"Hahahaha! Oh, come on. No Shade is stupid enough to kill someone in the city. Donovan will be fine." Benedict said with a chuckle. He was dressed in a simple, white t-shirt with a few designs.
"Except this particular Shade is not alright in the head," added Tiero. He was wearing a red turtleneck sweater with a black overcoat on top.
With a laugh, Benedict scratched his stubble beard. "Isabelle, Isabelle… Very familiar name. Hm. Don't tell me she's the daughter of that Isabelle? Rina Isabelle?"
Tiero sighed. "Correct… I was waiting for you to connect the dots."
Benedict face palmed. "Why are there so many nepo babies in Umbrellas? Zetar, Isabelle… Am I missing someone?"
Yeah, your little brother… Tiero chuckled softly as he finished his cup of coffee.
"Oh, I know who you just thought of. Are you giving my brother a hard time?" said Benedict with a smile.
Tiero raised his arms with a laugh. "No, I'm just kidding. Your brother is excellent. He really reminds me of you back in the old days."
Benedict shook his head with a sigh. "The old days… Good times. We sound like old farts."
"Because we are."
"I'm only 42. Middle-aged. That's not old, is it?"
Tiero shrugged his shoulders. "Again, I'm sorry for not being able to attend your wedding. I even got your invitation, but I overslept… I drank all night the night before that."
"I'm telling you, it's alright. Took you a while to visit, though."
Tiero lowered his head. "My bad…"
With a sigh, Benedict said, "In fact, you're the first and only one to come see me. I even sent out invitations to the others, but no one came. No one came to visit right after, either. I couldn't reach Christian though, I don't know where that guy is."
The handler laughed. "Senility is probably hitting them hard already. They probably forgot about you."
"That's depressing." Benedict laughed. "Next time I see them, I'll give them a smack on the head. Jiro will probably knock me out, though."
"Speaking of Jiro, his establishment is going well. I, Donovan, and two other Visitors that are under my wing went there to drink a few days ago. It resulted in a brawl, and Jiro was the one to stop the mess."
Upon hearing this, Benedict smiled. "Trying to relive the old days, huh? How'd Donovan do in the brawl?"
Tiero shrugged his shoulders once again. "No idea. I think I got knocked out like… two or three times that night."
Benedict laughed. "Is this still the same man that I always lost to in our spars?"
"That man is long gone." Tiero leaned back into the sofa. "Now, I'd rather just guide the youngsters and watch over them. I haven't fought in like… Oh, I lost count. A long time."
"The same can be said for me, Ti," added Benedict.
After a long while, Tiero checked his watch. "Ah, I'm afraid this reunion has to end now. Thank you for the coffee, Ben."
Benedict nodded, standing up as he escorted Tiero to the front door. "Stay safe, Ti. Thank you for visiting."
"Tell your wife I said hi," said Tiero. "Oh, what about Donovan?"
"Hah, don't worry about him. He'll be fine."
Tiero took Benedict's words to heart, and nodded. "I'll come again."
"Sure. Bring some good sweets, the wife likes it."
With a smile, Tiero left through the front door.
Same day, at 5:02 p.m.
Sylvia appeared at the Portal Chamber with a flash of light. She had just completed her fourth mission for the day.
"Great work," said the man in front of her. Her handler, Marston.
With a nod, Sylvia walked away. She was dressed in a black overcoat with a black turtleneck sweater underneath. She held her black umbrella in her right hand.
The sky had turned into a calming, nostalgic orange. People that lived different lives walked by. Sylvia looked ahead as she walked. She had a lot on her mind, and she wanted a moment of relaxation after doing four missions in a row.
As Sylvia walked, she seemed to have spotted someone familiar in the distance. Walking out of the store that sold expensive watches was Donovan Volgard.
He was dressed in nothing but a white shirt and black pants. Upon seeing this, Sylvia was reminded of something from two months ago, when she saw him walking out of the same watch store.
It would seem that he is fond of expensive watches.
He hasn't seemed to notice her yet. He started to walk away.
Sylvia caught up to her, tapping his left shoulder, making him look to the left, when she was actually to his right.
"Oh, Miss Sylvia! Didn't see you there. Hello," he greeted with a smile.
Sylvia nodded with an expression that didn't reveal any emotions. "Hello."
For some reason, having the chance to talk to him after a long while made her feel at ease.
"It's been a while," he said.
"Do you like watches, Donovan?" she asked.
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand. "Well, something like that. I have a collection of expensive watches."
Sylvia didn't want to ask why. Everyone had their own thing.
While walking, Sylvia decided to ask, "Donovan, could you tell me more of the… Tosla expedition that you participated in?"
He was momentarily surprised. "What would you like to know, Miss Sylvia?"
"Was there an angel?"
Upon hearing Sylvia's question, Donovan guessed that this was most likely about Clara. "Yes, there was an angel… Unfortunately, that angel only went for Miss Clara, and the rest of us didn't get a chance to fight the angel. Miss Clara… was defeated."
"I see."
Sylvia had a calm expression. "Do you have any ideas on why the angel only attacked her?"
He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I have no clue…"
"I see."
Donovan quietly gulped.
After a while, Sylvia spoke again, "What did the angel look like?"
Donovan racked his brain. He paused, then continued, "Silver hair, two fiery swords, white attire, and golden eyes…"
After finishing his sentence, the words he had said reminded him of a particular woman who has been giving him trouble lately.
"I see."
Sylvia looked up at the sky that was slowly becoming night.
"Do you still remember the favor you've done for me?" she asked.
Donovan was confused. He racked his brain to the fullest. After a while, he remembered Sylvia paying for his coffee to "return the favor" more than ten days ago.
He was quite surprised that he could remember something like this. But he still couldn't recall the "favor" that he did for her. Donovan shook his head. "I'm sorry, Miss Sylvia, but I'm having trouble remembering…"
Sylvia revealed a faint smile. "It's quite alright."
While walking, Sylvia spotted a high-quality restaurant in the distance. She sneakily glanced at Donovan who was beside her. It seems that he was thinking the same thing.
"Why don't we have dinner together? My treat," she said.
"Huh?" Donovan was very surprised. This was the first time that he was going to have dinner with a woman!
Oh? Sylvia smiled.
"Come on."
She needed this as well. A moment of relaxation with someone. Sylvia grabbed Donovan by the hand, and led him to the restaurant.
Upon entering, the two were met with golden lights, expensive chairs and tables, chandeliers hanging from high above, and high-quality foods.
The two found a table, and sat down. After telling their orders, the waiter walked away.
Donovan kept fidgeting in his seat and looking around.
What's on your mind, I wonder? Sylvia smiled as she watched him.
Meanwhile, inside Donovan's mind…
What do I do? What do I do? I should've worn something better! This is the first time I'm having dinner with a woman… Damn, she held my hand!
Her hand… It's so soft, so delicate… No, what the hell am I thinking?! Focus!
Too many things are happening in one day… I saved two people, met Ms. Isabelle again, and now this… Also… Does she know about what happened to me a few hours ago? Did someone record me? Ah, damn, I hope no one recorded me…
Calm down. I need to stop fidgeting and act normal. Yes, I have to act like I'm experienced in this stuff. No, what am I saying? It's hopeless.
Ah, damn! Why'd she invite me to dinner…? What is she after? What does she want? Also, I have to make sure to be the one to pay. The man should always be the one opening their wallet in this situation…
Wait. Isn't this basically a date…?
Donovan forced himself to stop fidgeting. No, surely not… I'm overthinking this.
Finally, the food arrived.
As she ate, Sylvia stole glances at Donovan.
Suddenly, she spoke, "I saw a video of you saving a child."
Donovan coughed. "Ah…"
"It's all over social media. Very impressive, Donovan."
"…Thank you."
"Don't worry, your face wasn't directly shown in the video. But I recognized you right away." As she spoke, Sylvia realized that sounded odd. She hurriedly cleared her throat.
Fortunately, the man in front of her was quite oblivious.
Time passed, and the two finished their food. They had also finished their glass of wine.
Donovan hurriedly said, "Miss Sylvia, I'll pay."
Sylvia opened her mouth to argue, but closed it. With a smile, she nodded. "Alright."
It was already 6:21 p.m.
Upon exiting the restaurant, Sylvia said, "Thank you for giving me a moment of your time, Donovan."
"…That's my line. Thank you, Miss Sylvia."
Sylvia chuckled. They both stood near the entrance to the restaurant.
"If you find anything that leads to the angel from the Tosla expedition, please inform me."
"I will." Donovan said with a nod.
Sylvia walked away while waving her arm. She looked very cool in Donovan's eyes.
Donovan watched her walk away, a smile on his face.
What an eventful day…
He stared at his right hand which Sylvia grabbed earlier.
Calm down, you're a grown man! No need to get excited over this…
He took a deep breath, and walked away.
Dinner with Miss Sylvia… It wasn't so bad.
Anyway, as I thought, someone recorded me… Miss Sylvia said my face wasn't shown, so that's a relief. Wouldn't want to be the center of attention for a few days…
Instead of returning home, Donovan revisited the alleyways. Thankfully, he had brought his umbrella with him.
And thankfully, no one was being ganged up on by thugs. With a sigh of relief, Donovan decided to go home.
As he walked, Donovan's mind was floating on the sky again.
Who were those three, anyway? Heh, they're probably in jail right now. And the two people I saved… I hope they're doing well.
Miss Sylvia is also searching for the angel, huh… Did Miss Clara tell her? Well, of course, they're siblings after all…
I hope Miss Clara is doing alright as well. I haven't talked to her at all after Tosla.
Suddenly, Donovan's thoughts were interrupted by a loud boom in the distance. The Visitors in the vicinity looked towards the source of the explosion as well.
Donovan used Flight and flew towards the commotion. The Visitors around him headed towards the explosion as well, but some continued on with their business.
Up in the air, Donovan saw an apartment building in flames. Dread gripped his heart, but this quickly went away as he realized that it wasn't his apartment building.
He slowly landed. Some were in tears, and Mage-types that had chosen the Water Mage Path were busy quelling the flames.
But it was to no avail. The flames kept raging.
Donovan asked the person beside him, "What's happening?"
The man answered, "Someone inside is controlling the flames… I don't know who."
Suddenly, figures in heavy black armor dropped down from above. The Bio-Optimized Operations and Tactical Squadron, short for "BOOTS" have arrived.
As though unbothered by the flames, they freely entered the burning building.
About fifteen seconds later, gunshots erupted from inside the building, followed by a figure in flames being thrown out of the window from the fourth floor and landing on the road.
Before the figure could even move a muscle to run, four strange devices came from above and restrained the figure's limbs with chains of electricity.
Boots came out of the burning building and quickly surrounded the burning figure. Finally, the Mages successfully quelled the fire.
Sounds of sirens could be heard in the distance.
***
Donovan walked with a clouded mind.
I don't get it. I don't understand. Why are these Visitors committing crimes? A few days ago, I watched a Fighter-type and a Tank-type fight in the middle of the street, and was stopped by boots. Now, a raging Visitor burned down an apartment building, and was also stopped by boots…
What's making them do this?
With a sigh, Donovan arrived at his apartment building. Walking up the stairs, he noticed the eerie stillness of the air, and the absence of noise. It was too quiet.
He arrived at his front door, unlocked it, and entered.
Everything was the same as always.
The only noise was the sound of water dripping down from the tap, and the tick-tocking of the clock.
Donovan was frozen in his spot.
He looked around.
Nothing unusual.
His hand gripped his umbrella tightly.
Donovan's brain was working at an incredible speed. He quietly used Lightning Bursts, making brief sparks of lightning appear on his body.
The second he cast Lightning Bursts, he took a step forward.
The next second, he felt a sharp pain on his back! Donovan quickly used Light Blitz, arriving at the center of the room. It was the same on the planet Arnica, his reaction time was fast, so the blade didn't dig through his flesh.
Right after that, he used Light Chain. Chains of light appeared, and restrained an invisible figure.
An Assassin.