A Fate-Ending Decision (Edited)

Outside the orphanage, a soothing wind swept across the scene, swaying the fallen leaves around, the scenery was calm, and the lights from the lit orphanage buildings illuminated the pathway. Suddenly, multiple figures flashed below the moon's brilliance as their shadowy figures rushed toward the home shelters. Not long after, four figures in black masked outfits stood on top of a damaged building; they exuded dominating auras as they stared at the three surviving buildings in the distance.

"The mission is simple, take the kids as hostages, kill the teachers and capture the stubborn lady, then leave the orphanage in flames. A D-rank Awakened by the name of Mark Willis is the security here; his ability is 'Iron Body,' so expect little resistance; 2 and 4 will keep the old security busy; 3, kill the teachers, and bring the lady, I will take care of the kids."

The group leader spoke with a serious tone as he emotionlessly stared into the distance; his eyes flashed with killing intent. But then, as if noticing something, the assassin turned left as he stared at an object attached to the other end of the roof; the object was circular and had a one-foot antenna; on the back of the object was a unique design of the 'K' and 'T' letters. Seeing this, the leader frowned as he spoke.

"Huh? Isn't that a technology of King-Tech? What is such an expensive device doing in a back-water location like the Orphanage'?"

Hearing their leader's words, the other three assassins halted as they noticed the device, but another assassin spoke with ridicule.

"Haha, that's 'King-Tech's EDD,' 'Environmental Detection Device,' it said to detect everything within a thousand-mile radius, even Awakened. A single one cost around 400,000 Dasian Dollars, so they spent their last penny on such an expensive device to be cautious? How foolish."

"What use is it anyways? Even if they found us, would their D-rank security guard fight us alone?"

"It doesn't matter now; we have been discovered, meaning our attack isn't a surprise but a confrontation. Nevertheless, we will continue with the plan."

"Yes!"

The leader spoke, dispersing the group to accomplish their objectives, leaving only him on the roof. But with a wondering look, the leader again turned and stared at the device as he self-questioned.

"Everything is going according to plan, but why do I feel this unease? It's as if I just entered a dragon's den."

Inside his secret cave, Patrick relaxed in his chair as he air-typed a long list of codes, moving his fingers on empty air as the codes appeared on the computer screen. The computer was stacked with a series of numbers, letters, and countless special characters as they continuously went up as if someone were scrolling down using a computer mouse. Grace made a drink appear next to Patrick as he steadily sipped every few seconds. Another minute later, Patrick stopped as he stretched his fingers and spoke.

"Alpha, I have encoded a series of codes in your network system; run it."

<Right away, Sir>

Upon its creator's commands, Alpha processed the series of codes. But not long after, Patrick watched as the light bulbs and the two desktop computers before him exploded with sparks of electricity, the scene assuming darkness as the electricity was cut off. With the explosion of the computers, a single ball of blue light with two black eyes steadily floated in the room, its blue light illuminating the dark room and Patrick's face. Patrick was impressed as he stared at the floating blue light; he then spoke.

"How do you feel, Alpha?"

<<Sir! I... seem to have become... conscious?. I can now feel the presence of Mana, souls, billions souls at that. even their emotions and desires. Sir, what code did you input into my network system? just checked can't detect slightest change in except that become conscious.>>

"You need not worry about 'how?; First check your database for your surprise."

Patrick spoke; soon after, Alpha sounded, his voice sounding like a real person.

<<Name: Alpha. < p>

Status: Transcended.

Powers: Omni-Technology, Network system Evolution>>

<<Omni-Technology: Wields the power to control and manipulate all technologies. Hack decipher any equation or encryption>>

<<Network system Evolution: Can passively evolve eternally>>

<<Sir.. I am grateful>>

Alpha, now the blue ball of light, spoke as its black eyes lowered as if expressing gratitude.

"You have performed diligently the past three years, and as your creator and responsible employer, it's only natural I give you a little reward as compensation for your efforts."

<<Then, I am highly grateful, Sir>>

Patrick listened to Alpha as he nodded. He rose from his seat and began walking outside the secret cave, his coat swaying behind him as he spoke.

"Grace, store the Items; let's go handle this little charade of the Halton Brothers."

"Yes, Master. All items have been stored, including the building. I have also upgraded the building to your residence. Do you approve, Master?"

"Hmm... Yes, I don't mind."

Patrick stood at the empty land of the stored building, hands in his coat's pockets as he looked at the nightly sky. Alpha floated next to its creator's waist as it constantly brimmed with vibrant blue energy; it then sounded.

<<Sir, our EDDs had detected four Awakened, three at the peak D-rank, and their leader a C-rank. What are your orders?>>

"The Halton Brothers are quite desperate to send a C-rank to handle a bunch of kids and weak Awakened teachers; there must be something on this land that had captured their attention... hmm, so that's it, there has been a great concentration of energy at the far end of the orphanage's territories, it seems a Gate is about to appear, and the Halton Brothers want to be the first to bite off the pie. Now it all makes sense.

Alpha, cancel all the weapon systems; let them come; I need a real-life object to experiment on."

<<As you wish, Sir. All weapons systems deactivated>>

Patrick spoke as he easily and quickly deciphered and understood the Halton Brother's motive. The fact that a Gate was about to appear was nothing to joke about; some would even go as far as massacring thousands and destroying heritages if it meant them possessing a Gate. Although Gates came with powerful monsters, they also came with fortune and massive resources; the beast cores obtained from the monsters can be exchanged for real cash, or used to upgrade their strength. Even the lowest of the beasts' cores sold for eighty thousand Dasian Dollars; now imagine if one had millions of the high-level beast cores, which cost at least millions, their wealth and power would rise significantly overnight.

Some influential families were currently using this method, possessing multiple Gates, hiring Awakened into their families, making them clear the Gates multiple times, and retaining all the resources without getting consulted by the government for tax or any form of payment. Because of this method, there have been countless rises and falls of powerful families within Metro City and Dasia Kingdom; even the royal government isn't an exception. With all these benefits and opportunities a doorstep away, one can only understand the Halton Brothers' desperation.

Patrick summarized the entire situation instantly, but with an impassive face, he spoke.

"I don't care what level of wealth or influence you seek, nor the reason behind it, and I could care less of your capital crimes, but for daring to attack my home, you have crossed the line, and all those who cross my boundaries only have one ending, death!"

Patrick calmly spoke as he decided the fate of the Halton Brothers. Then instantaneously, the scene zoomed as Patrick's view changed; he now stood before a lit building, three stories tall and five miles long. Patrick held an impassive face as he unhurriedly walked towards the building.

Inside the building, ten lines of children, ages 5 to 17, stood in long rows within a spacious hall as they faced a podium. On the podium was a female teacher wearing a yellow dress; she had long hair, fair skin, and blue eyes; the woman held an iPad in hand as she scrolled through a list of names, completely ignoring the chattering noises of the children below her. The kids stood in age groups, from the youngest to oldest, young in front and old behind. At the end of the line, where the oldest stood, four boys chuckled and laughed as they joked around.

"Haha, did you see his face? He was very angry."

"Yeah! He seemed pissed off for real, I hope he doesn't report us to the officials, or we might be in serious trouble."

"C'mon, John, why do you always have to ruin the fun with your boring statements? Don't you think if he reported, we would have been arrested by now?!"

"John is right; he might report us; I may know little about him, but one thing for certain is that he is quite arrogant, so with his arrogant attitude, it would be cowardly of him even to tell others he was beaten, let alone report anything. So you don't have to worry, John; Patrick won't report us; if there's anything, it would be him trying to take revenge on us. Which is just another opportunity to beat the arrogance out of him."

Maxwell, John, Thomas, and William chatted as they analyzed their situation. But while the group engaged in their chattering, the noisy hall suddenly went silent as almost all the children looked towards the building's wide entrance; William and his group were the easiest to see the person since they were the oldest, a year away from being checked out of the orphanage. But upon seeing the arrived figure, the four boys expressed frowned and confused faces as they simultaneously uttered.

"Patrick?!"