In the morning, Vernon was already wearing a white t-shirt and shorts because he had just received a mission.
[Daily Quest: Jog for 10 minutes]
[Mission Level: Easy]
[Reward: 10 System Coins]
[Caution: If you fail, the daily mission will not appear for a week]
"Where are you going, Vernon?" Mico suddenly appeared in front of him as he was about to get in the elevator.
"I'm going for a jog. Just for a bit."
Mico frowned, surprised by Vernon's sudden change. He seemed much more energetic than before.
"Come back quick. We've got boxing practice."
"Got it." Vernon left the building and walked down the quiet sidewalk to avoid distractions.
He ran at a relaxed pace, listening to music through his earpods.
BRUG!
Vernon was startled when a small boy bumped into him, stopping him in his tracks.
"S-sorry, Mister."
Vernon took out his earpods and stared at the boy coldly. His attention was caught by the boy's appearance—thin, bruised, and looking frail.
"Watch where you're going—"
"There you are, Kelvin! How dare you run away!" A deep voice shouted.
Vernon turned to the voice. A well-built man with dark skin was coming toward them, holding a knife.
The boy immediately hid behind Vernon.
"P-please save me. I'm… scared." Kelvin was crying softly.
"Who is he? Do you know him?" Vernon asked. "Did you do something to make him angry?"
"H-he's my father," Kelvin stuttered. "He wants to kill me because I accidentally took his food."
"Kill you?!" Vernon was shocked. What kind of father would kill his own son over something so small?
Kelvin nodded slowly. "He hardly ever feeds me, so I had to steal it."
'Bastard...!' Vernon clenched his fists tightly. His anger surged, reminding him of his own awful childhood.
"Come here, you brat—" The man reached for Kelvin, but Vernon quickly pushed his hand away.
"Don't touch him," Vernon said coldly, but with authority.
"Who do you think you are?" the man, Carlos, growled. "How dare you push me! Do you even know who I am?"
"I don't care who you are. But if you so much as lay a finger on this kid, I'll break your neck."
Carlos burst out laughing. "Break my neck? Are you insane?! You're not even close to my size!"
Vernon stayed silent.
"Now, move!" Carlos barked.
"No."
"You…!" Carlos threw a punch, big enough to knock out a grown man, aiming for Vernon's jaw. But Vernon quickly jumped back, dodging it.
"Go hide. Cover your eyes and ears," Vernon told Kelvin.
Kelvin nodded and hurriedly hid behind a trash can, covering his eyes and ears with his hands.
"That all you got?" Vernon taunted.
"You bastard…!" Carlos swung his leg, but Vernon caught it and tried to break it. However, there was no cracking sound.
'Damn it!' Vernon cursed, surprised at the strength in Carlos' leg.
"What did you expect, huh?" Carlos sneered, then kicked Vernon in the chest, sending him stumbling backward.
Vernon groaned in pain. Carlos had hit the spot where Amos had slashed him before.
'That was no normal kick. Who is this guy?'
"Why are you surprised? Getting curious about who I am now?"
Vernon gave him a cautious look.
"I'm Carlos Nandez, a B-rank boxer from Stark Bootcamp."
Vernon's eyes widened in recognition.
"So, you've heard of it, huh? Now, do you still dare fight me?" Carlos smirked, seeing Vernon's reaction.
"I don't care where you're from or who you are." Vernon straightened up, still wincing from the pain in his chest. "I'll fight anyone who hurts a kid!"
With a burst of speed, Vernon charged at Carlos, his mind set on fighting.
Oddly, Carlos didn't dodge. He wasn't scared at all.
Vernon launched a series of punches—hooks, jabs, and crosses—but Carlos blocked them all effortlessly.
Vernon was panting hard. 'Damn it! Why doesn't he feel anything?'
His stamina was already drained from the earlier mission.
"Had enough? Now it's my turn!" Carlos jumped high, spinning, and swung his leg hard toward Vernon's face. Vernon barely managed to raise both arms in time to shield himself.
"You're pretty tough." Carlos chuckled mockingly. "You can block my attacks without getting hurt. Judging by your moves, you used to be a boxer."
"I'm not a former boxer. I'm a professional boxer from Vagon Bootcamp!" Vernon shouted.
Carlos was briefly shocked, but then quickly hid his reaction. "You're too skinny to be a boxer. Are you lying?"
"You can see for yourself." Vernon raised his fists, his eyes fierce. "Come on, let's fight. This time, I won't hold back!"
"Alright. But don't blame me if you can't box anymore." Carlos raised his fists, grinning slyly, and spread his legs, ready to fight.
Suddenly, a transparent screen appeared in front of Vernon, twitching and blocking his view.
[Warning! You have 10 seconds left]
'Oh, crap! I forgot about the quest!' Vernon quickly scooped up Kelvin and ran.
"Don't run away, coward! I'll kill—"
Suddenly, Carlos' phone rang, stopping him from chasing after Vernon.
'Thank God!' Vernon glanced back to make sure Carlos wasn't following.
[Congratulations! You've completed the Daily Quest and earned 10 System Coins]
After running a safe distance, Vernon stopped and put Kelvin down in front of a convenience store.
"You're safe now. I have to go."
The seven-year-old clung to Vernon's leg, crying.
"Please don't leave me, Mister! I don't have anywhere to go! I have no one!" Kelvin sobbed loudly, drawing attention from people walking by.
"My dad will find me quickly because he has so many men. If they catch me, I'll be dead!"
Vernon was stunned, unsure what to do. He couldn't take Kelvin to the Vagon Bootcamp dormitory. Mico and Robinson would never allow it. Besides, Vernon himself was still living off Robinson since he hadn't found a job yet.
"Where's your mom?" Vernon knelt down, gripping Kelvin's trembling shoulders.
"My mom ran away because my dad always beat her."
"She didn't take you with her?" Vernon felt furious, though he kept it hidden. Kelvin's mother was selfish for only saving herself.
"She tried, but Dad threatened to kill her if she took me. He wants me to be his successor when I grow up."
"Successor to what?"
"His organization."
"What kind of organization?"
Kelvin hesitated, afraid to answer.
"Go ahead, you don't need to be scared," Vernon reassured him with a smile.
"Dad's the head of a group that does assassinations, drug deals, and weapon smuggling."
Vernon's eyes widened. "He's a mafia boss?"
Kelvin didn't answer, too scared.
'No wonder that bastard was so cruel to his son!' Vernon clenched his fists in anger. How could a father put his child through that? He was supposed to protect him, not traumatize him.
[Main Mission Unlocked: Eradicate Carlos' Organization]
'Are you kidding me?!' Vernon mentally shouted. 'He's a mafia boss! He's bound to have strong men! I can't fight him alone!'
[Reward: Rare System Card]
[Description: Rare System Card grants rewards far greater than bronze, silver, or gold cards]
'How many system cards do you have, anyway?'
[Basic Rank Card: Bronze, Silver, Gold]
[Intermediate Rank Card: Rare, Epic, Elite]
[Highest Rank Card: Mythic, Legend, Master]
[The more difficult the quest, the higher the chance to earn a top-tier card]
Vernon sighed in frustration. He had no other choice. The Vagon Tournament was only six days away, and he still didn't have any special abilities.
[New Daily Quest Appears: Take Care of Kelvin]
Vernon rubbed his forehead, feeling a sudden headache. He didn't understand the missions the system kept giving him. Everything seemed absurd.
"Alright, I'll help you."
"Really?" Kelvin's face lit up. "Thank you so much, Mister! You're so kind!"
'Kind?' Vernon thought sarcastically. Soon, he would be killing people for money and freedom.
Ignoring the boy's praise, Vernon carried him to a taxi. They drove to a modest neighborhood in New York City.
The taxi stopped in front of a large but simple white house. The yard was beautifully decorated with flowers of all kinds.
Vernon smiled slightly. 'This house hasn't changed much since I ran away from here.'
For a few moments, he stood on the sidewalk, staring at the house sadly. His legs felt heavy, as if he couldn't bring himself to go inside. He had lived in that orphanage for years. All the good and bad memories rushed back.
"Is this your house, Mister?" Kelvin asked, surprised at Vernon's sad expression.
"It used to be. Not anymore."
"So, why'd you bring me here?"
"Because this will be your home now." With mixed feelings, Vernon walked up to the door.
Hesitantly, he rang the doorbell. A few moments later, an elderly woman opened the door.
"Vernon?! Oh my goodness! You're back!"
Vernon forced a stiff smile. "Good to see you again, Ma'am. I need to ask you for a favor."
"Of course! Please, come in."
"No, I have to leave right after I drop this boy off."
"Is he your son? Oh my! Are you married?" The 60-year-old woman's eyes filled with tears, clearly moved.
"No, ma'am. He's not my son. He's... a lost kid."
Naomi looked a little disappointed, but she was still happy to see him.
"Stay for a bit, Vernon. I'll make your favorite meal." She gently pulled on his hand, excited. It had been so long since she'd last seen his face.
"Scarlett will be thrilled to see you. She missed you so much. You remember her, right?" Naomi teased. "She's grown up now, beautiful too. You two could get married."
"Sorry. I don't have much time." Vernon hurriedly set Kelvin down before Naomi could say more. "I'm leaving him with you. Please, take care of him."
"Of course! I'll take care of him just like I took care of you."
Hearing that made Vernon's heart ache. He really missed the days he spent living with Naomi, his foster mother, but he tried not to show it.
"I have to go. I'll send money every month for Kelvin's needs. Please, don't tell Xander or anyone else that I brought him here."
"Why?" Naomi frowned. "I'm sure Xander misses you a lot."
Vernon let out a sarcastic chuckle. "I'm sick of seeing him."
"So, you've been in contact with him this whole time? Oh my! Why didn't Xander ever tell me where you were?" Naomi looked sad and disappointed.
"That's not important." Vernon gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Just keep my visit here a secret from him."
"Are you two okay?" Naomi asked, noticing the bitterness in Vernon's eyes.
Vernon didn't respond.
"I don't know what happened between you two, but I hope you'll forgive each other. You've been friends since you were kids, after all."
'Sorry, Ma'am. That's not going to happen,' Vernon thought to himself.
"I've got to go." Vernon quickly left the orphanage, heading back to where he had last fought with Carlos.
He sighed heavily, more than once. From now on, he knew things were going to be tough, and danger was waiting.
'Hopefully, I don't die before the Vagon tournament starts.'