Old Man and Anonymous - Regrouped - Going Home - Contact - High Being - Refusal

Anonymous laid back on his chair as he stretch his arms and legs while yawning

"Haaah... They've finally gotten out of that place. Philip really has the potential to make a change in the world! Just his face has already made a wave! Hahaha!"

Anonymous laughed while watching the monitors, as he observed the surroundings where the limousine is driving by

"I could've controlled the information network and immediately terminate anything that's related to Philip, but... Where's the fun in that? I could've also hacked the news but that would break protocol"

He then crossed his arms and kept watching the monitors, until his eyes behind the mask widened when he felt a presence behind him

"Anonymous..."

A voice reverberated inside Anonymous' room. He reflexively stood up and turned around to look at the person

'Who is he? How did he pass through the alarm system of The Hive?! Is he...'

Anonymous thought to himself as he was genuinely surprise as to how the man entered The Hive, his main headquarters and center of operation. He and his close colleagues only knows the location of this place. Until the visitor showed up in front

"You have disobeyed my orders..."

The person said as his voice rumbled the air. He walked forward and the light from the monitors revealed his appearance

It was the Old Man

"Old Man!"

Anonymous couldn't help but mutter

"Why did you disobey my orders?! Where did you get the nerve to make contact with Philip?! Are you not afraid of me eliminating you and your organization?!"

The Old Man shouted and made Anonymous shiver. The monitors started to flicker from the energy wave coming from the Old Man

"What made you do it?"

The Old Man calmly asked Anonymous. He's going to give Anonymous a chance and he's willing to hear his reason as to why he contacted Philip

"I had reasons! I was scared of you and it looked like you're scared of Philip! I made a deal with him"

"What deal?!"

"I will provide him any information that he wants in the world in exchange for his protection"

"..."

The Old Man was surprised. He never thought that Anonymous would make that kind of deal since it would benefit Philip more and make Anonymous lose more

Well, he got the protection of Philip but as far as the Old Man knows, Philip can't protect too much of himself unless he uses Fate Control and that can only get him far enough. Unless he chooses to destroy the world, which he thinks that he won't because Philip nurtured the world four years ago

Anonymous looked at the Old Man with worried eyes, seems like the Old Man paused for several seconds. He became afraid that this might be the last moments of his life

Just then, the Old Man clutched his chin with his right hand

"Hm... I guess if you are under the protection of Philip, then I won't be able to do anything to you"

Anonymous was shocked beyond belief. Just by being under Philip's protection, the Old Man refused to harm them? Even though he said a few days ago that he will eliminate them without question? Anonymous couldn't believe it

"But don't tell this anyone in the Secret Organizations because they'll exploit this. You have found my weakness"

Anonymous' eyes widened

"Of course, of course! I would never since they are also my competitors"

"Good, because if you do... I have to tell Philip"

Anonymous' eyes widened once again. He understood the underlying meaning behind the Old Man's words

If the Old Man can't do anything to them since they are under Philip's protection, then Philip will be the one who can do something about them

"Yes, yes. Understood"

Anonymous was sweating with every reply

"So, how are they doing?"

The Old Man walked up towards the monitors and watched

"They have escaped from the public. They have seen Philip's face, so it's natural for people to swarm him"

Anonymous explained everything to the Old Man

"And you helped them by contacting the police department?"

"Yes!"

"Haha! Very good!"

The Old Man gently patted Anonymous back proudly

"Keep doing that and you'll earn my favor"

The Old Man said and Anonymous' eyes widened. Having one favor from the Old Man will be very beneficial

"I'm just helping Philip"

Anonymous tried to be humble so that the Old Man could have a positive opinion on him

He looked at the Old Man, expecting him to look at him and compliment him more by helping Philip, but he saw that the Old Man changed his demeanor

The Old Man had a serious expression, much more serious than ever before. His eyebrows are strictly furrowed and his eyes are sternly narrowed. He is also emitting some kind of a contained aura and energy

"What is that?"

The Old Man asked while watching the monitors. Anonymous looked and squinted his eyes to look at what the Old Man was seeing

After a while, Anonymous' eyes widened. He could see a black blur flying through the sky while following the limousine from the cameras

Anonymous thought that it was an ability user that was chasing Philip's group, or someone that's ignorant enough to not notice the severity of the situation when they left the amusement park

But the Old Man thought otherwise. He watched the black blur in the monitors with intense concentration. His eyes began to glow with white light and he slowly saw the identity of the black blur

It was a little girl that was sinisterly smiling as she follows the limousine. The little girl also seemed to be taking her time to not catch up with the lumousine

Anonymous became scared and confused as to why the Old Man changed so suddenly, especially that his eyes began to glow. He thought that he is seeing something in the monitors that he can't see. Nevertheless, he also tried to look

Just then, the black blur in the monitors stopped. In the Old Man's eyes, the little girl stopped and looked at the direction of the camera with confusion. The Old Man immediately closed his eyes and lowered his head as to not let the little girl spot him

"I need to go"

The Old Man said before disappearing in a flash. Anonymous covered his eyes from the blinding light. He then slammed his hands on the table and looked deeper in the monitors

He would provide support from the shadows if push comes to shove. According to the Old Man's reaction, there was something dangerous that's following Philip, he'll support the Old Man with the best that he can

Meanwhile, at the same time, the little girl stopped above a power line near the road. She turned around and looked towards the direction where she felt that she's being watched

Her sinister smile disappeared and it was replaced with confusion. She looked around just to be sure but she couldn't find anything

She waited for a minute before continuing in a blur

~~~

"How was your date?"

Natsuki asked while smirking. Natsume blushed from her sister's question while Philip only looked at Natsuki with emotionless eyes

"I guess it didn't end well, huh?"

Natsume raised her head and denied it

"Hehe, It's the opposite actually"

Natsuki's eyes widened, as well as Mathilda, Mei'er, Marlo

"What?! You two actually became a thing?!"

Natsuki exclaimed with surprise

"No, no!! This can't be happening! Break up with him! He'll just hurt you!"

Mathilda cried out while grovelling on the car floor

"Guys, calm down, it's a one-sided love in Natsume's favor"

The rest of them, except Natsume, widened their eyes once more

"Ah, so you're a trash?"

Natsuki exclaimed while there was a glint in her eyes

"You want to die?"

Mathilda calmly said while being serene

"No, no! You've got it all wrong! I chose this! Philip did nothing wrong"

Natsume tried to explain to remove the hostility towards Philip. Natsuki and Mathilda was surprised and turned their eyes at Natsume

"What do you mean?"

"I forced Philip to engage in a one-sided love. He wasn't ready to be in a relationship because he has problems but I truly love him, so this works for me. He also tried to change my mind several times but it won't work on me! So, it's not Philip's fault"

Natsume tried to explain the best that she can. Philip looked at Natsume with confused eyes. She almost made Philip look bad once again

"So, he's still trash"

"You want me to kill him?"

"Nooooo! I love him! That's what's important, right?"

"But he won't love you back?"

"I don't believe that at all"

"Why not?"

"Because, I think that even though we are in a one-sided relationship, he will feel guilty and eventually love me back"

Natsuki and Mathilda stared at Natsume with dead eyes, it was the same for Philip and Marlo. Mei'er only stared at them with false confusion

'I thought Kyouko was the sadistic one?! I didn't know that Natsume would think like this?'

Philip thought to himself. He shivered a little bit but he kinda liked it. He also commended Natsume because she read him completely

Eventually, as time passed, he would feel guilty and he will try to make her happy, even though he has no heart

It was then that Mei'er switched seats to Philip's side. She then pulled Philip's sleeve and looked up towards him

Philip looked down and smiled. He patted Mei'er's head because that's what Mei'er wanted

"Did you have fun with Natsuki and Mathilda?"

Philip asked to which Mei'er nodded

Everyone then engaged in idle talk while telling each other of their experience in different attractions, as well as the crazy events that lead to Philip and Natsume running. Of course, they omitted the part where they arrived at that specific part of the love tunnel

"By the way, what's that in Natsume's arm?"

Natsuki asked

"It's a mysterious prize that Philip won in the Strength Tester machine!"

Natsume joyfully answered

"Really? What is it?"

"It's an Oriental Sword"

"Oh? That's new"

"Yeah! I'll examine it when we get home and test it"

"Okay"

After several minutes, they have arrived at the street where the entrance to the mansion is near. Philip changed his expression and he exuded strictness

Natsuki and Mathilda especially felt the change in Philip while Natsume was confused. Mei'er understood instantly and switched back her seat towards Natsuki

"Marlo, stop at the corner there and you all go ahead and get home. I'll be meeting someone there"

Philip asked Marlo and Marlo looked at the rear mirror to look at Philip

"Understood, Sir Philip"

Mathilda then became extremely confused

"Who is it that you're meeting?"

"Someone important"

"Do you need any help?"

"No, instead, if I didn't come back within 30 minutes, come to me"

"Understood"

Mathilda didn't complain at all because she felt that something is about to happen, same with Natsuki. Philip then comforted everybody

"Don't worry, guys. Someone was just following us and I'll ask questions. As the Homeowner, I need to know. Also, notify Justine as soon as possible when you get home, okay?"

Everyone nodded. Their eyes were filled with worry, especially since that this is the first time that they never sensed someone following them. Even in the mansion, no one contacted them if they detected someone following them by the Mana Detectors

A few seconds later, Marlo stopped at the corner of the street and Philip immediately came out of the limousine. He closed the door and Marlo accelerated. He left the Oriental Sword on Natsume because he don't know the importance and true nature of the sword yet. It might become a double-edged sword in this setting

Philip waved at them until they turned the corner. He was slightly smiling but it chaged drastically because he felt the presence of someone getting closer

It was the same feeling in the amusement park and it seems that the person didn't want to hide anymore and alerted him of their arrival. He was a little confused though as to why Mathilda didn't feel their presence

He knows that Mathilda has an ability of full machinery or some kind that she can transform any parts of her body into a high-end machine

He then looked around to search for the person, only to find nothing. His emotions started to swirl because his danger senses were screaming. His Extreme Self-awareness ability automatically activated, as well as Supreme Sense of Measurement

It was then, as soon as he turned his head around, he saw the face of a little girl, smiling sinisterly. Her face is so close to Philip that he could only see her vibrant violet eyes that has a pale yellow cross in the middle of her pupil

Her eyes has like a sphere inside her pupil, like a planet being orbited by a moon. The yellow cross is in the middle of the planet and it was ever so burning, like evaporating

'Beautiful'

Philip has fascination in eyes, he found the eyes of the little girl as unique

It was then that the little girl pulled her head and laughed hysterically. The little girl seemed to be floating in the air while acting like an actual little child

"I finally got to meet you!"

The little girl said as she landed on the ground while striking a pose of her fist on her waist

"Who are you?"

Philip asked

"Ah, right! Let me introduce myself..."

Philip stiffened himself. His danger senses are still screaming and he couldn't become calm. His eyes slowly swirled because of his emotions. He tried to manipulate it but he was having a hard time

Seems like having too much fun in the amusement park and experiencing all those feelings that deals with love has taken a toll on his Emotion Manipulation ability. The happiness didn't want to be erased and the negative emotions took this chance to cause chaos inside his head

Yet, Philip maintained his composure but he doesn't know how long he could keep this up

"But first..."

The little girl snapped her fingers and there was several small explosions around the area

It was the nano cameras that Anonymous deployed. The cameras are so small that not even the leaders of the Secret Organizations would be able to sense or see, even Philip didn't notice it

"What?!"

Anonymous exclaimed as the monitors of the nano cameras suddnely became static and lost connection. The last thing that he saw is that the entity snapped its fingers

Anonymous did not see the little girl's appearance because the little girl is still concealing herself with the black blur, except for Philip. She did this for this exact reason

"Hah, finally! No more eyes!"

The little girl exclaimed while still smiling sinisterly. The black blur then disappeared and revealed her true form

The horn headband on her head became real and the horns grew bigger and longer in a zigzag pattern. Her braids and twin tail hair grew longer up to her waist. The fang on the right side of her upper teeth became larger and sharper. Her height and clothes did not change though, but she emitted an overbearing aura that even Philip couldn't handle

"I am a Goddess of another world, Sai, and I came to this planet to pick a candidate to save my world from the Demon Lord!"

The little girl named Sai, introduced herself and her purpose. Philip looked at her with dead eyes and confusion. Sai then pointed her finger at Philip

"Be honored because I have chosen you! You have the power to become a hero and save the world!"

"I refuse"

Philip immediately rejected the Goddess. At first, Philip was entranced by the idea of another world. Finally, he would go to another world like he wanted to ever since

But he immediately refused because he already changed this world four years ago. It's almost like as if he is already in another world with these Mana, Magic, and abilities

"You're six years too late!"

Philip shouted at Sai which made her flinch

"Huh, I never expected someone to refuse my summoning..."

Sai muttered to herself

"How and why did you even come to this world?!"

Philip asked

"Well, my world is on the brink of destruction and I needed someone to save it. I looked into Hero Summoning and it pointed me here on Earth. Seems like Earth has the most summoned heroes in the entire universe... It was then that I found out that the Earth has rich Mana being incorporated into the atmosphere. I stayed for two years to study this phenomenon and study human beings"

"So, you left your world for two years when it was a brink of destruction?"

"No worries! It still has one kingdom that's standing strong and they have the Seven Heroes"

"Then, why do you need me when your world literally has seven heroes?!"

"They'll be dying in the next few years since the forces and power of the Demon Lord has been increasing exponentially. That's why I need your power to save my world"

Philip then narrowed his eyes at Sai and wanted to confirm something

"What power?"

"Huh? Don't you have a power to alter fate and change destiny? With that power, you'll save my world easily!"

Philip then closed his eyes as he couldn't believe that this being knows his power. If more high beings are able to know his true ability, he would get exploited and used as a puppet

He needs to get rid of Sai and make her forget about his ability, or he'll eliminate her with all of his power, even though she's a Goddess, so as to not let his power spread

"I refuse! Find someone else to save your neglected world. Also, forget that I don't have that ability"

Philip wanted to turn around and walk away but he didn't. He felt like something bad will happen if he did so, also it seems that the conversation is not done yet

He was in a predicament, he wanted to escape but he won't be able to. He has no mobility or strength, unless he was in pain and he can convert it to speed and power with Pain Denial

It seemed stupid that he put himself alone and without support from Mathilda and the others, but it was a good decision because the person in front of him is a literal Goddess. They have no chance against her

He is the safest bet because he can use Fate Control. Although, he has no idea if his Fate Control has an effect on a Goddess. Unless, the little girl in front of him is a self-proclaimed Goddess and she's only a normal person with abilities

Nonetheless, Philip won't gamble and juat prepared himself

"Hm... I think you're misunderstanding something here. I am not asking you to save my world, I am forcing you to save my world because you are the best candidate that I could find! It's like the diamond in the rough as the humans say!"

Philip's head then swirled even stronger. He couldn't understand the thought process of this Goddess. He doesn't want to save her world, he wanted to live the way he wants and this Goddess is forcing him

He slowly became angry and the overbearing aura behind him started to grow. Goddess Sai noticed the aura but she was unfazed. She reached out her hand towards Philip

"C'mon now, just hold my hand and we'll be transported into another world! Doesn't everyone want that?"

Philip closed his eyes. He entered the plane of Future Vision to see if there is something to see. He expected that it would be the same as always but it's not. The circles disappeared and the horizon cannot be seen. Fog filled his vision. Usually, the fog is white but this time, the fog is red, as well as the blue floor that is tinted in red, the sky is also red

He became alarmed and confused as to what this entails and became afraid. He returned back to reality and became blunt

"No"

Goddess Sai stiffened while her hand is still extended. Philip slolwy opened his eyes and looked at Goddess Sai

She was looking down on him with no expressions as her violent eyes seemed to glow under the night sky. The view sent shivers down Philip's spine for the first time in a while

She then moved and turned her body to the side and clutched her chin with her right hand

"So, you really don't want to come, huh? Very well then, I'll allow it..."

She then looked at Philip with cold eyes. Philip's danger senses then died as he sensed killing intent. His pupils swirled and the overbearing aura growed as his emotions flowed out like a broken dam

"In return, I'll be giving you a gift just by meeting a strange entity like you! In exchange for something that is!"

Goddess Sai then disappeared in the area and immediately appeared a few feet in front Philip

"I'll be taking your eye as a souvenir"

Goddess Sai extended her arm in an instant and her fingers stabbed at Philip's right eye. Half of the length of her fingers came inside his eye and blood splattered on half of his face