BXBX NOVEL Chapter 120 120 Looking For
Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Looking For
"Oh, couldn't you have led with that?"
Monica's eyes squinted as she shot the mouthy receptionist a pulverizing look. That was enough to get the sleazy girl on track.
"Uhm, I have a file for a mister Ni Yang here, but its thin as hell. . .residential address is listed as Castra City. . .no known relatives. . ."
She flicked some more; ". . .no next of kin stated. . .no billing address either. . ."
She closed it with a flapping sound; "I don't think your mystery man wants to be found."
"He's not my mystery man."
Just then, the bubbly middled receptionist from before, emerged from the door behind the counter. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw Monica;
"Mrs. Russell," she chimed; "Good to have you here! You looking to pick up another dreadful mission I presume? I reckon you have a taste for nasty beings, so I saved you a–"
"I'm looking for a newbie called Ni Yang. Seen him?"
The lady touched her alloy rimmed spectacles as her eyebrows curved;
"Dearie, I deal with a ton of names, and hunters everyday. You're gonna have to do better than a name."
"He's about six foot five, wears a hat, a newbie. He's probably an alchemist- or a fire sage, or whatever."
The lady's face brightened at the words newbie and alchemist;
"Yeah. . ." she murmured; "I do remember a character like that. I think the old man asked for his records as well. . .and Julia, the receptionist on morning shift, said she'd met an interesting character that fits that description. . ."
After all the back and forth, the and half baked recollections, there was still not a single lead on his current whereabouts.
Monica realized with a start;
'Am I the only one who's actually spent time with him?'
All the others seemed to have had brief, but memorable encounters with him. Even the old man in the basement appeared to have been asking around for the young man.
'Damn it Ni Yang,' she cursed inwardly; 'Why d'you have to be so elusive? Just who the hell are you?'
Head spinning, she turned around in a cloud of disappointment, and walked in dazed steps towards the exit. Her shoulders were slumped, and her back arched- reflecting the very image of disappointment.
"Lady Russell," a sturdy energetic voice called out to her; "Could I possibly have a minute of your time?"
Monica swerved a full one eighty in the direction of the voice behind her.
Some few yards out, right on the precipice of the lodge's descending steps, stood a dark haired young man. His smooth features reflected his youthfulness. His eyes seemed to have hardened only recently- placing his age at maybe mid twenties.
Placing his hand on his chest, he began in a respectful tone;
"Pardon the intrusion. My name is Tayshaun, and I'm currently sitting on a B-rank mission."
He lowered his hand;
"If you don't mind, I would like to have you join me on this journey. It would be an absolute privilege to–"
"I don't do team ups."
"The bounty is quite generous. So, I'd be happy to split in your favo–"
"That's another thing I don't do- split."
The ugly word poured out of her mouth, clearly showcasing her distaste. She turned to leave, but he hopped forward on the first step;
"Respectfully, I don't think you're gonna pass up on this one. I'm open to negotiating the arrangements to favor you if you're willing to partner up."
Monica watched him carefully- looking over him properly for the first time. This all sounded familiar- vaguely familiar. Perhaps that was what made her hesitate;
"There's a whole lot of hunters out here," she cut in abruptly; "I'm sure one or more of them would love to hop on whatever you've got going on."
"None of them are you Lady Russell. None of them have managed to waste an entire pack of wind wolves in one night. NONE."
He laid out the last word emphatically- almost matter of factly.
Monica chaffed, and turned to leave. But the young hunter was quick on his feet. Quickly, he flew up the four stony steps and was by her side in a moment;
"Lady Russell, it's no secret that you're something of a local legend. I understand that you probably have higher ranked missions on your radar. But could you at least pause for a minute. . ."
Slowly, Monica turned her head in his direction.
The fire in her eyes could almost be heard cackling aloud. Really, she was not in the mood. Here she was, trying to get out of here to look for the one person she desperately wanted to see, and this scallywag was actively trying to get in her way.
Her jaw clenched, and her face tightened as she prepared to unsheathe her tongue.
But his next words took her off guard.
". . .okay, little confession- I'm actually kind of a fan. I heard how you took out a thousand leading wolves with your magic, and I've been marinating on the thought ever since."
In a bold move, he took a step closer;
"This B-rank mission is the real deal Lady Russell. Of course it doesn't involve wind wolves, but I have a feeling this is more your speed. . ."
Monica watched the hunter speak. She admired his boldness. His sincerity was also apparent.
Tayshaun wasn't wrong.
Since her last success, her fame had spread far and wide. Both in the city's colorful streets, and in the bowels of the gloomy hunter's lodge, worshipful eyes and and tall tales dogged Monica's every step. Since she was also young, it added to the aura of mystery. Plus, her terrifying explosive series magic scored her a lot of points in the public's eye.
To everyone, Monica was like the harbinger of death or something.
She stared intently at the wiry headed youth, and knew that this kind of offers would be sure to keep coming. Already, several hunters had approached her with the same proposition. But she had snapped at everyone of them.
Monica did not play well with others.
Her mouth prepared to say no- when she abruptly reconsidered.
Ni Yang was nowhere in sight. She hadn't even as much as cracked out what his deal was, and when he could most likely turn up. This was the perfect opportunity for her to get back out there in search of him.
Maybe, just maybe, she would get lucky.
Her face softened a little as she replied the hunter;
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to pick up one or two moonlight gigs. . ."
Gratitude flashed in his eyes;
"Lady Russell, I just can't say how much of an honor it is to–"
"Dude I already said yes. No need to suck up to me, it's cringey."
Instead of feeling ashamed, a short burst of rich laughter escaped his throat;
"Okay, okay, you're right," he held up both hands in mock surrender; "I won't do that no more."
"Good. What's your name again?"
His right out stretched out towards her for a handshake;
"Tayshaun."
The contemptuous redhead looked at his hand with a mild look of amusement on her face.