Chapter 97: 97.Beneath the surface-1

"Hahahehehaheha!"

"Yeah! What if I did, huh?!" Peter spat. "Aldoff is five times the man you’ll ever be! He actually has money, power, and a fucking brain! You’re just a brainless, broke brute riding your family’s name while your brother takes everything!"

He barked loudly into the morning air, screaming at the top of his lungs. Shyle covered her mouth with her hands in complete shock.

"You think you’re a big shot, Braden? You’re nothing! You’re a pathetic loser who can’t even beat up a college weakling!"

Peter turned his head violently toward Shyle, who trembled seeing his face.

"And you! What the fuck are you gaping at, you useless slut?!"

Shyle flinched back, her eyes wide with shock as tears immediately welled up.

"We’re fucking over!" Peter barked at her, his voice dripping with absolute disgust. "I’m sick of your whining and your tight, useless pussy anyway! Don’t ever call me again! Go lift up your skirt for some man on the street, you fucking slut!"

Peter walked over to his motorcycle, started it, and drove off in the opposite direction, leaving the sobbing Shyle behind. It was just supposed to be another night out. After drive they would have stopped at a hotel and slept like usual and then she would have been dropped to her home like usual.

Braden glanced at her before turning away from both Shyle and Vanessa.

"Braden!" Vanessa called out to him, but Braden didn’t reply.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. Tossing them to Vanessa, he said, "Go. Drop her off at her home."

He pointed toward Shyle.

"Huh? What about you?"

’’I’ll go by myself. You don’t have to drive back.’’

’’Oh, stop it. Don’t talk stupid-’’

"Just go and drop her home! Don’t make me repeat myself!" he shouted at her.

Vanessa stopped asking. She walked over to the motorcycle, called out to Shyle, and drove off in the opposite direction, leaving Braden completely alone on the long, empty stretch of road.

It took him more than five minutes to move.

The unsteady steps carried Braden’s body down the road. On his back was the golden glow of the morning sun, casting a dark shadow in front of him.

​As he walked, children passed by him.

​A girl and two boys with similar features giggled as the smallest boy ran after his siblings to catch them.

​"Sis! You’re running too fast!"

​"You lost! Catch us, come on, Braden!"

​"Hehe, don’t tease your brother too much, Aldoff!"

​The kids continued to run ahead before Braden’s stretching shadow covered them.

​It was before they had much understanding of the world. They would fool around until their bodies gave out.

​Those days were numbered as they grew older, understanding the family they were a part of. It took some more time to understand what type of relationship they were supposed to have.

​He was the last to understand it. The last to accept it. And the last to act upon it.

​The girl looked back. Now older and matured, she waved before disappearing into the golden hue.

​She looked about the same age as when Venice was taken out of the chain of command.

​The boys stopped in their tracks. Then, they started to walk in the same rhythm as Braden.

​Their backs reflected in Braden’s eyes. It resulted in the growing pace of his steps. His breath hitched as he got closer. His arms spread open, hands closing, trying to catch his own past self. The only thing he could grab was air.

​There was only one figure remaining. The fully grown Aldoff paused and gazed back at Braden.

​Cuts on Braden’s face stung from the tears that had started to flow from his eyes.

​"D-don’t go... Aldoff..."

​Aldoff turned around and walked into the dark nothingness.

​It was again the same empty road. His legs refused to move, however.

​Braden’s vision was getting covered by darkness. He moved, but there was no clarity. Stumbling a little, he sat down on the side of the road.

​Where had his life gone so wrong? He didn’t want to think about it. What were the choices that took him here? He didn’t want to think about it. Which decisions could he have made differently? He didn’t want to think about it. What were all his regrets? He didn’t want to think-

​The sharp sound of a horn.

​"Huh...!"

​Looking up, a bike was circling around.

​It stopped right in front of him.

​"...What are you doing here?"

​His voice was cracking, barely uttering those words.

​"To pick you up. Why else?"

​Vanessa answered as she ruffled her hair. It was glowing golden in the brighter morning light.

​Looking at her, dumbfounded, Braden asked, "What about Shyle...?"

​"Got her a cab, nothing to worry about."

​She looked down at him. "You don’t look good. Hop on, I’ll drive."

​"You... I told you... no need to... there..."

​Unable to form a sensible sentence, Braden stood up slowly.

​"You... why did you...? No, Vanessa, what am I to you?"

​Braden pleaded with his eyes as he asked. Vanessa turned her head away from him, pausing for a moment before saying:

​"Isn’t that obvious? You are my boyfriend, and I’m your girlfriend."

​"..."

​Braden’s eyes opened wide before squinting shut. He used his jacket to wipe his face.

Maybe his journey wasn’t going to be alone yet.

​Quietly, he mounted the bike.

​The engine roared as they drove off. His face was covered in Vanessa’s hair as their speed increased.

​His hands went around her waist slowly. Grabbing hold of her, he rested his head on her shoulder.

​There was no exchange of words between them.

She continued to look forward while, eyes closed, Braden smiled slowly in the side mirror she glanced at regularly.

​"...Bastard," Mylo couldn’t help but mutter as he saw them drive by.

​Having walked all the way and still getting left behind stung him hard.

​But at the end of the day, Braden was out of the picture.

​The enemies ahead were not the ones he could just handle with physical violence. He would have to use knowledge from his previous life and build new connections and plans to take them down.

​"All for the sake of a peaceful and happy life..."

Sigh...

​Checking his watch, it was already 10 past seven. With a scheduled meeting with Carey at 9, he didn’t really have a lot of time remaining.

​On the way, he bought a burger and pastry for breakfast.

​"Let’s see, so our schedule for today..."

​Meeting Carey, reading manga given by Reina, buying groceries, and then going to college before heading for Tritia in the night.

​Those were the ones he recalled right off the bat.

​"Oh, there’s also the daily quest-"

​...

​[NOTIFICATION]

​Daily Quest: Satisfy five women today!!

​Reward: 500 Gold

​Penalty: The skill [Pleasure] will lose its weakness-finding effect.

​...

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