Seeker 180

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Chapter 180. The Night Intruder

As the night grew darker and most of the town's people went to sleep, a figure holding a small light approached the orphanage. 

The figure, moving silently, took a wire-like tool from their pocket and inserted it into the keyhole of the orphanage's door. 

After a moment, a quiet click sounded, and the intruder unlocked the door's lock.

The figure quietly grasped the door handle, opened it, and stealthily entered the orphanage.

"Hehe, too easy. Now, those brats in the orphanage better not wake up and come to the bathroom. Otherwise, I'll have to break their necks. Kukuku."

The figure continued to move quietly, tip-toeing down the hallway, then muttering to themselves. 

They possessed the power of an awakened one but lacked the skill of [Stealth]. 

Their lockpicking and sneaking techniques were standard thief skills.

Eventually, they reached the door to their target room. 

Earlier in the evening, when they had visited the orphanage with their employer, the foolish female director had personally informed them about the room where they kept the contract document. 

The figure grasped the door handle and checked if the door was locked. 

The door wasn't locked.

"Heh heh, so careless. The lack of vigilance that gets you used and abused by your boss."

Without hesitation, they opened the door and stepped inside. 

There is a modest desk, chair, and wooden box inside the small room. 

The wooden box seemed to hold valuables, as it was securely locked.

Once again, the figure took out their wire-like tool and inserted it into the keyhole. 

After several seconds, a click sounded as the tool was withdrawn. 

They opened the wooden box's lid and took out a rolled-up parchment.

They untied the string and confirmed that it was indeed the desired item.

"No mistakes. If it had been left somewhere else, it would have been troublesome. Being diligent has its benefits."

From their pocket, they took out a rolled-up parchment that looked similar to the one in front of them, intending to swap them—

"—That's far enough. Good work."

A young woman's voice.

A sharp blade's edge was pressed against the intruder's neck.

And—

"Caught in the act, no questions about it. No escape either. You might as well give up."

A young man's voice.

The intruder could feel a sharp blade pressed against their back as well.

"What... are you... two... doing here!? Wait, I recognize that voice... the adventurer from earlier...! Could it be that both of you have the [Stealth] skill too!?"

"Bravo! You got it right. Well, there's no prize for a correct answer, though."

The female adventurer dressed in black attire said with a smile. 

Upon closer inspection, she had a beauty that could captivate anyone, but that wasn't much consolation at this time.

Shortly after, a few more people entered the room. 

The intruder saw a pair of military police officers, another adventurer, and, to the intruder's surprise, the foolish orphanage director he had mocked.

"I've been set up, haven't I? Why? Only my employer and I were supposed to know about this. Did someone betray us...?"

"Who knows? Maybe you're just unlucky. Perhaps the gods are displeased with you?"

The young male adventurer said this as he bound the intruder, Rodney, the bodyguard employed by the moneylender Damon. 

Rodney realized that resistance was futile and complied.