Code Collector

Minutes have passed. Minutes turned to an hour, and Mary was still nowhere in sight.

Allen started to worry that the woman had bailed out on their deal. He was afraid that his judgement on people was still wrong. It happened two times already, one was the couple and now this.

Just when he stood and about to leave, Mary walked past the street. He immediately sat back down and looked at the woman who seemed to be in panic.

She looked around, looking suspicious before entering the alley. With a sigh, Allen returned to the alley right next to it. He wore his disguise and leaped to the roof, running to the next alley so he could talk to Mary.

"You're late," Allen said as he landed down from the roof. He had to show an aura that wasn't happy about the tardiness of his client. "I don't like people that are late."

Mary offered her hand, "Take it."

"What?" Allen narrowed his eyes. This woman looked even more desperate. It was just a couple of hours since they last saw each other and her look had changed drastically. And not for the better.

"My son is dying," Mary cried. "If I don't return to Earth in an hour and pay the hospital, the doctor won't perform the operation on him. Please, just take it."

Allen took her hand while Mary opened her interface. She didn't even looked hesitant as she transferred the Code from her list to Allen's. This woman was desperate to save her son, and she knew all too well that Allen was the only person who could help her.

"Done," Mary announced. She wanted to let go of Allen's hand, but the boy tightened his grip. That was until he received the notification that he finally let go.

'Code transferred.'

"That was a fairly easy deal," Allen said. "Just think that your husband had saved your son. His most prized possession was the thing that was able to make sure your child get to live another day."

"The money?" Mary muttered. "I saw the sisters already. The reason why I'm late was because I was interrogated in the police station. Good thing the hospital called, giving me an alibi to get away."

Allen nodded and took out the envelope filled with money from his Inventory. He had to make sure Mary gets to see this so she would look up to him even more.

"What kind of Code is that?" Mary asked. "You were able to take something out from thin air."

"This is just one of my many powers," Allen said. "Call me The Wandering Trader. And should you seek help or knows anyone desperate enough to ask for my help, go to the forest and leave a note on a large nest by the tree in the clearing. I will be there for you."

The last part was a lie. Allen could never deal with the same person twice. One was enough to create a connection, twice would be dangerous. He was the hero for everyone, and if he takes a second deal with the same person, that person will become dependent on him. They would want his help over and over again.

The woman counted the money from the envelope. Allen knew she was just skeptical about the deal. After all, it wasn't legal.

"The amount is right," Mary said with a relieved sigh. Allen could see the relaxing of her shoulders as her face softened and her eyes were filled with hope since the first time they met.

"I'm afraid I have to go now," Allen spoke. He didn't want to linger for much longer. "May your son get well, and the heavens bless you with more grace in the future."

Mary bowed at a ninety degree angle, "Thank you, The Wandering Trader. I will never forget this."

"Don't thank me," Allen said. "Thank fate. For she had brought us together."

With that, the boy leaped to the roof where he switched alleys and store his disguise. He could use the skill effect of the cloak, but he never know when to use it.

Besides, he have to impress Hilda with its ability. The cloak was his trump card into letting clients into his own quicksand. When they see his abilities, they wouldn't doubt his power. It would be then that he strike his deal, like a snake going after its prey.

The minute he stepped out of the other alley, he was met with an intense gaze coming from behind him. When he thought it was Jeremy, Allen spun and conjured his weapon, raising it at the person behind him.

"What were you doing in the roof?"

He felt his world spin again. The person was only the none other than ox-guy, Gary. He was narrowing his eyes while looking at Allen suspiciously.

"You know, there was a bounty hunt for a man," Gary said. He took out his shotgun and pointed it at Allen.

The boy gulped as he watched the large gun being pointed at him. His eyes were wide, not able to look away from the weapon. "W-What do you mean?"

In his mind, he was already panicking. He was just suppressing his scared aura as much as he could, but he didn't know if he could hold it for long.

Gary knew. He had no excuse after the man literally saw him jumping from the roof where the crime had been. It was the end of the line, and he just barely completed his first deal.

"I should be the one taking the head of that maniac," Gary said, lowering his weapon. "The police said he assaulted the Watson Sisters. After he satisfy himself with their bodies, he scarred their faces while saying they only belonged to him."

"That's not what happened!"

Saying that would be a really dumb move to say at this point. Allen had to hold back his words, listening to the lies being spat right in front of him.

"So, what does it have to do with me?" Allen said to quickly finish the conversation.

"You're trying to get that culprit, aren't you?" Gary asked, raising his gun again. "You were trying to get him, but let me tell you something. That maniac's head is mine. I will get the one hundred thousand bounty."

Wow. Allen thought. I didn't know my first deal would bring me such fame.