Chapter 631 139.1 - Prepare
After closing the status window, I glanced back at the kid. His plate was empty, and at some point, he had fallen to the side, his small body curled up on the bed, fast asleep. I nodded to myself, satisfied with the outcome. This had been my intention all along.
The kid had witnessed far too much today—things no one his age should ever have to endure. Even though he hadn't shown any outward signs of distress, I knew better. He had likely been in a state of shock the entire time. Mentally, he was fragile, his mind struggling to process the horrors he had seen and experienced.
That's why I had slipped a tasteless sleeping powder into his meal. A simple concoction, one that would ease him into sleep without his body even realizing it. He wouldn't have to wrestle with nightmares or the anxiety clawing at his mind, at least for tonight.
'Rest is what he needs most,' I thought, watching his peaceful form for a moment. The deep rise and fall of his breathing indicated the powder had taken full effect, and his body had finally succumbed to the exhaustion.
With him safely asleep, I let my mind settle. He was no longer my concern—not directly, at least.
But for now, he could sleep. And in this brief moment, there was no more fear, no more danger lurking around him.
RING! The sharp tone of my smartwatch cut through the quiet room, drawing my attention. I glanced down at the device, noting the familiar frequency—the organization. Without hesitation, I tapped the screen, the holographic interface lighting up as I answered the call.
Reina's face appeared on the display, her expression calm but focused, as usual. There was always a certain sharpness in her gaze like she was already calculating her next move, even while speaking.
"Astron," she began, her voice cool and professional. "I've sent someone to your location. They'll be arriving shortly to retrieve the boy—and you. They'll also take care of the hotel, including the cameras and any other security measures that need erasing."
I nodded, unsurprised. The organization's efficiency in covering their tracks was well known, and they had protocols for these kinds of operations. Still, I was mildly impressed that she had mobilized a team so quickly.
"You'll be able to leave without raising any suspicion," she continued, her tone practical. "Everything will be handled."
"Understood," I replied evenly. "I expected as much."
Reina paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as she shifted the conversation. "I have to say, though, I wasn't expecting you to travel all the way to Ardmont City out of nowhere. You didn't mention it in any of your previous updates."
There it was—the subtle probe. Reina had always had a way of trying to slip in questions, testing the waters to see how much I was willing to reveal. But we both knew the deal we had in place, and that included keeping certain aspects of my personal decisions off-limits.
"It was my intention," I said, keeping my voice calm but firm. "Nothing more than a personal matter."
The implication was clear enough—she didn't need to meddle in my choices or question my movements. That had been part of the agreement from the beginning.
Since the organization got what they needed from me, they didn't pry into my life more than necessary.
Reina's gaze remained steady, but I could tell she understood the unspoken boundary. She didn't press further, simply nodding in acknowledgment.
"Very well," she said, her voice cool but accepting. "As long as you are unharmed and bring no damage to the organization."
"I am," I replied, keeping the conversation short. There was no need to dwell on the specifics.
"Good," she said, her tone shifting back to its usual professionalism. "Expect the retrieval team soon. You'll be notified when they arrive."
With that, she ended the call, the holographic screen fading from view. I stared at the now-dark smartwatch for a moment, then turned my attention back to the room.
The boy was still sleeping peacefully, oblivious to everything happening around him. Soon, he would be in the organization's hands.
But for now, I waited, letting the silence settle around me once more.
******
After waiting for a little longer, the familiar vibration of my smartwatch alerted me. A small notification appeared on the screen, confirming that the area was secure and I could move freely. The retrieval team had done their job, just as Reina had promised.
I stood up immediately, crossing the room in a few strides. The boy was still fast asleep, his small frame curled up on the bed, breathing steadily under the effects of the sleeping powder. I reached down and carefully lifted him into my arms, his body limp and unresponsive, still deep in slumber. Without a word, I turned and made my way toward the door.
The elevator ride down was silent, just the quiet hum of the machinery accompanying us. The boy didn't stir, and I kept my focus ahead, knowing the next step was just as crucial. As we descended, I could already sense a shift in the atmosphere—things had been put into motion while I waited.
The elevator doors slid open smoothly, and I stepped out into the lobby. My eyes immediately caught the sight of the receptionist and the guards stationed by the entrance. They were still there, but something was off. Their expressions were blank, their eyes unfocused, as if they were looking straight ahead without truly seeing anything. They didn't even acknowledge me or the boy as we passed by.
'So that's how they did it.'
I looked around more closely, my senses picking up faint traces of mana lingering in the air, almost like a subtle mist. It was spread thin but effective, most likely from some sort of magically engineered device. The organization was really precise, and it seemed they'd used a controlled spell to create a temporary memory block or a distraction, allowing me to exit unnoticed.
Satisfied that everything was going as planned, I stepped outside into the cool night air. A sleek black car was waiting at the entrance, its engine humming softly. The tinted windows and unmarked exterior made it clear that this was the team sent to retrieve us.
Without hesitation, I approached the car. The back door opened as I neared, and I stepped inside, gently settling the boy down beside me. The interior was dark, but comfortable, with an air of professionalism. A man was seated in the driver's seat, his eyes scanning a device on the dashboard. He turned his head slightly as I entered.
"Adept Astron?" the man asked, his tone respectful but businesslike.
I nodded once in confirmation, and at that moment, my smartwatch gave a brief, faint glow. The man seemed to register the signal, giving him the go-ahead. Without another word, the car's engine roared softly to life, and we began to move.
As the car smoothly navigated through the quiet streets, the driver broke the silence. "From here on, I'll be responsible for the kid," he explained, his tone professional. "You won't need to worry about his transfer. Another agent is already handling everything at the hotel, including the cleanup of the security systems, as per your request."
I nodded in acknowledgment, not surprised by the efficiency. The organization moved like clockwork when it came to covering all angles. It was how they maintained their influence so discreetly.
The driver continued, glancing briefly at me through the rearview mirror. "A room has also been arranged for you to spend the night. It's one of the last reserved quarters for agents in this district, specifically for these types of situations. You'll have everything you need there."
"Understood," I replied calmly, appreciating the foresight. Even though I had never required such accommodations, it seemed the organization had a broader reach in cities like Ardmont, and it made sense.
Their network here was clearly more expansive than in the smaller towns I operated in.
The car rolled to a stop in front of a sleek, modern building, its exterior blending into the cityscape, almost inconspicuously. The driver turned to face me, giving a respectful nod. "This is your stop. The boy will be taken care of shortly."
I glanced at the boy, who was still fast asleep, unaware of everything happening around him. With a final nod to the driver, I opened the door and stepped out, feeling the cool night air against my face. The door closed softly behind me, and the car pulled away, disappearing into the city.
I stood in front of the sleek, modern building for a moment, letting the car's disappearance sink in.
Turning to the entrance, I stepped forward and raised my wrist, scanning my smartwatch against the small panel by the door. There was a soft beep, followed by a low mechanical click, and the door slid open smoothly, granting me access.
As I stepped inside, I was greeted by a room that was as practical as it was spacious. The decor was minimal—no unnecessary ornaments or personal touches, just clean lines and neutral colors. It was designed for function, not comfort, but there was something refreshing about that simplicity. The space felt open and uncluttered, giving off a calming energy that I hadn't expected.
I closed the door behind me and took a brief moment to survey the room. The essentials were all there—a large bed neatly made, a desk with standard-issue communication equipment, and a small living area. The lighting was dim but adjustable, casting a soft, ambient glow that kept the space from feeling too sterile.
Without wasting any time, I made my way toward the bathroom. The fight with Zharokath had left its mark, and though I wasn't physically dirty, there was something about cleaning myself off that was necessary. It was less about hygiene and more about clearing the mental residue of battle.
The bathroom was much like the rest of the room—simple, practical, and spotless.
I removed my clothes, leaving them in a pile, and stepped into the shower. The water came on immediately, hot and steady, cascading over me as I stood there, letting the warmth seep into my muscles.
'This is better,' I thought as the steam filled the space around me. The psychological effect of the water was more powerful than I had anticipated. It wasn't about washing off the dirt, but about letting the tension and the memories of the fight with Zharokath slip away.
After a few minutes, I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, feeling refreshed. I dried off quickly, my mind already starting to reengage with the reality of my situation. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
There was always more to do, more to plan for. But for now, I was clean, both physically and mentally. It was enough.
I put on the fresh clothes laid out for me and stepped back into the main room, to sleep and rest.
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