*Tsirp Tsirp*

Victor, in his half asleep state, complained in his mind about noise from the outside. Birds... Why can't you just start to sing after people have woken up...

Pulling the blanket up to his ears, he continued his sleep blissfully. Unaware of the commotion that was happening elsewhere, he soon started to snore rhythmically.

Finally the alarm clock rang and Victor grumpily lifted his arm to shut down the alarm.

Oh boy...Mornings are just not my time... In his boxers, he went to brush his teeth and finally dress up for the day.

The birds are singing again and the rain has stopped. I can feel that today some whale is going to make my pockets full.

Adding up some finishing touches to his business suit and hair, he looked up to the mirror. Handsome as ever, besides the obvious morning grogginess.

Victor walked downstairs, opened his front door, picked up the newspaper and finally flipped the old sign over. The business hours start now.

Smacking his lips, he felt that opening the store at this hour was pointless. Either way, he was already used to it but wanted to open as soon as he could.

When someone asks for the opening hours, it seems a tad more impressive to open earlier. Not like it changes my morning routine of coffee and reading a newspaper.

Making his way towards the coffee maker, Victor threw the rolled newspaper on the couch and started to make his go-go juice.

Victor watched the coffee drip slowly and he felt that life was beautiful: Morning after rain cleans up the atmosphere and improves the quality of air.

Birds were singing outside and it seemed that this kind of lifestyle fit him much better than a stuffy researcher for a multi billion dollar corporation.

While waiting for his coffee, Victor thought about the schedule for the day. Let's see... Coffee & newspaper first. Then maybe the traditional toilet moment after which I can start the actual work. If there are no customers, maybe I can fix a few broken articles in the backroom with some paint or something.

Seeing that his coffee was ready, Victor walked with a self painted mug in hand. Looking at the different symbols originating from his previous world, he felt slightly embarrassed.

Well...Who in the world can be the best at everything they do. The mug may be ugly, but it's still my handiwork.

Sitting his ass firmly on the comfortable couch, Victor opened up the newspaper that was sticking out from the corner of the couch.

What is new today in the world? Let's see...Celebrity mistakes. Pass. New diamond mine excavated in Surmar? Doesn't concern me. Mass slaughter in the Runa docks?

Unable to shift his eyes from the article, he thought that it must be some sort of old fashioned click bait.

Reading through the article, Victor shuddered for a moment.

How can they describe it so horribly? I mean would it be better to downplay the cruelty in this world. Who would ever want to hear how people were found: Organs in liquid form and the skin almost intact on the outside.

Reading it once more, he felt that this world was cruel.

Maybe it would be time to get new locks and some sort of security system. When I first took over this store, the previous owner told me that this city was so safe that he did not even bother locking the door.

Nodding to himself and mentally making a note for new security, Victor noticed that he had been too immersed in the cruel article that he had drunk his cup dry already.

Standing up for a refill, he went for the second round. Uhh...Maybe tomorrow I don't have to make it so dark. I can already feel it's magic doing the work on my intestines.

While having thoughts that his morning coffee & toilet might be masochistic towards his stomach, Victor was broken out of his daze by the old bronze doorbell.

''Edward. We have finished tracking the route taken last night by the Spider. Visit the places on this map to see if there are any clues pointing to where he might be.''

A man in a suit handed Edward a map depicting Runa City with several red circles drawn on it.

Grasping the map in his hand, Edward nodded grimly towards the man. ''It will be done. I shall leave no stone unturned to find the man responsible for the crime of offending our guild.''

''I look forward to your report Edward. You show great promise and if you do this right, I can give you a recommendation for a squad leader position within the guild.''

Hearing the words from his direct supervisor Edward felt that he hit the jackpot. Eyes shining like a kid getting candy, he could not help but get a warm feeling in his heart.

Edward was specialized in tracking and observing. For years he had tracked criminals, traitors to the guild and pretty much everything possible.

Having received a nickname from the squad members: 'Foxhound' Edward felt pride in his skills and felt that finally his time had come.

Being squad leader in guilds meant that he would get better resources, more authority and responsibilities. As a common member who had slightly special skills, he felt that this opportunity would turn his life around.

Saluting his supervisor, Edward set off to the closest red circle marked on the map.

Damn he is thorough when hiding his tracks...This is already the 3rd dead end with the clues. Only two more places to find. There has to be something useful!

Kicking a nearby wall in frustration, only for it to collapse from the immense force that mana-enhanced beings exert when not fully in control of their emotions.

Maybe I should call someone to fix the damages before the police get involved? Oh well, who would ever be as bored to allocate precious manpower on a broken wall. Whoops!

Continuing on with his search for clues, he finally got to the next marked spot.

''Jackpot. Some dried blood...And it leads to that musty store. I got you now Spider.'' Crouching down to touch the clues on the ground, Edward could not help but whisper in glee.

Walking confidently towards the store, he observed his surroundings and pulled out a voice recorder. ''Log entry 48. Spider's tracks have been detected in the south of the great chapel of Nirgus. Dried blood leading up to an old antique store. If my suspicions are correct, then the store should be a hideout or meeting point for our target.'' Pausing for a moment, Edward looked around himself before speaking again.

''I am going inside to ''interview'' the store owner. Continuing the log after I am done.''

Pocketing the voice recorder, Edward placed his hand on the old metal door handle and opened the door. After hearing the old bronze doorbell ringing, he saw the open sign.

We can't have any interruptions now, can we... Flipping the sign around, the store was now ''temporarily closed'' to prevent possible interruptions.

Oh shit. Customer at this time? My stomach really disagrees with his style. Victor cursed at the customer in his head for interrupting his morning ceremony.

''Welcome to the -Ages past antique store- How may I be of assistance to you Sir?'' Putting on a strained business smile, Victor felt that the customer should not have noticed that he wanted him gone soon.

Victor frowned for a second when he did not receive any response from the customer. This man should be just window shopping.

Oh great...Why do the window shoppers have to come right now. Maybe I just should shoo him away subtly. After having this thought, Victor felt that his deduction was correct and fixed his attitude accordingly.

''We do have a nice selection of items for your every need, but we should be receiving some new stock today in the afternoon. If you do have any special requirements or items, please let me know.''

Seeing that the customer still was silent and just looking around the store, and himself in an inspecting manner Victor felt nervous.

The news is always making things worse. What if the dock workers saw a similar creepy dude just staring at them before...that?

Just when Victor was about to ask the customer to leave politely, the man opened his mouth. ''I know that Spider was here. What did it want?''

''Huh? There are a lot of spiders all across the cities. As to what they want, maybe food and spinning some webs?'' Victor nervously answered with the first thing that came to his mind.

''Don't play games with me, boy. You know exactly what I am talking about. Where is the object?'' The man said with anger apparent from his face.

Falling quiet for a second, Victor had no idea what the man was talking about. Then the idea hit him.

He might not be the sharpest pencil in the case? Of course it makes sense now. What sane man goes around asking about spiders and what they do.

Feeling quite unsettled, Victor just went along with the man's insanity in fear that he would turn violent.

''Ah yes, now I remember. Spider just took the object and ran with it. If I recall correctly, it went to the pawn shops by the slums. You could try your luck there?''

Hearing Victor's answer, the man was looking a lot more joyful. ''If you are not telling me the truth, there will be consequences. It would be a shame if this shop suddenly disappeared, would it not?.''