The tapping was the sound of leather soles striking a wooden floor.
The whooshing sounded a little like wind blowing past.
But...
That sound of wind had come only from the second floor!
Arthur was certain he had heard no wind outside 10 Clara Street, yet there had definitely been a sound of wind upstairs!
What did that mean?
It wasn't just one person who had entered 10 Clara Street!
There were two!
And one of them seemed to be someone from the mystical side!
Arthur immediately drew back, slipping into the shadows.
Auben slipped quietly into 10 Clara Street from one side-for that, he was extremely grateful to the frightening-looking fat man.
Without him, Auben would never have gotten inside so easily.
The thought of that important figure's promise immediately spurred Auben into action.
As long as he brought the items back, he could officially retire and live in South Los under a new identity!
Everything would begin anew!
That wonderful future filled Auben, a Golden Fingers renowned even on Rat Street, with excitement. Thanks to his formidable skills, he soon discovered the hatch on the ground floor.
With a flick of his wrist, a slender dagger appeared in his hand.
He slid it into the gap and gently levered upward, lifting the hatch.
"Done!"
Auben set the hatch aside and was about to climb down to search when he sensed something wrong.
His shoulders felt heavy, and his neck ached, as though something were pressing down on his shoulders and clamping around his neck.
No!
Not as though!
Someone really was sitting on his shoulders, clamping his neck between their legs!
The warmth pressed against his neck sent a shudder through Auben. Almost instinctively, he reversed his grip and thrust his dagger upward.
Whoosh!
Auben heard that sound