*Wow, Alice, I never knew you could act mature. You sounded so serious and convincing.* Leo said to her as they made their way out of the auction house.

’Is that an insult or a compliment?’ she asked and he chuckled.

*How about both?* An irk formed on her forehead and she threatened him.

’You wanna die?’

*Like that would ever happen.* He taunted her and she laughed.

It was funny how he thought her acting was remarkable when she wasn’t even doing much. Honestly, it wasn’t her first time acting like she was a sophisticated lady who owned millions. But at least this time, she had the resources to back her claims, haha.

Though she wasn’t the brightest of minds, she was a very capable person. Guess brilliance in the job was beaten into her as well.

’Well, it’s one of the perks of being a trained dog.’ she said to him. ’We basically take on different characters to get our job done. It was a difficult job and I kept screwing up a bunch of times. Got me in a lot of trouble too. But...’ she paused, stopping in her tracks. ’I guess I became a professional. Lucky me.’

Leo was surprised. This was the first time she was talking about her work as a dog in Big Stach’s den.

Alice started walking again and crossed the field, exiting the building and regaining her stats to their general level.

"Damn, I feel so light." She exclaimed and looked up.

*The field is truly remarkable.* Leo said. *I wish I could understand the structure of a rune master’s ability then maybe I can be able to...* He paused as Alice asked,

’I thought you were the one who gave these guys the abilities they have. How come you don’t understand the structure then?’ she asked as she made her way through the busy crowd.

It was bustling, and if you were not careful, someone might just steal your wallet in the crowd, and you wouldn’t know who.

*You wouldn’t understand. It’s not like all the power belonged to me. I just copied a few of my brothers and sister’s abilities and put them in the system. It was something like a joint-* he stopped talking and exclaimed, *Ah, I said too much.*

Alice’s nose was bleeding. She had to take off her mask so she could wipe it.

’So, you have siblings.’ Alice said. ’I never thought about it.’

*Are you okay? I got carried away and started spilling." He said but she shook her head.

’Don’t worry. It’s just a nosebleed. I think it’s still bleeding tho.’

She wanted to take off the mask when Leo stopped her.

*Don’t. Remember that masked guy told you not to take off your mask under any circumstances?* He said.

’It’ll only be for a second. I can taste my blood, and it’s making me uncomfortable.’ she said and pinched the bottom of the mask, ready to go pull it up when someone caught her hand, but her quick reflex made her grab the hand and twist him back.

She brushed him to his knees, his arm pressed to his back and her defenses on full alert.

"Wow, you really know how to... ugh, defend." The owner of the hand said and she paused, realizing who it was.

"Micheal?" She called and he turned his head, revealing his white mask.

"I believe this is the point you let go of my hand." He said and Alice immediately let go. "I think you dislocated my shoulder."

"Sorry. I... I thought those guys sneaked up on me." She said, watching him as he stood to his feet, massaging his shoulder that ached badly. "I can give you a healing potion. Would that make it better?"

She looked really apologetic. She used such brute force because she was sure one of those guys in the auction would approach her as soon as she walked out.

But to think she was using that brute force on an ally.

"It’s alright." Micheal said. "Nothing a little massage can’t fix."

"Oh." She threw her gaze away, brushing the back of her neck.

"Anyway, were you expecting company?" He asked and she looked up at him.

"Well, yeah. I won the bid, you see."

"You won the bid?" He asked, alarmed. "What bid?"

"The miracle potion. It was just what I was looking for." She said, wondering why he was reacting loudly.

"You won... That bid?" He suddenly moved back, one hand folded and the other hand on his chin as he dwelled in his thought. "I can’t imagine how you got money to pay for the bid." He muttered.

"Oh, that? I just traded a few of my valuables. It was easier than I thought." She said and stepped closer to him. "I know I told you I would just make a mess of the place but I came up with another plan. So, I decided to bid and then think of what to do later."

Micheal was silent. He couldn’t tell what Alice was thinking. How such a simpleton would come up with an idea that she was able to get away with.

"Well, I am surprised." He said. "You won the bid and now you believe there are people who are trying to ’corner’ you." He added and she nodded.

"Yes, yes. I was ready to kick their butts."

"Well, I don’t think they’ll be cornering you." He said, glancing left and right before bringing his gaze back to her. "First, they didn’t see you walk out with anything, which amazes me how you pulled that off, but I won’t ask. And secondly, you seem to be under some sort of protection."

"I don’t understand." She said, tilting her head.

Micheal watched her closely. He didn’t know if she was just trying to act dumb or if she was truly oblivious but someone was protecting her from the auction.

Just what did she do inside?

Well, it didn’t matter anymore. Since she wasn’t a target then they could drop it.

He dropped his hand and moved his masked face closer to hers. "Moreover, why were you trying to take off your mask? I was sure I told you it was dangerous to take off the mask."

"Yeah, I know but..." She darted her eyes away. "My nose was itchy. I think I need to blow it."

"If that’s the case then you could’ve gone somewhere no one would see." He said and looked back. "Right now, there’s a long line of people waiting to exit. Let’s wait in line. You can delay blowing your nose for half an hour, can’t you?"

He said but she shook her head.

"No, I can’t." She said. "I have to clean it right away."

"Are you sure it’s that urgent?" He asked and she nodded.

She couldn’t walk around with blood in her nose. It was already giving her a headache. She needed to clean her nose and above her lips.

"Very well." He said and took her hand. "Come. I’ll take you to somewhere no one can see your face. The one place that we can get some privacy." He said and faced the direction of the red light district.

"Wait, you don’t mean..."

He looked back at her and she could tell he was grinning as he said,

"You said it was urgent."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com