NoGift

AURUM stared at the shop in front of them. Some of the windows have broken glasses. There were even signs of vandalism. It was obvious that someone cleaned it but they still didn't manage to erase some of the words. Like the words 'get out' and 'heretic'. She couldn't help but furrow her brows. What the heck was this?

"Is this really the place?" she asked.

"Yes. This is the address Master gave. Black is sure," Black affirmed.

Aurum's brows furrowed even more. If the owner of this shop was the merchant who tried to make a deal with Silver Corporation for the sPhones to be distributed here, then shouldn't his shop be a bit more grander or at least successful. But this shop was obviously neither of those. There was not even a customer passing by. Did that stupid Finn not even check if the merchant was credible or not?

Looking at the shop, Clay already had an idea on what exactly might have happened here. Especially after seeing those vandalized words. He turned to Gold, who for some reason was wearing a hooded cloak that covered most of her face. "Exactly what kind of product does this merchant want to distribute here?"

Based on what he learned from Silver, their company approved of this merchant distributing their product here in Shandra. And somehow, the Temple opposed that. That's the reason the three went here, to find a way for that product to be successfully distributed here. Or at least that's what they told him.

Aurum looked at Clay. It probably wouldn't hurt to tell him the truth. Her brother told her to make use of Clay. But he wouldn't be of any use if he actually knew nothing about their business. And even though she still thought of him as nothing but annoying, she could easily tell that he's a good man. As shown as how he saved those other kids from the same village even though he didn't have the obligation to do so. Maybe that was the reason why her brother decided to work with him despite the trouble he brought.

"It's the sPhones," she answered.

Clay widened his eyes in surprise. He has only been out of the village for two years but he knew about how famous those sPhones were. He wanted to buy one himself but he chose to save his money for the time when he and his sister were reunited again. No wonder this shop became like this. It was no secret how the Temple opposed those sPhones. Planning to distribute it in a place strictly controled by the Temple, this merchant sure has some guts.

"You work for Silver Corporation?" he asked Gold.

"In a way." Aurum looked back at the shop again and sighed. "Let's just go inside and meet with this Mr. Wicks."

She was about to walk but Clay stopped her.

"Let me go in first. Just in case." He was task to protect her and he would make sure to do a good job of it.

Clay entered the shop. As expected, it was mostly empty. Whatever products that were supposed to be on the shelves were not there. There were even some broken glasses on the floor.

"Hello? Is there anybody here?" he called.

Some seconds later, they heard footsteps, like someone coming down the stairs. Then a door inside the shop opened. A thin man with shaggy brown hair came out. He looked totally unkempt like he hasn't changed clothes for days now. And judging by the dark circles under his eyes, he's obviously tired and lacked sleep.

"I'm sorry, the store is close," he said apologetically.

Aurum stared at the man and tried to read his thoughts. It was easy since he has a lower Gift level and his mental defense was totally non-existent.

[I hope they're not here to cause trouble.]

[Actually, they look like they're not from here.]

[It would be nice to talk to someone who wouldn't yell at me for once.]

She stopped reading his mind. He didn't have any nasty thoughts. All she could read was his fear that they would cause trouble. With just those, Aurum could tell that this person was not a scheming man. He was obviously having problems with the shop and she would bet it had something to do with his plan to distribute sPhones here.

Discovering how hardcore the Temple of Gaia was, Aurum has no doubt that they're capable of harrassing someone to this point just because they don't like what he's doing. But despite that, she couldn't read any hateful thoughts in his mind. If she was in his place, she'd be cursing the Temple every second she got. Mr. Wicks was obviously a kind man but clearly, he's full of distrust right now. He probably wouldn't easily tell his problems to a bunch of strangers. Even if Aurum told him they're from Silver Corporation, he might not believed them.

So she decided to talk to him using her real face. Considering her fame, there would be no doubt about her identity. Aurum turned off the effect of the choker, then took off the hood of her cloak. She gave him her signature smile and said, "Mr. Wicks, my name is Aurum Blackbourne. Silver Corporation sent me here. Could we perhaps talk?"

----------

The man in front of Argent was gorging on food after food after food. He stumbled in front of her earlier. She wanted to leave him there but his grip on her ankle was so tight she couldn't even move a step. She was really tempted to hack his hand and just walk off. But doing that would totally not be low-key. So at the end, she finally told him that she would buy him food. Miraculously enough, he was suddenly energized and stood up. Then he dragged her on the nearest restaurant.

Now, they're here. Argent, being bored and a bit annoyed. And this guy, eating like there's no tomorrow. She would have left earlier but this guy accidentally splashed the water he's drinking on her trench coat. Before she could react, he already took her trench coat and gave it to a waiter and asked him to dry it. Now she couldn't leave. Because that coat was something Aurum gave to her. If she left without it, she would never hear the end of it from her sister. So she had no choice but to stay here and endure.

The guy put down the bowl of food he's eating then drank a whole glass of water. "That was delicious," he said while rubbing his stomach.

"Good for you," Argent said sarcastically.

"Thank you for buying me food. I might have died of starvation if you didn't come," he said with a silly smile on his face.

The guy has messy golden blond hair and half of his face was covered by the thick glasses he's wearing. Argent didn't know it was possible in real life, but he was like one of those nerdy anime characters that could hide his face just by wearing glasses.

Argent ignored him and called the waiter to pay for the food.

"Excuse me, may I ask if my coat is done drying?" she asked after paying.

"I'll check it and get back to you, sir," the waiter answered and walked away.

After that, Argent noticed the burning gaze directed at her. She looked at the guy accross from her at the table. "Stop staring."

"Sorry. It's just that your hair reminds me of someone." He bowed his head. "Someone very important." He looked up again, that silly smile was back on his face. "I want to thank you for buying me food. If I could help you with anything, please just tell me."

"No need." Argent didn't want to get entangled with this guy any more than this.

After a while, the same waiter came back with Argent's coat. She wore it and walked out of the restaurant. She didn't get far when she heard the guy's voice behind her. Argent didn't stop but then she heard a crash. She turned around and saw the guy stumbling down and almost crashing on one of the stalls on the side street.

He got up and when he saw that she stopped walking, he literally dashed towards her. No, it's probably more proper to say that he limped really fast. "You stop," he said, laughing goofily.

"What is it you want?" she asked.

"I just want to return your kindness."

And this guy wouldn't probably stop following her unless she agreed. Argent sighed. She didn't need a walking disaster following her around. She probably should just ask him to do something random just to make him stop. She looked at his limping foot. "Get your foot healed, we'll be square after that."

"No, how could that be enough? I currently live in the Temple of Gaia. If you could go with me, I could have my foot healed there. Then I could do anything you ask of me after that."

Argent was slightly surprised by what she heard. "Wait- you live at the Temple?"

He nodded. "I'm a guest there."

"A guest?"

"Yes. I'm a priest from Victoria City. I'm sorry I couldn't really tell you anything else other than that. Temple business, you see."

Argent stared at the guy, a lot of thought inside her mind. "Okay, I'll take you back to the Temple."

The guy smiled happily. "Then... could I lean onto you? It's kind of hard walking," he said, scratching the back of his head. Argent didn't answer and just held his waist. The guy then held her shoulders. "My name is Luc," he said, almost whispering it on her ear.

Argent wanted to put a distance between them but she endured and just said, "I'm Silver."