Heading to first mission

Mark examined everything about the robot to see if there were any problems, but everything was put together pretty nicely. So next, he pressed on its shoulder, and once more, parts of it started moving and changing its shape, but not back to its truck, but became a back bag.

Those three were the only modes he had designed it to change at, but he had plans for more in the future. So he put the back bag on, which wasn't intended to put anything in it. It was just to make it easier to move it around, and it took Mark to go through simulations to come up with the final design that made it possible to change all three modes.

He had drawn the attention of many people who worked in nearby stations, but he ignored them as he signaled to Ruby that it was time to go. As for Ruby, she kept her eyes on his back bag but said nothing.

They made it to the garage in just a few moments and found Jack waiting for them there, with Mia —- the Red Devil.

Mark had talked with Mia a few times, and even if she had revealed his driving skills impressed her, she wasn't interested in being around him that much. Mark's affection for her had watered down as she spent more time with her.

Not that she had an unpleasant personality, but Mark and she didn't seem to have much in common other than both enjoying driving. Of course, Mark liked going as he had made a living out of it for the last few years and was good at it, but now that he had all those new abilities, he had many more interests instead.

"So you are finally living the nest? Such a big day, isn't it? "Mia said teasingly at Mark.

Mark just let out a somewhat awkward smile and gave no response.

"Well, since you are one of our members, I will lend you one of our top vehicles. "

She threw at him a pair of keys that Mark easily caught on air. He looked at the key chain and recognized it. It was one vehicle he had researched those past weeks and even helped improve its capabilities. It was one of the latest models, but not the most advanced, but still not a simple one.

It had a different function that helped move around and some weapons in case things got tight.

"Well, Agent Mark. I wish you luck and remember to put your trust in your companions. After all, even if this is your first official mission, you have nothing to prove, so just do your best to focus on the task, "Jack said as he put one hand on Mark's shoulder with a broad smile on his face.

"Will keep that in mind, Boss," he said with an equally wide smile as Jack's.

Mark then moved to the vehicle next to them and entered the driver's seat. It currently looked like a military jeep, but it had a function to change its appearance, so Mark made it look like a more common casual model.

Ruby entered the seat next to Mark. Then both raised their wrist and pressed the watch screen they both wore. From them, some small spheres started coming out and spreading around them, and they changed their clothes to a more casual look. That was nanotechnology made by the Organization, which was what everyone that went into a mission, either as part of the Combat Department or not, was given to use.

Mark had his for some time but hadn't had the chance to use it, as it needed the main server's approval; otherwise, it was just a simple watch. Of course, Mark could easily hack it if he wanted, but he decided to not risk it for now. Not that the chances to get detected were great with his max level <Beginner Hacker> Skill, but better to be safe than regret.

After putting the coordination in the vehicles' GPS, and waved goodbye to Mia and Jack. According to the GPS, it would take them half a day to reach their destination, but if Mark wanted, he could make it there even faster. But if he did so, it wouldn't be a comfortable ride for Ruby, at least.

"So, that was your secret project? "Ruby spoke as they left the base and made some distance.

"Wouldn't say it was that secret as I asked people for tips in helping, "Mark responded casually.

"You did? Then why is it the first time I have heard about it? How come you didn't ask for tips from me? "

Mark just let a smile form on his face.

"I am low on a budget these days," he said.

He really didn't have money to spend on Ruby's surface. So even if he kept getting some bonus when he made a breakthrough in the Research or Mechanic Department, he had to use them to get what he needed to make Truck-kun's robot body. Even if the Organization provided them, he still had to pay to acquire them at a discounted price, which was why Mark's budget was low.

Ruby made it clear that she didn't like that response as she pouted, but Mark said nothing, focused on driving and kept looking at his surroundings. Even after all this time, he wasn't sure who were the people that had followed him the day after he woke up from his coma. He had asked Erinne and Jack in case they knew something about it, but they ensured him it wasn't at least their Organization that did so.

Mark put on the radio after some time as the silence had become too awkward. As they got closer, Mark could feel something strange in the air. There was like a strange mist that he could only see using his <Minor Energy Manipulation>. It felt similar to what Ava's Energy Aura felt, but also different.

Ava's Energy Aura somehow made him feel a chill all over his body, but in this, he felt his surrounding getting warmer. He had that strange feeling, though, only when he used his <Minor Energy Manipulation> to check his surroundings. The feeling was a bit more intense than the one he had with Ava, but Mark wasn't confident if that was because it was much more potent or because he had reached max level on his Skill, making his 6th sense much sharper.

The Aura was getting tenser and tenser the closer they got to their destination, which made sense since they were sent here to detect something abnormal. He was confident, given his Skill, he could quickly detect the source of the Aura, as it should be at the middle and the tensest point of the 'mist. '

Mark reached the parking and parked. He saw a few more cars being there, which was expected as their destination was pretty well known. This wasn't just a hotel; it also had a hot spring bath, making it a great way to relax.

He moved to the trunk of the vehicle and pulled out two luggages that were there. Those didn't contain any clothing or belongings of his or Ruby's, but some machinery to help with their investigation.

They headed to the lobby to make a check-in, but nobody was there. So Mark used a bell on the lobby's desk that called when one needed service instead of shouting.

"I will be right with you, "they heard a male voice coming from a room across the lobby desk, the way they faced it.

Not long after, a man came out. He was quite a tall person with a somewhat slim and athletic build, but he couldn't tell with his clothes. His hair was not very kept together and was long enough to fall on his shoulders. He wore big sunglasses which could be used to hide a scar above his left eyebrow, but Mark noticed it right away.

He currently had a lollipop in his mouth and held it with his hand as he saw Mark and Ruby. Mark noticed that he kept his sight on Ruby a bit more but ignored it for now as he didn't get any ill intentions from him. At least not yet.

Mark read his Aura and could see what it was, a mix of red and black. He had noticed that the red Aura was common to people with some color in their Aura, while dark was quite rare, at least having it in significant size. He also had some blue on his Aura, but it was barely there.

Mark also noticed that here the weird mist he felt outside didn't exist, the same as the warm feeling he had. But he noticed that the Aura pouring out of the man in front of him looked similar to the mist.

"Hello there. You can call me Old Man Eros, as most people here, or just Eros. I am the owner of this fine establishment. Do you have a reservation? "

"Yes. I am Maximillian Ross. My people should have called you to reserve a room. "

Eros took a book on a shelf under the top of the lobby desk, but it wasn't visible from Mark's side, as it had a wooden back covering any opening.

"Oh yes, I have the reservation, and you got just in time. Your room is ready, and you can leave your stuff immediately. Do you need any help with those? "

"No, we are ok moving them. But could use help leading the way to the room. "

Eros smiled as he took one keycard from under the lobby desk and led the way. And so Mark's first mission officially began.