Chapter 39 — Calm Before The Storm II

Tranquil City.

Night had fallen, and the streets were quieter now – only a few stragglers wandering about under the dim glow of streetlights.

Damian pulled up on the bike at the entrance of Old Man Mike’s shop and killed the engine. He dismounted and headed straight inside.

As soon as he entered, he saw Alessio – the beggar he’d named after his past self.

Unlike his former self, the boy looked healthy now. There were no signs of malnourishment visible anymore. His cheeks had filled out, and his skin had regained some color.

Currently, he sat cross-legged on the floor, reading a book with an intensely serious expression on his face.

"...You learn fast."

Hearing Damian’s voice, Alessio was startled and looked up sharply.

"M-Master!"

The boy immediately scrambled to his knees, bowing his head.

"..."

’What did he just call me?!’

"Get up." Damian’s voice was low and firm. "I’m not your master, Alessio. Don’t call me that. My name is Damian Valcor."

He had no idea why the kid was calling him master, but he didn’t like the sound of it at all.

Alessio looked up at him with wide, earnest eyes.

"...Master Damian. You saved my life. I have nothing to give you in return.

I read in the books that when someone saves your life and you have nothing to offer, the only thing you can offer is yourself."

He spoke with an expression that made it clear he believed this was the only right thing to do.

"..."

Damian was completely speechless.

He muttered under his breath, "What kind of books is that old man making him read..."

"Don’t put the blame on me." A familiar voice came from behind the counter. "That’s a very weird kid you brought. But at least he knows how to repay kindness."

Damian turned to see Old Man Mike standing there with his usual butler-like suit and ash-grey hair, a knowing smile on his face.

"But I have to say, you really do have an eye for talent. That kid learns extremely fast – in just a week, he’s learned to read and write fluently."

"...I don’t have any eye for talent." Damian’s expression remained flat as he walked closer to the counter. "I just don’t like seeing kids go hungry."

"You’d be surprised to know about that kid’s talent as well." Mike leaned against the counter, crossing his arms.

"After he learned to read and write, the first thing I did was ask him about his talent and age that was displayed on his status screen.

Turns out, he has an S-grade talent. Almost the best a commoner could ever have..."

"...How old is he?"

Damian didn’t comment on Alessio’s talent. He’d never helped the boy expecting anything in return.

"Fourteen."

"Huh!?"

Damian turned sharply toward Alessio, who had already gone back to reading his book diligently, completely absorbed.

He looked so small... He didn’t look like he was just a year younger at all.

"Well, the kid was severely malnourished when you brought him to me." Mike’s tone softened with pity.

"And although his body has started to recover and become healthier, I don’t know if his growth was permanently stunted. He might never reach a normal height."

Old Man Mike spoke with genuine sympathy on his face.

Damian stayed silent for a moment, his jaw tightening slightly. Then he shifted his gaze back to the old man.

"...Forget about all that for now. I came to give you a heads-up in case your friends get caught up in what’s about to happen tonight."

Mike didn’t say anything immediately, but a slow smile began spreading across his face.

"...I see. It seems you’ve figured some things out." He chuckled softly. "Don’t worry. No one will interfere with your actions tonight. My friends know better than to get in the way."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression turning more serious.

"But be careful. Unlike last time when I warned you, the number of people who’ve arrived in the city these past few days is far greater.

And they all have... questionable backgrounds."

Damian listened silently, carefully picking up every piece of information from the old man’s words.

"I understand. But will I have any problems with your friends because of this?"

"Oh, not at all." Mike waved his hand dismissively.

"In fact, my friends would appreciate it if you could handle these pests that have sprung up in our garden.

You see, even though my friends could take care of them, the amount of trouble it would bring us later would be far too troublesome to deal with."

Mike seemed even more eager than Damian about what was about to unfold.

"But..." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Can you even handle them? Don’t misunderstand me – I don’t doubt your potential.

But a seed that hasn’t been watered enough finds it difficult to sprout beautiful flowers. And the pests that have come... they specialize in killing the buds before they even bloom."

"Old man..." Damian’s expression deadpanned. "Have you gone senile with old age? Just talk like a regular person, would you?

And you don’t need to worry about anything. I just came to give you a heads-up."

"..."

The smile on Mike’s face froze mid-expression.

But before he could respond, Damian had already turned on his heel and was walking out of the shop.

The door swung shut behind him with a soft chime.

"Sigh... Young people these days have no respect for old folks."

Mike sighed heavily, shaking his head. But then his playful expression faded entirely.

He reached beneath the counter and pulled out an old-looking mobile device, its screen scratched and worn.

He pressed a button and brought it to his ear.

"...I have a young friend who will be going after the insects making noise in the city tonight." His voice was calm, but there was an edge of authority in it now.

"Make sure the SFD and police are kept occupied until he finishes.

And move the people who were keeping an eye on those insects away from the area. I don’t want any of them getting caught up in this."

The voice on the other end seemed to give an affirmation.

Mike hung up and placed the phone back under the counter.

He glanced toward Alessio and noticed the boy was already looking back at him with sharp, intelligent eyes.

"Don’t worry, kid. Your master is strong." Mike’s expression softened slightly. "You should focus on understanding the world better for now. Next year, I plan to send you to the Academy."

Alessio nodded, and a resolute expression settled onto his young face.

He clenched his small fists.

’I’ll get stronger. Strong enough to stand beside Master Damian one day.’

****

Damian let his bike remain parked at the shop’s entrance.

Instead, he pulled on the dark helmet to hide his identity – just in case.

Although he didn’t necessarily need to hide his face, he also wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble if possible.

If they figured out it was him, fine. They’d already clashed before. It was nothing new.

As Damian walked toward his destination, the streets grew quieter. Shadows stretched longer under the sparse streetlights.

He tapped his watch.

"Aiko... how long would it take for the police to reach the Spire District once they’re alerted?"

"...Approximately ten minutes for them to respond and arrive on the scene."

Aiko’s mature, feminine voice sounded from his watch, calm and analytical.

Damian’s crimson eyes narrowed beneath the helmet.

’Hmm... Let’s first take out the ones who are alone. Quick and clean...’

He cracked his knuckles and disappeared into the darkness.