discover the absence of his colleagues. She followed after the voice and soon silenced it.

With it done, Mila walked back to the stairs. The doors were left ajar, with a few stragglers rushing out. An authoritative voice tried to control the chaos.

It was time to see what was on the next floor.