Reith paced around, his eyes frequently turning to the young boy lying on his bed. He knew this day would come, but he hadn't expected it to be like this.
"What should I do?" He muttered to himself.
He had planned this day countless times, repeating what he would say to the boy and the format he had prepared.
Never had he expected Paul to run out of his house. It was more complicated than he thought.
"I can't toss him out," Reith muttered, such a thought could open a door to corruption, so he shook his head.
Paul shifted on his bed, and he let out a groan, causing Reith to straighten up.
"Paul?" Reith called, testing to see if the boy was fully awake.
Paul opened his eyes and slowly sat up. There was a dull throbbing behind his forehead, but he could focus on Reith.
The memories were starting to gather in his head, and he let out a sigh.
"I am sorry for acting that way." Paul apologized, looking away. He never felt the need to apologize to someone, or be below another person.
When he was supreme, he never let power get to his head, but he also never had the time to be blamed for wrongdoing.
This feeling was strange for him. Seeing that Reith was speechless, Paul stood up from the bed.
"Thank you for taking care of me all these years." Despite the pain in his body, Paul bowed down, displaying his gratitude.
Reith instantly turned red. "You don't need to apologize. I do this for me, so it's really fine."
Not able to fully understand Reith's statement, Paul nodded.
He couldn't sense Reith's power level nor any mana, and it was simply because every ounce of his power had vanished, turning into a game in his head.
So right now, he had to bid his time. Reith could be someone who could easily overpower him if he wanted to.
In that instant, as if being called, a golden translucent screen appeared before him, showcasing some sentences.
"VERITAS Paul. You have been gifted the Divine System by heavenly providence."
Paul mentally read the words, and turned his face to Reith. He was obviously the only one who could see the image.
"What happened while I was asleep?" Paul looked out of the window.
He couldn't recognize the scenery, and the air smelled stiff.
"A lot has. I couldn't keep up with it and decided to move far from the city. City of Yevendra grew beyond my expectations in five years. We were attacked a year after your disappearance." Reith spoke softly, but Paul could sense heaviness in the air.
"Tell me everything, please." Paul sat up, focusing on the man who had decided to care for him for so long.
Reith closed his eyes. It had happened like any other day.
He had cleaned Paul up and was preparing to head down to the city square to celebrate the New Year's festival.
Everyone laughed and jollied together, preparing for the city mayor's speech, moments before the nightmare fell.
The city mayor had walked up the stage when the sound of a gunshot reverberated in the square, and the people froze, watching as the most powerful man in the city tumbled down, and his body was brutally twisted.
Reith felt the tangibility of fear, and he raised his gaze. Right up there, where the leaders were, he saw it clearly.
A subtle smile was seen on a man's face as he gazed on the fallen body. It was the mayor's son. In the moment, hell broke loose, and the gathering scattered.
Gunshots were fired and those who could fight against the uprising were the only ones who stayed.
The naturals were taken, and held down. The awakeners who refused to surrender were instantly killed. Yevendra felt like hell had risen and come to stay.
"I knew I had to get out of there fast. I knew they were searching for you so we couldn't stay there any longer. They call themselves, 'The World's Order.' They have taken over the city completely." Reith answered, pouring water into Paul's glass.
He didn't know why but he felt responsible for the young boy in front of him.
Keeping Paul alive for this past five years, had not been easy. He had been running deeper and deeper into the city, until he arrived here, knowing no one would recognize him or his actions as suspicious.
Paul clenched his fists, "Why were they searching for me?" He hated the fact someone else had carried his burdens for so long and it felt like a reminder of his weakness.
Reith raised his gaze, it was a question he didn't know the answer to. Five years ago, he and his colleagues had been given instructions to capture Paul alive or bring back the divine core.
What would Paul say when he realized he was standing in front of someone who had wanted to kill him? Or someone who had helped to capture his beloved?
A clang echoed in the air as Paul dropped the plate of food on the tray. "I don't understand. Are they still looking for me? Five years ago, I lost someone. I want to get her back, and these people can't stop me from searching." Paul frowned, running his fingers through his hair.
Reith watched him, noting his reactions. This wasn't the best time for him to speak.
"Do you know why they are searching?" Paul turned his gaze to Reith, and he realized he couldn't clearly remember the fight that had happened five years back.
It was like his memory was blocked by something. Who was this person that had taken care of him for years?
"You have a Divine Core, the only one of its kind. Everyone would be looking for you. I don't think it is wise to resume your search, especially when you are like this." Reith stood up, taking the tray of food.
A vein bulged in Paul's forehead. "Like what? I can't just let her go, I don't even know if she is still alive." Paul said, and in that moment, a sharp pain gripped his head.
The memories were rushing in but they were all covered with some sort of fog.
He hated it, being left in the dark, with no direction. He hated when he was met with silence to his answers, and it looked like everything was his fault.
Reith had already left, and Paul was on his knees.
"This isn't fair, God. I have to find her. I need my strength, my power. I need them back. A computer game will never be able to help me." Paul bit his lips, tightening his hold on the bed.
Reith dropped the plate by the kitchen, and he couldn't stop thinking of Paul. How would he feel if he knew he was in the company of the enemy who cost him his strength?
He was about to wash the dishes when he felt a strange sensation, sending warning signals down his spine. The first time he had such feeling was when he came face to face with his master.
This was thicker, blood-curling, and he turned around.
A man sat in the living room, clothed in red, a black dagger moving playfully around his fingers. He turned to Reith, and brought the dagger to the lips.
"It's cold." He spoke, his voice creating a gripping sense of fear. "Do you know the temperature of a blade changes when it is dripping with blood?" The man smiled, rising from his seat.
In that moment, above the living room, Paul raised his head to the sound of a ring. A message appeared right before his eyes, delivered by the appearance of a translucent screen.
"Warning! An unrecognized presence has been identified."