The atmosphere stiffened. Our faces went dark. We didn't expect such an invitation.
"Wait Jodan, isn't that your friend?" Kelan seemed to be misunderstanding that matter.
"I told you I had cut off my relations with my friends. Well, I only had one friend Peter."
Kelan nodded slightly as if he understood the situation. Mr. Heriss dropped his large hand on my shoulder, making my shoulder sank a little.
"Don't worry. If anything I would handle it." He's a reliable person and I know that. But I don't want to drag anyone with me. He helped me more than enough.
"He asked me to go specifically. You have done enough for me. On the other hand, I have been a lot strong than when I first came here. I'm sure I can handle this."
I didn't know how much strong this guy is nor that I had any idea about it.
"You sure about it?" Mr. Heriss is too kind. I nodded with a half-baked grin.
Kelan was next to approach me.
"If you want I can come with you."
"You don't have to do that. This's my fight. I have to fight alone in one way or other. Thanks for your consideration, Kelan."
I went to the changing room that was in the back. The locker I had was empty as always. I took out the apron and placed it on the hock. Hmm, How much I have changed after I came here. This shop has given me something that none other could give me. I'm grateful to the shop and its people.
Ah, (cough) (cough) blood emitted from my mouth. I held it to stop it from flowing anymore but in the end, it came out with a blast.
*Your good days are coming to an end, Jodan. No matter how much you want to be held back. The time would come very soon when you would have no choice but regret the decision you made. Don't let the system decide your death. The system has great power that could make you the god of this world. Don't you want that? If you refuse the potential of the system, the system would take drastic measures.*
"Haha, So, I would die, wouldn't I?" I chuckled with agony.
*Well, in truth surely you would. Hah(sigh) after finding someone so compatible with the system, I have to lose it. It would be better if I don't.*
The old fart was cheeky today. Was he feeling sad in any way? No, that can't be. After all, he's one of them.
I went out to if the changing room and went near the sink. I encountered a rather unusual individual.
"So, Jodan, what do you think life is?"
Huh? I was a bit stunned at first to hear such a question but then again this is just like him.
"Is it a period to live freely with your heart's content or just a period of depression and suffering?" Sutasi was just like that. He never had any emotions, to begin with. In common eyes, he's the only monster working here. He was someone who never smiled. At least I never saw him smile, even a fake one. He might be someone who doesn't want to fake.
"Well, if I have to say than I...would say…."
"If you don't have an answer then don't say it. I don't want a half-baked one."
Shit, I got caught. However, I'm smart so I would turn the tables.
"N-no, I have the answer. From my perspective, Life is cruel, enclosed with hellish pain but it's beautiful, it has a unique way of living. You see, everyone is different from one another and their way of leading life. Someone took it as a way to earn money or another one took it as a way to find love."
"You say things that are true."
"Wouldn't I always do that?" The corner of my lips curved slightly.
Sutasi wasn't looking at me rather he was busy washing his knives. The knives from his own collection. Sutasi had his own set of knives. He can't work without them. He took care of them as if they were his dear children. It's something that made him himself.
"See you then." As I was saying my goodbyes I headed outside. For a moment I thought Sutasi said something like,
"Don't let the monster devour you." But it was so quiet that I hardly believed that he said that to me. Not sure means anything important. Following that motto, I ended up outside. The sun was already on its way down. The bright orange light looked dazzling. I wonder why the sun is so beautiful when setting than when it was top of our heads.
"So, I have to go to this location….." I said while looking at that piece of paper Mr. Heriss gave me. I wonder why didn't I saw Mr. Heriss or Kelan at the shop. Were they already head for the home? Only Sutasi was left.
*Mr. Jodan, is there something on your mind?*
I intended to avoid him in every possible way. I knew the location quite well.
I went there once to the latest version of Full hunting. It's an fps game. I had fun playing it.
Now, I have to go right.
The roads were narrow. Why there weren't any police officers here? Did they retreat? Well, that's a good thing for me. I wouldn't have to be afraid of them any longer.
I pulled out the diary from my right pocket and went to the page where the status shows.
< Name: Jodan>
< Status: Level 13> [ Ep :100\120000]
< Manipulating Strength: Level 2>
[Skills: Bloody Stars Level 1]
The only skill I have is Bloody Stars. The ability I have is a special one but without leveling it's no use. I could only do skills like make random shapes using blood. The blood stars is a useful skill I have. I have mastered it quite a lot. If a fight broke out it would help me a lot.