When she heard Rina mention the name "Hare's House" over the phone, Ellen paused for a moment before remembering—that was the group of professional agents she'd run into half a month ago in the Imperial City Hollows.
There was a spear user—pretty strong...
A cat-girl, and a girl with a perpetually stern face...
Ellen recalled how surprised they'd been when they heard Victoria's commission was worth millions. Clearly, their own fees couldn't be that high.
Still, she had no idea how capable they actually were.
It was just a parent-teacher conference. Ellen didn't care how skilled they were—she just needed someone to show up for her.
With that thought, Ellen took a deep breath.
"Alright, tell the boss I want this month's pay in advance. I'm using it to cover the commission."
Rina's cheerful voice came through the phone.
"No problem. Talk to you later."
After hanging up, Ellen suddenly realized—she only knew the agency's name was "Hare's House," but had no idea where it was.
She glanced around the street.
After walking a few dozen meters down Sixth Street, she spotted a video store and walked in without hesitation.
Right as she stepped inside, she saw Belle.
Ellen immediately asked if she knew where Hare's House was.
Belle looked puzzled.
"What do you need Hare's House for?"
"There's a parent-teacher conference at school tomorrow, and apparently some kind of activity too. My boss is way too expensive, so I figured I'd hire someone from Hare's House to help out…"
After hearing her out, Belle quickly caught on.
She gave Ellen directions.
"Hare's House is on XX Street. You don't need to go all the way there, though. Just check in front of Master Tingman's coffee shop. Sam Li usually sits there drinking coffee, waiting for clients."
Belle saw Sam Li there almost every time she went for coffee.
Sometimes, she even picked up his tab.
Ellen nodded thoughtfully.
"I'll go check it out now."
"Don't forget to cover his bill while you're at it. He'll be thrilled if someone treats him."
"As long as he agrees to help, I'd buy him ten cups of coffee if he wants."
With that, she left the video store and made her way to the entrance of Master Tingman's café.
But after looking around—and even stepping inside—Sam Li was nowhere to be found.
Master Tingman spotted her.
"Miss, can I get you something?"
Ellen shook her head.
"I'm not here for coffee. I'm looking for Mr. Sam Li. Do you know where he went?"
Master Tingman replied,
"Mr. Sam Li just finished settling the accounts and went back to Hare's House. You can wait here—he'll probably be back for coffee this afternoon."
Ellen shook her head.
"No need. I'll go to Hare's House directly."
After searching around without success, Ellen decided to just head straight to the address Belle had given her. She was sure she'd find him this time.
With that, she left Sixth Street and made her way toward the street where Hare's House was located.
At the same time, across New Eridu, inside a villa owned by Victoria Housekeeping Co.
Lycaon had just returned and was immediately greeted by Rina, who had been waiting for him.
A faint smile was on her face.
"Lord Lycaon, I've done as you instructed. I turned down Ellen's request for the parent-teacher conference and recommended Hare's House instead."
Lycaon gave a slight nod.
The idea of having Ellen reach out to Hare's House had been Lycaon's plan all along.
The goal was simple—get Ellen to make contact with them.
It would help establish a relationship and, more importantly, gather more intel on Sam Li.
In truth, Lycaon wasn't eager to take this approach.
He had tried everything else—searching online, hiring hackers, even hitting up the black market for information on Sam Li.
All of it had come up empty.
There was barely any intel out there.
It was like Sam Li had appeared out of thin air.
No records of family, interests, abilities, or history—nothing.
With no better options, Lycaon decided to send Ellen to make the request.
"Lord Lycaon, why not just tell Ellen the truth?"
"If she knew our real purpose, she wouldn't bother helping."
After a pause, he continued.
"Word just came from our master—she doesn't know who Sam Li really is either. We're to monitor him closely and make sure he doesn't interfere with the plan. If he can't be a help, then he mustn't become a hindrance."
"That won't be difficult. Sam Li just sits on Sixth Street all day drinking coffee and taking commissions. He doesn't seem interested in New Eridu's situation."
Lately, Rina had observed Sam Li several times from the rooftops.
She'd come to the conclusion that he was just a laid-back guy who liked walking his bird.
Besides drinking coffee and bird-walking, he'd occasionally browse the video store.
Most commissions were handed off to others at Hare's House. Unless it was a major job related to the Hollows, he usually didn't get involved.
Just then, Lycaon's phone buzzed.
He frowned at the message.
"What's wrong, Lord Lycaon?"
"Our master just informed me—the defense forces, the rebels, and the Outer Ring factions have all become more active recently. Looks like something big is about to go down."
The rebels and Outer Ring joining forces likely meant it was connected to the Sacrificial Ghosts.
A sense of unease crept into Lycaon's heart.
He just hoped it wouldn't disrupt their master's plans.
Rina asked seriously,
"Should I investigate?"
Lycaon shook his head.
"No need. Our master hasn't asked us to step in."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Meanwhile, on the other side of New Eridu.
Sam Li had just returned, birdcage in hand, and stepped through the front door.
Right away, he spotted Nekomata.
She was carefully cradling a fish tank, pacing back and forth across the hall.
Nearby, Billy saw Sam Li walk in.
He sighed and covered his face, clearly exasperated.
"Sam Li, perfect timing. Talk some sense into Nekomata, will you? She's been at it since this morning—wandering around the living room holding that fish tank. Says she's learning from you. You walk your bird, she walks her fish..."
Sam Li blinked in confusion.
A cat person walking a fish?
Yeah, that was definitely a first.