Chapter 3 : First Step (2)

So my first day back home. I found a little girl, killed her father, and now remain homeless and most probably lost.

Finding my way back to society is easier than before, and before I knew it I'm back at Oakpolis. while carrying eli. The nightlife of Oak Polis is surprisingly active. It seems that night is where OakPolis shines.

and it seems that the city's red light district is much more lively than the rest of the districts. it's more obvious when you can see prostitutes everywhere and the Mafias running rampant.

A few prostitutes came up to me but after seeing Eli, most of them gave up, but some of them are desperate enough to offer themselves as babysitters.

After a few rejections I'm starting to see a pattern and a pattern as suddenly a few guys in suits appear before me.

"You can hand over that girl, or face the consequence."

I stared at them deadpanned. really? What is this wuxia?

it didn't take long for me to knock them out.

A moment later, a few more guys show up, but this time with guns. wow. Here I am wearing endgame armor and they are here... with mundane guns. Needless to say, I still had it in me to hold back a few punches.

but the third time. instead of guys in suits... a group of armored vehicles finally came before a man who looks like their leader arrive. he's a bald dark skinned man with a suit and sunglasses. His most defining feature is his lean build and a tattoo beneath his eye.

"You don't know who you're messing with. hand us the girl and we can walk away slowly."

"No. She's entrusted to me by a friend."

He raised an eyebrow.

"And where is your sad friend?"

"By his own words... One with the stars."

He raised his hands as everyone in the vicinity stopped and put away their weapon and left us alone.

"Nathan Colombus disappeared 5 years ago. No living relatives. Graduated to CottonBirch Highschool, Studying at CottonBirch University Computer Science Major."

It seemed like they researched me, but no living relatives... those words shook me.

"... What do you mean by not living ..."

The words got stuck in my throat as dread filled my mind.

The man in the suit gestured towards one of his cars. as I just followed him. it's the dead of the night, with stars covering up the skies. but even with this and the comfortable seating of the car. I can't help but feel ... anger. sadness.

"I guess you've recently returned, Nate? Is it fine if I call you that?"

I didn't reply as my mind is entirely elsewhere.

"Ok.. moving on. You can call me agent smith. I know that it's sudden but... bla bla bla"

I didn't listen to whatever he said after his name, and to be honest, it's quite rude. I felt that none of it matters now. but as I am losing hope Eli hugged my closer as she mutters "Papa...". I just hugged her closer as I pet her head like what I saw her father did.

and after a while we arrived somewhere. When we arrived there was an office building that looked nothing grand. but inside it I can sense a lot of 'hero' auras.

Agent Smith guides me inside. and I just followed him.. we went past the lobby which looks luxurious. It seems that I'm not that special, huh. Are there really that many world travelers?

and then I finally followed him into the office. I noticed the Office tag [Ethan Celeste][Rank S].

"This will be your new office then."

wait.. what!? I opened the door, and what greeted me was a noire themed detective office with a couch by the side. The air is so bad that I can smell the smell of cigars from outside the door. I looked towards Smith and I think he knew what I wanted. As he called someone, a moment later, a girl in a suit walked towards us. The girl has a green ponytail. her mouth is smiling but her eyes are not.

"You called me out just for this?"

and a toxic tongue. she snapped her finger. and then the air inside and outside changes immediately! I wonder what's the principle behind that. I mean wind magic will blow everything out. or is it some unique magic system that I didn't know of?

As I was thinking about it, I noticed that Smith had already opened the door, and everything behind it was tidy. judging by the person Ethan is, I don't think he is a man who's tidy.

I laid Eli down on the couch as I sat down on the office chair behind the desk.

"It seems that you're unfocused and tired. I will be speaking with you tomorrow then, would you like a room here? we have---"

Right now I would appreciate nothing but silence, so I casted a harmless silencing spell and I gestured to him to get out. He seemed to understand as he exited the room. The room is a bit chilly. and I didn't see any control for the temperature. Eli is also feeling a bit chilly as she crawls into herself like a prawn.

so without hesitation I removed my cape from my armor and used it as a blanket for Eli.

"Good night"

I didn't know why I said that as I sat down in the comfortable chair. I instinctively grasp something from my chest. like a fighter that has built muscle memory. and that something is a necklace. It's Ilvya's Gift. The demon goddess said it's a good luck charm. and I believe it. but to think that I've been such a fool all this time huh.

Thinking of my mistakes I feel more and more embarrassed, and counting every little thing she did. damn... I really screwed it up huh.

That night I was filled with both nostalgia and regret.