Olivier was in doubt. He turned towards the black cat for help, but she didn't provide him any more answers. After a while he understood that she wanted him to observe Sam's home.
Sighing, Olivier could only agree. He stood on the sidewalk, waiting for literally anything to happen. A breeze pulled on his tailcoat, but he didn't feel cold. The sun had disappeared behind the horizon, but he didn't feel tired. His last meal had been weeks ago, but he didn't feel hungry. Such a life was actually quite listless. Olivier considered negotiating with the black cat so she would at least provide him some food. Just for the taste…
As random thoughts were going through Olivier's mind, he suddenly perked up. Something finally happened. A figure appeared at the end of the street, approaching the house. It was a tall man with a bottle in his hand, swaying left and right. Olivier focused and made out the figure's information. Felix Tross, 41 years old, intoxicated, happy, etc…
The man didn't strike Olivier as a murdered. Still, appearances were deceiving. Thus, Olivier carefully approached and asked the man if he needed any help. Felix declined, stating that he was already home, and entered the same house as Sam earlier. Olivier trusted his gut feeling. This Felix was no murderer. He went back to his earlier spot and glanced at the black cat. She didn't protest. Thus, Olivier continued waiting.
Time passed and no more people appeared. Olivier stood at the side of the street, only accompanied by the black cat. His face remained indifferent but inwardly he was far from calm. He contemplated how he ended up in such a situation. It wasn't enough that he suddenly found himself in the strange café but now he was even brought to a seemingly different world, hunting a murderer. Why would the black cat choose him for such a job? Couldn't she have selected a more suitable candidate? A strong warrior? Or at least a pathfinder?
Olivier's thoughts were disrupted. After two hours someone else finally appeared. It was a person wearing a trench coat. Their face was covered by a hat as they were sticking to the shadows. They couldn't look any more suspicious.
Olivier focused soon got the person's information. Or at least some of it…
[Inerxtal ???
Lifespan: 32,5/???
Origin: ???,???
Status: ???]
Shock hit Olivier. His eyes of truth failed? Could this figure be some strange alien like Old Demon, who spends all his time in the café? But it didn't seem so. From what little Olivier could see the figure did look very much like a human. So, what else could it be? Was some kind of magic at work?
A few weeks ago, just the thought would have seemed absurd to Olivier. But after everything he had seen…
While Olivier was still pondering, the figure came closer. They remained on the other side of the street, moving from shadow to shadow. Olivier could guess their target. And indeed, they approached Sam's house.
"Are we here because of them?"
Olivier asked a question which he already knew the answer to. Just as expected the black cat nodded lightly. Olivier wanted to ask some more but instantly his chest tightened. The figure on the other side suddenly had a small burning stick in their hand. Without thinking Olivier let out a loud shout:
"Hey! Stop!"
The figure turned around in shock. They held their trench coat, blocking the lower half of their face. Two pairs of eyes met for a moment. The figure was startled. They let go of the burning stick and ran down the street. Seeing the small flame on the stone floor slowly dying down, Olivier let out a sigh of relief. But when he turned back towards the black cat he could only make out annoyance and disappointment on her face.
"What? Did I do something wrong? Can't you just tell me what you want from me?"
"That guy was the murderer, wasn't he? He tried to burn down the building! I stopped him, so I saved Sam. Didn't I? What more am I supposed to do? Are you only satisfied when that murderer sits in jail? Do I need to report him to the guards?"
Olivier's emotions were turbulent. He was somewhat fed up with the black cat. The words kept flowing out of his mouth. This time even the black cat didn't remain indifferent. She waved her paw and words black as ink appeared on the floor.
Olivier involuntarily raised his brows. He glanced at the black cat, wanting to ask why she didn't do this from the beginning. But he was surprised to see that the black cat's body had turned transparent as if she was about to disappear. Olivier swallowed his question and turned his head towards the text produced by the black cat.
Kill the hunter!
A profound shock ran through every cell of Olivier's body. He was frozen in place. Killing? No! He couldn't do it! He wouldn't do it! He, who held every life in high regard, would not kill a person! Say nothing of the potential danger!
Olivier resolutely shook his head.
"No! I won't!"
Olivier turned towards the black cat, staring into her eyes. It was like staring into an infinite abyss of darkness and horror. It took everything Olivier had to not avert his eyes. Sweat ran down his back and goosebumps covered his body. But… he held on!
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, did the black cat scrunch her face and turn her head away. Olivier felt as if he had just been pardoned. His breath was heavy, and he balled his hands to stop them from shivering. He couldn't tell if the black cat was angry, disappointed, or impressed. However, Olivier was proud in himself. You could throw him into an unfamiliar environment, confront him with all kinds of strange situations, fine. But he would not overthrow his principles, his conviction!
As Olivier was still recovering, he watched the black cat wave her paw again. This time multiple rows of text appeared.
Alternative: Destroy the anchor!
Anchor: Object, strong connection with hunter. Immovable.
Olivier took a deep breath, nodding lightly. He was glad that the black cat provided him with an alternative.
"Good. Good. But… how can I find that anchor?"
Asking that, Olivier turned his head back towards the black cat and suddenly froze in place. Just as he thought the black cat had become reliable, she had disappeared. There was no trace left of her. Not even a single black hair.
"Well… great. How do I get back now?"
Olivier raised his hands to massage his temples. He opened his hand, and a light cling could be heard. Frowning, Olivier looked at the ground and there was a heavy, black key.
"Did I hold this in my hand…?"
A cold breeze sent a shiver down Olivier's spine. Is this key supposed to be his ticket back to the café? But where could he use it? Questions over questions…
Olivier picked the key up and placed it in his pocket. He crossed the street and took the stick dropped by the hunter as well. Looking at the house in front of him draped in shadows Olivier remained thoughtful. He needed a plan. How could he find the anchor? His only clue was the hunter themselves. And the best bet to find the hunter was by following Sam. But the latter would surely find it suspicious if Olivier always hovered around him. Although he was good at sneaking, he wasn't invisible. Sam would surely spot him. Especially with the conspicuous tailcoat.
With his thoughts spinning Olivier looked down at the hem of his clothes. Should he change? But where would he get new cloths? Stealing? Not impossible, but first Olivier needed to understand the rules of this world. How good were the guards? Would they relentlessly chase a thief or just do some perfunctory acts? Would a caught thief get a slap on the wrist, or would their hands be cut off? The more Olivier thought about it, the more he realized how important it was to understand this world.
So far, he had simply projected the rules of his home onto this world. But without knowing it he could have already committed multiple crimes. Just thinking about it made one's chest tighten.
As Olivier was deep in thought, a new text unexpectedly appeared in his vision.
[Tailcoat, Café of Dreams
Can change appearance to match clothes of the current world.
Price: 0,5 years]
"This… there is such a service?"
Although the price of 0,5 years of his life pained Olivier, it seemed necessary. At least this would make it easier to blend in. Olivier gritted his teeth and sent out a thought. There was no exaggerated light or flying clothes. Suddenly Olivier was clad in simple shirts and trousers as if he had never worn anything different.
"Now there is nothing left to do…"
Olivier turned around again, entering an alley, sitting on the ground. He raised his head and questioned life.