The next morning, everyone began their day feeling somewhat refreshed. Carn, by force of habit, woke up at the crack of dawn. His sharp senses immediately scanned the room, confirming that everything was in order.
Wong was also an early riser and had taken it upon herself to prepare breakfast. She searched the kitchen for food ingredients as if she was at home. Meanwhile, Rosa, Merlin, and Gawain had already left the house to scout the surrounding area. Their task was to assess any movements or threats from the ECD and ensure the perimeter was secure.
Gwen, however, had struggled to sleep through the night. Memories of the previous day’s events lingered in her mind, mixing with the surreal realization of the strange company she now kept. When she finally got up, it was almost noon.
She found Carn in the living room, sitting calmly on the couch. Her eyes widened in alarm when she noticed bloodstains on his clothes.
"W-What happened to you?"
Carn glanced down at his clothes and then back at her, "Oh, this? My ears decided they wanted to have a period. Nothing serious. I’ve already healed the wounds."
"…Okay."
Gwen blinked, processing his absurd explanation. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cringe, so she opted for a hesitant nod instead.
As neither Carn nor Wong had spare clothes, Gwen rummaged through her old belongings and handed them something to wear. Carn ended up in a plain t-shirt and jeans, which surprisingly fit his slender frame. Wong, unfazed, wore some of Gwen’s loose-fitting shirts and pants.
After lunch, Gwen dashed out to purchase lottery tickets, using the numbers that Carn had predicted. In the late afternoon, Gwen returned with new clothes and some extra groceries. The group spent most of the day indoors, lying low and keeping a close watch on the news and any signs of suspicious activity in the neighborhood.
But by evening, the relative calm was shattered when Wong’s phone buzzed, displaying Han’s name on the screen. Overjoyed, Wong darted to pick up the call.
However, as she picked up the phone, her hand froze an inch away from the screen. A grim realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Slowly, her expression shifted to one of dread.
Without a word, she rejected the call, turned off the phone, and removed the SIM card. Wong then grabbed a jar of water from the kitchen and dropped the card and the phone inside. They sank to the bottom as tiny air bubbles rose to the surface.
"Shit. I’m sorry," Wong muttered, smacking her forehead in frustration. "I shouldn’t have used this phone yesterday."
Gwen and Carn exchanged puzzled looks, but comprehension soon dawned on them. Their casual use of phones over the past day was a critical error. The ECD and government agencies could easily trace their location through phone signals.
Carn couldn’t afford to implicate Gwen or his mother. He stood up and came up with a plan. But before he could tell what he was about to do, he needed information, so he asked Gwen.
"Gwen, is there an empty house, abandoned property, or anything similar nearby?"
Gwen nodded. "There are a few empty houses one block east. But all of them have automated doors and built-in security systems. If you break a window or force a door open, the alarm will go off."
Carn smirked. "What if we just teleport inside?"
Gwen froze, momentarily stunned by the suggestion. Then, understanding dawned on her, and she broke into a grin.
"Of course. With your... demon lord’s abilities, that’s possible. The CCTV cameras only monitor the outside of the houses. As long as you don’t tamper with the doors or windows, you’ll be fine. It’s the same system I have here."
"Perfect! I’ll go ahead and check things out. Ma, stay here and keep an eye on things. AW BE BACK!"
"Sure."
Instead of rushing out through the front door, Carn entered a washroom without locking the door. He transformed into a sentry gargoyle and teleported out. After all, he couldn’t use the free teleportation perk while Gwen and Wong were watching him.
.
Using the cover of night, Carn moved through the neighborhood. In less than a minute, he arrived at the area Gwen had described.
This neighborhood, hidden within the luxurious zone of the city, was an enclave reserved for high-ranking officers and distinguished veterans of the ECD. The houses here were not just homes but fortresses as each was barricaded behind tall fences and guarded gates, unlike regular homes with open front yards. Armed bodyguards patrolled the grounds. The setup resembled a cartel boss’s compound more than a suburban neighborhood.
Carn’s target was a seemingly dark and unoccupied villa on the opposite side of a brightly lit mansion. Without hesitation, he bypassed the villa’s security measures, teleporting directly inside.
Though the villa’s interior was untouched for years, its exterior was impeccably maintained. Dust coated every surface indoors, and the stale air carried the scent of neglect. Yet, outside, the grass was trimmed, and the hedges were neat. The ever-watchful security cameras hummed, and their red AI lenses scanned the premises 24/7.
From his position, Carn could hear loud music from the mansion across the street. The bass reverberated through the air, accompanied by muffled laughter and shouting. It seemed a party was in full swing.
Ignoring the noise, Carn focused on his immediate task. He activated his heightened senses, scanning the villa for any signs of life.
Fortunately, there was no one here. No faint heartbeats, no lingering warmth, nothing. It was as if the house had been forgotten by its owner but dutifully maintained by the city’s strict regulations.
Satisfied, Carn made his way to a washroom and turned on the faucet.
ZAAA!
A steady stream of water poured out. It confirmed what Gwen had mentioned. State law required homeowners to keep utilities running, even in unused properties. Failing to pay water or electricity bills was not just an inconvenience but a criminal offense, resulting in hefty fines and legal repercussions.
Carn considered testing the electrical system as well but he deemed it as a bad idea. After all, activating the house’s power could potentially alert someone, either through automated systems or manual monitoring. He glanced across the street at the mansion and smacked his lips.
"Annoying."
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.