After much serious consideration, Shen finally chose the country where he would begin his new life—The Pearl of the Orient Seas, the Philippines.
His research had revealed that the Philippines wasn't the most prosperous nation economically, but it wasn't that which drew him in. Rather, it was the people. Filipinos were known for their warmth, generosity, and deep sense of family. They were resilient, finding reasons to smile even in the face of hardship. Shen felt something familiar here, something he couldn't explain. It was as though an invisible force was pulling him to this place, as if he belonged here.
Today was February 7, 2096—two weeks after his discharge from the hospital. Shen stood in a cramped room, preparing for his departure. His heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and uncertainty about this new chapter of his life. He'd been through countless battles, but this—this felt like uncharted territory.
Shen grabbed his bag and left the room, dressed simply in a black t-shirt, white shorts, and slippers. He couldn't afford formal attire; the little money he had was saved for more practical needs. He stepped outside and took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs. "It's nice to feel the outside world again," he muttered to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips as he made his way to the airport.
Upon arrival, Shen met with one of the U.S. agents assigned to handle his transition. Their exchange was brief and formal, as it had always been in his line of work. The agent handed him an envelope filled with enough money to sustain him for a year, along with a passport and a ticket for his flight.
"You've already been registered as a citizen of the Philippines. As of today, you're officially Filipino," the agent said, trying to maintain composure, though sweat beaded at his forehead.
Shen nodded, pocketing the documents. "Thank you for your hard work," he replied curtly, waving as he walked away.
The agent exhaled sharply once Shen was out of sight, wiping the sweat from his brow. Though Shen appeared calm, even innocent, everyone knew the truth. This was the man known as the "Bringer of Death." In a world that had grown more peaceful, such a title seemed archaic—almost cringe-worthy—but it hadn't lost its weight. No one could remain calm in the presence of such a dangerous individual.
Boarding the plane, Shen settled into his seat and slept through most of the long flight, his body still recovering from years of strain. When he finally touched down in the Philippines, a wave of new sights and sounds greeted him. The diverse crowd, the bustling airport—it was all foreign yet oddly comforting. He spent the first night sleeping on a bench in the airport, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of this life change.
The next morning, he booked a domestic flight from Manila to a quiet province in Negros Occidental. After another long journey, Shen arrived at a small, isolated town called Saravia. Nestled away from the chaos of the city, Saravia promised a life of peace and solitude. It was exactly what he needed.
Shen found a cheap guesthouse and rented a modest room. He didn't need much. For now, this was enough—a place to rest his head and consider his next steps. He still had enough money to last him a year, but after that, the future was uncertain.
As he lay on the creaky bed, staring at the ceiling, Shen's mind wandered back to his old life. Violence and chaos had defined him for so long. He was an expert in war, his skills in combat unmatched, but none of that mattered here. In this quiet, peaceful town, his old talents were useless. There were no missions to complete, no enemies to eliminate. He was lost, adrift in a world that no longer needed men like him.
"I didn't know it would be this hard... living a normal life," he sighed, feeling the weight of his past pressing down on him. For the first time in years, he felt truly unsure of himself, unsure of what the future held.
With only a few belongings to his name and a sense of uncertainty gnawing at his mind, Shen closed his eyes and let sleep take him. A new journey awaited him in this unfamiliar land, but for now, rest was all he could manage.