"Is it just me, or Fenhua is oddly quiet?"

"Quiet?" Yang Nina repeated quizzically, tilting her head to the side at one of her classmates.

​​

"She means there has been no crimes or trouble plaguing the streets today." Another one of her classmates clarified.

"It's true. Not that I'm complaining, but we've been patrolling for hours and we've seen not even a single suspicious activity."

"Maybe it just so happen we're patrolling on the safest part of the city?" Yang Nina reasoned.

"Nah, I heard from the other groups that it's quiet on their side too."

"Urgh, this is getting boring. I need an outlet for my energy."

"I know we're just Earth students and we're not ready for something big yet, but how could the academy expect us to hone our skills if we're just walking around in places looking for people doing petty crimes?"

"Don't forget to add that those people are usually weak too."

Yang Nina sighed, continuing to peel her eyes and ears open for any trouble as she tuned out her classmates' complaints.

She decided not to disapprove or reprimand their mindsets. They were being close-minded and refuses to acknowledge the true meaning of their mission.

Afraid that they'll despise her for it, she didn't utter a word.

Not that she was being biased just because her grandfather was one of the academy's grandmasters, but this mission was perfect for Earth students like them.

Her grandfather told her that the academy had no time for nonsensical endeavors that does nothing but waste time and energy.

Even Grandmaster Wei made her see that the academy takes the advancement of each student's skills very seriously.

Just look at how many experts they've produced.

"Hey, how about we split up to cover more ground? Maybe one of us would be lucky enough to catch an offender."

"I agree. Besides, the teachers didn't say we can't."

"If we're doing nothing wrong, then you have my vote."

"Mine as well."

Then they all looked at Yang Nina who has been quiet.

"Alright. But I call dibs on the north." Yang Nina resigned.

"Great! Let's meet back here in an hour."

With that, Yang Nina's group scattered.

She's been patrolling the dark parts of the alleys for 20 minutes until she saw three figures up ahead.

The thing that made her sprinting towards them was the familiar glint of the knife on one of the figure's hands. The obvious conclusion was that the knife-wielding figure was threatening those two in front of him.

Seems like she was the 'lucky one'.

And that's how Yang Nina she ended up meeting the disguised Lillie and Ethan.

Now back to the present.

"How did you know that I hit another nerve point besides the one I used to knock him out? Are you a martial art student, perhaps?" Yang Nina asked the disguised Lillie as effortlessly she hauled the unconscious thug over her shoulder like a sack.

"You can say that." Lillie vaguely replied.

Sensing that the beautiful woman doesn't have any plans of saying more, Yang Nina nodded, respecting her privacy.

"So, where are you guys heading to? I know the streets are packed with people, but it's still not safe taking this route to avoid traffic, you know." Although the two are probably a few years older than her, Yang Nina couldn't help but scold them.

Carve it into your mind that alleyways—especially dark ones—are not the safest place. No matter how cliche it may sound, but this is where criminals usually lurk or lounge around.

"Thank you for your concern, little miss. Rest assured that my husband and I are well aware of the risks. We may not look like it, but we're very strong."

"Nonetheless, it still isn't safe."

"Indeed. It isn't safe," Ethan nodded. "For them, that is."

Yang Nina looked at Ethan, puzzled by his statement.

Lillie let out an empty chuckle. "To rephrase my husband's statement, between that man and us, the threat is not him, little miss."

Yang Nina doesn't understand why, but there is something about this pair that scares her. Chills erupted from her skin at their words.

"What do you mean?" She managed to say without her voice breaking from the unease she feels.

"That man should've known better than to rob someone randomly, especially during this week. I'm sure you've noticed that the rate of misdemeanors is low to none." Lillie indifferently said.

"How did you..." Yang Nina's eyes widen.

"There are people who are more dangerous and frightening than a petty criminal like him. Some are hiding in plain sight, difficult to differentiate from the civilians walking around the city." Ethan nonchalantly supplied.

"The smart ones know it's not worth the risk of accidentally offending someone they shouldn't." Lillie smiled mysteriously, tapping the young girl in the middle of her forehead. "However, just because the streets are quiet doesn't mean it's safe. On contrary, it's dangerous than ever before, little miss. So you should watch out."

"They're not a threat to us, but we are to them if they've stepped out of their boundaries like what he did." Ethan gestured at the unconscious thug on Yang Nina's shoulder. "It's thanks to your interference that he's still breathing."

Terror struck Yang Nina and she felt her knees weaken. The cogs in her brain started moving as the hints were gradually coming together.

His grandfather had told her about them, about the Underworld and its people. He'd warned her about those she should steer clear of.

Her senses are sharpened to measure a person's strength. And what she could tell right now is that these two are among the range of people she shouldn't cross.

"After you bring him to the police, go back to your group. Even with your teacher looking after you on top of the roof, there's no saying that Demons aren't above murdering the young ones." Lillie fondly petted her head before she and Ethan turned to walk away.

But before they disappear from the shadows, Lillie looked at her over her shoulder.

"We're not saying this to frighten you, Little Nina. Use this information to your advantage; as a reminder to be more mindful of the people you meet."

With that final say, they were gone completely along with the heavy atmosphere.

That snapped Yang Nina back to reality. She let out a deep gasp when her brain finally registered she needed to breathe.

What the hell was that?!

Who are those people?!

How did that woman know her name when she didn't even introduce herself?!

And wait, she called her Little Nina? There's only a small number of people who call her that.

Yang Nina was hyperventilating.

Her mind was restless and her body just froze. The body she's carrying now felt heavy so she unceremoniously dropped it without any concern of the thug's comfort.

Her knees gave out and she slumped on the cold, hard ground. Her skin felt clammy from the cold sweat she's excreting, and she must've looked pale as a ghost.

She didn't flinch when a figure dropped by her side. It was just her teacher checking up on her.

"Yang Nina, are you alright?" Her teacher placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I...those people. They don't need saving." She muttered as if she saw a ghost, her heart palpating rapidly. She could hear it. "Instead, this guy was the one in danger."

"Yes, I heard them."

"Then why didn't you..."

"Forgive me, Yang Nina. But I'm only required to intervene when the situation was dire to threaten your life. This mission is for you to experience life's threats and learn how to overcome them."

Yang Nina robotically nodded. "I understand, teacher."

"Come now, remember the breathing techniques we've taught you to calm yourself."

Yang Nina listened to her teacher's advice and started inhaling and exhaling deeply until her heart has enough oxygen to return to its balanced state, and her mind at peace.

"I'm alright now, teacher." Yang Nina smiled at her teacher.

"Then I shall return to supervising you in the shadows. Bring this man to the police and return to your group."

"Thank you for looking after me, teacher."

"It's my duty, little one."