The Other Side of the Mask

As hope dissipated from my eyes, I suddenly found a ship! A ship! With a black flag? A pirate ship… my heart sank deeper. I turned to look up at the flag on the building. As expected, it said, 'Pirate League' with a skull.

My heart sinks, and I fall as my energy depletes. I recall all the memories of what happened. So I was peacefully on the yacht and with XiaoLong and the guards and the crew… It must've been the crew's doing and that pirate ship over there is probably the black thing we saw in the distance.

So, where's XiaoLong?

I immediately stand on my shaky legs and hop down from the building. I find a door with the words, 'Staff only' and an awkward smile appears on my face. I immediately head in, after checking that there is no one around.

The room is pretty spacious for just staff. I find a couple of uniforms for attendants of the building and immediately grab it off the shelf.

"Oi, what are you doing?" a voice draws over.

I immediately freeze, one hand on my dagger on my leg.

I see a young girl walk over with a deadly stare. I stood up straight, pretending to be normal, although I could feel my legs shaking.

She comes closer and inspects me, "I've never seen you before. Why are you taking one of the new uniforms?"

Stop shaking! I yell at my legs. Somehow this girl is really scary although she has a small frame and looks super delicate.

"I-i-i-uh… accidentally… ripped up my old uniform…"

Silence fills the air, and I feel tension rising. I pray that the girl will buy my lie and just get over it.

She suddenly smiles and her clouded face immediately brightens, "Oh! You must be one of the new recruits! No wonder I didn't recognize you. My code is 1474, what about you?"

I immediately open my mouth and lie, "I'm 2745…"

She notices my legs still shaking and says, "Don't be scared, I don't bite. It's just that everyone here has a threatening aura, sooner or later, you'll probably develop one too."

I force a smile and play along, "I-um am quite clumsy and forget easily, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry, leave it all to me!" she answers with a pure smile.

After realizing her trust in me, I relax a bit. She shows me around the complicated maze of hallways, but unlike my description, I immediately plan out the map in my head. The uniform I picked is one of the auditors and people that interact with the pirates and set down missions. I choose my words carefully and ambiguously.

"...also, never defy the elders. I heard they took in some prisoners recently, don't go near them or else…"

I suddenly freeze and turn over to look at 1474. I realize the prisoners are XiaoLong and me, and the old witch-like hag is an elder.

"Right…" I respond.