Bonte followed Hanna through the streets of Paarjo. His feline ears shifted on top of his head, picking up sounds around them.

Eternia and Perpetua bathed the world in their light still, and would continue to do so for a few more hours.

People walked next to them, minding their own business.

Going out for a walk without a Halve was a world of difference when it came to the attention Bonte received. Only one every twenty people gave him a passing glance, instead of nine out of ten staring at him with burning interest and curiosity.

He was one more Shishi Tigea among the many. An ordinary individual if one didn't mind his level.

Or as he saw it, a shadow lurking behind the scenes. One that knew what most didn't.

Bonte rejoiced in the feeling of being a secretive scout in a classified mission. To truly be the shadow that acts without others knowing. One that did his thing unnoticed and saved the day without being praised for it. Acting outside the law to do what it couldn't. Dismantling dark organizations during the night and living a peaceful life during the day, acting as if he didn't know what went down in the shadowy alleys of a city harboring unseen threats to the government.

The Ork turned around a corner, snapping the Tigea out of his fantasies.

They were approaching their destination.

Hanna turned again, walking into an alley between two tall edifices, then approached an unassuming door on the side of the left building. She looked both ways and opened the door, then held it open for Bonte to go in.

Once inside, they went up to the third floor, then walked to one of the many doors on the hallway.

The Ork produced a key and opened the door to a small apartment.

It was a one-bedroom, one-bathroom kind of place. No kitchen, no living room, no dining room either.

Bonte chuckled, “Damn, you live like this?”

Hanna turned her head and sarcastically replied, “Temporary housing. I don't have the privilege of having an Excellency as benefactor.”

Bonte simply shook his head with a sigh.

The Ork walked to the bed and sat down, then produced a map of the city. “There are several potential locations we need to search to find Ines,” she informed him, pointing at various locations on the map.

Bonte nodded and approached the woman. “How about here, here, and here?” He probed, pointing at a few red circles drawn on the parchment.

Hanna shook her head. “Already went there. I wasn't exactly looking for Ines, but no information about her came out of what little information I gathered.”

The Tigea hummed, then inquired, “How tight is it?”

“Password, membership, and written recommendations,” she replied.

He thought for a second. “Any pylons nearby?”

“Only two.” She pointed at both the northernmost and closest circles, which were from the places she hadn't visited.

“Any information on Ines' level?” He asked.

Hanna nodded. “201 the last time she was seen by her family.”

“So no third tier skills yet,” Bonte muttered, rubbing his chin.

“I thought the same,” Hanna agreed, giving him a knowing look. “How's your invisibility skill?”

“Third tier,” he sighed, shaking his head.

“Same here,” she chuckled. “Illusions?” She asked next.

“Second,” he muttered and scanned the map. “Wait, there's a Church near this spot,” he recalled, pointing at the northernmost circle, “a block away, actually.”

“Yes, but it's a maternelle,” Hanna pointed out, biting her upper lip.

“Exactly,” Bonte insisted with a smile.

The Ork's brows scrunched up. “I don't think I'm following here,” she admitted.

“Right,” the Tigea sighed. “They have Paladins, Inquisitors, and Crusaders constantly protecting the children. If a person that has those classes wants to work at a maternelle, they must have tier three skills,” he explained. “They have tighter security than the Royal Palace.”

“Ahh...” Hanna breathed out, then clicked her tongue. “I'm not familiar with anything related to children,” she admitted with a frown. “So the wards would mask our tier three skills?”

Bonte nodded. “That's right. I practiced my skills near a maternelle when I was young. That kept me out of trouble,” he chuckled.

“Hmm,” Hanna hummed and thought for a second. “We'll have to use illusions if we want to search the one nearby, then.”

“Yep,” he agreed with a nod. “You've dealt with Changelings before... do illusions work well?”

The Ork stared into the Tigea's eyes and smiled. “They worked wonders,” she assured him.

Bonte smiled back. “Good.”

Biggest-Kusa-Out-There

Shorter chapter than usual because I found a right spot to cut it.