“Again with that? What is so great about secrecy or talking about meaningful things? I hate that.” William said in disappointment and shoved Mi-Yung's hands away. They lingered close as her lecture kept him grounded.

  “Well, I am used to talking and minding my own business, and words. Usually. Wordy punishments might come, and I don't like to think about them. Anyway, don't think too much about Outside and think about Walkers and their systems as separate realms. Before that, think of being here. With me. Some issues are up to higher-ups. Nothing else, nothing more.” Mi-Yung found the right excuse, and no longer continued describing potential regrets.

  She wasn't even trying to question or describe the depths of Emblems or the System, yet she talked a lot about the Federation, organizations, and Divisions. She was sure the upper floors were a better place for sensitive objectives, and they had their boundaries.

  After all, his mind and readiness had yet to be found.

  “As for your wonders about the Emblems, or whatever there is about the System, it is complicated. I can't tell and show you much, as the general overview of it are full of links and lessons. Unique objective too, or quests. That's what is right, so don't get my words wrong or bad. Wait for later, when you are good, or in upper floors, or when you will hear the true face in six weeks. That is the best thing I can tell you right now.”

  William added. “So much for being a teacher.”

  “So much for living in the apocalypse. Also, I am not a teacher. I want to help you like a senior or... well, I am trying my best. I owe it.” Mi-Yung sneered and closed her blouse with both hands, no longer obscuring William.

  “You do. I don't. Since your Emblem is so great, how about the others? Walkers are strong and still numerous. There must be a lot to say about them.”

  “Look at the orphaned boy. All of a sudden, you've gained the upper hand in conversation against your senior. I will teach you some manners.” Mi-Yung chuckled and pounced on William, who was defeated in a single moment, and locked under her armpit. Pinching him to his forehead, Mi-Yung enjoyed this moment way too much.

  “I apologize for being rude.”

  “Again.” she snorted.

  “I apologize for being rude.... miss...” William cried out as his head hurt in her grip.

  Releasing him after a few more pinches, Mi-Yung grabbed his face between her palms and smooched it between her palms.

  “I am aware of my reasons. Not yours. Telling you what I can is a bitter hope. I also hope you enjoyed your day so far, as this little was barely an appetizer. Second meal won't happen because there is a main course ahead.”

  “Ay undeshant,” William mumbled between her palms.

  “Good. I will show you the upper floors. There, I promise to speak and follow your curiosity a bit better because I bet it is more suitable. My words will happen.” Mi-Yung said like a queen and put her palms away.

  Rubbing his face, William muttered words of annoyance and followed Mi-Yung, who wanted to walk outside of this room.

  She tried.

  The moment she turned, Ellie and Celeste were there, as well as a sizable Hound, who got bigger once more. Either because of excitement or preference, he was curious.

  “Oh, what about you two? Done talking and gigglin’ behind our back?” Mi-Yung said coldly.

  Hound turned smaller instantly, and even Celeste shifted her step behind Ellie.

  Ellie tried to smile. “We would like to follow you ahead.”

  “Oh, is that so?”

  “Can't we?”

  “I guess you want to use us well, or me... or... William?”

  “I don't really care,” William said beside her.

  “See?” Ellie pointed.

  Mi-Yung sighed and walked around those kids, clearly bothered about something. She disappeared around the corner and left this quartet alone.

  Ellie walked to William, assuring him with soft pats to his shoulder that everything was alright. “There. There. Everything is good. That tigress is away. She won't bite you anymore.”

  William chuckled. “I feel sorry for every tiger in this world.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Or cub,” Celeste said around Ellie's side, and even Hound howled in agreement.

  Ellie nodded. “Right. Right. It was a curious experience. Mi-Yung is kind of great with you. I feared it would be... different. Difficult.”

  “I am quite tame and she... well, she is rather expectant and curious about me, and even better to me for a reason that I think I don’t deserve. Why is karma that important to some people?”

  “Do you mind sharing a little bit about it? I think you kept it from me. Her. Your parents.”

  “You know her, too, Ellie. I am sure you get her, and I never said much. I didn’t… want. You never asked. And…”

  “You wouldn’t talk about it. I know that already,” Ellie whimpered and slapped his side. “Can’t blame you, can I? No. Wait. I can, but I won’t. I know Mi-Yung. I just never thought you would be close to her whatsoever. That's the difference between heaven and earth.”

  “Whatever.” William waved a hand dismissively. “Mi-Yung wants to take care of me. Karma be silly or something. It's ridiculous.”

  Truth be told, he believed he learned a ton from her today, and some personality or her actions changed nothing between them. Minor problems were manageable. Perhaps he even enjo... No. He definitely did not!

  “Can we go with you? Maybe it is a good to see you and help you if it is going to be rough. Ah! I will protect you from that tigress, right, Celeste?” Ellie offered.

  Celeste nodded, unsure if it meant something fun or good.

  “Why not? You've already accomanied me yesterday, and you, Celeste, upper floors will floor you!”

  Celeste blinked and didn't get his joke, or why he pointed at her face. Even after Ellie explained the joke, it still made little sense to her. Words were hard to imagine, let alone play with.

  Walking outside this room and aiming for the entrance, Mi-Yung stopped and waited for them first.

  It was involuntary, if not a clever stop, for there was a figure waiting for them not so far away, doing that for her alone, maybe?

  It was not a reasonable visit.

  “Greetings, little Song,” a familiar-sounding voice echoed around the museum. Even William recognized it. If he didn't, his head wouldn't be his.

  “Why is the former director strolling the library alone in the middle of the day? Are your a stalker? Should I call a police?” Mi-Yung asked, watching an old man wearing an old cowboy hat and vest walk around the corner.

  The hat didn't serve for anything indoors, but who had to say that to a high-ranking Walker such as him? No one would dare. Unless...

  “Why should I not walk around this place? I made it. It seems your return went rather well since you are taking care of that boy, and whatever else it was about, it seems to have an interesting end. Doing a lecture while dealing with the aftermath of your mission the very next day. I must say it's a rather strange way of doing things, little Song.” Kaufman said in a soft, laughable tone.

  “I can do what I want.”

  “Unwritten rules are incorporated in Assembly, girl.”

  “I don't think any kind of punishment will bother me if you are implying that, old man. Not like you are very familiar with rules anyway.”

  “Oh, I am. Very much so. I create, cause, and abide by many rules. Built some. Done. Crashed more than you all by myself, mind you.”

  “Doubtful, like a second sun in the sky.” Mi-Yung smiled at Kaufman without one ounce of nerves on her face or voice.

  “I figure that much. Never mind. That boy won't reach the upper floor as per the rules.”

  “I think his pass is involving effects of reaching whatever the room, floor, gap, pocket, and floor he sees fit,” Mi-Yung argued, her gaze never once leaving this cretin.

  William shuddered upon this fierce exchange between lofty figures. He was unsure what to take them for, or if their words were dangerous or soon to be fighting. It seemed those two knew each other and didn't like what was happening for one or many reasons.

  The atmosphere tensed and dropped a few degrees. Mi-Yung turned even more serious, and her eyes started to glow like an old moon. Not red.

  Walkers are freaking menace. I won't argue with one... ever again. Wait. Only Mi-Yung. That is the start. A good start.* William thought as he stepped away, doing the same as Ellie, who pushed Celeste behind the corner, though she was very curious about what was going on, like Hound.

  A tight hand grasped William's shoulder as he wanted to run away. “Where do you think you are going? This includes you.” Mi-Yung said coldly, unleashing a smile that wasn't a smile. William was terrified.

  “I...I... I never did anything wrong. I did nothing wrong.” He mumbled in defense and greeted Kaufman, who didn’t seem to care.

  “See that, old man? That is what happens when you play with kids who don't know any better. Is that to your satisfaction? You are putting your hands into an unnecessary mess. Mind your own business.”

  “I don't like doing that. I enjoy other endeavors very much so. I will also enjoy this play to my heart's content, and there is nothing you will do with it.” Kaufman grinned, and an amusement surged out of his voice.

  “Freaking old man... I won't bother you, but if you bother me, it won’t be pretty for either of us. What do you want? I will just show him a couple of rooms youngster like him should know. Not anything regrettable, for obvious reasons.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kaufman taunted her. “I heard you say he can dive into my pockets, no?”

  “Don't pretend to be senile. Not even a dog would fall for such tricks, unless you would offer your pockets, that is. I am betting my life they aren't empty.”

  “Oh, first of all, I bet dogs would fall for it. Secondly, I am only taking a stroll, and oh, and behold, I've met interesting couples thanks to a rather fortunate little accident.” Kaufman said the lie that sounded like truth, or was it a truth that sounded like a lie?

  No one would be sure about it apart from Mi-Yung, who knew something nasty was brewing in Kaufman's mind for the past days.

  Seeing and meeting him here elevated that to another level. At least this confrontation was under control, and not in the worst possible place. It felt inevitable, but it still frustrated Mi-Yung, who would love to initiate this clash first rather than be the one on the chopping board.

  Not that it was fine. There were two Ranks between them. Not a laughing difference, frankly.

  Coming here with his hat and saying sensible words about manners was less than fitting. Lecturing her was simply a joke. Mi-Yung couldn't help but curse and took his problem for curses ahead.

  “I bet the second apocalypse would start before such things happen. Let's go, William. Before this old man will kidnap you and send you somewhere where you wouldn't want to be,” Mi-Yung declared and dragged unwilling William behind her back, leaving a pair of girls hiding behind a corner.

  Kaufman was aware of them, but they weren't the reason he was here. But one of them was definitely curious and up to at least one or two concessions.