Sam Li accompanied Ellen through the rest of the parent-teacher conference.
But since there was still an outdoor activity scheduled for the afternoon, the commission wasn't over yet.
At noon, Ellen took Sam Li to the school cafeteria, treated him to lunch, and even offered him a cup of the cafeteria's coffee.
Curious, she asked,
"So? How's it taste?"
She rarely ate in the cafeteria herself and had never actually tried the coffee there.
Sam Li shook his head, unimpressed.
"Nothing special. It's nowhere near Master Tingman's level."
The coffee brewed by Master Tingman on Sixth Street left you feeling invigorated, physically refreshed.
By comparison, the school's version only mimicked the flavor—none of the effect.
...
After lunch, with some free time on their hands, Sam Li suddenly felt like walking his bird.
The school grounds were large, and to make sure he didn't get lost, Ellen followed him as he wandered around campus.
Along the way, they passed several odd-looking buildings and bizarre statues.
Sam Li would occasionally ask about the figures they depicted.
Each time, Ellen would just shrug.
"No idea... not interested..."
Then her phone rang.
It was a classmate, reminding her that the outdoor activity was about to begin—the teacher was preparing to take the class and their guardians to tour the area around the old construction site.
After ending the call, Ellen turned to Sam Li.
"Sorry to trouble you, but once we finish the outdoor part, your job's done."
Sam Li nodded.
"Leave it to me."
Truth be told, compared to previous commissions, this was a walk in the park.
No trips into the Hollows, no tricky objectives—just follow Ellen's lead and accompany her.
Easy and effortless.
Sam Li didn't mind jobs like these.
Walking around Sixth Street or walking around a construction site—it was still just walking the bird.
Made no difference to him.
Soon, the two arrived at the front of the teaching building where the group had already assembled.
The teacher stood holding a flag bearing the school's name and a motivational slogan she'd added herself.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, she smiled brightly.
"Book learning can only take you so far—true understanding comes from doing. Today, we'll be heading to the old construction site nearby. You'll see Hollows, construction workers, security staff, even some unfinished buildings..."
The moment the word "Hollow" was mentioned, murmurs spread through the group.
Some worried about the danger.
Some were excited to get close.
Others bragged they'd one day join the Special Operations Department and wipe out the Hollows entirely.
Hearing the growing chatter, the teacher raised her voice confidently.
"Quiet, please. I've already investigated this site thoroughly. The Hollow at the old construction zone is long since decayed—there's no danger in the area. The Ether concentration is extremely low, the spatial stability is high—even stepping inside would pose no problem.
Plus, we have Public Security staff nearby. This is a school-supervised event. There's absolutely nothing to worry about."
With that reassurance, the crowd settled down and the noise faded.
...
Ellen, on the other hand, let out a disappointed sigh.
"I thought we were going on a real Hollow expedition... turns out we're just taking a peek at the edge of a dormant one? That's so boring..."
Sam Li just smiled quietly, birdcage in hand.
Soon, under the teacher's lead, the group boarded a bus.
They were headed to the old construction site for a bit of "hands-on learning."
...
At the same time, on the outskirts of New Eridu.
Deep inside the old construction site Hollow, hidden within a crumbling abandoned building, a group of armed gang members had gathered.
Judging by their conversation, it was clear—they were all part of the Mountain Lion Gang.
And they were planning to kidnap the workers stationed around the edge of the Hollow to demand a hefty ransom.
This wasn't their first time pulling something like this.
Experienced and efficient, they had already laid out the entire plan.
It was simple.
The newest member, Jane, would act as bait to draw the attention of the nearby Public Security personnel.
Meanwhile, boss Razor and the freshly recruited personal guard—Dog King—would each lead a group to seize the construction workers and retreat into the Hollow before anyone could react.
Razor thought the plan was flawless.
He glanced around at his men.
"Any objections?"
Dog King barked loudly,
"The boss asked you something! Any objections?!"
The other members quickly shook their heads.
But the resentment in their eyes was obvious.
Dog King was just a rookie. How the hell had he become Razor's personal guard in a matter of days? Now he was ordering everyone around?
One of the gang members leaned in and muttered,
"Jane, that mutt stole your spot as personal guard. You just gonna let that slide?"
Jane shrugged like he didn't care.
"Don't worry. Give it a few days—I'll be the boss's right hand."
He looked across the room at Razor the Lion King and Dog King, a faint smile on his lips.
So what if they were kings?
In front of the Public Security Bureau, Razor was nothing but a skittish housecat.
And Dog King?
Just a beaten stray who'd found a new kennel.
Too bad.
That kennel wouldn't be standing much longer.
...
Meanwhile, off to the side, Dog King looked to Razor eagerly.
"Boss, when are we gonna teach those brats from the Sons of Calydon a lesson? That Piper girl blew me sky high! If I hadn't fallen in a river, I'd probably be dead!"
Razor burst into laughter.
"No rush. After we wrap up this gig, I'll hit the black market and buy better gear. Then I'll level their whole damn base. Anyone who dares mess with a gang under my protection... clearly has a death wish."
Dog King beamed.
"Those Calydon bitches don't stand a chance against you, Boss."
But then his grin faded into a scowl as he clenched his fists.
"There was another one... some guy with a birdcage. He didn't look like he was from the Outer Ring. If he hadn't stepped in, Piper never would've beaten me."
Razor snorted.
"Relax. Even the Public Security Bureau has to show me respect. If I see that birdcage bastard, I'll crush him with one hand."
...