It wasn't that the Defense Force personnel were deliberately looking to stir trouble; they were simply too curious to ignore the situation. For over two hours, they had been observing from the shadows, the daylight gradually giving way to dusk.
Inside the company building, Kafka kept discussing exam details with Drake Myers. As a member of the cleaning team, Kafka was exceptionally familiar with the material. However, he couldn't help but marvel at Drake's profound knowledge and insight, which exceeded expectations. The Defense Force operatives, listening in from their covert positions, had been feeding all the information back to Vice Captain Soshiro Hoshina.
Drake Myers' background was thoroughly investigated early on. Orphaned and seemingly unremarkable, he had risen from obscurity and, astonishingly, defeated the famous prodigy Kikoru Shinomiya that morning. Such a feat was nothing short of alarming.
Hoshina's instructions were clear: any unusual behavior must be reported to headquarters immediately. The Third Defense Division had considerable authority, and in no time, the entire cleaning company was under comprehensive surveillance, leaving no blind spots.
After two hours of intense scrutiny, the operatives had yet to find any solid evidence of abnormality. For now, Drake Myers was essentially under constant live monitoring.
Inside the cleaning company, Ichikawa Reno's sudden apology left Kafka frozen in place, a stiff smile on his face.
Over the years, Kafka had endured countless criticisms and jabs, growing numb to biting remarks. He thought himself inured, but an unexpected moment of sincerity could pierce through his defenses like nothing else.
"It's alright. I stopped caring about things like this a long time ago," Kafka said with a self-deprecating chuckle, waving off the apology.
"Hey, what's with the serious faces? You're making me uncomfortable here," Deisu chimed in, breaking the awkward atmosphere with a teasing grin.
He turned to Reno. "Welcome aboard, Ichikawa. From now on, you're officially part of Kafka's team. These two guys are aiming to join the Defense Force, so I won't stand in your way. Good luck!" With that, Deisu headed off to focus on his own work.
Dreams and Determination
What man hasn't dreamed of becoming a hero in his youth? To stand as the embodiment of justice, ready to judge and eradicate evil from the world? Of course, not everyone holds onto those ideals. Some, like the antagonist in One Punch Man, Garou, go to the extreme, embodying their unique philosophies as reflections of diversity in human nature.
After Deisu's departure, an air of uncertainty hung over the room. Reno's arrival was abrupt, leaving everyone unsure of what to say. Breaking the silence, Reno fixed his gaze on Drake.
"Drake Myers, I'm here because of you."
Kafka blinked in surprise, stepping between them without hesitation. "What do you want with my friend?" he asked protectively. His natural instinct to shield others hadn't waned—this was the same man who once fought a monster barehanded to save a stranger.
Reno held up his hands defensively. "Whoa, relax, old man. It's not like that." His stoic demeanor faltered for a moment, revealing his softer, sincere nature beneath.
"You're incredibly strong," Reno said, turning his attention back to Drake. "But you're in a tricky position. I don't want to be caught in the crossfire of someone under constant surveillance."
So, that's how it is?
Drake smiled. "Thanks, but there's no need to worry about me." His voice brimmed with quiet confidence.
Unbeknownst to the others, Drake's heightened senses, a result of his Devour ability, had already alerted him to their watchers outside. Their scent lingered faintly in the air, and Drake quickly pieced together the situation. His actions that morning—challenging Kikoru Shinomiya—had triggered unintended consequences, painting him as an anomaly.
Still, Drake wasn't concerned. He was human, albeit with monstrous abilities. He had his system backing him, and if nothing else, he refused to back down.
"Let the storm rage on," he said with a grin. "Bring it all. I'm ready."
Elsewhere...
Soshiro Hoshina's frustration was palpable. The Defense Force vice-captain was brainstorming ways to provoke Drake into revealing his secrets. Unleashing a controlled monster on him seemed like the best option, but how could they orchestrate it without tipping their hand? Bringing Drake directly into the Defense Force under false pretenses was off the table for now.
Meanwhile, Kikoru Shinomiya had her own agenda. She was en route to Drake's residence, hellbent on reclaiming her honor. This was personal.
Back at the cleaning company, Kafka introduced Reno to the work processes, showing him how to handle the equipment and maintain it properly. Evening settled in, and Kafka clapped his hands together.
"Well, since we've got a new teammate, how about we go grab some food?" he suggested cheerfully.
Reno hesitated, glancing toward Drake for his reaction.
Drake beamed. "Sure, why not? Thanks for the treat! You must've known I'm broke." His friendly tone made everyone chuckle, easing the tension.
Kafka sighed with a smile. "This guy... He's getting better at this whole teamwork thing."
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