Unexpected Reunion

The scene shifted to Jessica's bar, where midnight had cast its stillness upon the empty establishment. Jane diligently helped Jessica clean up and prepare for closing. As they went about their tasks, a commotion outside caught their attention.

Suddenly, Seifer burst into the bar, causing Jessica to startle. "Sorry, we're closed for..." Jessica's words trailed off as Seifer quickly scanned the layout of the bar and rushed towards the back door beside the counter. Jessica called after him, "Hey, where are you going?"

Before Jane and Jessica could fully comprehend the situation, Ethan stormed into the bar, his presence equally swift. He surveyed the surroundings and swiftly made his way towards the now-open back door.

In the back alley of the bar, Seifer found himself cornered by Ethan in a dead-end alley. Ethan's voice cut through the tense air, "I guess there's no way for you to escape now."

Jane emerged from the bar and recognized Ethan. "Ethan, is that you?" she exclaimed, a mix of confusion and surprise in her voice.

Ethan, taken aback, responded, "Jane!?"

Seizing the distraction, Seifer launched an attack against Ethan. However, Ethan managed to evade the strike and swiftly engaged in a fierce laser sword battle with Seifer. Their skills proved to be evenly matched as their blades clashed. Seifer's laser sword emitted a green glow, while Ethan's emitted a blue glow.

After exchanging blows for several rounds, Ethan utilized his magical abilities, causing his laser sword to transform into a vibrant orange hue. He unleashed a barrage of high-damage slashes, overwhelming Seifer. Unable to defend against the consecutive attacks, Seifer fell to the ground, defeated.

Lying on the ground, Seifer muttered weakly, "Eye of Darkness... Ethan, I lost to you."

Ethan approached him, demanding, "Just hand over what you stole."

Struggling to speak, Seifer replied, "No... You can't... The ZGene DNA plug-in project is a horror... It affects the fate of humanity... You must get this to Taira and let them stop the project..."

Dismissing Seifer's words, Ethan coldly stated, "That's not what I care about."

Seifer persisted, "You just want money, right?"

Ethan remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Seifer continued, "If you get this DNA sample to Taira, you will get at least 400k."

"Why should I believe you?" Ethan questioned, his voice laced with skepticism.

Seifer weakly replied, "No... That's only my reward for this mission. If you get this to Taira, I believe you can get more than that... And the most important... The most important thing is... to stop Jackson's ZGene DNA project..."

With his final words, Seifer passed the DNA sample to Ethan and breathed his last.

Jane, filled with shock, exclaimed, "He's dead... Ethan, you killed him..."

Ethan's response was cold and resolute, "Yes... That's what I do."

Jessica, trying to understand the situation, asked, "Jane, is this the person you were looking for?"

Jane nodded, her voice trembling, "Ethan, let's go back to Acadia, okay? Let's not engage in these dangerous jobs anymore..."

Ethan's tone grew harsh, "Why are you here!? You should head back quickly. This is not a place you should come."

Jessica intervened, defending Jane, "She traveled far to find you. You shouldn't talk to her with this attitude."

Ethan fell silent, his gaze distant.

Jane pleaded, "Follow me back home, okay? We can return to a peaceful life. Don't stay here for such a dangerous existence. You look skinny now."

Ethan couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. "Go back? Back to Arcadia and let those villagers kill me? I still remember clearly how they treated me in the past."

Jane's conviction remained unshaken. "Ethan, I still believe in you. That must have been a misunderstanding, right?"

Ethan's voice dripped with bitterness, "Misunderstanding? My father wanted to kill me, and the villagers wanted to kill me. Can that be a misunderstanding?"

Jane struggled to comprehend, her voice filled with disbelief, "Ethan, is it true that you killed Father Brown?"

Ethan's admission was stark, "Yes."

Jane's voice trembled with sadness, "Why?"

Ethan's voice wavered with uncertainty, "I'm not sure... In that moment, he seemed... possessed, driven to kill me. I was very scared. When I regained my consciousness, he was already lying in a pool of blood."

Jane couldn't fathom the truth, "Father Brown wanted to kill you? How could that be? He's your father, you're his only child. He loved and cared for you since you were a child..."

Ethan's frustration erupted, "I don't fucking know why. Anyway, now my life is solely focused on money and blood. There's nothing else I trust. This is my life now. I am not the Ethan you once knew."

Interrupting the tense moment, Ethan's phone rang, and it was Jackson calling.

"How's the deal with Seifer?" Jackson's voice echoed through the phone.

"It's done," Ethan replied curtly. "Please inform your soldiers not to meddle in my business next time."

"You should know this assignment is confidential," Jackson reminded him.

"Alright. Make sure you transfer my payment now that the job Is done" Ethan responded, ending the call abruptly. He turned to Jane and Jessica.

"Jane, you should go back," he urged.

Jessica couldn't help but ask, "Ethan, are you working for Jackson Enterprises?"

Ethan dismissed her assumption, his tone firm, "No, I work for myself."

Jessica pressed further, her curiosity getting the best of her, "So, what about the ZGene DNA project?"

Ethan's response was blunt and detached, "I'm not sure. I only work for money."

Jessica sighed, realizing that for Ethan, money was the driving force behind his actions. She muttered quietly, "I see..."