Following Reaper's depart, Heartfelt remained standing there, her eyes stuck on the door he just left from.
One of the guards, though hesitant and fearful, decided to approach her.
"Miss Heartfelt, please forgive my rudeness but if I may ask, why are you so obsessed with that boy. Though he is very skilled, he is nothing more than a regular human, way past the age of awakening." He said, slight anger in his voice for one of his fallen companions.
He couldn't understand. Why? What is so great about an unawakened brat, that she'd even kill one of her own guards for defending her without batting an eye.
Her pursuit of the boy wasn't something she just recently started. She has tried to recruit him for over 4 years now. She kept pestering him despite being refused every single time. She even went as far as to reduce his pay by 80%, forcing him to come here every day just to make ends meet. And she even made sure that he'd only fight against the strongest, though there i no one who can beat him right now.
Though he had to admit the boy was a monster, that was only amongst normal people. If he were to fight an awakened he'd barely be able to touch them.
In return to his question, Miss Heartfelt answered without turning around. "Why you ask? Why not? So what if he is an unawakened, way past the age of awakening, you never know what might happen."
Her answer just confused the guard even more but before he could ask further she spoke again.
"You asked me why I'd be interested in an unawakened boy. You have seen him for yourself, do you think there is anyone who can face him if they were to fight him unawakened? Not even S ranks can claim to have a guaranteed victory over him if they were to face him under the same conditions."
She paused her words for a little, keeping the guards in suspense, before turning around. The guards were frightened, by the mad smile she had on her face.
"That boy is beyond all of us! His ruthlessness, his technique, his determination. All of them are of the greatest level. He's a monster in human skin. So tell me, what would happen if he'd awaken?"
She didn't even give him a chance to answer, instead giving an answer herself.
"He'd become the strongest there is. He has already been fighting and decimating opponents far stronger than him. It's comparable to fighting above your own rank. Who knows, perhaps if he weren't malnourished he'd be able to fight a G rank and win. And knowing him, he'd create blood bath if he were to awaken, decimating all his foes."
The guard, despite having received multiple good reasons, was still unconvinced. This was because of one sole reason.
"Be that as it may, the fact is that he is unawakened, which means he won't be the strongest, ever." The guard retorted, feeling smug, like he won the conversation.
But that smugness disappeared quickly. The look Heartfelt gave him was enough for him to remember his place, a mere guard.
"Why are you so certain he won't awaken? Sure he's six years past the age of awakening but let's just say I have a gut feeling he'll awaken. So if I were to have him in my grasp, I'd reach far greater heights than I ever could on my own."
The guard was astonished. She had been obsessing over some random kid and pressured him because of what? A gut feeling?
"That's enough, we're returning." She was starting to get annoyed by her guards.
The guards just stayed silent, following her out of the building.
"It is impossible for him not to be chosen by this world. It merely put a small curse on him to make it fair to others. If that isn't the case, then this world is broken." She muttered to herself
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"Is that him again?"
"The gutter rat from the slums has returned."
"Don't looks kids."
The streets, once vibrant and peaceful, now full of quiet whispers. It was full of disgust, scorn and fear in the air. Children, frightened, clung to their parents for comfort.
What was the reason for all this?
Walking along the streets was a young boy, seemingly no older than sixteen. His usually black-colored long hair was dyed red in blood, much the same for the rest of his body. His clothes were in a similar condition. The only distinguishable feature he still had were his eyes.
Though his eyes shone bright like the sun, they lacked it's spark. They were dead, empty, tired of life, nothing to be found inside of them. To onlookers, he'd look like a walking corps, risen from the dead.
And what was this boy doing you might ask? Nothing unusual, just buying some cake.
After walking further for a little while, enduring all the scornful gazes thrown at him like they were some pebbles, he arrived in front of a bakery. It was too large, about the size of a small restaurant.
Looking up he could read a sign which said 'Ted's Bakery'. He stared at the sign for a few more moments before entering the door.
"Ring."
The bell rang as he entered.
At the counter stood an old man who seemed to be in his late forties. He had a long beard and his hair had already started to turn gray.
Hearing the bells and the creaking door opening, the man looked at the door, seeing a youth covered in guts and blood.
He recognized him immediately, after all, the boy was a long-time customer.
He greeted him enthusiastically, trying to hide the pity and small sadness he felt every time he saw the boy. "Alan! It's always nice to see you, though I'd like it if you'd take a shower before coming. Come in, come in. How have you been my boy? Did you come to buy bread again?"
The boy, Alan, suddenly gained some slight clarity to his eyes, albite abysmal, and gave the old man a smile back.
"Yo uncle Ted, I've been eh… well enough I suppose." He said, though it was very unconvincing.
Ted's expression also seemed to go down by his answer. It pained him every time he had to see Alan like this. He wanted to do nothing more than to help the kid out but he was barely making ends meet himself.
Though regretful, he had to take care of his own family first and foremost.
"I'm sorry Alan. I know it was insensitive of me to ask something like that." Regret filled his voice.
Alan only shrugged, not minding anything.
"It's okay. It's not like any of this is your fault. As for why I'm here, today is Alice's birthday so I wanted to buy a cake for her. How many slices can I get for five credits?"
He had already calculated all the costs for the rest of the month, which left him with a measly amount of five credits.
"For five credits you can only buy a single slice of cake, my rent went up so I had to raise the prices a little bit."
Disappointment was clear on Alan's face, clearly not expecting cake to be so expensive.
'Ahhh. Only one slice? I hoped that I could buy at least two with this. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.'
"Ah, o-okay uncle Ted. One slice is ehm… plenty. At least it's enough that I can give one to Alice." He thanked him. Alan couldn't feel anything except gratitude for Ted.
After all, Ted had helped him many times before. He already gave Alan a discount on everything he bought, sometimes even giving him free food. He also nursed Alan back to health many times before when his injuries became too much.
But it seemed Ted himself was not satisfied with himself.
"Hmmm. You know what Alan my boy? I'll give you two slices, I doubt that it will hurt me too much to give you an extra slice." Ted wanted to help Alan, however small it was.
And this seemingly small talk was huge for Alan, a rare moment of excitement taking a hold of him.
"Really? Thanks uncle Ted. Now I can give dad a slice as well. At least he won't have to starve. You're the best!" he immediately tried to hug him but Ted dodged him before he could touch him.
"Ho there Alan. Though I don't mind hugging you, your still covered in guts and blood, I still have a shop to run you know." His answer made Alan chuckle a bit.
After that, they chatted for a few more minutes before Alan left.
"Thanks again uncle Ted. I hope dad's gonna be really happy with his slice. Have a nice day." He thanked him again before sprinting out
"No problem Alan, my boy. Anything for you."
Alan left the bakery, and within seconds, he could feel those scornful gazes again, clearly telling him to scram out of the city
But he merely shrugged, already used to it after receiving such gazes for many years.
He was in a really good mood and even started humming.
until his stomach started to growl.
'Hmm? That's weird. I already ate a piece of bread two days ago, I shouldn't be hungry yet.'
But suddenly thinking about food put him in an even better mood as he remembered what was in his bag.
'Hehe. I'm really grateful to uncle Ted. I can feed Alice and dad with these slices. Though I originally planned to buy three slices, I'm used to hunger so it doesn't really matter.'
And so, Alan walked the streets, smiling and humming happily. But to the onlookers, he seemed like a crazy demon, ready to slaughter.
————————————————————
After Alan had left the bakery, Ted just remained there alone. The warm smile had already faded from his face, replaced by a saddened grin.
He recalled what Alan had said just now.
'Really? Thanks uncle Ted. Now I can give dad a slice as well. At least he won't have to starve. You're the best!'
"But who is going to feed you Alan? You forget that you are just a boy. Others your age enjoy their youth to the fullest whilst you are starving, trying to feed your family at the expense of yourself."
Truly, it was a pity. Alan's life is something he'd never wish upon someone else. He goes to the pits to fight, kill and slaughter, just to feed his family. He's been doing that ever since he was a small child.
He could still vividly remember the old days, before tragedy struck Alan's family. He used to be such a bright kid.
Ted used to be close with Alan's father but because of certain circumstances, Alan's father had gotten depressed and they barely had any contact anymore.
He'd only hear about him when Alan came to visit to buy some bread.
He shook his head in regret.
'It's really unfortunate, and it saddens me that I can't help them any more than this. I also have to feed my family.'
————————————————————
"Hmm hmm hmmm." Walking the streets was a... boy? Seemingly in a very good mood by his humming. He'd look very nice if you were to ignore the blood and gore on his body.
And who is that boy, well that's me, Alan Walker. And why wouldn't I be in a good mood. It's my sister's birthday and I can actually give her a cake. Better yet, I can even give my father a cake!
Amazing right?!
What about me? Doesn't matter really. I don't need much. Eating once every three days is enough for me. And I don't need to live a life full of comfort. All I need is for my father and sister to be fed.
Though it's a pity this is all I can do for them. I truly am a useless son and brother. I can barely give them two meals a day.
Oh well, should have been better I guess.
I'm not one to make excuses. So what if I'm poor, so what if I'm unawakened? At the end of the day, it is because I am weak. Everyone is dealt their cards at birth, whether you make the most of it depends on you.
In the distance, I finally saw a small building. That's where I lived. It wasn't in the best of shapes, the size of a cottage, run down and everything, but still, it's where I grew up. And so, it's an important place to me.
Walking to the front of the building, I knocked on the door a couple of times and waited for it to be opened.
Suddenly, I heard light footsteps and with them came the voice of a little girl. "I'm coming."
As the door opened, I saw the small figure of a little girl.
In contrast to my dark obsidian hair, she had bright white hair, cascading down her back, her eyes sparkling gold like mine. The only difference between hers and mine is the spark of life that exists in hers, while mine had grown dead.
Seeing my figure, unlike normal people's reaction you'd see when someone covered in blood is in front of you, she got excited and immediately tried to hug me "Al!!! You're back!"
But before she could, I stopped her, placing my finger against her forehead, regretfully smearing a little bit of blood on it. "Calm down, birthday girl. Can't have you getting all this blood and grime on you. You need to shine on your special day." I said, a smile forming on my face. A small light returned to my eyes.
She's the only one that brings me joy, something I treasure. But she is also the reason for my suffering. As long as she lives, I can't die. I have to protect that smile on her face even if I have to travel through hell back and forth.
Removing my finger from her forehead, I could see her pouting, causing me to worry. "Hey hey, birthday girl, what's got you so sad?" I asked, worried about her.
She turned to me, an angry expression on her face." You! It's my birthday but you don't let me hug you. You weren't even home when I woke up. I had to spend the day with just dad. And now you won't even let me hug you." She turned away from me, her arms crossed as if she were rebelling.
"I get it, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. "I apologized but she still seemed angry.
So I had to rely on something else
"But, I had a good reason. You see, I got something for you."
And that seemed to do the trick.
Hearing me saying I got her something, she immediately turned to me with a bright face, forgetting her anger at me from just a second ago." Really, really? What did you get me? Tell me, tell me!"
Seeing her mood change this quickly made me chuckle. "Relax, I got you something you'll really like." Finishing my sentence, I opened the bag in my hand and showed her the contents."Tada!"
Seeing the two slices of cake, she immediately got excited." CAKE! You actually bought me cake! Al you're the best!."
But suddenly her smile was replaced with a frown on her face." Why are there only two slices? Did you not get anything for yourself?"
"Ehhhhh." Damn! Why'd she have to think so much, can't you just be happy you got cake. I mean, she is just 8 years old, how'd she even notice something like that?
"Ehem. I was really hungry so I already ate my slice. I'm sorry I couldn't wait till I got home." I cleared my throat, making an excuse I hoped she'd believe
"Really? Then it's okay. I just don't want you to be hungry on my birthday." Though she said that, she had a skeptical look on her face.
I just wanted her to have a nice day, no need to have her worry about me. I'm already a pathetic excuse of a brother so this is the least I could do.
"You go sit with dad while I clean myself up a bit. I'll be right with you guys." I told her as I entered my house.
"Okay, we'll wait for you before I blow my candles." And with that she strode to the living room, or what I'd like to call the living room but its the room all of us sleep in.
The small building consists of a bedroom and a bathroom. Most of our necessities are in the bedroom.
"Alright, let's take a shower. Gotta look presentable on Alice's birthday." And I proceeded to enter the bathroom.