Under the Veil of Night

"He disappeared," Tommy gulped in fear. What kind of person manages to disappear within seconds? Was that a person or a ghost?

Kanae looked at the empty space for a moment. "Oro, should we check the Black Market?"

"I'll check it right away."

"Wait, before that, can someone explain what that man meant about potential and the likes?" Tommy quickly interrupted.

What greeted him was the sight of three people looking at him in exasperation. He felt offended when he saw their gazes. Come on, it was not his fault that he was born in a less uncultured place where he didn't have the chance to learn about that.

Shiro shook his head lightly. "It'll be better for you to not know about that at all. It's too dangerous. What you have to know is the mission he mentioned is to fight against monsters."

Tommy was stunned. "There are monsters in this city?"

"You can say so."

"Why I have never met them?"

"Because they don't roam on the street, dummy," Shiro flicked the boy's forehead.

Tommy glared at the doctor. "Don't ruin my good looks, you demonic doctor! I'm not as handsome as you to the point that I can attract girls with a single glance."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't deny it, I see numerous girls confessing to you in the infirmary…."

THWACK!

"Ouch! You demonic doctor! Why are you ruining my face again?"

Jason and Kanae pretended that the two of them didn't exist as they searched through the Black Market for the mission. It was already the end of July, which meant that high school classes already started around two weeks ago. It was also at this time that Tommy managed to find out that he enrolled in the same school where Shiro worked.

"I found it," Jason clicked on the post.

'HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD MISSION

We are looking for talented fighters who are not afraid of death to come to the address below on August 1. Whoever thinks that they are capable, come and apply here.

Even if the mission is not completed, the MONEY will be given immediately. However, you HAVE to participate once you step inside the premises~!

Address: abcdefghijkl 1234567890, Lima School.'

"Even if the mission is not complete, they will give out the money," Jason smiled wryly. "This is truly a dangerous but tempting mission."

Kanae carefully read through the post's introduction again. People who didn't pay attention would surely accept the mission without thinking much. The amount it offered was already several folds the reward for usual dangerous missions. They would simply strike it rich if they accept this mission.

"Wow, Captain, you should accept this mission," Tommy's eyes were glued to the screen the moment he noticed the high reward.

Kanae smiled wryly. "You might die if you accept the mission."

"There's no way you will die, Captain," Tommy grinned. "You have nine lives just like a cat."

Kanae: "…" why are you comparing me to a cat?

"It's a bit too dangerous," Shiro commented. His eyes were still locked on the post on Jason's laptop.

"It's too good to pass up."

"Tom, I really wonder how you managed to survive in the past with your attitude."

Tommy stuck out his tongue. It was not like he did so many missions in the past. After all, he only did them occasionally to make some money for his living expenses and then, he would wander around on the street.

Jason closed his laptop. He looked towards the other three. "Many people bet their lives to earn more money, which I believe you all know."

The three of them nodded their heads. Paying for her and her sister's living expenses so far nearly drove her crazy because of the number of jobs she had to take on. Taking the risk to delve into Black Street was the best solution she had so far.

However, she had to face the fact that there were numerous times when she was at death's door. No matter how simple a mission was, it was still from Black Street. If she was not careful enough, she wouldn't be able to see the light of the next rising sun.

Tommy basically lived in Black Street where he had to scrape by just to eat every day. Fighting with other people for bread was extremely common. After all, not everyone could earn enough for their living.

"This mission will drive a lot of people like you three to go," Jason gazed towards his friends. "Do you still have the courage to go?"

Kanae nodded. "I don't have much time left."

Her sister would return to the city soon enough. At that time, she needed to have the power to protect her. Since she couldn't possibly build a business and create a business empire, the only option left for her was Black Street. As long as she could gain enough connections and become strong enough, she would have the necessary precautions against her uncle's schemes and protect the only family she loved so dearly.

"Why are you in a hurry, Rei?" Tommy tilted his head in confusion.

"I can't let my plan go to waste," Kanae answered simply. She was planning to leave the Nali Family so that she and her sister could become independent of the family. When it was time, she would take her sister out of the family too. But for that, she had to earn enough money for both of their living expenses.

At least, this was her current plan, which changed a bit in the future because of some unexpected accidents.

Shiro shook his head lightly. "I can't come along if you decide to accept the mission."

The other three looked towards Shiro in puzzlement. Jason patted the doctor's shoulder. "What is it?"

"I can't die yet, so I can't possibly accept the mission," Shiro answered. "Close-quarters battle was never my forte and I know that I have less of a chance to survive if I decide to go. All that I can do is maintain communication with you all and watch for any outside movement from afar."

Kanae nodded. "Okay, it's fine if you want to stay outside. Even if I have to go alone, I want to go inside."

"You're not alone," Jason smiled. "I want to go inside too. I have to know what they have in store for us."

He had long wanted to know about the government's movements and their real plan. So far, he had failed because of the tight security in the school. Now that the chance presented itself, he would never let it go.

Kanae smiled. "Thank you, Oro."

"Don't thank me, I have my own reasons too."

Tommy smirked. "You don't think that I'll just let you go by yourself, right? I will come along with you, Rei."

"Are you sure, Tom? You're not one to fight a tough battle when you can avoid it, right?"

"I'm sure," Tommy nodded his head firmly. "I may only be going because of you, Rei, but I also want to grow stronger. In the past, our strength was more or less the same. However, it only took you weeks to surpass me and slowly widen our gap. I want to stay by your side, so I need to grow stronger."

Looking towards each other, the two of them smiled. They have gone through a lot ever since their first meeting, so they knew each other's rate of growth very well.

Jason shook his head lightly. "If I didn't know better, I'd think that you're confessing your feelings, Tom."

"WHAT? THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!" He did appreciate and idolize Kanae, but he never saw her in a romantic way. It was simply impossible. For him, she would always be someone that he could never reach. All he wanted was the chance to stay by her side to fight alongside her.

"Oro, did you read a romance novel again?"

"What? Of course not!"

"Hearing his denial, I'm pretty sure that he ditched his work to read a novel again."

"Really? Tell me the title, I want to know."

"Like I said, I'm not reading a novel!"

The four of them continued going forth and back for a couple of minutes before they settled down to prepare themselves for the mission.