Chapter 1892: NDA
When Ning and Blake finally walked out of the airport in Gargan City, a black car was waiting for them at the pick-up area. Two men in suits stood beside it, holding a sign that read ’Star Hero Agency – Blake’.
Blake introduced himself and didn’t bother to speak about Ning. These people would know who he was, and thus they would not talk about him for the sake of privacy.
They climbed into the car, and it pulled away from the airport, heading into the city. Gargan City was smaller than New Limaro City, but it somehow had way more people.
That did make sense, as this city was considered the political and economic heart of the country.
Blake tried conversing with the men that had picked them up, but those men hardly held a conversation. They weren’t allowed to speak much about what was happening, so they could only give some short answers, with not enough info.
Ning ignored them, staring out into the city. This place was so much more congested than New Limaro City was, the apartment buildings being much taller than normal.
They were still in the commercial zone, so Ning didn’t get to see many houses along the way, and before he knew it, they arrived at the hotel.
The hotel was a luxury high-rise near the government district. They were escorted to the upper floors and shown to the rooms the two would be staying at.
“Please rest for a few hours,” one of the suited men said. “You will be picked up at 5 to go meet the president. Before that, please read through this and sign it. You will be required to have signed this to meet with her.”
He handed Ning a file and left.
Ning opened the file and flipped through the pages. Reading the words ’Non-disclosure agreement’ at the top made him raise his eyebrows. He handed it to Blake. “I’m signing an NDA, it seems. Do you have any idea why I would need an NDA to meet the president?”
“That’s unusual,” Blake said, taking over the file. It wasn’t a long document, and Blake was done reading it in just 15 minutes.
“So, anything important to note about it?” he asked.
Blake shook his head. “Nothing at all. It’s just a run-of-the-mill NDA asking you to not reveal where you have been and what you will learn today.”
“Is that standard for meeting government figures?” Ning asked.
“Shouldn’t be,” Blake said. “Maybe the president wishes to speak of some secret to you all, and wants you to keep it to yourself.”
“I see,” Ning said. “Well, I guess I’ll see what it is that I’ll have to keep to myself soon enough.”
He took the paper and signed it, placing it away. Finally, he sat on the couch, relaxing.
They had a few hours to rest. Ning turned on the TV, letting the noise from the thing wash away his queries. He didn’t know why the president had called him over, nor did he want to. He would find out soon enough.
A knock came at the door half an hour later. Ning looked at the time with a confused stare. They still had 2 hours before they left.
“Can you get the door? I’m in the bathroom,” Blake spoke up from his room.
Ning sat up, walking toward the door.
“And put on your mask before you open it!”
“Right!” Ning grabbed his mask and placed it on his face, then walked to the door and opened it.
Outside stood a woman he recognized in just a glance. Unlike her blue dress that evening, this time around she wore her actual costume—a tightfitting blue suit with a mask that was a one-way veil.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Frostveil. It’s nice to see you again.”
Frostveil’s expressions were hard to see beyond the veil, but what silhouette he could see made her look quite beautiful.
“I can’t say the same, Blackfang,” she said. “But I’m sure I’ll warm up to you soon. How have you been?”
“Great!” Ning said. “How did you know I was here?”
“My manager told me she saw you at the lobby,” she said.
Ning paused for a moment. “I wasn’t wearing my suit.”
Frostveil smiled. “She knows what you look like. Most agencies know the identity of almost all the heroes in the city. It’s just a common courtesy not to reveal it.”
“I see,” he said. “And what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to congratulate you on your ranking. Am I not allowed?” she asked.
Ning laughed a little. “Thanks. And congratulations on your ranking too,” he said. “But I meant, what are you doing here, in the city?”
She seemed taken aback. “I’m ranked 2nd in all the country. Are you really that surprised I was called?”
“Honestly? Yes. I thought the president wanted to meet with just the newbie heroes,” Ning admitted. “Is that not the case?”
Frostveil shook her head. “All heroes of any worth are called over. You’re called because… well, you’re you. A Rank 9 awakened Hero.”
“I see,” Ning said. “Then I’m not just here to meet her, huh?”
“No,” Frostveil said. “I’m not sure what the actual reason is, though. I’m sure you received an NDA to sign as well. It will be revealed later today, I think.”
“I see. Thanks for the info.”
“That’s all I came for,” she said, waving a quick goodbye. “Once again, congrats. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Frostveil walked away.
Ning closed the door and walked back in.
“Who was it?” Blake asked, walking out of his room.
“Frostveil. She came to congratulate me,” Ning said. “Looks like I was wrong to imagine the president was just going to meet with us new heroes if Frostveil is here.”
Blake shrugged. “I figured as much.”
Ning laughed a little. “Of course you did.”
He sat back on the couch and continued watching TV, waiting for the time when they would leave.