Despite the unknown and supernatural situation going on in the world, people hadn't stopped their daily lives. After a few months, the city was back to its usual state, so even if it was already getting darker, the street was far from being void of people.
It was also flashing with various lights.
That's why Reigner would truly need to exert a lot of his senses to find even one dude constantly keeping an eye on the small house belonging to Sylvie's family. He was naturally doing this so but to no avail.
Nothing strange entered his mind, so if there was truly someone keeping an eye, then the army or government had finally done something appropriate, at least when it comes to their own people. The previous soldiers had failed their job!
Since there was no way Reigner and his two companions decide to spend the time outside in the cold night, the earthling stepped forth and hid in the shadows. It was time to just enter the house from behind under the umbrella of the darkness.
All while spreading the powerful awareness of his.
Things were going fine for now.
However, when Reigner's boots touched the house's interiors, the cracking sounds echoed through. This startled the residents of the house as one could hear the metallic stuff falling onto the floor.
"Who!? Who would even want to rob us?!"
The old man, the father of Sylvie, rushed to the front doors with a small knife in his hand. He was trembling though, his eyes barely able to stay open from the fear alone. It was so dark in the house as well, so this just increased his fear.
It was so dark that his eyes couldn't discern his daughter!
"Father, it's me! Put that knife aside and stay quiet."
"S-Sylvie? Y-you came back from the black hole?! You survived! I am glad... so glad..."
From the fear to utmost happiness, the old man gently put the knife on the shelf, then even the louder cracking sounds resounded. He naturally wanted to see his daughter, so with the tears welled up around his eyes' corners, Mr. Father closed up the distance.
Only then, he realized that there are two more people within the house.
-
Surrounded by nothing but darkness, Reigner was looking at the small candle that was the only source of light in Sylvie's house. Her family was rather big, with the oldest daughter being Sylvie and two kids around thirteen years old.
Their family was poor ever since she was small.
'Why would you even go for three kids if you can't afford it?'
He asked while looking at Sylvie who was already teaching some stuff for her little brother and little sister. These two needed some help that the parents couldn't provide. Was it because the education system was different and more advanced?
Regardless of that, the sight of her teaching the two brats near the candle while looking out for fire was just too sad for Reigner to look at.
'I can't call my mother as well. There is no phone... and I still can't exclude the option of others keeping an eye on our families.'
It was still great to be back home. Reigner didn't feel any pressure that would threaten his life and so he just relaxed. Within his embrace was a beauty out from the world, so not like Reigner can complain.
For now, he has to get the proper environment to live.
"Old man, do you have some spare metal objects? Like from the old, unused stuff?"
"I have, young one. I planned to take those to junkyard soon, but if you feel like killing time with those, then feel free!"
"Thanks then."
Reigner stood up, then followed Sylvie's father to the basement. There were a lot of old electronics that were broken and unusable no matter what. In the past, this basement had more of the useless stuff!
"Oh, there are some cables. I take those."
"Yes, feel free."
It didn't matter what usage this old stuff had as Reigner planned to modify them to his liking. First, he made a lamp by modifying the items with his item creation system. The scraps became one and the proper item could be materialized.
Then just adjusted the cables, Reigner made one long cable!
Then, he gathered more of the metal scraps and began modifying them to create battery! This battery is going to be hidden in the basement. As for the next move, Reigner took out his staff. He utilized some of his supernatural energy, then began digging.
An hour passed by.
"Young one, I am sorry, but this is the only meal we can provide... Thank you for saving our daughter. We, more or less, can see that she thinks deeply of you."
"No need."
It was the mother of Sylvie that caught up Reigner as he was coming back from the basement. She held a plate with potatoes that were sliced up like some fries. A lot of salt was here to add at least some flavor, but the oily meal was not something Reigner would like to eat.
He also didn't feel that hungry thanks to his experiences from another world.
"Is that what you usually eat?"
"Potatoes are cheap and sold in bulks, so we can afford to buy a lot of these... I am sorry."
"It's not me who you should be apologizing to."
"I have been apologizing ever since Sylvie decided to give up on her life... What else can I do? I am working on double duty and this is not enough... What else..."
It looked like the mother wanted to let out all her grief to someone. Reigner happened to be a good target of that and so she spoke out everything while covering her face that was wet from the tears. Listening to this story, Reigner wanted to ask the question he had within his mind not too long ago.
But he realized that moments of warmth were needed and this family... couldn't afford the protection. The fact that there were only three children was rather a miracle.
"Things should be different from now on. Tomorrow, go buy the coupon or some lottery thing. Ah, I hope you know you can not mention our or Sylvie's come back."
"Yes... I know."
Reigner shoved back the plate with a meal, then took the thing he created for Sylvie and her two siblings. He surprised them as what he made first was the lamp. The lamp shone brightly and was way safer than a candle that looked like it can fall at any moment.
The windows were covered by blankets as per Reigner's request to Paula before he unleashed that new item!
"Wow! It is a lamp!"
"We have those in the library in school!"
The kids chirped happily while Sylvie turned her eyes to Reigner with a slight understanding. He had created an item, but there were a few things that had to be taken into consideration! For example, what is the source of electricity?
"No way."
"Yes, it is your neighbor."
"Sister! Your boyfriend is so good!"
"Shhh! He is not my boyfriend!"
Reigner casually spoke, ignoring the brats, then sat down next to Paula. Within his hand was the newly made phone that could have access to the internet. It was also thanks to the neighbor's grace. He wanted to check the news and what happened a year ago when the world hope happened.
The curiosity was eating him from within!
His phone, however, fell straight to the floor once he read the hot news that appeared on the very first page.
[The survivor of the black hole! His identity has been confirmed after meticulous checks! The young man from the western continent has revealed the stories of another world and his own supernatural power!]
"Motherfucker. He actually came back four months ago?"
"Reigner... There are children here. Don't speak out loud and let Sylvie teach them."
"Motherfucker... He actually joined special forces?"
"..."
Reigner read what was known to every earthling, then he lost his phone again.
[Another survivor has come back!]
"..."
There were six survivors overall.