Seth's eyes narrowed behind his mask.

A surveillance request was different from trading formulas or items.

Not to mention it something he was quite good at...

However, he held himself back.

He knew his ability, [Null Presence], wasn't all-powerful...

What if the target could sense magic? What if they had supernatural protection?

There were limits, and he needed to know the risks and assess the details before committing.

When he almost opened his mouth to ask for details, he stopped himself.

It was better to hear what others would ask first.

If he spoke too quickly, he might show too much interest.

A few seconds of silence passed before someone on the far right finally spoke.

"What are the details? And what exactly will you trade in return?"

The woman straightened slightly.

Although her mask hid her face, her tone carried seriousness.

"I want someone to tail a certain man... you've likely never heard of him before. He's named Darius Velon." she said.

"He visits different places at night. Abandoned buildings, old alleyways, even the cemetery district. I want to know where he goes, who he meets, and how long he stays in each place."

Seth's thoughts sharpened.

Darius Velon…

He didn't recognize the name, but considering how the witch in front of her was making a request for it, he must definitely be someone involved in the supernatural as well.

'It's quite odd... by saying the man's name, is she not afraid that it might leak out that someone is looking for him?'

Seth silently thought.

"As for the reward..."

The woman continued.

"I will trade ten thousand bathalas and a prophecy."

A small murmur ran across the table.

The man who spoke earlier asked.

"A prophecy?"

The woman nodded.

"Yes. It's one that involves Matamisan. If any of you have heard parts of it before, I can change the reward. But if not, the prophecy should be more than enough."

Silence spread through the room.

Everyone understood the value of what she was offering.

Ten thousand bathalas alone was already enough to tempt almost anyone in Matamisan.

But a prophecy—especially one tied to the city—was worth far more.

Prophecies were rare, dangerous, and often connected to major events.

Seth could feel the temptation of the offer tugging at him.

Ten thousand bathalas…

His fingers itched.

That amount of money could solve so many of his current problems.

It could help him buy materials, information, and cover costs he didn't even know he would face yet.

But the prophecy was an even bigger draw.

He lived in Matamisan now.

If something major was going to happen here, knowing even a single part of it could save his life.

Or lead him to opportunities he wouldn't find anywhere else...

He leaned back slightly, deep in thought.

Although he didn't know the details of the prophecy yet, the offer was undeniably intriguing.

And the task itself… tailing someone at night… following their movements…

This was something he could do.

But before deciding, Seth waited.

He wanted to hear how others reacted to the woman's offer.

Then a firm voice spoke from the far right.

"I'll do it."

Seth shifted his eyes toward the man.

He hadn't noticed him much earlier, but now that he paid attention, he observed him carefully—like a habit he picked up from reading detective novels in his past life.

Judging from the man's build, he was around five foot ten, lean but steady, the kind of body that came from long-distance movement rather than heavy lifting.

His posture was straight, and even the way he lifted his chin showed discipline.

His voice earlier was calm and controlled, meaning he wasn't a beginner.

The mask he wore was shaped like a fox... simple, sharp, and painted a dull brown.

From how silent he had been the entire meeting, Seth guessed he was the observant type, the kind who watched more than he spoke.

'He doesn't look like someone who would take unnecessary risks...'

Seth thought.

'He probably has real experience.'

Before Seth could think further, he found himself speaking.

"I would like to take it as well."

Every head around the table turned toward him.

It was the first time he had spoken since he arrived, so the reaction was natural.

The fox-masked man frowned slightly, as if displeased that someone else stepped into the offer.

The woman who made the request stiffened for a moment.

She probably expected one volunteer, not two...

She cleared her throat.

"How about this… Do either of you have backgrounds in tracking, tailing, or… discreet field work? And if so, how confident are you in your abilities?"

The fox-masked man answered first.

"I served in the military before," he said.

"Scout unit. We trained in night tracking, movement observation, and silent movement. I've tailed both people and beasts before. I'm confident in my skills."

The room reacted with slight murmurs.

Seth had to admit—this man wasn't bragging.

He sounded like someone who knew what he was talking about.

Then Seth replied with his own made-up background.

"I used to work under a local investigator," he said calmly.

"My tasks involved following targets, documenting their movements, and staying hidden in crowded areas. I also have experience escaping detection from trained professionals."

A complete lie.

But his confidence wasn't entirely false...

[Null Presence] was a powerful ability, and as long as the enemy didn't have some freaky supernatural perception ability, he knew he could stay hidden far better than any normal scout.

'I doubt anyone here can match me in staying unseen…'

Seth thought.

'But it's still better to add some believable details so they don't think I'm bluffing.'

The woman listened to both and grew visibly troubled.

"This is… difficult," she admitted.

"The task must be done by one person. I cannot send two. Not only because the reward would not match, but because the people who take requests here prefer anonymity. Two strangers working together would risk exposing each other."

She paused.

"Also, the man you will tail is cautious. If two people approach him from different angles, he might notice. That would ruin the entire job."

The room fell quiet again.

Now the decision hung between two candidates— both with equally "solid" backgrounds...

The woman looked between them, unsure of who to choose.

Seth waited quietly, thinking about whether he should speak again.

He didn't want to sound too eager, but he also knew that staying quiet might cost him the job.

So he slowly turned to the lady overseeing the gathering.

"Madam…"

She glanced at him.

"You may call me Lady Light."

Seth nodded politely.

"Miss Lady Light, I'd like to ask if there's a small room nearby that you can let me use—with the requester— to demonstrate my abilities."

The fox-masked man stiffened in surprise, but Lady Light simply lifted a finger and pointed toward a side hallway.

"There. Third door."

"Thank you," Seth said.

He stood and the woman who made the request followed him.

The small room they entered had plain walls, a wooden table pushed into a corner, and only one lantern hanging overhead.

Even so, Seth felt the same "sealed" sensation as in the main room.

Meaning Lady Light might still observe what happened inside.

He didn't mind.

In fact, if Lady Light found his ability interesting, then having her attention might help him make a useful connection.

The moment they stepped inside, the woman finally spoke.

"You may call me Miss Brown," she said cautiously.

"How should I address you?"

Seth thought for a moment, then answered simply,

"You can call me by the color of my mask."

She hesitated, then nodded.

"Alright… Mr. Black. How do you plan on demonstrating your abilities?"

Seth smiled behind his mask. "May I borrow your hairpin?"

Miss Brown blinked, confused, but she reached up, slid the metal pin from her hair, and handed it to him.

He accepted it gently.

Then, without warning, he flicked his wrist and threw the hairpin behind her.

It clattered somewhere near the far corner.

Miss Brown immediately turned around.

"Mr. Black, are you jesting with—"

But as soon as she faced forward again, Seth was no longer in front of her.

Her words stopped halfway.

He was gone.

Her eyes widened, and she stepped back in shock.

She scanned the room quickly.

The room was far too small for someone to vanish like that.

There were no curtains, no closets, no furniture big enough to hide behind.

Her heartbeat sped up.

Where did he go?

He couldn't have left the room—she was standing right in front of the only door.

She turned again, looking up at the lantern, then down at the shadows. Nothing.

Just as unease began to settle in her stomach, a calm whisper brushed her right ear.

"Will that do, Miss Brown?"

She gasped and spun around.

A dark mask with a wide grin was only inches away from her face.

Miss Brown's shoulders tightened, and for a moment she looked unsure whether to be impressed or frightened.

The grinning dark mask silently offered her hairpin back.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.