When the whole team entered the house, Alex continued arguing with Falco, who was full of enthusiasm and wanted to immediately inspect his new van. Alex tried to dissuade him, assuring Falco that he would have plenty of time to explore all the features of the van, which now belonged to him, and that it wasn't going anywhere. But Falco insisted—he needed to make sure all the systems were working properly, especially with the next mission approaching. Alex, in turn, reminded him that everything had already been checked and was functioning perfectly.
The argument could have gone on longer, but Maine intervened.
«Enough! We need to celebrate the successful mission and break in our new van,» he said, throwing Falco over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
As Falco was dragged into the living room, he gazed longingly at the garage doors, as if being torn away from a loved one. Alex just smirked, watching him. He understood what Falco was feeling—it was like getting a new item in a game and wanting to try it out immediately, but being called away for something else. Considering Falco's passion for vehicles, his impatience was completely understandable.
Alex followed Maine, and upon entering the living room, he saw that everyone had already gathered. He looked around for a seat and noticed that a spot had been left for him on the couch between Lucy and Rebecca. Sitting down between the two girls, Alex felt them both lean on him, creating a cozy atmosphere.
To Lucy's right was Kiwi, who turned just as Alex looked at her. She tilted her head slightly, not understanding why he was staring, and Alex simply smiled back at her.
Pilar had made himself comfortable in a chair, legs stretched out, arms hanging loosely. Falco sat on a chair facing the door, glancing at the garage from time to time, where his new van awaited. Maine and Dorio sat across from Alex. Maine had his arm around Dorio's neck and was smiling, clearly pleased with the mission's success. Valerie and G.I.R. had decided to keep their distance, preferring not to join the lively drinking party.
«Alright, let's start celebrating!» Maine exclaimed enthusiastically, raising a bottle of beer.
Alex smiled, sharing the mood and raising his own bottle. Everyone followed suit, lifting their bottles in a show of unity.
«To a job well done and to our new van, which Alex put together for us!» Maine said, extending his bottle for a toast.
Even Falco, who was still eyeing the garage door wistfully, raised his bottle, joining in the group's energy.
«Cheers!» everyone shouted in unison.
The sound of glass bottles clinking echoed through the room, filled with people who had been through a lot together. Some had joined later, some had been there from the beginning, but they all shared one thing—in this circle of friends, everyone felt at home. It was something more than just a team—it was a sense of familial connection that many of them had been missing.
As the evening progressed, it became livelier, and Maine began sharing stories about his time in the NUSA military. He told tales of his missions and exploits, trying to embellish the details. But Dorio quickly knocked him down a peg, knowing how things really went.
«Why do you have to do that? I just wanted to impress Alex. I know being a soldier isn't as cool as being a special agent, but still...» Maine said in a mock pitiful tone, casting a glance at Dorio.
Maine's words made the whole team burst out laughing. He had just been telling them how heroically he had led his comrades through fire and water, but Dorio immediately revealed the truth—that on his first mission, he had even wet his pants. This triggered another wave of laughter.
Maine scowled, realizing he shouldn't have shared all the details of his service with Dorio.
«Don't worry, Maine. Even if you did wet your pants once, I still love you,» Dorio said, kissing him on the cheek.
Maine beamed in response to her affection. They looked at each other with love and were about to kiss, but Pilar, deciding to ruin the romantic moment, let out a loud whistle. Maine rolled his eyes and threw a slice of pizza at Pilar for interrupting them.
Realizing the moment was lost, Maine continued telling stories about his military service. He mentioned a mission where they were sent to eliminate a «terrorist» who turned out to be a simple corporate worker who had learned too much.
The mission was later disguised as a terrorist takedown, and shortly afterward, Maine and his comrades were discharged, left with nothing. That's when Maine decided to become a mercenary, and it was in one of the fighting clubs that he met Dorio. Over time, they started working together and eventually formed their own crew.
«That's when I realized how simple this world is: the more money you have, the more power you hold. So, I decided to become a merc and work for myself,» he concluded his story.
Alex nodded, understanding this simple truth. In a world where corporations ruled, money really did decide everything. Taking a sip of his beer, Alex looked at Maine, who seemed to have come to terms with his past and was now setting new goals for himself.
«And what do you plan to do when you've earned enough?» Alex asked, setting his bottle down on the table.
Maine thought for a moment and looked at Dorio sitting beside him. She met his gaze, clearly ready to support whatever decision he made.
«I think once we've saved up enough money, I want to settle down and buy a house somewhere far from all this chaos. Live quietly with Dorio, away from all the blood,» Maine said, his voice becoming more thoughtful.
When Maine finished speaking, Dorio smiled and supported his plan to retire. She had started thinking about it back when Maine had his first cyberpsychosis episode, although she knew then that he wouldn't stop and would keep working as a merc. But now, hearing his desire to step away from it all, she gladly agreed.
«And you, choom? What are your plans?» Maine asked, looking at Alex.
Alex didn't say anything, he simply raised his finger, pointing toward the sky. Maine followed his gesture and immediately understood what he meant. He remembered how Alex had been taking on jobs non-stop over the past few months.
«So, your goal is the moon?» Maine clarified, still trying to grasp Alex's meaning.
A smile appeared on Alex's face. He decided to give a small hint about his plans.
«The moon is just the beginning, Maine. What comes next is much bigger than you can imagine,» he said with a mysterious smile.
Maine frowned, not fully understanding what Alex was getting at. Lucy and Rebecca, knowing his true goal, exchanged glances. Alex had long since shared with them his desire to travel across different worlds, meet new people, and experience as much as possible. And they were both ready to join him on that incredible journey.
«What do you mean?» Dorio asked, looking at Alex.
«In time, you'll find out,» he replied. «As they say, all in good time.»
Alex wasn't ready to reveal everything about himself just yet. It wasn't that he feared distrust, but he knew how relationships could change once the truth came out. Sometimes, when people learn that someone is much wealthier or more powerful than they seem, they start seeing that person differently. Alex didn't think his friends were greedy, but he didn't want to see their reactions if they found out he was a demon. Sometimes it's easier to show than to tell.
«Alright, let's keep sharing stories,» he suggested, changing the subject and bringing the light atmosphere back.
Kiwi, sitting next to Lucy, gently nudged her with her foot to get her attention and whispered, «What does he really mean?»
Lucy smirked and raised an eyebrow, quietly replying, «You haven't even confessed your feelings to him, and you already want to know what he's up to?»
Kiwi hesitated, realizing that Lucy was hinting at her crush on Alex, but quickly rolled her eyes.
«I'm just curious about what's on his mind,» she muttered.
Lucy just shrugged and replied that Alex simply wanted to travel to new places. Kiwi sensed that Lucy was hinting at something much bigger, but decided to accept her answer.
While the girls exchanged whispers, Dorio started sharing who she was before meeting Maine. She told them how she used to fight in underground clubs, where she could let her fists do the talking. Maine chimed in with a smile, recalling a fight where she had beaten a champion with a steel jaw.
«I still remember how she knocked out that steel jaw with one uppercut,» he laughed.
Alex, surprised, looked at Dorio.
«I was crazy back then,» she chuckled. «After meeting Maine, we started working together, and that's how it all kicked off.»
Alex, still smiling, glanced over at Falco, who, noticing his look, just shrugged.
«Don't look at me like that. My story isn't that interesting. I was a driver for a nomad group until I decided to join Maine's crew,» Falco explained, taking a sip of beer.
Alex nodded, acknowledging his story. But before he could fully enjoy the moment, an impatient voice broke in:
«Hey, choom, what about me? Aren't you curious about what I did before joining the crew?» Pilar eagerly awaited his turn to tell his story, which no one wanted to hear.
Everyone exchanged amused glances, anticipating yet another loud and outrageous tale from Pilar.
Rebecca looked at her brother, ready to throw a beer bottle at him to shut him up. Alex glanced at Pilar, who was eager to share his story, and a smirk flashed across his face as he recalled Rebecca's story about her brother.
«Becca already told me everything about you,» Alex said, grimacing with clear disgust. «And I can only say one thing: gross.»
The first time Alex heard Pilar's story, he couldn't help but wince. Pilar tried to play himself off as a real ladies' man while working on cyber implant repairs. His story reminded Alex of a twisted version of Hermes. He even feared what would happen if those two idiots ever met.
Seeing the look of disgust on Alex's face, Pilar gave Rebecca a wounded look.
«Sis, how could you spill all my embarrassing secrets? I thought you loved me! Alex and I are practically family, and you just told him everything!» Pilar began to whine.
Rebecca, instead of replying, looked at the beer bottle in her hand and considered throwing it at Pilar. But in the end, she decided to do something else. She grabbed a slice of pizza from the table and threw it right at her brother's face. Pilar, after being hit, quickly snatched the pizza and started eating it.
«Thanks, sis. I knew you still loved me,» Pilar said, taking a big bite.
Alex burst out laughing, watching the scene. He always enjoyed seeing Rebecca and Pilar interact: her brother constantly irritated her, and she always found a way to get back at him. Seeing that the pizza didn't do the trick, Rebecca reached for an empty bottle. Pilar, noticing this, quickly ducked behind the chair, peeking out from behind it.
«Throwing bottles is unfair! I can't throw one back,» he defended himself. «If I hit your precious Alex, you'd definitely kill me.»
Rebecca squinted at her brother, and he felt a chill run down his spine. She didn't give him a chance to apologize—she jumped over the chair and landed feet-first right on his face. Pilar, defeated once again by his sister, groaned on the floor. The rest of the group burst out laughing at his misfortune.
«I'm starting to think you're a masochist,» Alex joked, laughing.
Pilar instantly jumped to his feet as if he hadn't just been taken down.
«You're the masochist!» he shouted, pointing a finger at Alex.
Lucy, sitting next to Alex, gave him a strange look.
«I don't mind if you are. I could help with your little games,» she teased, giving him a sly smile.
Alex rolled his eyes and flicked Lucy on the forehead. She pouted and narrowed her eyes at him.
«First of all, I'm not a masochist, and second, I'm more into romance—cuddling or just spending quiet time together,» Alex replied with a smirk, pinching Lucy's nose to stop her from continuing her jokes.
Lucy pushed his hand away and grabbed his nose in return.
«I was just offering,» she muttered with a grin.
Alex began tickling Lucy, making her collapse onto Kiwi's lap, gasping with laughter. Seeing this, Rebecca joined in on the tickling attack, removing Lucy's shoes and tickling her feet. Lucy tried to fight back, but it was useless.
«Stop! Two against one isn't fair!» Lucy managed to say through her laughter.
When she was completely worn out and couldn't laugh anymore, Alex stopped and let her go. Lucy sat up, pouting in annoyance, and looked at Alex as if he had betrayed her. Then her gaze shifted to Rebecca, who just smiled slyly.
«Come here, my upset kitten,» Alex said, pulling Lucy into a hug.
Lucy huffed, burying her head in his chest, but kept casting victorious looks at Rebecca. Moving her lips so no one else would notice, she quietly said, «I lost the battle but won the war.»
Rebecca squinted at Lucy, who was displaying that same smug look she always got when she was getting attention from Alex. Seeing how Lucy was cozily nestled against Alex's chest with a triumphant smile on her face, Rebecca resisted the urge to attack her friend, knowing that Lucy was too well-protected in Alex's embrace right now.
Deciding not to act on her aggression, Rebecca directed her frustration toward the nearest burger, intending to eat it with extra determination while thinking about how she'd get her revenge later. A wicked, almost gremlin-like smile flickered across her face as she began plotting her revenge.
After that, their party continued, the atmosphere becoming even more relaxed and cheerful. A couple of hours later, Main was quite tipsy, rambling typical drunk nonsense and bragging. Alex, after his sixth bottle of beer, once again realized that alcohol didn't affect him. He contemplated that since he couldn't get drunk, he might have to look for something stronger.
Even Rebecca was sitting with flushed cheeks from the alcohol, while Lucy, comfortably resting her head on Alex's shoulder, gently rubbed her face against his arm like a cat. Pilar had drunk the most and was already snoring in an armchair, oblivious to the noise around him. Alex noticed that Falco had disappeared but quickly guessed that he had probably gone to the garage to admire his new van. Seeing the garage doors slightly open, he smirked, understanding what the mechanic was up to.
«I think it's time to head home,» Alex said, addressing Dorio, who was calmly sitting in the corner.
She nodded and, lifting the drunk Main, led him to a room to put him to bed. Alex watched them go and then turned to Kiwi, who, although slightly tipsy, remained relatively sober.
«Are you coming with us, or should I take you home?» he asked, drawing her attention.
Kiwi paused for a moment, remembering that Alex had promised to help her with her treatment. She decided to go with them.
«You promised, so I'll go with you,» she said, standing up.
Alex nodded and noticed Valeri and G.I.R., who were sweetly sleeping in the far armchair, embracing each other. He sighed and decided that he needed to get the girls in the car first before taking them home. He helped Rebecca climb onto his back and then lifted Lucy into his arms like a princess.
Both girls looked completely exhausted. As he walked into the garage, he saw Falco engrossed in taking apart the hood of his van. Alex waved goodbye to him, noticing that Falco didn't even look up from his favorite pastime. Shaking his head at his enthusiasm, Alex went to settle the girls. He first placed Lucy, who was in his arms, into the car, and then took Rebecca off his back and set her down as well.
Returning to the house, he carefully lifted Valeri, who was hugging G.I.R., and carried them to the car. Approaching the vehicle, he saw that Lucy and Rebecca were already asleep, leaning against each other. Alex smiled and seated Valeri in the car, who immediately fell onto Rebecca's lap and continued sleeping. Once everything was ready, Alex turned to Kiwi:
«Well, I think we're all set. Let's go.»
She took the front seat, and Alex made sure everything was in order before starting the engine. As he drove out of the garage, he caught a glimpse of Falco waving goodbye to him.
«You're quite caring,» Kiwi remarked, observing how carefully Alex was driving, trying not to wake the sleeping girls.
Alex drove out of the garage and glanced at Kiwi, who commented on his thoughtfulness. He didn't consider it anything special; when you're surrounded by people you love and who love you back, it becomes your duty to protect and take care of them.
That's why he asked for the power he possessed—not to be like those pathetic main characters who only start gaining strength when all their loved ones are on the brink of death, and only then does something awaken within them to give them power.
Alex had never liked heroes who waited for the last moment to defeat their enemies. Why wait for your enemy to reach your loved ones when it's better to find him yourself and beat the crap out of him? After all, as they say, the best defense is a good offense. Alex shrugged.
«It's nothing special. Just something I have to do.»
Kiwi pondered this, realizing there was logic in his words. She didn't know all his abilities, and Lucy always evaded her questions. Kiwi was starting to suspect that Lucy was intentionally withholding many details about Alex, downplaying his strength. Now, with all the girls asleep, she had the opportunity to ask him her questions.
«You know, I always thought demons were evil, as they are usually described,» Kiwi said, looking at him.
Alex heard her words and understood her point of view—he had once thought of demons as evil beings too. However, over time, he realized that those demons were often just people who had ended up in hell and were stripped of the chance to reincarnate. The demons that frequently appeared in comics or other works were beings born from the negative aspects of power. This was similar to the gods from the Evilus group, who considered themselves evil simply because they arose from dark concepts. The demons committing cruel acts depicted in books and films were also born from similar dark forces.
«Demons are a complex topic that's hard to explain in just a few words. If you start to delve into details, the conversation quickly turns to good and evil, and that's an endless discussion. Every living being in countless worlds has its own understanding of good and evil. My advice is—don't listen to those who try to impose their opinions on you. Always think for yourself. There are both good and evil demons. The same goes for angels. A demon may be aware of its malice, while an angel, doing evil, may think it's good,» Alex said thoughtfully.
Kiwi listened carefully and contemplated. He was right—everyone chooses for themselves what to consider good and evil, and it's not always worth relying on others' opinions.
«Are you not afraid that your father will be upset to hear you say that angels can be evil?» she asked, looking at him with curiosity.
Alex smiled.
«I wasn't talking about the first angels, but those born in other worlds. I don't even know where the angels serving my father are located. Not only he can create angels. It's just that those he created are much stronger than the fakes made by pathetic imitators,» Alex laughed.
Kiwi, a bit taken aback by such revelations, nodded thoughtfully. The very concept of other worlds was strange to her, and the thought that someone could imitate God and create their own angels seemed even wilder. But she decided not to dwell on these questions and shifted her focus to more personal topics.
«Then tell me how you lived in your past world,» she asked curiously.
Alex nodded and began to leisurely recount his adventures in the DanMachi world. He described his first dungeon expedition, encounters with various people, and even told how he chased after other adventurers with a stick because of the silly nickname they had given him. Kiwi listened attentively, enjoying his story about the dungeon.
When she asked why he didn't go deeper, Alex explained that it didn't matter to him—he wanted to share that experience with his family members, not fight alone. This answer satisfied her, and they continued their conversation until time flew by, and they arrived home.
After parking, Alex got out of the car and gently tapped the window to wake the girls.
«Girls, wake up, we're home,» he said.
Lucy, Rebecca, and Valeri slowly began to regain consciousness, realizing they were already in the parking lot. Rebecca immediately climbed onto Alex's back, hugging him and resting her chin on his shoulder, closing her eyes again.
Alex shook his head and headed toward the elevator. Valeri walked beside him, sleepily rubbing her eyes, holding GIR in one hand, who still hadn't woken up. Lucy, having rested a bit, calmly followed, dreaming of getting to her bed soon. They took the elevator up to their floor, and Alex opened the apartment door.
Gloria greeted them with a smile in the living room. She was slightly surprised to see Kiwi but didn't dwell on it.
«I see you're all back,» she welcomed Alex.
Alex nodded and opened his arms, inviting her over. Gloria, although a bit awkward with Rebecca hanging on his shoulder, stepped forward and hugged him. Resting her cheek against his chest, she looked up and, as if recalling something important, said:
«You have a visitor.»
Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise, puzzled about who could be visiting him, as only the Main group knew where he lived. With these thoughts, he walked into the living room and saw a girl sitting quietly on the couch, as if waiting for his arrival. As soon as she turned her head, their eyes met.
Alex immediately recognized her—it was the same girl he had once met in Orario and treated to some candy. Since then, they had run into each other occasionally, and each time he repeated that gesture. He didn't know her name and found her a bit strange, but he didn't think much of it, chalking it up to her being just a child.
Her yellow eyes watched him attentively, and suddenly she spoke in a monotone voice:
«Long time no see, destruction.»
These words made Alex freeze. He instantly realized who was sitting in front of him. Only one being called him that—Nyan-Nyan. But something was strange here: this girl had different colored eyes and hair. So, it wasn't her, but she was clearly connected to her.
«Well, damn,» Alex muttered, realizing who he had encountered.
A rare, faint smile appeared on the girl's face, clearly showing she hadn't come with the intention of causing harm. Alex sighed heavily, trying to decipher her identity.
There were many possibilities, but he understood that this being was definitely not among those usually active—most of them were asleep right now. Only a few were awake, narrowing down the list of suspects.
Seeing no other option, Alex decided to ask the girl herself who she was. He took another deep breath, realizing that a conversation with this mysterious guest was inevitable.
To be continued...