Chapter 17: Think about the Future
Contrary to Natas who can't be seen by anyone, Kayn had to take all measures necessary to not look like a suspicious individual as he moved around the perimeter of the Technological Building trying to look for escape routes that they could use.
Honestly speaking, with the Technological Building covered with CCTVs and motion detector sensors in almost every corner of the place, it's only natural for Kayn's presence to be caught by whoever is managing the security room of this building.
In addition to that, this place is currently devoid of any people, which just made it even stranger for someone to be here. As such, Kayn decided not to bother covering his tracks and just act like he was casually walking around. Furthermore, every now and then he would act like he is contemplating something while looking like he was deep in thoughts, seemingly showing that he is dealing with some kind of problem in his head.
This kind of method might feel stupid, but considering that Kayn is one of the brightest stars of the Starlight Hero Academy, it won't feel odd at all to see him being alone in a quiet place while having a deep contemplation. Almost all geniuses and capable people would have times when they do something like that since when they are alone they can easily pull themselves together and no one will be able to disturb them whatsoever.
Just like that, three hours passed, and as they have previously agreed, Kayn and Natas returned back to their spot before.
The location wasn't really that well-hidden, but it was good enough for them since they don't want to act suspicious.
Kayn sat on a bench that overlooks the front of the Technological Building seemingly looking like he was contemplating something inside. In reality, he was waiting for Natas as he had to listen to everything he had found in his reconnaissance.
"You won't believe what I found inside," Natas expressed his disbelief in his discovery. "Currently, Superhumans in black suits are guarding almost every corner of the place, from the ground floor up to the top floor. As I continued searching, I found a door leading to an underground basement, so I went inside to check the place as I've not found any traces of Rowan nor Carlos anywhere else,"
"As I expected, Carlos was indeed inside the underground basement, including his goons and a few more Superhuman bodyguards. But there was someone else that I can't recognize along with them,"
"How about Rowan Starlight, did you find him?"
"Currently, Rowan Starlight has locked himself inside a vault. And for the time being, that unknown person is trying to talk to him in hopes of making him get out of the vault peacefully. Believe me, that will never work,"
"Considering how things seemed to be looking out there, I don't think Rowan Starlight is going to get out any time soon," Kayn expressed his thoughts. After all, the moment Rowan Starlight gets out of the only thing that's separating him from Carlos and his goons, and that unknown person and his dozens of bodyguards, there's nothing left to protect him anymore.
"I am just wondering who is that second party joining in with the already messy life of Rowan Starlight? Is he someone who is gunning to replace Carlos once the latter graduates from Starlight Hero Academy? In fairness, he actually seems to be a lot more talented, since he has Superhuman bodyguards with him, dozens to boot, which is nothing compared to the students that Carlos has," Kayn said in a joking remark.
"It seems like it wouldn't be long from now before the vault is destroyed," Natas said as he pointed at a group of newly arrived bodyguards who seems to be releasing an overwhelming aura around them.
"What are Heroes doing here?" Kayn felt shocked. As a Hero before, it's simple for him to recognize that those new bodyguards are Heroes and not merely Superhumans like those that Natas said to be currently inside the Technological Building.
However, that wasn't the reason why he is shocked. It's because, with the presence of Heroes here, things aren't looking too good for him.
If it was only the Superhumans, then there is still a considerable chance for him to defeat them, especially considering the fact that he is a Superhuman himself. In addition to that, he has learned a plethora of skills and techniques when he was still the number one Hero, which he could use to some extent as long as it doesn't go beyond what his physical body could possibly handle at this point in time.
But Heroes are stupendously different when compared to Superhumans. The main reason for that is because Heroes could freely access the resources from the 'Tower', whereas Superhumans could only buy or receive them.
In the first place, the reason why they are called Superhumans is that they only have strength above those of ordinary Humans. Contrary to them, Heroes are called in such a way because they have the ability to fight against the 'Tower'. The difference between these two is just like a mountain and a hill.
Now imagine a group of individuals with the ability to fight against the 'Tower' working together. Regardless of how capable a Superhuman is, it's almost impossible for them to defeat those kinds of people.
"It seems like things aren't as simple as bullying anymore," While saying that, Kayn observed the uniform that the Heroes are wearing in hopes of finding the logo of what organization they belonged to. Unfortunately, in the end, he didn't find any. But he did realize the reason for that is because this is a covert operation. As such, they can't afford to reveal their identities and what organization they are a part of, "Something like this is definitely not the work of an ordinary individual,"
"I thought so as well," Natas agreed.
Kayn turned to look at Natas and asked, "How much time is left before Rowan Starlight does anything to these people?"
"Less than twenty minutes,"
"We have more time than I expected. The only problem is, I am not confident that we could do anything to help Rowan Starlight from his predicament," Kayn was worried.
"Not necessarily," Natas disagree. "Those people are undeniably in the level of Heroes, but I can sense that their strength is only on par with Superhumans still. It's probably because they are rookie Heroes,"
Rookie Heroes are the type of Heroes who have just gained access to enter the 'Tower'. In other words, beginners.
"I've tinkered with their security room a bit, so there's no need for you to worry about getting caught by the CCTVs and motion detector sensors," Natas hurriedly informed Kayn as he noticed there's still hope for them to save Rowan Starlight.
Unbeknownst to Kayn, What Natas actually meant about 'A bit' is an understatement. To be more accurate, the latter had destroyed everything in the security room since he doesn't have any knowledge of how exactly it works due to it having so many buttons, that's why until now no one came looking for Kayn.
Although he is a spirit, Natas discovered that it's possible for him to intervene in the physical world. That's the reason why he could destroy objects. Albeit, because he is weak, there is still a limit to his strength. But this also means to say that it's possible for him to grow stronger, and probably reach his prime once again if there's an opportunity.
"You want me to go in now?" Kayn felt a bit hesitant at what Natas wanted him to do. Even if those are only rookie Heroes, they are still called Heroes for a reason, and he doesn't want to be the example as to why that is the case.
"What else? Do you seriously think Rowan Starlight could defeat all of these people?"
"But you expect that I could save him? Just what kind of logic is that?" Regardless of how powerful he was in the future, that doesn't apply to the current him anymore. Also, this is no longer a question of having the courage or not, since the moment he enters that place there's a significant chance he'd just die. Moreover, there's that unknown person, as well. A variable that he couldn't take lightly.
"You don't have to necessarily save him; you just have to do something so that he will recognize you and hasten the process of getting him to your side!" Natas interrupted.
"You mean that I don't have to change his fate? But wasn't that the main reason why we came here from the start?"
"Change of plans. It's also better this way since we don't want to affect his future that much, otherwise there's a significant chance that he will not become who he is supposed to be in the future,"
"If it's only that, then I guess I could do it," Kayn believes that as long as he doesn't have to fight to win against all of those people, then things would still be alright for him. "By the way, let's take note of that in the future,"
"Of what?"
"That we shouldn't do everything with mainly the intention of changing everyone's fate. If we keep on doing that, then there is no telling for certain if my comrades are still going to be the same as who they are supposed to become in the future," He thought before that as long as they could get his new comrades to his side as soon as possible, then things would be good for him. But now he finally realized that on top of that he actually needs to consider their future growth as well. Without the challenges and pain they have suffered along the way, they'd never be the same as those people he had met and fought side by side together in the second life.
"I'll bear that in mind," Natas understood.