The blue-eyed man seemed to have misunderstood Alice's silence and began chattering away in an attempt to persuade her:
"I'm not one of those people who treat every unofficial Beyonder as a potential criminal. Especially children like you—we'd rather recruit them.
"Your first suggestion upon discovering the problem was to call the police, and afterward, you didn't choose to leave the scene. It's obvious that you have a considerable degree of trust in official Beyonders.
"I'm guessing you might have friends who are official Beyonders, or perhaps you've had good experiences working with them before?"
I used to be a Nighthawk, and now, rounding up, I can count as one of the Goddess's Blessed... Alice silently mocked, then organized her words before answering:
"...I am a devout believer of the Goddess. A few years ago, because of an accident, I became a Beyonder."
The Goddess could bear witness that every word of that sentence was... Well, perhaps I wasn't quite that devout.
Alice repented inwardly as she drew the symbol of the Crimson Moon over her chest.
The blue-eyed man before her noticed the gesture, and his smile deepened.
"See? We have a basis for cooperation.
"If you agree, I'll give you some items to prove your identity. That way, if you encounter this sort of situation again, you can use them to verify who you are.
"In addition, if you provide us with clues or assistance, you can also receive an informant's fee..."
"I have a question," Alice interrupted him. "Don't you need to verify my identity?"
"Then I have a question as well." The blue-eyed man smiled.
Alice looked at him in confusion.
"May I ask how you remained awake in the Dream?" he asked.
Alice's smile vanished. She looked at him coldly for a long while before