Mika closed her eyes and crossed her arms. After a moment, she slowly opened them and spoke. “Alright, tomorrow... We’ll talk to her tomorrow.”


    Azrael and Hafa felt a sense of relief upon hearing Mika’s words. Carl, despite not being able to do anything at that moment, silently prayed that Mika would agree and give the person they met at the black market a chance.


    After a few minutes, Azrael shifted the conversation. Since their meeting began, the only thing they had discussed was the information that Azrael and Hafa had gathered.


    “How’s the information search going?” Azrael asked, looking at Mika and the others.


    Mika lowered the book she was reading, closed her eyes, and slowly opened them again. With a deep sigh, she replied, “I haven’t found a single lead. All I know is that the Kent family owns the ship, just like you said.”


    Jarred answered and shrugged, “I didn’t find anything either. I just learned about the ship''s ownership today because of you guys.”


    Azrael looked at Kyle, but Kyle simply shook his head, signaling that he hadn’t found anything either. Then Azrael turned his gaze to Carl, who just shrugged in response.


    Azrael muttered under his breath, “So I’m the only one who found something useful. If it weren’t for Hafa, we probably wouldn’t have any information at all.”


    Carl shrugged again. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s good to have someone who grew up around here.” He smiled and patted Hafa’s shoulder. “Good job, Hafa!”


    Hafa smiled, a little shy.


    *


    The next day, the group headed to Fern’s place. Just like the first time Azrael visited, it felt like a storm hit the door, and with a loud crash, it flung open, sending a strong gust of wind and dust flying everywhere.


    As the group shielded their faces from the wind and flying debris, a short woman with doll-like features, curly hair, pale skin, and striking pink eyes, dressed in a fancy gown, stepped outside.


    She shouted, “Welcome! To the house of mighty Fern!” Upon seeing Azrael, she froze, her eyes twitching. “You again?”


    Azrael scratched the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly.


    Fern’s gaze shifted to the others with Azrael. “Hmm? Who are they? Your friends?”


    Azrael’s face brightened. “Ah! Yes! They’re the ones I told you about yesterday.” He pointed at Mika. “This is Mika, the one I mentioned.”


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    Fern raised an eyebrow, scanning Mika from head to toe. Then, she asked curiously, “Is she... your girl?”


    Everyone froze in unison, including Hafa, who was just as surprised by Fern’s blunt question.


    Fern rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on! What’s with the reaction? I’m just asking.”


    Azrael quickly spoke up, “W-what made you think that?! Mika’s practically like my mom at this point—”


    Before he could finish his sentence, the group stared at him in utter shock, more surprised by his words than Fern’s question.


    Fern’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Azrael noticed that Mika stood still, her gaze lowered.


    He waved his hands frantically, conceding defeat. “W-wait, Mika! That’s not what I meant!”


    Mika lifted her head, locking eyes with Fern and smiling, her smile wasn’t exactly friendly. “Can we start talking business before I kill someone?”


    Fern, wiping tears from laughing so hard, just waved her hand. “Alright, alright. Come on in.” She turned her back to them and walked inside.


    *


    Fern, Mika, Azrael, and Kyle were seated around a table, the only ones occupying the four chairs. Meanwhile, Carl, Hafa, and Jarred roamed the house, curiously observing anything that caught their attention.


    Fern glanced at the three of them, raising an eyebrow. "Hey, you three! Mind sitting still for a moment?"


    Startled, the trio immediately sat down on the floor. There weren’t any extra chairs available, but the carpet was plush and soft, made from the fur of a creature with thick, luxurious hair. They didn’t bother to question what kind of beast the fur had come from.


    Mika spoke up first. "Let me introduce myself properly."


    Hearing this, Fern turned her gaze toward her.


    "I''m Mika, the current leader of this group," she said casually, as she always did.


    Fern smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you, Mika. I’m Fern."


    Mika gestured to the others. "Beside me is Kyle. You already know Azrael, right? And that guy with the glasses is Jarred. The one sitting next to him and Hafa is Carl."


    Fern smiled at each of them in turn. "Hmm, it looks like your group has grown quite a bit."


    Mika grinned. "Yeah, we were a team of four before we met Azrael."


    "I see," Fern replied, then shifted the topic. "Alright then, let''s talk about the job you wanted me to help with."


    "Oh, right," Mika said. "Hafa mentioned that you know someone working in the Lost House. We''re hoping to get in there and apply for work."


    Fern paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Azrael told me about your plan. And to answer your question... yes, I do know someone inside the Lost House."


    Mika smiled. "Then, I believe that you can help us?"


    Fern’s lips curled into a smirk. "I’m sure Azrael mentioned the conditions I require, right?"


    Mika closed her eyes and took out a small coin purse. She pulled out five silver coins and a gold one, setting them on the table. Fern took the purse, inspecting its contents.


    "This is too much," she said, taking the gold coin and sliding it back toward Mika. "I don’t need this much for such a simple deal. Honestly, it’s not that difficult to apply for the job."


    Mika blinked in surprise, then gratefully accepted the gold coin. "Oh? Alright. Thank you."


    Fern set the coin purse aside, her tone turning businesslike. "Alright then, shall we begin?"