Something to think

about.Chapter 18

Ethan seized the opportunity to step outside, take a breather, and get some fresh air. That was his only source of food—noodles and prepared bread—which he would acquire there every day and eat outside since he had only been able to survive on the credit he received from the proprietor of the Chinese convenience store It was the one moment he could relax after all that had transpired. Ethan took great comfort in eating his modest supply of premade bread and noodles, which he would receive by going out every day.

This brief respite served as a sanctuary amidst the turmoil that had engulfed his life, providing a moment of tranquility where he could momentarily escape the relentless weight of his circumstances. Ethan found solace in the simplicity of his ritual, savoring each bite as a temporary escape from the chaos of his daily life. The familiar routine brought a sense of comfort and normalcy to an otherwise tumultuous existence.

The convenience store was directly located across the warehouse gate; the two-way street was not busy and traffic was minimal. The district where his job was located is known for its industrial atmosphere, but Ethan found a sense of peace in the familiarity of his surroundings. The hum of machinery and the distant sound of traffic provided a soothing backdrop to the people idly walking around , going about their daily tasks. Ethan often found himself lost in thought about the predictability of his environment. These people were all living and working in this district, as he also saw a few residential medium apartments as various people, young and old, were casually minding their own business.

Some would casually greet Ethan with a smile and a hello. These people were shy and timid. Ethan could see they were like the old folks in his time; they like to keep things simple and level headed. Ethan still has a long way to go in seeing the vast world for what it really is. In his eyes, these people are just a small piece of the puzzle. He knew there was so much more out there, waiting to be discovered and experienced.

Like any other place, the world is divided into two social groups that Ethan has never encountered before because he was raised to see the world as it is and not delve into material wealth.

The Chinese store owner was the same age as Mr. Ross as he was the one who told Ethan that the warehouse employees have some credit at this small old rustic store. Mr. Ping would always be sitting at his store counter holding a folding fan and calmly wave his hands to gain some relief from the heat. Ethan was intrigued by Mr. Ping's calm demeanor and wise eyes, which seemed to hold stories for a lifetime.

His accent was still thick, and he would always greet Ethan with " Nǐ hǎo."

"Oh! You eat for lunch, you get noddle's with red shirmp, and 2 packs of mongo bread."

"Thank you, Mr. Ping. Do you have any cold drinks?"

"Ah! You look at the back, get what you like."

Ethan was always made to feel comfortable in Mr. Ping's company, and he was grateful for his kindness and hospitality. Ethan couldn't help but feel appreciative as he reached for a cold drink from the cooler. Later, when he went outside to eat on the table and chair set up in front of the store for customers, he noticed that there weren't many other workers from nearby factories; instead, they came in pairs or groups. Considering how attractive and physically fit Ethan was, many of the female employees would ogle at him.

Etan would mind his own business. But he was aware of these small, minor events. As he could hear these single women talking about him, he was flattered, but in his mind, this was not the proper moment to entertain any romantic interests. The fact that his acquaintance with Katarine was still fresh in his mind. The things that transpired were too confusing and out of his control.

H was raised to be a gentleman and only interact with women with discretion and respect. He knew it was best to focus on his own priorities and not get caught up in any unnecessary drama again. He remained focused on his work and interactions with customers, determined to maintain a professional demeanor in the factory setting.

The number of cargo trucks outnumbers out number of private vehicles in the area, so seeing a few drive along the street was very noticeable and drew attention to the bustling industrial activity happening around him. Despite the distractions, he kept his eyes on the task at hand, knowing that success in his career depended on his ability to stay focused and dedicated, especially on Monday, monday as he would step foot into his dream job. In an ironic twist, the same place he was rejected before is now going to hire him because of the situation handed down into his lap.

He took out a pen and used this time to write down some notes on a few pieces of used paper . And he made a sketch of the warehouse he was working at. The air was mildly blowing, and the sun wasn't that hot. As the clouds were covering the sky, it was perfect to get some inspiration. The cool breeze and overcast sky provided the perfect setting for his creative process. A few young working factory females that went inside the store saw his art and were intrigued by his sketches. After buying and going on their way, they stopped for a few minutes to admire his work before continuing on with their day.

One of these young factory workers admires Ethan more than his art; she is fixated on his calm look and silent charm. She finds herself drawn to him, hoping to strike up a conversation and learn more about him. Ethan was focused on what he was doing and never intended to attract any attention, but this wasn't the case. The woman that was standing a few feet from him was

Waiting to get the opportunity to approach him and introduce herself. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special about him that she wanted to uncover.

She was holding a can of soda in her hands as she waited, As many of her coworkers came and casually greeted her with a smile and a simple hello, she was wearing a factory uniform but based on how the other workers greeted her with respect, it seemed she had a higher position than them.

She was as tall as Ethan and had the figure of a model. Her identification card was attached to a personalized lace and was hanging around her neck. She exuded shyness and intelligence, with a hint of mystery in her eyes, making her all the more intriguing to those around her. Despite her reserved demeanor, there was an air of confidence that surrounded her, hinting at a strong and capable individual beneath the surface.

She was Nicole Herrnandez, standing five feet nine tall, with long, flowing dark hair that cascaded down her back. She was wearing eyeglasses, and her complexion was a warm olive tone, giving her an exotic and alluring appearance. Nicole carried herself with simple elegance; she never likes to draw attention to herself; she is reserved; and she loves nature, which is the perfect math for a young man who was raised in a family-oriented environment. She exuded a quiet strength that drew others to her, and her passion for the outdoors was evident in the way she spoke about hiking and camping trips with her family. Nicole's humble nature and love for nature made her a refreshing presence in a world often consumed by materialism and superficiality.

As Ethan was about to leave, Nicole was sad because her chance to know him was now gone, as he stood up from the small table when a sudden gush of wind blew and shattered the papers that he was drawing on on a few pieces miraculously flew toward Nicole, she quickly grab them and was delighted to gain this chance as she help Ethan she took the opportunity to give Ethan a good impression by commenting on his art,

complimenting his skill and attention to detail. Ethan was pleasantly surprised by her interest and skill. He thanked her and introduced himself , sparking a conversation that led Nicole to ask him if they could exchange contact information. Sadly, Ethan shook his head and said he couldn't.

Nicole was surprised to hear that he accepted her offer, but she respected his decision and bid him farewell with a smile.

"Wait.. It It not like that."

"Actually, I don't have a phone, so that is why I said I couldn't give you my contact details."

"Oh, I thought you were rejecting my offer. That's totally understandable, Ethan. Well, it was nice meeting you anyway."

"Where do you work by the way Ethan?"

"Right across the street, at that warehouse."

"Anyway, thank you, Nicole. I hope to cross paths with him again in the future"

" I need to get back to work,"

Nicole replied with a smile, "No problem, Ethan. I'll see you around then." Ethan nodded and walked back to the warehouse across the street, leaving Nicole feeling hopeful about tomorrow hoping she will see him again tomorrow at the same place,

Nicole walked in the direction of her own words when a cat walked by and rubbed against her leg, causing her to smile. She bent down to pet the cat before continuing on her way. The cat was Momo. Momo, after a few seconds, followed Ethan, crossed the street, and just entered an alley beside the wall surrounding the warehouse. This particular small street alley was connected to the opposite street behind the warehouse. Most private vehicles used the designated route to avoid traffic from the large cargo trucks entering and leaving this district.

It's the same area where most private cars were parked, as it's located in a less congested part of the industrial district Momo quickly blended in with the other pedestrians walking along the alley, hoping to go unnoticed, and reached an area where a red sedan was parked. After a few minutes the red car driver side door opened, and Monica entered the car. She brushed her hair and took a moment to freshen up before starting the engine and driving off towards her destination. The car seamlessly merged back into the flow of traffic, disappearing into the bustling city streets.

Monica took out her phone and called a number.

"Good morning, I just got back. Back, why have I personally come here?"

"Why can't I just use my assest to watch over him?

"So why didn't you? Monica, remember the reason we are doing this, right?"

"You are the only person who could assess all possible candidate rights?"

"That is why sending assets does not count; your link toward these random assets is only bound visually right."

"The assets do not count either. You need to physically be there to evaluate the candidates in person."

"I understand. Sigh. Sigh. This is really troublesome. I will make sure to be present for the assessment report."

"Remember, Katarine holds the key that can send us back home."

" I know, I never expected staying here and spending countless moons would eventually tire us, to the point we want to go back home."

"The complexities of the human world are too tiresome. I miss the simplicity of our own world. Hopefully, Katarine can help us return soon."

"We got too greedy, and we assumed that we could adapt easily to this new world. But now, we realize the importance of our own world and the comfort it brings."

"Let's not lose hope; Katarine's assistance may be the key to our return home."

"Don't forget sister , among the clans in our realm we the Siegert.

hold the responsibility of maintaining balance."

"We must not fail in our duty, especially in this time of need."

"Remember, our strength lies in unity and tradition. "

" I know, Ross; I am just tired of it all."

"We all longed for freedom before, but now it's a hassle."

Monica ended her call and focused on driving back to the district, where the environment and atmosphere drastically changed from industrial into a hyper affluent and rich neighborhood. The contrast was stark, but Monica knew she had a duty to fulfill, no matter the surroundings. She took a deep breath and prepared herself to take on the role of director of the biggest shopping malls in the area again.

She missed the days she was using her skills to fend off their enemies; back in the day, being the most cunning, skilled, and strong was now a distant memory. But she was determined to excel in her new role and prove herself once again in this different environment..

"This life is boring, my abilities are now useless, and never in a million years did I expect this to happen. Humans are trapped in their dull, mundane lives, repeatedly doing the same thing over and over again until they grow old and die."

She longed for the excitement and thrill of her past adventures, but she knew she had to adapt to her current circumstances and find fulfillment in a new way. With no choice they all had to swallow their pride and admit that coming here was a foolish mistake.

"Geez, I miss the clash with the principalities. "

The rush of adrenaline and danger kept her feeling alive, but now she had to find a new source of purpose and excitement in her dull and monotonous everyday life. Despite her longing for her past adventures, she knew she had to make the best of her current situation and find joy in the present moment.

"Having all this material wealth means nothing now."

"Even our identity must be hidden from the rest."

As she entered the mall parking lot Monica snapped her fingers and instantly changed her casual clothes into a high-end, branded outfit. She knew that appearances were everything in her working profession as a director , and she had to adapt in order to look the part, amalgamate, and fit the part she was portraying now. With a confident stride, she entered the mall ready to play her part, just like she had done so many times before. Monica was a master at blending in and adapting to any situation, making her a force to be reckoned with in the business world.

Meanwhile Ethan was finishing uploading the last parcel for that day in his van and was looking forward to relaxing after a long day of work. As he closed the back of the van, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment for completing all his deliveries on time. When Mr. Ross came by and gave Ethan an unexpected but important gift,.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ross. I finishing up the last parcel today."

" Ethan said with a smile. Mr. Ross replied, "I wanted to show my appreciation for your hard work with this gift."

"I know it's kind of hard for you because of what happened a few days ago."

"Here, accept this as a token of my gratitude for understanding and patience with the things that happened."

"You need this so you can call your parents from time to time."

"And here is an advance payment for your salary."

"Your dedication has not gone unnoticed, Ethan. I hope this gesture helps in some way."

Ethan nodded gratefully, feeling a sense of relief and appreciation for Mr. Ross's understanding and generosity.

"By the way, the sleeping quarter at the warehouse is at your disposal; use it as long as you want to."

"Thank you, Mr. Ross. I truly appreciate your kindness and support."

"I will make sure to put in extra effort to show my gratitude for everything you've done for me, sir."

"I have no doubt that you will, Ethan. Your hard work speaks for itself." "Keep up the good work, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."

As fast as Mr. Ross suddenly appeared, he went back out of the warehouse. Just like that, Ethan wonders how this business could last this long, as it was lacking manpower from all angles, but looking at the white envelope filled with money and partnered with a cell phone on his other hand was a clear indication that there was more to this operation than meets the eye. Ethan decided to keep his eyes and ears open, ready to learn more about the mysterious logistic business he had found himself a part of.

As he went inside the driver seat and started the van engine, he noticed the same car passing in in front of the warehouse for the third time this day, raising his suspicions even further. Ethan made a mental note to keep an eye out for any unusual activity as he embarked on his last delivery of the day.

"The physical build of that delivery guy is a perfect match for the man that was seen fighting inside our club before it exploded.

"The boss needs to get final confirmation on this; we can't be reckless. "

"So do we need to mention this to Madam Catherine Zhang too?"

" sadly we have to, until the day they tie the knot and gain full control over the distribution. We cant leave her out of the loop,"

" The boss will make the final call on whether or not to involve Madam Catherine Zhang in this situation."

" it's important to keep her informed until the distribution is fully under our control."

"Let's just mention what she needs to know; beyond that, let boss Victor decide "

The phone suddenly rang as the first man inside the car accepted the call, quickly excusing himself from the conversation to answer it. The other men exchanged knowing glances, wondering what news the phone call would bring.

"Hello, Boss Victor, we were just discussing whether to involve Madam Catherine Zhang in this situation. Should we update her on the distribution progress?" The man on the phone responded, "Yes, keep her informed until we have full control. Let me know if there are any major developments."

"The person we are looking for might be here. All indications point to this location "

The man inside the car nodded, ending the call and relaying the new information to his companions. "

Should we proceed with the next phase of the plan? "

The man on the phone replied,

"Yes, go ahead and execute. Keep me updated on any new developments."

"The man seen in Club Phantom was a good fighter; let's test this guy first."

"Let's send the new recruits then."

"Do whatever it takes to confirm your investigation."

" the information we got all pointed toward that man, so be it."

"Proceed; send the new recruits."