A deafening silence reigned over the three people present, until a hearty and booming laughter resounded, breaking the entire stiffening atmosphere.

'' Ha Ha Ha, I guessed you were not an ordinary lad, but I didn't expect you to know the organization underneath this little shop of mine, Ha Ha Ha.''

''......''

''So...what information do you seek from this old man, lad?'' The amusing atmosphere around him suddenly disappeared as he asked that question in a somber manner.

''The Nightwolves.'' Kieran gave his reply.

''That organization?'' Brows furrowed, and eyelids widened more, exposing his aging grim eyes. '' Why do you seek information about killers?''

*Flinch*

Her fingers hidden behind the black robe reacted with a faint flinch. Raven, who was behind observing everything, noticed the threatening change in the atmosphere.

''You want to murder someone lad?'' Without waiting Kieran's reply, the old man continued his words. ''If that's the case, then you and your friend over there came to the wrong shop. This old man wants nothing to do with that organization. Take your friend and leave my shop. This old man will appreciate it if you both never come back.''

''......'' Kieran stared at cranky old man before turning his head to the side, changing the direction of his stare to his quiet master.

Raven knew the meaning behind that stare. It was time for her to step up and talk to the old man who switches his mood very easily and without warning.

''If you don't leave, I'll have no choice but to chase you....''

''Now, Now, do you really have the heart to chase a little girl out on the streets?'' Before the old man completed his warning, Raven entered the conversation between him and Kieran.

''Who knows if she could be captured by traffickers and sold to the highest bidder....'' Making a little joke in the serious atmosphere, She closed the distance between herself and the stunned old man. Kieran mutely made way for her, and she stood directly in his front.

Well, not his exactly front, but the tall wooden cashier table.

In between that little moment, Raven once again inwardly cursed the height of her body.

''A girl?'' The old man's gaze briefly went up to Kieran. ''What is a little lady like you doing here?'' This time, the tone of his voice was a bit tender. Even if the old man asked that question, that did not mean he did not notice the interaction between the two people at his front.

''I am the one in need of that information, Mister.'' Raven calmly exposed herself. Seeing that the voice of the old man changed at the sight of herself, then he wouldn't just chase her and Kieran out without fully listening to them.

''And why does a little lady like you want such information?''

''Why does a mister like you need to know?'' Raven responded to him with another question. Indeed, why did he need to know? He only needed to give Kieran the information, and nothing else.

''.....Your tongue is sharp for such a little lady.'' After a momentary pause of sizing up the little figure hiding her face underneath the black hood, the old man sighed to himself, giving up the information.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

''You know red light districts, the brothels, courtesans' homes, the area an hour or so from this shop is one of their quarters. This is all I can say, little lady. Don't expect more from me.''

''No...'' Raven grinned, underneath the hood. ''That is all I need from you, Mister.'' This little information was better than nothing. If the old man still had refused, Raven might have resorted to threats, giving that she did not know anywhere else to get information.

Kieran probably brought her here for the same reason.

''I also need another from you.''

''No....''

''I want to recruit you, Mister.''

''.....Keep talking.'' Somewhat interested in her choice of words, the old man focused on the little figure raising her tiny hands, spreading all fingers away from touching each other.

''The information you have and will have, I want them all for myself.'' Her fingers clenched, each of their tips forcing the pressure on her palm. Looking down at their tiny fist now by her side, the old man got the motion that his head containing all that she probably needed was trapped in there.

''You talk big for a child.'' He rose his gaze.

''If you were to know the family that I come from, you would understand, Mister.'' Raven chuckled, then added with a question. ''Do we have a deal, mister?''

''And trust a mere and unknown little lady who seeks what I know?'' The old man snorted, folding his arms. ''No we don't have a deal. What do you need all that I know for? If it is for evil, then I advise you to return back and never step into my shop.'' He warned with a frown.

''.....''

'What a tough nut to crack.' Raven's smile did not falter at the sight of a firm wall. Such a strong that seemed unbreakable at the first sight.

But....

'There's a crack somewhere....' Her smile turned into a cunning smirk. For this old man to behave this adamant meant there was a reason. A reason that was so strong for him to be this reluctant of giving out information. He didn't even give her and Kieran full information, and only shared vague clues about the location of the assassin organization.

Recalling how he behaved with Kieran before she stepped in, the gears in Raven's head turned, and a light flashed past her eyes.

''What If I say that I want to take down that organization?'' Asking that, Raven carefully eyed the back of the old man who froze for a moment.

'Gotcha...' A pleased smile stretched widely on her lips.

''I am one of their targets and that does not sit so well with me, Mister.''

''.....'' Not saying a word, the old man finished what he was doing, and turned around to gaze down at the little figure.

'She's a child....' He gritted his teeth with that thought. Even if the little lady was lying to him, the mere thought of those killers targeting a little child did not sit right with him.

'P-Please....d-don't k-kill m-my b-baby.' A sudden memory of a woman dying came to him, and the old man closed his eyes, trying to push his bloody past threatening to spoil his mood.

Well....his mood had already been spoiled since the moment he heard Kieran's request.

''I don't care if you are telling a lie, little lady.'' He opened his eyes, focusing his gaze on the little figure. ''But...if you defeat Damon and his women, then this organization will belong to you.'' The tone of his voice was serious, void of any deceit.

'Damon....' Raven inwardly noted down that name. It seemed the she finally found the tiny crack on the unbreakable wall.

However....this old man should not take her for a smart fool.

''I want your head, not an empty shell, Mister.''

''You don't give up, do you little lady?'' The old man laughed a little, amused with Raven's words.

''Not a chance.'' Raven replied, her gaze turned to side, staying on the closed door for a short moment. She then turned around, glancing at the quiet Kieran, a signal for them to leave the shop.

''Wait for my good news, Mister.''

''I do hope so, little lady.'' The old man smiled, staring closely at the small back that gradually disappeared under his gaze. Once Kieran shut the door, the wrinkled smile on his lips faltered, the atmosphere around him dropping low in gloom.

''Do you think her words were lies?'' The old man suddenly asked, but his voice was for no one in the shop.

Until....

A door on the side suddenly opened, and a young man dressed in simple clothing stepped out. His gaze resting on the closed door leading to the outside.

''She sensed me.''

''W-What?'' Astounded with the revelation, the old man looked wide-eyed in the young man's way. ''Are you sure? I mean you hid your presence right?'' His brows furrowed, not believing a word from the young man.

''Yes I did, but I sensed her stare on the door. Perhaps it was my imagination, but I felt she was looking at me, knowing that I was there and listening.''

''.....'' The old man said nothing in response.

'Also....' The young man's gaze narrowed. 'when I peeked through keyhole, her eyes....is she from that family?' He moved his gaze to the quiet old man, inwardly deciding to keep the rest of his thoughts to himself.