40 Chapter 39 - Monster Slayer
"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier, but, you know, the urgency of the situation didn't allow me to. My name is Ethan Williams, Alliance Support Agent." the man with the machine gun replies, pulling a badge from inside his suit and then extending his right hand to greet Kaito.
Kaito shakes Ethan's hand, feeling a firm grip like no other person has ever greeted him. "So, you're a member of the Alliance?" questions Kaito, chuckling.
Ethan nods. "But you needn't worry. I don't have to report your presence in the report I'm going to make if you don't want me to. However, that way you'll also be without payment for helping to resolve the situation."
"Do what you want," Kaito says, not being very friendly exactly because Ethan is someone from the government, and decides to walk away.
Kaito knows he doesn't have to explain himself to Ethan now that he's regularized as a Duelist, not to mention that the agent himself probably already knows who he is. Besides, since Kaito won't be able to sell the bodies of the Spectres he killed, due to Ethan being around, he just prefers to get out of the spotlight as soon as possible, because there are people in the windows of the buildings watching, there sure are.
So Kaito walks away from the disaster scene empty-handed, aware that his reward will only be the relief of having done his duty... or is it? Surprising Kaito, as he walks away from Ethan, a system notification pops up before his eyes.
[You have completed the achievement of 'Monster Slayer I'].
[For defeating 15 monsters, you have received 200 bronze coins].
Seeing this notification, Kaito smiles from the corner of his mouth and puts his hands in his pockets, walking quietly away from the chaos and crowds of people, press, and officials that will soon be filling these streets with the White District. He can already hear how close the sirens are.
Ethan, with a slight smile on his lips, respects Kaito's reserved posture. He doesn't judge the awakened young man, for he knows how distrust is a constant companion in this dark world, after all that's what brought Ethan to where he is. Watching Kaito walk away, Ethan carefully puts his badge away and returns his attention to the disaster area.
"Now how am I going to explain to the supervisor all these bodies? He wouldn't believe me if I said I defeated them." Ethan says to himself, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead and a faint smile on his face.
*
The next day, the chaos and destruction caused by the portal breach in the White District became the talk of the town throughout Safe Area Z4 and beyond, even reaching the ears of the inhabitants of Z City.
The news spread like wildfire, fueling curiosity in the minds of those seeking answers to what happened.
The detailed accounts of the grotesque creatures emerging from the crack fascinated the population. Newspapers and media outlets were filled with alarming headlines, as citizens discussed the disaster on the internet and also on the streets.
The breach of a portal in a Safe Area after so many months was a reminder that even in a small place like this, the risk of portal emergencies is still great, especially in places that are not closely observed.
Kaito, the mysterious student Duelist who faced the first horde of Spectres and contained the wave of destruction and the number of victims, also became a subject of people's conversations. Although no one knew his real name or identity, his deeds were not considered in vain, although an elderly woman's interview about the way he treated her did not help his image much with the wealthy. In any case, those who witnessed his courage and skill shared their perspectives through interviews, conveying a sense of hope amid adversity and serving once again as propaganda about the Awakened.
So the next day, as the Z4 Safe Area buzzes with rumors and theories about the topic of the moment, Kaito the hero is back in battle, but this time against some ghosts from his past.
Behind the main building of the Compulsory Education Academy and near the small parking lot, Kaito stands before Victor and the other bullies.
Victor's nose is swollen from the fight the day before, and because of that he has to get a splint on one of his arms and a cast on his neck to help him recover. The mood between Kaito and the boys is tense, and the atmosphere is charged with old memories on both sides. The empty parking lot amplifies the feeling of isolation and makes the bullies more at ease than ever.
Kaito stares at Victor with a calm gaze and is also the one to break the silence. "So, why did you call me here?"
The other bullies remain silent. Their expressions vary between curiosity, anger and a trace of fear.
"Looks like life has something special in store for us, doesn't it, Kaito?"
Kaito finds the question strange. "What exactly do you mean?"
Kaito's response causes Victor to lift his head and look him in the eye. "I meant that a game changer happened and the kind you only see in movies. I-"
"Victor, I-" Determined to leave everything that happened in the past, Kaito was about to say, but is interrupted back by his tormentor.
"No, wait for me to finish, please." Victor insists, and Kaito nods, agreeing. "I want to apologize to you. I don't expect you to forgive me, but that's it, I want to at least be able to make up for what I caused you. "
"What?!" One of the red-haired bullies exclaims, surprised.
Then another boy, who is chubbier, also expresses his indignation. "But, Victor, you're the captain of the Muay Thai club! Are you really going to let this guy go without a punishment after what he did to you yesterday?"
"Boss, we can't allow that! You are not thinking! "
"That's it! We understand that you can't teach him a lesson because he hurt your neck, so we'll do it ourselves for you this time!" The red-haired one states, snapping his fingers.
The four boys accompanying Victor are as tall as he is, though not as strong physically or technically. Still, Kaito didn't even move a finger even with them adopting more threatening stances. He just continued with his calm and poised gaze. Kaito finally realizes that because he is an awakened one he doesn't need to fear these guys anymore.
For his part, Victor quickly tries to calm down his colleagues and friends. "Calm down, guys. This is my business."
"Boss, if we don't do it now in front of you, we'll do it later when you're not or-"
However, before one of the boys can finish speaking, a delicate and subtle voice cuts in.
"Um, excuse me, boys. I'm sorry, am I disturbing something?"
Everyone turns their heads to the right, where the voice came from, and sees a girl so beautiful it freezes them.
The girl's hair is long and black as night, and her eyes shine with a mysterious intensity. Her presence is stunning, making all those present feel drawn to her at the same time as they are speechless. And among all the boys, unlikely as it may seem, Kaito is the only one who recognizes her.
"You..." Kaito says, a little surprised to meet again the girl he saved from the Spectres the night before.
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