Chapter 63: Gramps Urming

The man rubbed his chin with his sable glove before glancing at the young boy, "Oh, I see. It's like that, then. Well, get to it–I'm expecting my payment by tonight. If I don't have it, well…"

There was something being alluded to by the man's words, though he didn't know what it was, Reno certainly did as she visibly shivered.

"...I know!...I know…I'll have it," Reno said through a quivering voice.

The tension in the air was palpable as the darkly-dressed man stared down at the girl before returning to smile, patting her on the head, "Well, that's all I came here to say! As long as you know."

Just as the mysterious man turned away to leave, he noticed what was hanging from around the man's neck–a necklace bearing the unmistakable badge of an adventurer.

He's an adventurer…? He thought.

"--"

There was silence for a solid minute as Reno stood there, not breathing again until the man was out of sight completely.

"Who was that?" He finally asked, quietly.