Portal Express

Yuki's warning and the predatory gaze from across the hall made Leo's blood run cold. Instinct screamed at him to run, but he forced himself to act calm. Running would only confirm he was prey. His mind raced. Yuki had warned him. Calliope had warned him. Stories attract attention. He never thought it would be this fast.

He tucked the light novel into his delivery bag, turned, and started walking toward the exit with deliberately normal steps. Each step seemed to take an eternity on the polished marble floor. He felt the stare fixed on his back, a physical pressure, as if the air behind him were growing denser.

When he was halfway to the exit, the figure moved. It wasn't a normal walk; it was a smooth, quick glide, an economy of motion that was frighteningly efficient. With blurring speed, the man in the leather coat appeared in front of him, blocking his path as if he had risen from the floor.

He was tall, with angular features and short, silver hair that contrasted with his dark coat. His eyes, a piercing ice-blue, scanned Leo from head to toe with poorly disguised disdain. He didn't look like a violent bounty hunter; he looked like a megacorporation executive who had come for a hostile takeover. This was Kael.

"Leo, the rookie courier," Kael said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "Your story about the dragon made quite a stir in the Aether. A... crude narrative. No technique. Pure beginner's luck."

Leo took a step back, his heart pounding uncontrollably. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kael let out a small, mocking smile. "You don't? Your deal with the Library made your little adventure an instant bestseller for those who know how to listen. You're the talk of the week." He held out a gloved hand. "I work for 'Cosmic Grub.' We handle serious interdimensional logistics. Amateurs like you who stumble into high-level jobs cause market instability. They give clients the wrong idea."

"I'm just trying to do my job," Leo said, his hand tightening on the strap of his bag.

"Your job is delivering pizza to drunks," Kael retorted. "My job is managing deliveries that can shift the balance of power in a realm. The book you have there," he nodded toward Leo's bag, "is for the Queen of the Underworld. An item from an Alpha-Level mission. You don't have the credentials for such a delivery."

Kael took a step forward, his presence becoming oppressive. "So, let's make a deal. You give me the book. I'll deliver it correctly. In return, I won't report you to the Syndicate for operating without a license, which would result in your... immediate recycling. Consider it a learning fee."

Leo knew he couldn't fight. Kael exuded a dangerous competence. But he couldn't hand over the book, either. His rating depended on it. He looked around, desperate. The library was silent. There was no one to help. He had to use what he had. He didn't have power, but he had knowledge of his own world. A world of mundane rules, chaos, and systems that Kael probably despised.

"Okay," Leo said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "You win."

As Kael relaxed for a split second, a glint of triumph in his icy eyes, Leo sprinted to the nearest wall and pulled the fire alarm.

A shrill, deafening alarm blared through the silent building. Red lights began to flash. The sound of water rushing through pipes indicated the sprinklers were about to activate.

Kael's look of disdain morphed into one of pure annoyance. The chaotic attention of the mortal world, the imminent arrival of firefighters and police... it was a complication a discreet operator like him couldn't afford.

"Amateur," Kael spat, but when he turned to grab Leo, he was already running, zig-zagging between the shelves, using his knowledge of the library's layout to gain precious seconds.

Leo didn't stop until he was back in his office, with the door locked and a chair wedged under the handle. He was panting, his heart threatening to pound out of his chest. He had a rival. A professional rival who saw him as an insect.

Trembling, he took the book and opened the portal to the Underworld Penthouse. Once again, the silent, cold lobby. He rode the elevator up and tiptoed to the black door.

He placed the book on the floor. This time, before he could back away, the door opened a crack. A pale, slender hand shot out, snatched the book, and tossed something out. The object skidded across the marble floor and stopped at Leo's feet. The door clicked shut.

His smartphone buzzed.

DELIVERY COMPLETE!

Customer Rating: ★★★★★ (U GOT IT U GOT IT U GOT IT! LEO-KUN IS MY HERO! (´♡‿♡`))

Payment Received:

+1,500 Karma Points+1x [Underworld Guest Room Key]

Leo picked up the object she had tossed. It was an old, ornate hotel key made of dark iron, with a black plastic card dangling from it. He flipped the card over. It was blank.

He checked the item's description in the app.

[Underworld Guest Room Key]: Grants the bearer one-time access to a secure room in Hades's domains. The room exists outside of normal time and space, making it the perfect hideout. No entity may enter uninvited. The key will guide the bearer to the nearest door when in mortal danger.

A hideout. A safe haven. Amid his panic, Leo felt a wave of relief so intense it almost made him cry. It was exactly what he needed. A place where Kael couldn't find him.

But as he looked at the key in his hand, the description text shimmered and a new line of text appeared below it, with the same chilling formality as an email from the finance department.

Notice: The key's energy resonates with that of the [Charon's Obol]. Possessing both items elevates your status from 'Visitor' to 'Potential Resident' of the Underworld. Congratulations, you have been automatically enrolled in the citizenship application process! Your first interview is scheduled. An immigration officer will contact you shortly.