****(POV)

"Oh? That sounds fun! Count me in! What do I need to do exactly?"

Amelia couldn't help but glance questionably at Josh. What was up with him acting the fool? Wouldn't it be better to simply run out and try to get help? Somehow he didn't give her the feeling that he was especially strong.

She had met a lot of Climbers in her life. How many rankers would line up to enter their tiny shop? More than she could bother to count! They all exuded a certain sense of power. They all had a certain oppressive aura, one formed through bloodshed in the Tower.

He was a weird man for sure. He didn't exude anything of the likes and yet he was extremely confident. It was a weird combo. Still, at this rate, Amelia worried that he would soon be tied up next to them and that she'd have to actually play her cards.

She had to be somewhat careful because while her opponents didn't seem the brightest, they clearly knew how to use their weapons. This was something she had gleaned by the way they were holding them. It was similar to the elite soldiers she knew.

As Josh slowly approached, the two kidnappers couldn't help but thank their blessings for how gullible he was. They clearly had real guns in their hands and yet he had mistaken it for some kind of movie props, even with the clear lack of cameras.

Josh kept babbling. "This must be my lucky star! I was just out to pretend- to seriously look for work! I'm glad to have met you. Now, serious question!…"

That made both of the kidnappers tense up. They were wondering if he was getting suspicious.

"….What do you guys want to eat after this shoot? I suggest pizza or sushis! What do you guys think?"

They couldn't help but chuckle and breathe out in relief. They had been scared he'd ask something troublesome after all.

That is when they committed a mistake. Both of them blinked at the same time. As they closed their eyes the world went dark …and remained dark for Josh had knocked them out both already.

Amelia barely registered the scene too and she had been intently looking at it! She was especially talented at noticing the small details. Humans always gave signs before attacking. It could be a small movement of the eyes, a shifting in the center of gravity, or even a show of subtle intent.

There had been none! None whatsoever! He had instantly gone from casually walking to dispatching them both…and returning to his casual state!

This was so crazy yet banal at the same time! There had been no show of strength, there had been no struggle, it all had looked so boring. This was madness! What kind of control over oneself and perception was required for such a thing?!

Amelia had no damn clue! She couldn't understand this Josh at all and it was currently driving her crazy! She was in a state of unrest as she was even questioning herself. Had she lost her touch? How had she not seen through him?!

That is when Josh slowly advanced toward her. He was smiling peacefully, in his eyes there was a bit of light, joy. As she saw him inching closer and closer, the cool and collected Amelia Jones dissipated akin to ice under a very warm sun.

She felt her heart skip a beat. For once in her life, she wasn't the genius appraiser, but simply a girl. One that became flustered and confused. She couldn't understand what she was currently feeling with logic. The more confused she felt and the more flushed she became.

At this moment the only thing she could see was Josh and Josh alone. He finally stopped in front of her and slowly crouched toward the ground. She realized that he was going to untie her feet.

She felt satisfied. She had done well to go along with this crazy play, for he had come to save her. Her very own knight in shining armor! Well, he was wearing a cheap gray suit, but who cared about that! She herself was loaded after all.

That is when he rose up. She delicately moved her feet, only to realize she was still tied up. Something was wrong here!

Amelia felt perplexed for a second. In his hands, he had a phone, her phone. He pressed something. Then she watched what followed absentmindedly…

*Ring ring ring*

"Hello? Yes, this is Josh. I have a proposal for you. I believe your daughter has been kidnapped, right?"

"Who I am doesn't matter at all. Just think about your daughter for now. How much did the kidnappers ask for?"

"125 000 Credits? I didn't quite catch that. How much did you say?"

"I think the phone is having issues, I'm hearing 125 000!"

"I'm still hearing 125 000, it should sound like 200 000 instead. How peculiar!"

"Ah! Perfect! It seems to be working now. So, my proposal is this. For 100 000 credits, I'll save her right now! That's a good bargain wouldn't you say?"

"What? No, no. They are very dangerous. By the time your team arrives, it will definitely be too late! They have guns you know? Do you know how long it takes to cover 562 meters?"

"No, that was a rhetorical question. You don't really need to answer."

"Alright, I'll be texting you my account number. You'll see it's pretty easy. It's the standard UW one, yes."

"You give me your word? Alright, I'll save her now. I'll be expecting payment soon! Yes, have a nice day! Great doing business with you!"

He then ended the call. The man she had thought to be her gallant savior had turned out to be an incredibly greedy and shameless individual.

Save her from dangerous individuals? Please! What dangerous individuals?! The ones that were knocked out cold already?!

He slowly approached her once more. This time Josh untied her. Then he simply looked at the time.

"Ah, the practical part of the day is about to begin. Guess it's time to go back to school. Quite sad for lunch, but it can't be helped eh. Then again, not like I even eat daily these days anyway."

On that note, he simply left. He left a lot of people behind. There were two wannabe kidnappers sprawled on the cold floor. There was the other girl that was a sobbing mess and hadn't even realized what had happened. Finally, there was the shell-shocked Amelia.

Still, she quickly got her bearings back. That is when the shock turned into great displeasure. If he thought scamming money from Eons would be that easy he was dead wrong!

On her way back to school she kept grumbling about how blind she had been and how hateful the fellow was.

In the distance, a group of 5 men could be seen gawking at Josh and Amelia. They had just listened to the recording of the call. Now they were currently betting on Josh's outcome.

1. Would he receive the money?

2. Would he be ignored?

3. Would he get beaten up, possibly by them?

4. Would he disappear mysteriously?

5. Would he somehow woe her and become their young master?

That is when Benny, the newcomer that disliked betting, came forward.

"Actually, place my bet on option 6. He'll be ignored and claim the money some way or another."

"I thought you didn't like betting?"

"Oh yeah, I like safe investments."

That is when all the others looked at each other puzzled. Why did he have so much faith in this random guy?!