Amon, with his enhanced vision, quickly located the remaining thugs and dealt with them in swift succession.
He made his way toward a nearby candle and lit a lantern. Its warm glow spilled across the room, casting dancing shadows that flickered against the rough wooden walls.
Still hearing the muffled sounds, he walked briskly toward the wardrobe.
Opening it lightly, he saw his sister tied to the wall. He smiled faintly, then said in a light voice, "Sister..."
Aurora's eyes widened. That voice—Old Man Don? Why was he calling her "sister"?
She made a few muffled noises as though she was trying to say something.
Amon placed his hand on her mouth and took out the foam stuffed into it, letting her cough violently for a few seconds before speaking.
"Thank you for saving me, Old Man Don..."
'Huh?' Amon was stunned. He glanced at his sister in suspicion, as though he didn't understand what she was saying.
He thought of something and raised his hand to his face...
'This...'
To his shock, he discovered that rather than the mask being there, it was replaced by a slightly rough face covered in faint wrinkles.
'This should be Old Man Don's appearance. I... have actually taken Old Man Don's appearance...' Amon was startled.
His facial expression remained the same as he nodded at the beautiful lady.
Aurora stared at the old man with a complex mix of emotions. She thought it was her brother who had come to rescue her. However, she didn't expect it to be the neighbor.
'That brother of mine... even letting his sister encounter danger and not caring about saving her.' She was inwardly displeased, deciding to teach Amon a lesson when they got home.
After Old Man Don finished loosening the ropes tying her, she stood up.
Under the illuminated light of the flickering lantern, she saw the lifeless face of the lady from before.
It was her friend.
Previously, she had gone to visit her, but she didn't expect her friend to plot with Brad, ultimately planning to do all sorts of evil things to her.
She shivered at the thought.
'This sort of friendship...' She couldn't help but be saddened by the thought of her friend harboring such intentions toward her.
What led to it? Was she jealous? Did she want something from Brad?
Since the lady was dead and no answers could be found, Aurora decided not to dwell on the matter.
She frowned for a moment, then turned to Old Man Don, who was glancing around as though he were looking for something.
'I don't know why, but I feel something is different about Old Man Don. It is as though he isn't himself. I don't want to think too much about this. I need to leave this place... things are already becoming exceedingly creepy as it is now.'
She let out a breath, then said lightly, "Old man, we should head back home now."
The old man nodded, then approached Brad, rummaged through his pockets, and took out a few coppers numbering up to thirty, placing them in his own pocket.
'The old man has need for the money?' Aurora was confused. However, she didn't voice her doubts.
"I'll put you in a carriage and send you home. There is no need to come and thank me at some other time. I have something to do for now, so after ensuring you'll arrive home safely, I will complete my mission, then head back home."
Aurora, already tired after a day of tension and stress, nodded her head at the man's words. The decision felt reasonable.
Truly, the only reason Amon had taken the few coppers was that he was penniless. The previous six coppers he had used were all his savings over the past months, and he didn't have anything left on him.
'Thankfully, now, after using roughly twelve coppers, I will have eighteen remaining on me. That is sufficient for the meantime.'
Although he felt slightly awkward as his sister kept thinking he was Old Man Don, he had no way to resolve the matter.
The reason he was sending his sister away was to find a way to return back to his previous identity.
'Was this what the description of 'faceless' meant? Having no identity to oneself...' Amon couldn't help but muse to himself. It was truly a mysterious thing to think about.
The two walked out of the warehouse under the pale light of the moon. In Old Man Don's hand was the flickering light from the lantern, which illuminated the dark coal road as they walked.
A gust of wind swept by occasionally, carrying a fresh scent.
'It's going to rain?' Amon looked up at the sky and noticed a few dark purple flashes. A faint rumble echoed in the distant skies.
He picked up his pace, walking briskly out of the abandoned warehouse with Aurora trailing behind him.
Aurora also quickened her pace upon sensing the change in the surroundings.
Thankfully, they soon reached a carriage passing by.
It seemed the man was heading to Lamburg Street, where Amon and Aurora lived, rushing home so as not to get caught up in the storm.
Waving his hand lightly, Amon called out to the man.
The man glanced at the two figures who waved to him, then spoke politely.
"The skies is unfriendly tonight. I am not taking any more rides."
As he was about to turn around to continue on his way to Lamburg Street with the carriage, Amon stopped him, speaking in his old, weary voice.
"You seem to be heading in the direction of Lamburg Street." He pointed at Aurora. "She is heading the same way. Please take her there..." As Amon spoke, he leaned in closer and passed the man six copper coins.
The man widened his eyes upon seeing such a generous gift.
He hesitated briefly, then smiled politely and gestured to Aurora. "Miss, please get into the carriage."
Seeing that his sister was on her way back, Amon smiled briefly.
Aurora took a few steps and walked to the carriage.
As she was about to enter, she paused briefly, then spoke in an even tone, "Please take care of yourself and stay safe, old man."
Old Man Don waved his hand, bidding her farewell, not dwelling on what she said.
'Old man?' He chuckled at her words.
Truly, he was an old man.
But that meant a different thing entirely...
With his back slightly hunched, Amon proceeded to begin exploring his ability.
The skies rumbled as trickles of rain began pouring down from above.
Within a few breaths, the whole district was drenched.