After Number Three left, a mass of thick, blood-red liquid oozed from another entrance to the basement. It formed a human shape in an instant, then glanced back down the concealed passage inside the abandoned building.
The building might have looked abandoned, but someone was secretly watching it. Any vagrant or other outsider who came near would quickly be driven away.
Number Three brushed nonexistent dust from his clothes. Disgust crossed his face as he muttered, "Vakarant, that greedy fool with a death wish. He actually tried to take every last bit of the profit from this job. Greedy and stupid!"
"Heh. Didn't you secretly keep most of it for yourself? What are you complaining about?" A low, hoarse voice sounded beside Number Three's ear.
Number Three showed no surprise, as though he had known the speaker was there all along. He sneered. "Number Six, stay out of my business. Worry about yourself!" As he spoke, he looked toward a nearby patch of shadow. A human-shaped figure was barely visible within it.
"Heh, I'm only reminding you. I could tell he was about to make a move back there, and he wasn't bluffing. You really don't mind? That's..." Number Six's voice turned mocking. "What's wrong? Were you scared? Need me to deal with him for you?"
Hatred flashed in Number Three's eyes. He snorted but said nothing. He would never admit it aloud, yet he knew he had backed down in front of Green. He could not even explain the feeling. He should have been stronger, so why would he be afraid of that money-grubbing Mercenaries man?
Number Three could not make sense of it. Still, he had passed the task off to someone else, and that was a relief.
With that thought, Number Three snorted. "Save your mockery. I