I began to eat, watching my new family as they talked and laughed, sharing stories and jokes. It was a heartwarming scene, a stark contrast to the darkness that had shrouded my life for so long.
But the memory of Hana lingered in my mind, casting a shadow over the otherwise cheerful atmosphere.
"Actually..." I spoke up, my voice barely above a whisper.
Everyone stopped talking, their attention focused on me.
"I met a spirit," I continued, my heart pounding in my chest. "Her name is Hana..."
Dove leaned closer, her eyes wide with concern. "What about her?"
"She... died," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "She was the woman whose body was found in the warehouse. The one on the news yesterday."
A hush fell over the table, everyone's faces etched with shock and horror.
"The girl from the news?" Aca asked, her voice barely audible.
I nodded, my throat tightening with emotion.
"What did she say?" Dove asked, her voice gentle.
"The police officer killed her," I choked out the words, "because she rejected his advances."
Suddenly, Dove slammed her fist on the table, her eyes blazing with anger. "So our next quest is to help Hana!" she declared, her voice ringing out in the restaurant.
The other patrons turned to stare, but Dove didn't seem to care. She leaned back in her seat, her gaze unwavering. "So, you need to get stronger, Xian. That corrupt police officer... he won't go down easily."
I nodded, my resolve hardening. "I also... spoke to the killer," I added, reaching into my pocket. "He told me I could get a driver's license if I paid him a bribe."
I placed Asmar's business card on the table, the name a stark reminder of the evil that lurked in the shadows.
"This is..." Vill trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she examined the card.
"It's his identification," I confirmed, my voice filled with a cold fury.
A wave of anger washed over the group, their faces hardening with determination.
"We'll get him, Xian. We won't let him get away with this," Yolan declared, her eyes blazing with a righteous fury.
Irune nodded, her usually cheerful demeanor replaced by a steely resolve. "We'll use our powers to expose his crimes and bring him to justice."
Vill, began formulating a plan. "We need to gather evidence, need to find witnesses, recordings, anything that can prove his guilt."
Aca, her eyes filled with a newfound determination, added, "And we need to protect Xian. If this officer is connected to the Otherworld, he could be a danger to him."
Dove, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "I know someone who can help us. A hacker who owes me a favor. He can access police records, security footage, anything we need to build our case."
A wave of hope washed over me as I listened to their plans. I was no longer alone in this fight. I had a family, a team of powerful individuals who were willing to risk everything to help me seek justice for Hana.
The weight of the task ahead still pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I knew I wasn't alone.
Dove turned her gaze back to me, her expression serious. "For now, we need you to get stronger, Xian," she said. "We can't rely on fighting from a distance forever, can we? And we need you to unleash your eyes. Perhaps training your body will help you unlock that power."
I nodded, a sense of determination rising within me.
Then, Dove looked at Irune. "Oh, right! Irune, can you create some... supplements?"
"Supplements?" Irune asked, tilting her head.
"Yes, to help Xian build strength faster," Dove explained. "We don't want to wait ten years for him to get stronger naturally."
My mind raced. Weren't supplements bad for you? Wouldn't they make me bulky?
"Don't worry, Xian," Irune reassured me, sensing my hesitation. "My supplements are completely safe!"
Vill chimed in, "Well, for now, let's just eat. We can discuss the details later."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and I found myself swept along by their enthusiasm. Despite my reservations, I couldn't deny the thrill of being part of this extraordinary family.
Dinner was a whirlwind of laughter, stories, and shared secrets. I learned more about my family's history, their individual powers, and their ongoing mission to combat corruption and injustice. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, a stark contrast to the chilling encounters I had experienced earlier that day.
As we ate, a sense of belonging washed over me, a warmth that spread through me like the comforting glow of a hearth fire. For the first time in my life, I felt like I truly belonged somewhere, that I had a purpose beyond the mundane routine of school and medication.
After dinner, we returned to the company building, the sky now ablaze with stars. Aca led me back to the 20th floor.
As everyone else filed into the office, Irune disappeared into a side room.
Where is she going? I wondered, my eyes following her retreating figure.
"Xian! Come here!" Dove called out from her desk.
I walked over to her, my heart pounding with anticipation. "What is it?"
"Sit beside me," she instructed, patting the chair next to hers.
I took a seat, my eyes immediately drawn to the laptop screen in front of her.
"See this?" Dove said, her slender fingers scrolling across the touchpad of her laptop.
I looked at the monitor, my eyes widening in recognition. "WRA Store," I read aloud.
WRA Store... a strange name, but it had a certain ring to it.
"WRA stands for Wali Ra," Dove explained. "It's our family's ancestral name."
I nodded, the pieces slowly falling into place. This was my family's legacy, a business built on their unique abilities.
"We sell a variety of products here," Dove continued, her voice filled with pride. "But our most popular item is the 'Water of Healing,' which most people just think is a regular medicinal injection for hospitals. They have no idea it's infused with magic."
< Chapter 024 > Fin.