章 10: The Shadows of Underworld
As Tia stepped cautiously into the store, the warmth enveloped her like a comforting embrace, soothing her from the torment of her drenched and frigid clothes. However, her relief was quickly replaced with concern as she surveyed her surroundings.
The interior of the store was a sight of disarray and neglect. Dust particles danced in the air, and the flickering lightbulbs cast eerie shadows across the walls. The shelves were stacked with a haphazard collection of various items. There was no semblance of order; everything was tossed together without a system or reason.
Tia's nose wrinkled in response to the thick layer of dust that blanketed the wares. It seemed as though the store had been abandoned for years, left to gather cobwebs and dust.
"Girl, I believe you will not find what you are looking for." An old man stared at the girl from behind a counter, his white hair and soft wrinkles betraying his age. His face was wrinkly, and on the bridge of his nose rested a pair of tarnished glasses, one side cracked.
The only clean thing in the entire store was the man's perfectly ironed black suit, making him contrast with the dirty and unmaintained store he owned.
'This store is so impossibly shitty that it almost feels intentional...'
The long-haired, young female, Tia, stood there frozen in confusion, water still dripping from her soaked clothes, forming a small puddle under her.
The shopkeeper rubbed his temples and rolled his eyes in exasperation, "I saw what you have done in front of my store. You have slaughtered them all without mercy or fear. You have a talent for killing—I am sure of it. Here, take this."
The man threw a plain, white paper card on the counter. On it was printed only a single line of small black text with an address on it. There was no description or any additional information.
"What is it?" She looked at it with suspicion.
"Business card? From your clothes, it isn't hard to imagine you are on a run. You need shelter and protection. I am offering you both, now, take it or leave."
'Do I really need it?' The weird shop and the card all linked together as she realized what was happening, 'This store must be a front for some criminal organization.'
Tia's hand wavered above the card, caught in a moment of contemplation. The weight of her past experiences loomed large in her mind, the scars of betrayal still fresh. Joining the organization in her previous life had brought her nothing but pain and betrayal.
The fear of history repeating itself weighted her mind.
Yet, as she considered the fake shopkeeper's words, a stark reality confronted her. She was alone and pursued by the planetary guards.
"I will do it."
"Here, take this. You are too eye catchy with your current outfit." The old shopkeeper smiled and threw a long black coat at her.
Sometime later:
An old decrepit building with a brightly shining blue neon sign: Hostel stood before her, the massive concrete structure throwing oppressive shadows over Tia standing before its entrance.
'I came all the way here. I will not back away.' Her paranoia didn't vanish, but this time she took the lesson from her past to heart and decided to not repeat it, 'This time, I will not blindly trust them and be an obedient, loyal dog rising through the ranks. Instead, I will just quietly wait until the situation calms down and I save enough cash to smuggle myself off the planet.'
Resolutely, Tia pushed the glass door open and entered the hostel.
"We have full..." Immediately bored voice welcomed her, a tall woman sternly glancing at her from behind the reception desk, lowering an old paper book she held. Even while sitting, she was tall.
"I have this." Tia took out the slip of paper while walking towards the reception desk, the old wooden floor creaking under her steps.
The entire hostel looked as decrepit and ruined as the store she had visited earlier, the old green paint peeling off the walls and ceiling. They both screamed: We are a shitty establishment. Please leave.
"Ohh, it looks like one room has just freed up. Please follow me." A single glance at the business card was enough as the receptionist stood up with the same cold, mechanical expression, not revealing even the tiniest glimpse of emotion.
'Yup, this is shady as hell.' Not wanting to fall behind, Tia sped up to catch up with the tall woman who walked toward a staircase left from the entrance.
"If you are here, that means you have the qualities we are seeking, but." The woman abruptly stopped, and Tia almost bumped into her back.
Her intimidating stature towered above Tia by more than a head higher, "However, you need to prove to us that you are willing to do what we want from you. You will get a single task, accomplish it, and I will decide what your fate will be."
The woman resumed her walk as both silently climbed up the cramped, unmaintained staircase that was creaking under them as if it was going to collapse at any moment. Then, at last, she pointed at a door, "This room is yours... at least temporary."
'What did I get myself into? Those people are definitely not your normal criminals.' During her past life, she witnessed and worked with more than enough criminal organizations to know that something was wrong with this one. It was simply too professional and the woman before her too intimidating... and deadly.
She recognized the way she walked, moved, and even spoke, showing her deadly training and the countless lives she took, 'She was trained to kill and applied that training many times.'
"Please enter, and do not wander around. Otherwise, I can't guarantee there will be no accidents." The receptionist smiled for the first time, her smile so ungenuine and cold it made even Tia stagger back.
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