At the Edge of the World

Nestled in the remote, mountainous region of the Land of Fang, the village of Yaeba is small, with no more than a few dozen families residing there, their homes constructed from weathered wood and stone, blending seamlessly with the rugged landscape. The roofs are thatched with dark, aged straw, and the buildings are spaced unevenly, following the natural contours of the land rather than any organized grid.

The air is thick with the scent of pine and earth, mixed with a faint hint of sulfur from the hot springs that dot the area. Mist clings to the village in the early morning, veiling it in a soft, eerie shroud that only begins to lift as the sun climbs higher, casting long shadows from the surrounding peaks.

At the edge of the village, tucked away in a forgotten corner where the forest begins to reclaim the land, stands the old, abandoned bathhouse where Ginko has made her temporary base. The bathhouse, once a modest but well-loved retreat for villagers seeking rest and rejuvenation, is now a shadow of its former self. The wooden beams creak with age, and the sliding doors are stuck in their tracks, half-open and inviting the elements inside. Moss and vines have overtaken the outer walls, while inside, the once-steaming baths are now cold, their stone basins cracked and dry. A faint trace of moisture lingers in the air, the only reminder of the warmth that once filled the space.

Despite its dilapidated state, the bathhouse offers Ginko a certain level of seclusion and security. The villagers rarely venture near the building, having long abandoned it to tales of ghosts and bad fortune. Ginko finds this seclusion comforting, allowing her to conduct her operations with minimal risk of discovery while she surveys the village for potential targets. The quiet of Yaeba, interrupted only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird, serves as the perfect cover for her schemes.

For today's agenda, she has a to-do list of odd jobs to fulfill from her clientele. Five, in particular: one of her employers requests she fetches a family heirloom, a second to spread pests at a rival restaurant, a third to kidnap a pet, a fourth to burn down a farmhouse encroaching upon a local crime boss's territory, and finally, the fifth simply that she simply erases any contents that connect her to an old tenant—who happened to be her informant before his passing—from the bathhouse. If she's lucky, she can score a little more on her payment if she finds or learns anything valuable.

Her clients are a diverse bunch, with different motives and goals, but one thing is clear: they all want something, and they're willing to pay good money to get it. Ginko doesn't ask questions; she just does the job. After all, she's not one to judge. But, the details of the last task on the list about her old informant are suspiciously ambiguous. Although she's not one to stick her nose where it doesn't belong, this line of work always involves a level of risk during the completion process. And yet, this one in particular is far too straightforward for it to carry no risk at all.

She doesn't have the luxury of dwelling on the matter, however. Not when she has a job to do. Dressed in her usual attire, she stows her game console at her hip and quickly stretches her arms above her head before straightening her wild hair as she rolls her shoulders and sets off, a determined look on her face.

"Alright, let's see what I'm dealing with here."

As the sun rises, Ginko slips on her shoes and heads out, leaving the bathhouse behind. Her first stop is the home of her employer, a wealthy merchant who has hired her to retrieve a family heirloom. Coincidentally, she cased this place a week in advance when she spotted one of the family members sporting a ruby necklace. To her knowledge, two guards flank the entrance to the estate where her quarry lies, and past them are at least a score more who patrol the perimeter. Moreover, entrances inside the estate are far and few in between with all of them either being heavily guarded or sealed off in an open space.

Thus, she devised to create a distraction: hiring a group of mercenaries to stage an attack on the estate's outer perimeter, posing as hired muscle from one of the rival merchants in the village. From there, she sneaks inside to make her way towards the bedroom where the heirloom is kept. Of course, she "promised" to divide any spoils she could find as compensation... but it remains to be seen. Once she reaches the house, she stands a fair distance away from the patrol behind one of the stone walls and listens. Soon from around the bend, she can hear the sounds of the mercenaries moving into position, and then the first shouts of alarm as the attack begins.

Ginko grins, scaling the wall, her feet and hands finding purchase on the rough stones as she climbs toward and along the rooftop, leaping across the gap between the houses and landing silently on the tiles. She moves swiftly and stealthily, keeping an eye out for the other guards, and makes her way to the back of the house, where the window leading into the room where the heirloom is kept is located.

She glances around and sees no one in sight. Perfect. She slides the window open and slips inside, closing it behind her. She is greeted by the sight of a large, ornately decorated room, the bed in the center piled high with pillows and blankets. On the far side of the room, a dresser and vanity sit against the wall, and a set of double doors lead out to a balcony. She walks over to the dresser and opens the top drawer, revealing an assortment of jewelry and accessories. She rummages through the items, looking for the heirloom.

After a few minutes of searching, she finds the necklace, a glittering piece of jewelry with a large ruby pendant. "Score," she whispers, slipping the necklace into her pocket. She continues rummaging until she finally comes across the desired heirloom, a simple ring.

"This is the one," she says, picking it up and examining it closely. It's a simple silver band with a small blue gemstone set in the center. She pockets the ring and closes the drawer, turning her attention to the vanity. She searches the drawers and finds a variety of makeup and perfume, as well as a few pieces of jewelry. She takes her time, picking through the items, trying to decide what she wants to take. As she's sifting through the jewelry, a glint of gold catches her eye. She pulls out a bracelet, a delicate chain with a small, golden heart-shaped charm dangling from it.

"I think I'll take this," she says, admiring the bracelet. It's not very expensive, but it's pretty and would go nicely with her outfit. She fastens the bracelet around her wrist and turns her attention to the wardrobe. "Let's see what else you have in here," she murmurs, opening the doors. Inside, she finds a collection of fine clothes, neatly arranged. "Ooh, these are nice," she says, running her hand along the silky fabric. "Maybe I'll give them to those muscleheads... Hmm. Nah."

She closes the doors and turns to leave, glancing around the room. Satisfied, she slips out the window, closing it behind her, and makes her way back to the front of the estate. She signals to the mercenaries to retreat, and the fighting soon ceases. The guards are left confused and disoriented, unsure of what just happened. On the other hand, the mercenaries rendezvous at one of their local taverns, expecting their sly, silver-haired accomplice... who never arrives.

---

---

WC: 1,321
TWC: 1,321
TMWC: 1,321/2,500

With the first objective completed, Ginko departs for her next target, the rival restaurant. She's been commissioned to spread some pests, and her employer has given her a box full of crickets. While the method is unconventional, it's not unheard of, and Ginko knows that the owner of the restaurant is a bit of a traditionalist. He believes that a restaurant's success is tied to its food and that the quality and freshness of the ingredients are what separate the best restaurants from the rest.

So, the next day, she arrives at the restaurant early, before the breakfast rush. She enters the kitchen and places the box of crickets on the counter. Then, she releases the crickets, letting them scurry about the kitchen. Within moments, the entire kitchen is alive with the sound of chirping and fluttering wings. Ginko watches the chaos unfold, a satisfied smirk on her face. As the customers begin arriving, the chef is frantic, trying to keep the bugs under control. But, the insects are relentless, and the chaos soon spreads to the dining area. Soon, the restaurant is in an uproar, with customers fleeing in terror and the staff scrambling to contain the infestation. Ginko slips out the back door, disappearing into the crowd.

---

---

WC: 209
TWC: 1,530
TMWC: 1,530/2,500

Now that the second assignment is finished, she moves on to her next hit: kidnapping one of the neighbor's kittens. She's being paid to abduct a cat belonging to a prominent businessman. Her client has given her explicit instructions to not harm the animal and to deliver it to a local bakery's backdoor. For this mission, she's been provided a cardboard box, only this one is a bit smaller and has a hole cut out of the top. According to her client, the feline has a habit of stowing itself away in them. So, she sets the box down near the alleyway and waits. After a few minutes, a small black cat emerges from the shadows and cautiously approaches the box. Ginko holds her breath, watching the cat sniff the air. Suddenly, the cat lunges forward, pouncing into the box. Ginko lets out a sigh of relief, scooping up the box and making her way to the bakery's backdoor to drop off her quarry.

Upon arrival, she sets the box down at the foot of the door and above it, an open glass window. Folding her arms, she waits but not for long, as from her peripheral, an object slides and drops from above from the aforementioned window. Seeing that it may nearly hit the box below, Ginko lunges forward and catches the object and the weight carries her downward a little before she catches herself. Its contents consist of a stack of rolled-up Ryo. Another job done, easy peasy.

---

---

WC: 250
TWC: 1,780
TMWC: 1,780/2,500

The following day, her third mission comes from a local boss with a monopoly on medical supplies and remedies who has it out for an upstart who's brewing potions and other concoctions on his turf. He's not asking her to kill the guy, and he's not asking her to beat him up. He's not even asking her to scare him. All he asks is that she burns the farmhouse to the ground. The instructions he sent are clear, however, the modus operandi is completely at Ginko's discretion. That news, in particular, rouses a flex from her digits.

She decides to commence a little later into the evening, predicting that the residents of the farmhouse are likely to be asleep, which would make her job easier. And so, she heads towards the farmhouse. Upon her arrival, the building is, indeed, empty. It's a small, cozy, white wooden house, a single-story with a simple layout and a chimney. Ginko's footsteps echo throughout the house, the sound of her boots tapping the floorboards. She looks around and takes note of the various items strewn about. There's a shelf filled with bottles and jars, a table, a kitchen, a bed, a cauldron, and a fireplace.

"Hmm." She hums, her gaze settling on the fireplace. "That'll do." She walks over to the fireplace and examines the logs. They're dry and would burn easily. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a match. Before striking it, she raises a finger. "Ah, right. Nearly forgot," she stows away the match into her pocket. "May as well nick what I can find here. Anyone owning a property this big's got to house at least a knickknack or two worth pilfering, eh."

She begins searching the house, rummaging through drawers and cabinets. She finds a few interesting items, including a pair of earrings, a necklace, and a ring. “Not bad,” she mutters to herself, as she pockets these and continues her search. A small, ornate box catches her eye, tucked away in the back of a dusty wardrobe. She pries it open to reveal a delicate silver locket, the kind that would likely have a sentimental story behind it, but to her, it’s just another item to add to her collection. The house is filled with little treasures, each more tempting than the last, but she knows better than to weigh herself down with too much. Quick in, quick out, that’s the rule.

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, the light streaming in through the windows grows dimmer. Ginko finishes her search, having found a handful of trinkets and baubles, and makes her way to the fireplace. She grabs an armful of them and spreads them across the ground floor where the chances of wildfires are much higher—careful to avoid waltzing near any of the nearby bedrooms. Then, she strikes the match and lights the fire across them all, the flames crackling and popping as they consume the logs. As much as she would like to admire her work, the smoke is starting to become a nuisance.

So, she makes her exit, stepping outside into the cool night air. The smell of burning wood follows her as she disappears into the darkness.

---

---

WC: 537
TWC: 2,317
TMWC: 2,317/2,500

The final task is at hand and the following morning, Ginko finds herself at a local restaurant—not the same one she besmirched from a cricket infestation, mind you—for a meeting with a shady-looking character. The interior is a bit drab, the lighting is dull, the seats are uncomfortable, and there's the occasional coupling of flies that litter themselves along the countertops. But the food is good, and the service is friendly. The restaurant's menu consists of traditional and exotic dishes, and the drinks are plentiful. From across numerous patrons and tables, an ashen-haired woman sits across from a man wearing a wide-brimmed hat that casts a shadow over most of his face. His clothes are plain, almost forgettable, but the way he sits—rigid, yet relaxed—betrays a certain alertness.

"I'm not going to lie. I was a little skeptical, but you've impressed me." The man says.

"Glad to hear."

"You've proven yourself capable. Now, let's get down to business. You see, my employer has a problem."

"And that is?"

"A certain individual has been meddling in his affairs. We've tried the conventional methods, but they've failed. So, we've resorted to more... drastic measures."

"Drastic, huh? Sounds exciting." She swats away a stray fly that lands on the rim of her cup.

"Indeed. Which is why we've chosen you for the job. You've shown a willingness to get your hands dirty and a lack of sentimentality. Those are exactly the qualities we're looking for. Are you interested?"

"It depends. Who am I dealing with, and how much are you willing to pay?"

"Well, the target is a young woman named 'Nara Ane' and the price is 100,000 Ryo."

Ginko cocks an eyebrow, pursing her lips as a pink, opaque orb steadily expands before being engulfed and a muffled pop reverberates in her mouth. "You're not just pulling my leg or something, are you?"

"No, not at all. Is the amount not enough?" The man swats another fly of his own.

"Oh no, it's plenty. It's just that I've never heard of her before. What's her deal?"

"She's a Missing-Nin from a small village. Currently, she's hiding out in the Land of Fang. Our intel tells us that she's planning a heist at the old abandoned bathhouse. And, according to the locals, she's quite the troublemaker. So, if you can apprehend her and bring her to us, we'll be more than happy to compensate you."

"The bathhouse," she mutters. Leaning back a little, swinging one leg which rests above the other. 'That's where my contact used to live before... how the hell did any information about the place reach someone like her?'

"Is there a problem?"

"No, no. Nothing like that." She shakes her head.

"Good. Then, do you accept the mission?"

"Sure. Why not? But, can I ask, who's your employer, anyway?"

"He prefers to remain anonymous. For obvious reasons." He swats at another fly that hovers flippant over his countenance. "But, he has instructed me to tell you this. If you fail, don't bother coming back. There will be no second chances. Understood?"

"Crystal. I won't disappoint."

"Very good. Here's the details."

The man pulls out a piece of paper and slides it across the table. "It'll burn up on its own after being opened for a while, so read it quickly—and certainly not here of all places."

"Right."

"Then, I'll be off. I'm sure you'll want to prepare. Good luck."

And with that, he exits the scene. Ginko shifts the paper in her hands between her index and middle fingers before tucking it away between her chest's cleft. "Seems I've got competition. And 100,000 Ryo, too. Wonder what she did to get a bounty that fat." Idly musing, once again, a fly buzzes around her face. With a quick swat, it flies off. "Sure are a lot of these though here, where are they even coming from?"

"Apparently from the old bathhouse over there," One of the patrons points towards the east, "They've been a real nuisance lately, and the owner's worried they'll scare away the customers."

"Hmmm, the bathhouse, huh? That's interesting."

"Yeah, the old tenant was a pretty nice guy, and his wife was a wonderful cook. They were both a real pleasure to have around. It's a shame they had to move away. Heard the managers gonna get a couple of folks to clean it out, maybe fix the place up. Suppose they'll have to get rid of the bugs first."

This catches her attention. "Did they say how soon that would happen?"

"I think right about now? Saw the owners send some people to check the place out."

'... Shit.'

She then stands up from her seat leaves the establishment and makes her way to the abandoned bathhouse. Ginko moved swiftly through the bustling streets, her mind racing. The old bathhouse had been a perfect hideout, tucked away and forgotten, but she had let it slip into disarray. The flies were a warning she had ignored for too long. Now, with people headed there, she had no choice but to act quickly.

She hesitates at the threshold, listening intently for any signs of the supposed cleaners. The only sound is the distant hum of flies, growing louder as she steps inside. The air is thick with dust and neglect, but she pushes forward, moving with the fluid grace of someone well-practiced in the art of slipping through the shadows. The interior is a maze of abandoned rooms, each more disheveled than the last.

Her eyes scan the surroundings, noting anything that might be of value or, more importantly, anything that could tie her to the old tenant. Ginko’s fingers brush against dusty shelves and toppled furniture as she makes her way to the back office where the tenant kept his most private affairs. While rifling through for fragmented evidence, her ears perk up at the slight though soft sounds of drawers and cabinets shifting open and closed.

'Someone's already here? It sounds like it's coming from the office room.' And the place she needs to be. Ginko creeps silently toward the door, pressing her ear against the wood. She listens carefully for the slightest movement, trying to discern the intruder's position. She can hear them shuffling through the contents of the desk, their movements careful and deliberate. 'Whoever they are, they're no amateur. Maybe they're a rival thief, or worse, a hunter. Either way, I can't afford to let them leave with any incriminating evidence. I'll have to take care of them before they can report back.'

She reaches for the doorknob, carefully turning it and opening the door. She enters the room, her eyes immediately locking onto the intruder, dressed in a black hoodie and cloak that masks their visage from the dimly moonlit space. She's clearly focused on her task, unaware of the danger lurking behind her. Taking advantaging of the situation, she performs the following hand seals: Rat → Monkey → Dragon, the shadow beneath her feet darkens, writhing and warping, before elongating itself toward the woman at a frightening speed until it successfully connects with the other woman's shadow, rendering her movements inert. The woman's body stiffens, her breath catching in her throat.

"Well, well, well. Looks like I'm not the only one interested in the old tenant's secrets." Ginko says. "And, judging by the fact that you're going through his stuff, you're not exactly here to help clean the place. So, who are you, and why are you here?"

"I could ask the same thing."

"Yeah?" She deftly forms the next series of hand seals: Rat → Monkey → Dragon. As her fingers complete the sequence, the shadow beneath the woman's feet begins to shift and darken, pooling like liquid ink. From this deepening blackness, a pair of spectral hands emerge, their surface gleaming with an unnatural sheen. These ink-black hands move with deliberate slowness, slithering up her ankles in a corkscrew motion, leaving a lingering trail of darkness etched into her skin like a creeping stain.

The physical sensation is immediate and unnerving—an icy, bone-chilling touch that feels as though it is burrowing under her skin. The coldness slithers upwards, dragging with it a wave of dread that causes every hair on the woman's body to stand on end. Her breath catches in her throat, each inhale shallow and labored, betraying the rising panic that tightens her chest. Though she tries to steady her breathing, the rhythm of her breaths falters, quivering with the terror that her voice struggles to contain.

"W-What are—what are you doing?"

"Are you gonna answer my question or not? Who are you and why are you here?"

"I'm n-no one special." The hands continue their ascent, sliding past her hips with an eerie, deliberate grace. As they move higher, the sensation intensifies—their cold, spectral touch spreads across her skin like frost creeping over glass. The otherworldly embrace of these shadowy appendages sends sharp, involuntary shivers up her spine, each inch of their progress tingling with a chilling numbness that seeps into her very bones. The air around her seems to grow colder as if the darkness itself is drawing the warmth from her body, leaving her trembling in their ghostly grip. "L-Look, don't hurt me. I'm not a threat to you, I swear."

"Name and why you're here, please."

"I-I... Uh... it's—"

"Go on, spit it out."

From the depths of the shadows that enshroud the office’s interior, two arms emerge with swift precision, cutting through the stillness like vipers striking their prey. The first arm snakes around Ginko’s neck, pulling her back into a firm, unyielding hold. The grip is tight, but not suffocating—calculated to restrain without immediately choking. A second arm quickly follows, its hand steady as it hovers a kunai mere inches from Ginko’s throat, the cold steel glinting ominously in the dim light.

The kunai’s edge is sharp, its point resting just close enough to her skin that she can feel the chill of the blade, a silent threat that promises a swift end if she resists. The real thief had concealed herself within the very shadows Ginko had unwittingly stepped past. Her ambush is as precise as it is unexpected, her breath barely audible as she holds Ginko in place, the weight of her presence pressing heavily against Ginko’s back.

"Y-You—" Ginko begins her voice tight with confusion and tension. Before she can finish, the initial figure she had been trying to extract information from abruptly dissolves into a puff of off-white smoke. The sudden implosion fills the room, its presence expanding like a dense cloud before dispersing just as quickly into the still air, leaving Ginko momentarily disoriented. ‘A shadow clone?’ she thinks, her mind racing. ‘I only heard one set of footsteps when I checked earlier. How did she stay that quiet?’

From behind, a low, controlled voice cuts through Ginko’s thoughts, its tone edged with a hint of dark amusement. “You’re not the only one who can hide in the shadows.” The words are whispered with a familiarity that sends a chill down Ginko’s spine, recognition dawning as she realizes who holds her captive. Ginko considers retracting her Shadow Imitation technique, knowing that the distance between them is enough to close the gap—perfect for binding her assailant to retain her stolen leverage. Yet, in her compromised state, with a kunai pressed so closely to her throat, she hesitates. One wrong move, and she might end up with more than just a scrape.

"Wait a minute," The Unseen Assailant whispers, her voice carrying a hint of recognition. "Your hair... your clothes... they're oddly familiar."

"And?" Ginko strains to respond, her mind racing to piece together who this shadowy figure could be.

Before either can act, a soft click reverberates through the room—a subtle, almost imperceptible sound that sends a jolt of alarm through Ginko’s mind. Her gaze darts to the corner of the room where a small, inconspicuous device begins to blink with a faint red light. The alarm system she had set up earlier is now activated, signaling an intruder nearby. The cleaners from the restaurant—likely here to inspect the bathhouse—are closer than she anticipated.

The tension in the room thickens, as both women realize the precariousness of their situation. Ginko tenses, aware that any second now, the quiet of the room could be shattered by the arrival of unexpected guests. The Assailant's grip falters ever so slightly, the brief hesitation enough for Ginko to sense a shift in power. "Looks like we don’t have much time," The Assailant murmurs, her voice steady despite the urgency. “If we get caught here, it’s over for both of us. But there’s a way out—a route I know that leads to an emergency exit. Help me ransack this office and destroy any evidence of our presence, and I’ll help you find what you came for.”

Ginko’s mind races, weighing her options. There’s no time for second-guessing. "Fine," she hisses, her voice tight with the pressure of the moment. The kunai withdraws, and Ginko feels the tension between them shift from hostility to uneasy cooperation. Moving swiftly, they begin tearing through the office, rifling through drawers, overturning cabinets, and scattering papers. She scans the shelves and drawers with practiced efficiency. In the dim light, her gaze locks onto a small, weathered journal tucked behind a stack of ledgers. Ginko snatches it up, flipping through the pages with quick, discerning eyes. The contents are cryptic, filled with codes and symbols, but there’s no doubt in her mind that it’s valuable. "Got it," she whispers, holding up the journal for the other woman to see.

She nods, a slight smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Good. Now, follow me." With a swift motion, she leads Ginko toward the far end of the room, where a hidden panel in the wall conceals an emergency exit. As they slip through the narrow passage, the dim light from the office fades into near darkness. Ginko can feel the cold, damp air from outside seeping in as they descend a narrow, spiraling staircase that seems to lead into the bowels of the building.

The cloaked woman moves ahead with purpose, her footsteps silent and sure as she navigates the labyrinthine exit route. At the bottom of the staircase, they emerge into a secluded alley, hidden from view by the tall, imposing walls of the surrounding buildings. The night air is crisp, filled with the faint scent of rain. Ginko turns to face the woman, who unfurls her hood and finally steps into the light, revealing her appearance in full.

She has raven-black hair that falls in straight, glossy waves down to her mid-back and her eyes are a deep, piercing shade of brown. Her features are sharp and defined, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that give her a naturally commanding presence. Her posture is straight, her movements graceful and guided purposeful. Her attire is practical and unassuming, designed for stealth and agility. A dark, form-fitting outfit that blends seamlessly with the shadows she so expertly navigates. Her expression is serious, her gaze steady as she meets Ginko’s eyes. There’s a weight in her stare, one that speaks of burdens carried and responsibilities that can’t be shirked.

"I thought I recognized you," She says, her voice a mixture of surprise and admiration. "The darkness almost hides you well, were it not for the white fur and the vestigial colors of your jacket. But it was your hair—that ashen silver—that gave you away. It’s unmistakable."

Ginko’s eyes narrow, her posture stiffening at the implication. "You say that as though we know each other personally," she replies, her tone sharp, defensive. "And I don’t particularly like having friends to begin with."

Unfazed by the cold response, she continues with a knowing smile. "Sure, that’s true, but your resemblance is too striking to ignore. The way you move, your skill in and with the shadows—it all matches the stories I’ve heard." She pauses, her gaze softening as she adds, "You’re her, right? The 'Silver Veil' of The Twelve Virtues?"

Ginko’s heart skips a beat at the mention of the name, but she quickly suppresses her reaction, shaking her head with a scoff. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," she lies, her voice laced with bitterness. "The Twelve Virtues, the ‘Silver Veil’—those are just stories. I’m no one important, just a thief trying to survive." She turns away slightly, trying to distance herself from the conversation, from the painful memories that the name stirs within her.

But she's undeterred. Her voice is earnest, almost pleading. "You may deny it all you want, but I know who you are—or at least, who you were. And it’s because of you that I’m here today, doing what I do." Ginko glances at her, frowning in confusion. "I’ve always looked up to your exploits," she continues. "You stood up against the corrupt, took what they hoarded, and gave back to those who needed it. You inspired me to take action, to help provide for my family in this unjust world."

Ginko cringes at the idealized version of herself that she paints. The admiration in her voice feels like a mockery of the person she knows she truly is. "You’ve got the wrong idea," Ginko snaps, shaking her head. "I’m no hero. I’ve never done anything out of some noble cause. I just take what I want, when I want. That’s all there is to it." Ginko glares at her, hoping to drive home her point, but ravenette's eyes remain steady.

"Maybe that’s what you tell yourself," She says softly, her tone understanding rather than accusatory. "But whether you like it or not, you’ve made a difference. And now, I want to help you, just like you unknowingly helped me." She hesitates before asking, "Do you have a place to stay tonight?"

Ginko opens her mouth to refuse, to insist that she prefers to be alone, but the words catch in her throat. The truth is, she has nowhere to go, no safe place to rest. "No," she admits reluctantly, "but I’m fine on my own. I don’t need anyone’s help."

She takes a measured step closer, her presence both reassuring and insistent. "Everyone needs help sometimes, even someone like you," she says gently. "Come with me. I have a hideout in the village. It’s safe, and you can stay there as long as you need. Besides," she adds with a slight grin, "having someone like you around might be useful. We could help each other."

Ginko hesitates, her instinct to remain solitary warring with the practical side of her that knows the value of an ally. The memory of joining The Twelve Virtues flickers in her mind—how she reasoned that she could gain more by working with them than by staying alone. Maybe this is another such opportunity, even if it feels dangerously familiar. After a moment, she sighs, conceding, "Fine. I’ll come with you. But don’t get any funny ideas about us being chummy."

She nods, accepting the terms without argument. "Fair enough," she replies, her smile unwavering. "Follow me. The name's Ane, by the way. Nara Ane. I guess that'd make us cousins, then, huh?"

Ginko's eyes widen ever so slightly as the black-cloaked woman introduces herself as Ane Nara, the very name that had echoed in her mind since the encounter at the restaurant earlier that day. The realization hits her like a cold wave, and as Ane turns to lead them to safety, Ginko's hand instinctively slips into her shirt. She retrieves the rolled-up scroll she had carefully tucked away, her fingers deftly unrolling it as her eyes scan the details within. Each word on the parchment—the name, the physical description, the preferred attire—aligns perfectly with the woman who just moments ago had her restrained, now offering her refuge.

A knot of conflicted emotions tightens in Ginko's chest; her mission was to capture this woman, yet here they were, thrown together by fate’s cruel hand. For a brief moment, she hesitates, weighing her options, but with the threat of the cleaners jeopardizing her career at hand, she decides to push the matter aside, for now. Tucking the contract back into her clothing, Ginko silently nods to herself and follows Ane into the shadows, her mind a storm of thoughts she’ll have to untangle later.

The two women move through the narrow alleyways, the night air cool against their skin as they make their way to Ane’s hideout. The village is quiet, the streets empty save for the occasional flicker of a lantern in a distant window. They arrive at a small, inconspicuous building tucked away in a corner of the village. Ane leads Ginko inside, guiding her through a concealed entrance that opens into a cozy, dimly lit room.

"Welcome to my hideout," Ane says, her tone lighter now that they’re in a safe space. "Make yourself comfortable. It's not much, but it's home," Leading the way through the doorway and inside, a warm fire crackles in the hearth, casting a soft glow across the small room. Two worn but comfortable-looking chairs are angled towards the fireplace, and a low table sits between them, piled with books and scrolls.

Ginko nods, her wariness easing slightly as she surveys the room. It’s simple but well-kept, a place that speaks of someone who’s used to living on the fringes of society yet maintains a sense of order. She’s not sure what she’s gotten herself into, but for now, it feels like a step forward—or at least, a temporary refuge from the chaos that’s always just a breath away.

---

---

WC: 3,609
TWC: 5,924
TMWC: Exceeded/2,500

WC: 3,260
TWC: 5,924
TMWC: Exceeded/2,500

---

Requesting approval for the following claims:

Claiming the following mission reward(s):

► Total Ryo Earned: +5,000 Ryo
► Total AP Earned: +25 AP
► Current Total Bonus AP: +0
► New Total Bonus AP: +25

Investing 5,924 TWC into the following Skill(s):

► Training Adaptive Deprivation (2,000/2,000) [3,924 TWC Left]

Investing the remaining 3,924 TWC into the following Jutsu:

► Training Shadow Imitation Technique @ C-Rank as [Hiden Slotless] (1,000/1,000) [2,924TWC Left]
► Training Fall Distortion (1,000/1,000) [1,924TWC Left]
► Training Snatch Seal (500/500) [1,424TWC Left]
► Training Storage Displacement (500/500) [924 TWC Left]
► Training Transformation Technique (250/250) [674 TWC Left]
► Training Clone Technique (250/250) [424 TWC Left]
► Training Genjutsu Release (250/250) [174 TWC Left]
► Mastering Genjutsu Release (174/250) for Hand Seals [0 TWC Left]

Investing 59 Stat Points from 5,924 TWC into the following Stats:

► Training +30 Speed, raising from 15 → 45 (-3,000 WC) [2,924TWC Left]
► Training +25 Vigor, raising from 30 → 55 (-2,500 WC) [424TWC Left]
► Training +4 Chakra, raising from 25 → 29 [24 TWC Left]

→Expunging the remaining 77 TWC Left.

Ginko Nara wrote:

[EXIT THREAD]

WC: 3,260
TWC: 5,924
TMWC: Exceeded/2,500

---

Requesting approval for the following claims:

Claiming the following mission reward(s):

► Total Ryo Earned: +5,000 Ryo
► Total AP Earned: +25 AP
► Current Total Bonus AP: +0
► New Total Bonus AP: +25

Investing 5,924 TWC into the following Skill(s):

► Training Adaptive Deprivation (2,000/2,000) [3,924 TWC Left]

Investing the remaining 3,924 TWC into the following Jutsu:

► Training Shadow Imitation Technique @ C-Rank as [Hiden Slotless] (1,000/1,000) [2,924TWC Left]
► Training Fall Distortion (1,000/1,000) [1,924TWC Left]
► Training Snatch Seal (500/500) [1,424TWC Left]
► Training Storage Displacement (500/500) [924 TWC Left]
► Training Transformation Technique (250/250) [674 TWC Left]
► Training Clone Technique (250/250) [424 TWC Left]
► Training Genjutsu Release (250/250) [174 TWC Left]
► Mastering Genjutsu Release (174/250) for Hand Seals [0 TWC Left]

Investing 59 Stat Points from 5,924 TWC into the following Stats:

► Training +30 Speed, raising from 15 → 45 (-3,000 WC) [2,924TWC Left]
► Training +25 Vigor, raising from 30 → 55 (-2,500 WC) [424TWC Left]
► Training +4 Chakra, raising from 25 → 29 [24 TWC Left]

→Expunging the remaining 77 TWC Left.

Approved!