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028 - Concealed Stratagems
🕑 Added 2024-10-29 16:46:27 +0000 UTCLooking out of a nearby window, Ning Shan saw small floating objects swiftly closing in. Not unlike birds, their approach was silent, cutting through the darkness without difficulty, yet he couldn't find any evidence of wings. If anything, they resembled the combat drone he encountered a day prior, yet they were much smaller in size.
They were spherical, and, unlike the combat drone, they possessed multiple eye-like apparatus that glowed a dull yellow. Within the darkness of the Cradle, they resembled miniature dull suns, yet they travelled at impressive speed, and their course was easy to predict. They were all headed toward this apartment.
"Scout drones," Sera whispered as she tugged on Ning Shan's sleeve. "We need to get out of here, or we're doomed. The Government doesn't care much to prove guilt. If they believe us to be responsible, the best we can hope for is a swift death."
“It's a good thing then; we aren't the owners of this place," Ning Shan replied, pressing a button near the window so that it became almost entirely opaque, allowing but the barest of light through. "If they ask, we can just have Baxter deal with them."
“And you think he won't put the blame on us?" she hissed as she quickly made her way to the door. "He may hold a certain authority within the Cradle, but he still has a reputation to uphold. Would he risk alienating the Government for unknown liabilities like us? He would never put his business at risk!"
While Sera panicked as she packed what she could, Ning Shan peered through the now-dark window, observing as the constructs flew closer. He remained calm on the surface, yet his mind raced, thinking of all the possibilities open to him. In fact, their situation wasn't as bad as she made it seem. There were still avenues open to him, yet it all happened much sooner than he anticipated.
“Why are you wasting time!?” she screeched silently. “We need to leave! How can you still be so calm when our very lives hang in the balance?”
“Will panicking enhance your chances of survival?” he scoffed.
He had watched her trying to stuff what she owned in a bag, only for it to spill everywhere. There was no method to her madness. In fact, most of what she tried to take wasn't hers but had always been in the apartment when they received it. Most of what little she owned had never been taken out of her storage in the first place.
Ning Shan nonchalantly walked past her, exiting the apartment and making his way toward the elevator. Stunned, it took a moment for Sera to realize what he was doing, only to drop the stuffed bag onto the floor and rush after him.
“Shouldn’t we run?” she asked. “Why are you patiently waiting for the elevator?”
“Stop it with the terrified look; it only gives you away," Ning Shan said as he looked down at her. "If it doesn't suit you, you're always welcome to take the stairs."
The elevator rang as the door opened, only for Ning Shan to casually enter. Inside were already other residents. Their faces told of their intents, as did the high-tech suitcases that hovered beside them. Taken aback, Sera followed him. She remained skeptical of his intent, yet couldn’t voice her doubts—not with so many witnesses around.
“Scary world we live in,” Ning Shan said to the couple standing next to him as the elevator slowly made its way downwards.
Their heads swivelled, and fright was in their eyes. Sera couldn't help but notice how expensive their clothes seemed, especially the woman's. Her dress was exquisite, and even the small necklace that hung on her neck was more than it seemed. The man audibly gulped before taking a deep breath, calming himself, yet his voice betrayed a tremor as he spoke.
"Indeed. I heard stories of the lower levels, but I didn't expect them to be this bad," the man said as he held the hand of the woman next to him. Despite Ning Shan's calming smile, she clung to her man's arm, unable to utter a sound.
“Oh, I take it this is your first time on the ninth level. Where are you from?” he asked.
Sera tried her best to remain inconspicuous yet could barely refrain from giving him a side-eye. She couldn't understand how this man could remain so calm and even casually initiate a conversation with obviously distraught strangers. It all seemed too surreal.
"We came down from the twentieth," he stuttered, glancing toward Ning Shan, only to be significantly calmed by his serene aura. "I was here on business and decided for my wife and I to explore a little, yet we never expected things to go this way..."
“You were interested in Hunters?” Ning Shan asked, slightly surprised. “As I am told, there isn’t much else of interest around here.”
“I was already coming down here, so I thought, why not?" the man replied, feeling slightly more comfortable. Even his wife seemed to relax seeing how easygoing Ning Shan was about the ordeal. "While I sought a little excitement, I didn't expect the ground to start shaking... It's a little much for me."
“As it would be for many," Ning Shan replied, showing an understanding smile, only for the elevator to reach their stop and for the door to open.
Ning Shan was the first to step out, followed by Sera, and the couple followed soon after, still shaken slightly. Somehow, they had come to rely on him to keep their calm, and his attitude helped them greatly curb their panic.
“What are you playing at?" Sera whispered into Ning Shan's ear, only to be ignored. He only returned a slight smile, which she couldn't help but dismiss, knowing the meaning laced within. She observed their surroundings yet wasn't so shocked by what she saw. In fact, it was only to be expected.
The reception desk was flooded with people inquiring about the recent disaster. Most still seemed shook, yet some were able to retain their calm. They looked more rugged than the other patrons, and their clothes seemed much more practical than the luxurious garbs of the couple Ning Shan interacted with.
Hunters, no doubt. While this place should be too expensive for most of them, some should still be able to afford it. Their skills must be among the best. If so, they should be in the database, Sera thought.
Hiding slightly behind Ning Shan’s back, she pointed her wrist at the group, only for one of them to swiftly turn his gaze toward her, his eyes narrowing. Fortunately, she had already predicted this and used Ning Shan's body as a shield. As such, she was completely hidden from them but not from the couple.
“What is she doing?” the man couldn’t help but ask, and only then did Sera realize how suspicious she acted.
“Don’t mind her,” Ning Shan said, reassuring them. “She’s only on edge. Who wouldn’t be?”
Behind the receptionist's desk was a beautiful woman, yet her movements caught Ning Shan's eye. He had failed to notice when they first came here, but now that a crowd of irritated tenants flooded her desk, he noticed how unnatural she seemed. Whether it was eye movement or the tone of her voice, it all seemed so artificial, almost as if she didn't possess any emotions—almost like a machine.
Still, she tried to calm people down, yet all it did was spur the flames of unrest. Ning Shan didn't doubt that if she continued spewing platitudes, anyone with any brain could see as true, uneasiness would mount, and soon, they would be at her throat.
"It's a mystery how you can remain so calm," the man said as he witnessed the uneasiness bubbling before him.
“The ability to remain levelheaded is essential in our line of work,” he replied, distancing himself slightly from the front desk. “After all, even a small mishap can lead to immense consequences.”
Sera couldn't help but look at him. She almost wanted to punch his smug face, yet barely refrained from doing so. Ning Shan noticed but didn't care. In fact, he found all this slightly amusing. He had seen situations so much more dire, that this one paled in comparison. If anything, to have only a single government trying to take his life was almost banal.
“Oh? And what type of work would that be?” the man replied, slightly interested.
Even his anxious wife couldn't help but tilt her head up from the comfort of her husband's shoulder. Somehow, Ning Shan couldn't help but chuckle at this reaction, which only brought a tint of red to the woman's cheek, only for her to bury her head again.
“Forgive her,” the man added. “She rarely has experienced such stimulating events. I hope you understand.”
“It's fine," Ning Shan replied, offering a smile. "The both of us are hunters by trade and were readying ourselves for an expedition within the Shaft before being interrupted by these events."
The man’s expression brightened, as did his wife. They both lost most of their fearfulness and seemed to have calmed substantially. Despite leading them to this conclusion, Ning Shan couldn't help but find it odd. While he knew that hunters were essential to the survival of the Cradle, he also could infer they were mainly dispensable. As for why this couple held them in such high regard, he could only make assumptions.
“Most people are afraid when I mention what I do,” Ning Shan said.
His inflection betrayed his surprise, yet Sera couldn’t help but roll her eyes, but was smart enough to hide it from the couple. By now, she wasn't surprised Ning Shan could lie through his teeth to this unsuspecting couple. Yet, she still had no idea what he hoped to achieve by doing so. If only up to her, she wished to be long gone from this place—so much that she needed almost all her concentration to mask her uneasiness.
“As I mentioned before, my wife and I lived on the 20th level most of our lives," he replied. "Given the chance, we thought to try new things and meet new people. Especially hunters, as I have heard a great many things about them. To be able to do so, even in this situation, is somehow calming. It almost feels like fate, don't you think?"
"Fate is a hard thing to believe in..." Ning Shan said, only for the couple to look at him strangely. Even Sera didn't know the meaning of his words. Still, he chose not to elaborate. "How about this; why not make the most of this situation? I'm sure your wife is eager to return home, so why not hire us as an escort until you are safely out of the 9th level? I’ll even give you a discount on the account of our new friendship.”
"I couldn't possibly ask such a thing of you," the man replied. "I'm sure you and your companion also have many things to deal with in this mess."
"I insist," Ning Shan's gaze was firm and assertive, leaving the man no room to object. Still, despite his insistence, the man only felt reassurance as he looked back, as did his wife. "Besides, it seems leaving will be more arduous than expected."
Following his gaze, the three finally noticed the exterior doors were bolted shut. Some of the residents even began banging on the thick glass, yet they were unable to make them move a millimetre. The crowd ignored the receptionist's many warnings, while some other hunters even pulled out their weapons, threatening to blast the doors open if they were not let out.
Frightened by how the situation devolved almost instantly, the couple readily agreed to Ning Shan’s terms, yet he made no attempt to seek a way out. Instead, they waited in a safe corner of the lobby—waited for what was sure to come. Indeed, they weren’t disappointed.
The thick doors finally opened, revealing four spherical floating drones emitting a yellow light. Following their appearances, most of the residents recoiled. Some were even thrown to the ground by the receding wave, only to be further trampled underfoot.
The other hunters present holstered their weapons, grimacing as they faced the other end of that yellow light. Still, only the man and his wife showed relief at the sight of these four apparatuses, which couldn't help but make Ning Shan smile.
Then, a mechanical voice emerged from the floating constructs.
Requesting All Citizens' Cooperation...
Relinquish All Weapons and Await Further Instructions...
Failure to Comply Will Be Met With Corresponding Force...
