Chapter 36. Welcome Home

Washing up ashore in Europe and having a constant tail from the Justice League would make you understand why I would chose to hide right under their noses.

Moving from one place to the next and getting a small taste of the cruel world I was now living in helped me to narrow my options, and I settled for a residential area.

A safe haven with plummeted crime rates that no one would think to patrol. One could say it's because of the hero who emerged from this humble place (not that they know), but it was always like this.

A city is a place you're bound to constantly run into people - not the best scenario for someone with something everyone wants. That's why I chose Smallville, the home place for Clark Kent, also known as Superman.

All hung up in the city life, not everyone wants to go back home and inherit a farm from their dying parents or grandparents.

"Too much responsibility," they say. "I'll come when I have someone to buy it out. Just give me the deed and inheritance papers."

Lucky me, I found an abandoned farmhouse with no one currently living in it and made it my humble aboard. As for my treasure, I ensured that I placed it in a secure location in the farm, setting up traps made out of my cursed energy.

As a first, I ensured I knew where the Kents lived. Another stroke of luck hit as I discovered that Clark Kent was currently living in Metropolis as a reporter and hadn't gone back home to start a family.

So as not to blow up my cover to the full-of-gossip neighbors, I feigned to being a relative who lived in the house I had occupied. My story elaborated to how my uncles and cousins wanted that someone live in the house before it's fate was decided.

All that that got me was, "Welcome to the neighborhood," and, "we'll throw you a 'Welcome Home Party' Sunday evening."

How naive of people.

Sure I'd be late for the party, now that I had to meet Constantine in Italy, but I supposed a "something-came-up-and-I had-to-go-back-to-the-city-quickly" would suffice.

If they would buy that, I would throw in a "no-no-no no-need-to-cancel-the-party."

---

"I should get a farm dog." I amuse myself as I walk through the thick farm gate - the entrance to my humble abode.

But at the back of my mind, I know what I truly want. "Can't wait to sell all my treasure and turn it into money and modern assets."

The night is really dark and all anyone could see is a bulky figure walking towards the house with dimmed lights. Themyscira really did pay off.

I'm holding onto the briefcase from earlier. I haven't really had the time to go through its contents. I didn't have to, because the guy I owe was really loaded.

I don't expect that anyone is still in the house this late in the night. It's already a few minutes after Monday set in.

"They could have just put out the lights when they left." I feign disappointment and joke to myself. "The bill's gonna be especially high this month."

Suddenly, my body chills and shakes as if a cold substance just washed through my veins. I dismiss the feeling to be just the cold of the night.

"No threats since Italy." I reflect back to my flight. "No ruckus either."

I make it to the porch, step on it and reach for the door knob. This house isn't much to look at for someone used to a city life, but it's peaceful.

Suddenly, I hear low murmurs inside the house. My hand stays still, clutching on the door knob. I make out a phrase within the murmurs.

"Shoosh. Keep it down guys." Someone whispers to the others who chuckle as if they've heard something funny.

My mind tries to discern the situation. Is it a break in, or are they having the party without me?

"Should I be careful?" I wonder an instantly produce my Grudge Pistol Lvl. 1 while I put the briefcase down. It's still 4 grudges down (8/12).

Unfortunately, while I can use my cursed energy to make a new weapon every three days, I can't refill magazines until the current one fully runs out.

"Better safe than sorry." I say as I twist the door knob and push the door knob, my body and mind ready for a fight. If it's mundane people, there's nothing to worry about since they can't see the pistol and aren't trying to rob my treasure.

Silence envelops the sitting room as I brute force my way through. Wind brushes past and threatens to blow off the scented candles that are the only source of light for the room.

Eight eyes stare at me, shock written all over each face as several teenagers shuffle to recompose themselves. Two were making out on the couch while two more were casually chatting, hurdled together on the remaining seat.

I relax as I count the empty bottles on the table and the remaining drinks poured out. I already know the story here.

They had their parents go back disappointed, talking about the owner of the house not showing up for the party and coming up with theories as to what happened to me. The kids figure this to be a golden opportunity to rekindle the canceled party in their own style.

"You've got nice hair." The girl that was making out on the couch whispers to reduce the shock, in hopes that she won't sober up so quickly.

I disregard the complement. I've heard it hundreds of times. "Are you kids too drunk to go home?"

I regard them as kids, but we are probably 4 - 5 years apart. I'm only 21, but life has a way of making some people mature faster.

"Bro, you look like a superhero!" The guy seated with the other girl on the one-sitter says with admiration. "The way you entered was epic!"

"True bro." The guy that was making out with the girl on the couch finally says something that doesn't reflect his confused face. He's definitely f*ed up.

I know how hard it is to deal with drunk teenagers. I was one myself, so I don't really have to play the 'responsible' card.

I pick up the briefcase and head upstairs, choosing to ignore. I could use some rest anyway.

"Uummm.." One of the guts stands to block my path.

"Someone's upstairs, isn't there?" I ask knowingly, knowing I'll have to make sure the sheets are thoroughly cleansed.

"Uuuwaaaiii." A female screams from the upstairs, her scream both taunting and unsettling that it makes me sweat a little.

"I've done 'the deed' so many times, but I have no recollecting of it being like that." I think to myself.

"Heeellllppp meee!" She screams again as if gasping for air. It's as though someone's choking her. My instincts are screaming trouble, but I don't wanna react just yet.

"Ha. Bro's a monster." The guy on the couch sounds impressed.

"Somebody. Please!!" She screams again. This time, she's not as loud as before.

"Okay. Something's wrong." I say as I push the guy before me aside an leaving the briefcase on the floor. "That's not the screaming of pleasure. It's the scream of someone being in trouble."

I rush past through the flight of steps fast, my heart palpating like all African drums have gone wild. The hormones in my system are a flooded mixture of both anticipation and concern for the young girl's well-being.

"Stop you pervert!" The guy pushed aside and staggering on the floor shouts at me, but I'm already up and bursting the bedroom door open.

Just as I thought.

"That was a cry for help." I look around at the crimson sheets and the bodies lying unconscious on the floor.

I rush to check both pulses.

"Good, they are both alive." I observe, even letting out a sigh of relief.

"Now to figure out what cause---"

Push!

A powerful kick lands on me from behind and pushes me to crash on the unconscious bodies lying on the floor. I try my best to steady myself, hoping not to injure them further.

There has been no ding! sound to alert me on any threat, but something just kicked me so powerfully.

Using as much strength, speed, and, agility as I can gather, I quickly turn around to spot just whatever that has hit me.

Nothing!

I can't see anything!

Yet, I land another powerful blow to my cheek that sends me crashing to the wall and spouting blood. More trickles on my eyes an I feel weak, even though I know I am powerful and unbeatable.

But what am I fighting against? Who am I fighting against?

I can't see anything!

I can't see anything!

I- can't - see- anythiiing!!

Angry and desperate to fight back, I clasp my hands together and summon the first shikigami that pops to mind.

"Show yourself you cowaaard!" I stress as a shadow becomes a Shikigami. "Even if you hide in the shadows, I can still fight with my shado-"

Pwaaaaaghhh!

My eyes roll back in shock and my body tremors from another blow. This strikes are just too precise!

What's attacking me?!

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