The War: Official Heroes

"Ahh, those Seers..." Parker sighed, a shiver running down his spine. "Yeah, she almost stole my Harbinger. That could have been disastrous..."

Just then, Bennet began to unbutton her suit jacket, revealing her curvy figure beneath a white shirt. "Get out, I want to change clothes, Parker," she said, continuing to unbutton her shirt.

Parker rolled his eyes and reluctantly left the room, closing the door behind him to give her privacy.

A few moments later, the door opened again, revealing Bennet, now dressed in casual attire. "I'm going back home. You handle your own tasks," she instructed Parker, her tone firm and authoritative.

Parker watched Bennett leave, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. He yearned for his former power and control, but knew he had to play his part in the Eclipse's mission.

Bennett, now outside, walked briskly, her mind consumed by thoughts of Xian. Xian Ying... Xian Ying... Xian Ying... His name echoed in her thoughts, a captivating melody that refused to fade.

She adjusted her glasses, a determined glint in her eyes. The Imaginary was a key player in their plans, and she was determined to win him over, both for the cause and for herself.

"Should I tell the genius about him?" she asked herself, her thoughts turning to the figure known only as "the genius."

Just then, she walked to her car, settled into the driver's seat, fastened her seatbelt, and started searching for her keys.

"Also, I forgot to tell you," I said, suddenly appearing in her car beside her.

"Gyah!" she shrieked, startled by my unexpected presence.

She turned to me, her eyes wide with surprise. "H-how did you get here...?"

"Oh, I just imagined where you were and poof, here I am," I said with a casual shrug. "Also, I forgot to tell you something important."

"Go on..." she sighed, bracing herself for whatever news I had to deliver.

"About the superhero thing," I began, my tone serious. "It's still unofficial. Can you make us official heroes of the country?" I asked, my eyes meeting hers.

Bennett's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Official heroes?" she echoed, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "That's a bold request, Xian. It would require a lot of paperwork and approval from higher-ups."

She paused, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel as she considered the implications. "But it's not impossible," she finally said, a glimmer of intrigue in her eyes. "If you can prove your worth, demonstrate that you're truly committed to protecting the city and its citizens, then I might be able to pull some strings."

She turned to me, her gaze piercing. "But it won't be easy. You'll have to face scrutiny, public pressure, and perhaps even resistance from those who fear your power. Are you prepared for that?"

"Heh, I am," I retorted confidently, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "I could be anywhere at any time, you know. What did they call it... um, omnipresence."

I met her gaze with unwavering determination. The challenges she mentioned didn't faze me. I was ready to face whatever obstacles came my way, as long as it meant protecting the people I cared about and creating a better world.

Bennett's lips curled into a sly smile. "Omnipresence, huh? That's quite a power you possess, Imaginary. It certainly makes you a valuable asset."

She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But power alone isn't enough. You'll need to prove that you're worthy of the public's trust, that you're not just another vigilante seeking personal glory."

I chuckled, a hint of pride in my voice. "Hey, you say that like the public doesn't already like me. They even have their own fan base for me!"

Bennett raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, I'm well aware of your popularity, Imaginary," she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "But popularity doesn't always translate into trust. The public can be fickle, their opinions easily swayed by fear and misinformation."

She paused, her gaze meeting mine with a newfound intensity. "You'll need to show them that you're more than just a powerful figure in a flashy suit. You'll need to demonstrate your compassion, your integrity, and your unwavering commitment to justice."

I nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "Give me one second," I said, a determined glint in my eyes.

Swoosh! And then I was gone, leaving Bennett momentarily stunned in the driver's seat.

Bennett sighed, unsure of where Xian had vanished to. She put the key in the ignition and started the engine, a perplexed expression on her face.

Suddenly, Xian's voice boomed from outside the car. "Done!"

She jumped, startled by his sudden reappearance. "W-What's done?"

"Earlier, I helped 350 people," I said with a proud smile.

Bennett's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "350 people?" she echoed, her voice laced with disbelief. "In what, a few minutes?"

I shrugged, a playful grin on my face. "Time management is key," I quipped. "Besides, with my powers, I can be in multiple places at once. I stopped a few robberies, helped some elderly folks cross the street, rescued a cat from a tree... you know, the usual superhero stuff."

Bennett stared at me, a mix of admiration and bewilderment in her eyes. "You're truly remarkable, Imaginary," she finally said, her voice filled with a newfound respect. "I'm starting to see why the Seers are so scared of you."

"They are!?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

Bennett nodded, her expression turning serious. "Yes, they are. Your power, your unpredictability... it terrifies them. They see you as a threat to their control, a wildcard they can't manipulate."

She paused, her gaze meeting mine with a newfound intensity. "That's why we need you, Imaginary. We need your strength, your courage, your unwavering sense of justice. Together, we can dismantle the Seers' grip on this city, on this world. But it won't be easy. They'll fight back, they'll try to destroy us. Are you prepared for that?"

I met her gaze, my own resolve burning bright. "I am," I declared, my voice firm. "I'm ready for whatever they throw at us. The Unseen Alliance will prevail."

"Come here, inside," she said, gesturing towards the passenger seat.

Swoosh! I teleported, now sitting beside her.

"Where to?" I asked, buckling my seatbelt.

"The genius," she replied, a determined glint in her eyes.

"The genius...?" I echoed, my curiosity piqued. "You mean the one who can grant powers and curses?"

"Something like that," she said, starting the car and smoothly maneuvering out of the military parking lot.

The guard at the barrier gate gave a salute. "Going back home, Mrs. Bennet?" he asked, making small talk while taking her parking card.

"Yeah, just finished up a few things... You're back early, huh? After getting teleported?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"Yeah, that was weird..." the soldier chuckled. "A teleportation? I never knew it was a thing, but suddenly I was surrounded by other people who were just as confused."

Bennett chuckled lightly. "Well, that's the Imaginary for you," she said, a hint of pride in her voice. "Always full of surprises."

The soldier nodded, a look of admiration crossing his face. "He's a true hero," he said sincerely. "This city is lucky to have him."

Bennett smiled, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Indeed it is," she agreed, her thoughts drifting back to our conversation in her office.

I, the one they were talking about, sat quietly beside Bennett, listening to their conversation. It was strange to hear myself being praised by strangers, but it also warmed my heart. Knowing that my actions were making a difference, that people saw me as a symbol of hope, gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

The soldier opened the parking gate. "Drive safe!" he called out.

Bennett nodded and drove away, leaving the military compound behind.

As we drove through the city, Bennett filled me in on the details of her plan to contact the genius. "We've been tracking their movements for a while now," she explained, her voice a low, conspiratorial whisper. "They're notoriously elusive, but we believe they frequent a certain cafe in the old district."

"A cafe?" I echoed, surprised. "That's not exactly what I was expecting."

Bennett chuckled. "The genius has a penchant for the mundane, for blending in with the crowd. They enjoy observing human behavior, finding inspiration in the everyday struggles and triumphs of ordinary people."

She paused, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "But don't let their seemingly harmless facade fool you. The genius is a powerful entity, capable of both great kindness and unimaginable cruelty. We must approach them with caution and respect."

I nodded, my curiosity piqued. The genius sounded like a truly smart figure, a paradox of power and vulnerability. I couldn't help but wonder what their true intentions were, and how they would react to our request for help.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked, eager to learn more.

"We'll go to the cafe tonight," Bennett replied, her voice firm. "We'll observe the genius, try to gauge their personality and motivations. And then, we'll make our approach."

She glanced at me, a determined glint in her eyes. "We need to convince them to join our cause, Xian. Their power could be the key to defeating the Seers once and for all."

"Are you sure the genius will be at the cafe?" I asked, a hint of skepticism in my voice. The idea of relying on chance encounters with such an elusive figure seemed risky.

"Maybe, maybe not," she replied, her eyes focused on the road ahead. "But it's our best lead at the moment."

"What if they're not there?" I pressed, wanting to be prepared for any eventuality.

< Chapter 188 > Fin.