"Hey, it's me!"Eryk was a little startled and almost jumped down from the nest. When the doves flew away, Eryk thought a human had come there following Alland's appearance. Apparently, it was just the crow who helped him last night."Should you have come making such a fuss, Black?" Eryk looked irritated."I hate those doves," complained the crow. "They always swarm and snatch my food. I just wanted to scare them a little."Suddenly, Eryk and Black fell silent. They glanced at Alland together. How shocked Black was when he realized too late that another human was in Eryk's nest."Wayland, who is this little human?" Black became alert. "I thought you didn't like dealing with other humans?"Eryk didn't answer."Is that how you talk to birds?" Alland asked enthusiastically. "Did the crow understand what you were saying? That's so cool! Can I try it? Speak to him?""Are you crazy, Son of Man?" Black shouted, flapping his wings back and forth to scare Alland.Eryk sighed and muttered to hi

"That place?" Allan frowned. The boy looks cute and very innocent."I mean," said Eryk. "Take me to the archive room, which holds history and information about this city. You understand, right?""Well, of course. The archive room is a great destination if you want to learn about history. So, my guess was right. You like history books, Eryk."Alland acted as if he were a grown man. He tried to level up with Eryk in conversation. Even though it looks hilarious, Eryk appreciates the boy's efforts.Eryk followed behind Alland and walked between the shelves. He tried not to stare at the irresistible books all over the rows of shelves. Eryk must focus and pay attention to his goals.Alland continued walking up the stairs until he reached the second floor. They walked down the halls and corridors. And then, they turned right. Suddenly, Alland stopped."Here!" he said, pointing to a large door in front of him. "But, there is another problem."The boy turned around and faced Eryk. He grinned g

The atmosphere in the dining room really felt very awkward. When Alland left the room to get a plate, Eryk thought about turning around and running away."They clearly don't want me here. I should have listened to White."Eryk tried to smile. But he was sure it would look more like a grin. Mr. Jarvis nodded as if he wasn't sure how to respond to Eryk's smile. Mrs. Jarvis slowly put the plate on the table, and Alyssa avoided meeting Eryk face-to-face."Please, sit down!" said Mr. Jarvis to Eryk. The man also turned to Alyssa and asked the girl to return to her seat.Nervously, Eryk did as he was told. His hands are placed on either side of his body while sitting. Everything looks immaculate! Walls, floors, and tablecloths. He barely dared to move for fear of getting all those things dirty.For a moment, Eryk felt like a fool. He had completely forgotten what it was like to be rich with all the luxuries that existed. Six months of being homeless and living as a vagabond on Rockwool City

Eryk woke up even before the sun really came up. He stretched all the muscles of his body that felt stiff and sore. His skin tingled in the cold air."It's so good you can sleep. Meanwhile, I have to stay up all night,” complained White."Aren't you a nocturnal creature? You should have stayed up all night. Go to sleep now. Let me take turns guarding.""Guys, what are we looking for and waiting all night for?" Black rejoined after jumping out of the bushes.The three spent the night in a tree trunk across from Jarvis's house. Even though White urged Eryk to return to the lair, Eryk did not sleep a wink. He had just drifted off to sleep when the morning was just around the corner and was awake thirty minutes later. They argued all night.“What if the big man comes back? What if his two comrades—the strange woman and the hunchbacked man return?”Eryk remembered how strong Snake Eyes was when he was in the alley. He is no ordinary prisoner. And Eryk began to relate the escape of the conv

"Well, not right there either!" Alland said with his trademark grin. "But, before we come to Alyssa's place, we have to request access through the library."It was Eryk's turn to frown. "Requesting access through the library? I do not understand what you mean. Is she someone important in the library or something?""The business card Alyssa gave you is actually a book club membership card. And only some people can get that membership card. That means if it's your first time getting it, you must confirm your identity as the official owner of that membership card. And the confirmation process can only be done through the library.""Does that mean I have to ask your mom's permission first? She is, isn't she, the head of the librarian?"Alland shook his head vigorously. "Not! Even Mom doesn't know about this book club secret. But we have to see the Head of Archives, Mr. Lewis. He's in charge of the book club and members' special access.""Head of the Archives? Mister Lewis?""You should ha