I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 206 -: The Hidden Vault

Chapter 206: Chapter: The Hidden Vault

Chapter: The Hidden Vault

The Chapter begins in a dimly lit pet store, the air filled with the chirping of birds and the bubbling of aquariums.

Shelves line the walls, stacked with bags of pet food, cages, and colorful toys.

At the counter, a middle-aged shop owner, slightly hunched with gray streaks in his hair, sits restlessly.

His wrinkled face is tense as his mind churns with paranoia from the telepathic suggestion implanted by Sona.

His small, sunken eyes dart toward the young boy working part-time near the front of the shop.

"I should’ve never hired that boy," he mutters under his breath, the corners of his lips twitching. "No one can be trusted these days."

He stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the tiled floor.

The boy looks up curiously, but the shop owner barks, "Mind your own business!"

He moves toward the back wall, lined with cages holding chirping parakeets.

His fingers tremble as he reaches behind one cage, feeling for the hidden switch.

With a faint click, the wall panel slides open, revealing a concealed hatch and a dark staircase spiraling downward.

The shop owner’s voice lowers to a growl as he mutters,

"If someone has touched my money, I’ll deal with them myself." He reaches under the counter and pulls out a small, battered pistol, tucking it into his waistband.

Sona and Tayo hover invisibly near the ceiling, watching the scene unfold.

Tayo’s golden aura flickers faintly as she telepathically asks, "Are we really just going to watch this paranoid old man? Can’t we just grab what we need and leave?"

Sona glances at her partner with a smirk, her bright eyes gleaming mischievously. "Patience. We need to see how much is down there first. Let him lead us."

The staircase creaks under the shop owner’s weight as he descends into the shadows. The light from the store fades behind him, leaving only the faint echoes of his footsteps.

Sona and Tayo exchange a quick glance before silently following. The air grows cooler as they descend, the faint scent of dust and damp wood filling their senses.

At the bottom of the staircase, the shop owner stops and fumbles for a button on the wall.

With a soft click, a series of antique light bulbs flicker to life, casting a warm yet eerie glow over the room.

The underground space is cramped, with uneven stone walls and a low ceiling. Wooden beams support the structure, and cobwebs cling to the corners.

The faint hum of machinery can be heard from somewhere above, mixing with the occasional squeak of a rat.

At the center of the room stands a large, iron trunk, its surface polished and secured with a heavy lock.

Surrounding it are shelves packed with locked metal boxes, some of them covered in a fine layer of dust.

The shop owner steps toward the trunk, his breathing heavy and uneven.

Around his neck, a rusty key dangles from a leather cord. He grips it tightly, as if it’s the only thing keeping his world from falling apart.

"Still here... I was just being paranoid," he mutters, kneeling to unlock the trunk.

The trunk creaks open, revealing its contents: three gold bars stacked neatly on top of a pile of cash. The shop owner exhales sharply, relief washing over his face.

Above, Sona and Tayo peer into the trunk, their expressions shifting from excitement to disappointment.

Sona crosses her arms and telepathically mutters, "This is it? I expected the trunk to be overflowing with cash."

Tayo glances at her partner, her wings fluttering softly. "Well, it’s better than nothing."

Mikasa’s voice cuts through their conversation. "Miss Sona, I apologize if this wasn’t what you hoped for. I did mention the funds might already have been moved."

Sona shakes her head, dismissing the thought. "No need to apologize, Mikasa. Without your help, we wouldn’t even have this."

As the shop owner inspects the contents of the trunk, Sona smirks. She raises her hand, her fingers glowing faintly with energy.

The trunk begins to morph before the shop owner’s eyes. Its edges twist and stretch, forming jagged teeth.

The once-polished surface ripples like liquid metal, taking on a grotesque, monstrous appearance.

The shop owner stumbles back, his eyes wide with terror. "What... what is this?! My money! No, no! The monster’s eating my money!"

The "monster" trunk lets out a low, guttural growl. Its tongue—long and slimy—lashes out toward the shop owner, who shrieks and stumbles up the stairs, his pistol clattering to the ground.

"Monster! Monster! Someone help!" his voice echoes as he disappears up the staircase.

The illusion fades, revealing the trunk’s original form. Sona and Tayo descend into the room, their wings casting faint shadows on the walls.

Sona kneels beside the trunk, lifting the three gold bars and setting them aside. She rifles through the stacks of cash, counting them quickly.

Tayo hovers nearby, her expression a mix of curiosity and frustration. "Do you think this will be enough?"

Sona exhales slowly, her shoulders slumping. "Not even close. But it’s something. At least we have a start."

Carrying the gold bars and cash, Sona and Tayo float back up the staircase, their movements graceful and silent.

Above, they catch a glimpse of the shop owner frantically gesturing to a passerby, his face pale and his voice shaking.

Unseen and unfazed, Sona and Tayo smirk at each other. With a flash of light, they teleport into the daylight sky, leaving the chaos behind.

Sona and Tayo land softly at their base mean adam room, the faint glow of their teleportation fading around them.

Mikasa greets them telepathically, her tone calm and steady. "Did you retrieve anything of value?"

Sona sets the gold bars and cash on a nearby table, her expression a mix of determination and exhaustion. "Not much, but it’s a start. We’ll need to find other ways to fund the Union."

Mikasa’s voice carries a note of encouragement. "Every step counts, Miss Sona. Lord Adam will appreciate your efforts."

Sona nods, a small smile playing on her lips. Despite the challenges, she feels a sense of purpose and pride in their mission.

---

End of Chapter.

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