The next day was a Sunday.
Tejumole had intended to go around searching for the important people the mission required, but Haoyu wouldn't let her leave the house. For the entire weekend he became a gentle yet immovable barrier between her and the front door.
"You have to rest," he said
"You are still recovering," he repeated, arms crossed, whenever she looked at her car keys.
She eventually reasoned that wandering Lagos without a specific lead would be fruitless, so she yielded. Fortunately, the university had granted her a month's leave to recover from the "trauma" of her abduction. She spent this time lounging around, "recovering" in body while her mind strayed constantly towards the mission.
However, her favourite part was getting to spend time with the little one. The balm Haoyu had given her was incredible. It even outperformed many of the healing items she had ever received from the System. By Monday morning, the gunshot wounds were nothing more than faint memories on her skin.
Monday also meant the end of Haoyu's stern vigil.
"You're a student, little one. You have classes," she reminded him, much to his dismay. Despite his reluctance, she bundled him out the door.
His departure gave her time to go through the mission and the skills the system provided once again. She now had seven days to complete the side mission.
[Connect the Dots
Due to the complexity of this mission, the host is expected to acquire the necessary skills before venturing into the den. The host must also find the important individuals that form the foundation.
The host has seven days to do this.
{Rewards:
<50EXP points
She decided to head to True Maiden the next day before activating anything. For the rest of the day, she lounged around and recovered, even though she was more or less healed.
She called Ikenna to ask how Ifeoluwa was doing since she had placed the girl in his care. After getting the update, she hung up immediately before Ikenna could nag her about the importance of personal safety and professional courtesy especially on Monday mornings.
***
In his office, Ikenna set his phone down with a sigh.
The room was clean and minimally decorated. It was designed to be a sanctuary for patients.
In the corner, Ifeoluwa sat on a plush couch, glancing occasionally at Ikenna and the toys spread out around her. She wondered exactly how old the man thought she was. She was already fifteen, but he still got her kids' toys to "keep her occupied and develop her mind."
It was a bit vexing, but she appreciated the gesture.
Besides, it wasn't all bad. She had taken a liking to a particular brown teddy bear dressed like a bartender.
A few more minutes passed in serenity before Ikenna started a conversation.
"Tell me about your family, Ifeoluwa." Ikenna said, dropping his pen between the pages of his book. His gaze remained trained on her as he continued;
"How did you end up on the streets? Where are your parents?"
"I have a mother," she replied. Her tone soon switched to mild defence as her brows furrowed slightly.
"I wasn't living on the streets. This is a trial period. My mother wanted to teach me about survival."
Ikenna frowned, his instincts screaming as he pressed.
"No loving and responsible parent would throw their child out of the house to teach them a lesson that can be learned with words, Ifeoluwa. That's just ridiculous."
In response, Ifeoluwa dropped the teddy bear, now looking at Ikenna with obvious discontent.
"That's not true. Mother is a wise and practical person. She naturally knows what would be best for me. Besides, she didn't leave me empty handed. She made some preparations for me."
Ikenna leaned forward to glance at the back pack and guitar case the teenager always carried with her.
"A measly amount of money, a single backpack, and a guitar is what you call making provisions?"
"They may not be much, but they were what I needed." Ifeoluwa stressed.
Then in a quieter voice she said;
"If I hadn't left, I wouldn't have met you two."
Ikenna felt a cold weight in his chest. He looked at the girl, who was now picking up the teddy bear again, clutching it a bit tighter and avoiding his gaze.
Her logic was like a solid fortress. But it was one built on a foundation of abuse.
"You're right about one thing," Ikenna said softly, his mask slipping just enough to show genuine empathy.
"Meeting people who do not seek to cause you harm is a good thing. But meeting us shouldn't have required you to be hungry or cold or about to be kidnapped. What would have happened if you were taken away and babyface never found you? Would you still have thought your mother was right?"
Ifeoluwa remained unresponsive, and the room descended into silence. Ikenna could see the stubbornness set in her jaw.
She truly believed her mother could do no wrong even when she placed her in a life-threatening situation for the most nonsensical reason he had ever heard.
To him, the situation was all too clear: this was a child who had been conditioned to see revoltingly cruel treatment as a form of love and normalcy.
No matter what, he had to find a way to free her from this adoptive mother. That would require him meeting Priscilla face-to-face and involving the appropriate authorities.
Even though the child might hate him for it, he would help her see the reality of her situation.
"Get some rest, Ifeoluwa," he said, picking up his pen again.
"We'll talk more later."
***
The next day, Tejumole once again sent a reluctant Haoyu off. Though unwilling to leave, he was just glad that she was finally healed.
An hour after he left, she placed a note on the living room table.
I have business to take care of and will be back in a few days. I'll be safe. Don't worry.
She left the house and drove into town, following the GPS toward the location of the True Maiden. Tejumole parked her car under a shade in an old mechanic shop and told the owner she would be back for it in a few days after paying him. Then she left the place and teleported away while no one was looking.
Not long after, she arrived at The True Maiden.
It was a true marvel of architecture. Vast, imposing, and clearly designed as a dream stage for performers. A beacon for every artist and art lover.
Because it was a Tuesday afternoon, the area wasn't bustling. Still, she activated Lucid Fantasm and crept towards the building.
Once inside, she came to stand in a large lobby, where a single woman sat reclined on a chair. She had a smoke in hand and wore an Aso Oke attire with a hefty gele. The contrast between the chic outfit and the cigarette was strangely complementary.
In that moment, as if to reward her forthrightness, Tejumole heard the system's ding.
She had found one of the important people for the mission.
Satisfied, she left the building and retreated a few streets away. Just enough to not be found but close to still see the building.
She opened her skill window and instantly activated the skills for the mission.
[(Active Skills: Aura Shift, Rapport, Charm, Deflection, Armed.
For the duration of Save the Flowers, the Host must rely on these skills to complete the mission. Break a leg)]
Such quirky remarks would always remain a reason for caution.
Immediately after activating the skills she felt the difference. The most notable were that she felt weak and sluggish. She started walking towards the building and was halfway to the entrance when she felt something was wrong.
She started to feel dizzy and to her shock noticed her memories getting fuzzy and replaced by those not hers. Even memories of Haoyu and her life as the Punisher were being rewritten.
Tejumole felt like she was being cancelled out.
She called out to Ranta who appeared just as flustered as she was. To her horror she realized that Ranta's voice drifted farther away by the second.
It felt like she was sinking until she could no longer hear his voice or anything else.
The dread she felt intensified once she heard the system's notification chime.
[Due to the nature of the mission, the Host is found incompatible with the target location. The Host's personality and memories will be altered to better fit in.]
"No..."
Tejumole finally understood, but it was too late. Her consciousness sank deeper and deeper into nothingness.
***
"Good afternoon." A nervous voice rang out in the large lobby of the True Maiden.
The sudden presence caused the receptionist to look up from her phone, smoke in hand, and stare at the young woman standing in front of her.
"My name is Teressa. I'm here to apply for a job. I don't have many skills, but I can cook, clean or even sing. I can do anything you ask. Please give me a chance."
Teressa lowered her head, her hands clutching the hem of her top tightly. She couldn't meet the receptionist's eyes and instead stared fixedly at the ash tray on the countertop. Her shoulders were hunched as if trying to make herself look smaller, less threatening. Her knees shook slightly, but she didn't step back.
"Please," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I'm a hard worker. I won't complain. I just… I really need this."
The receptionist took a long drag of her cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke that drifted towards Teressa's head. She didn't say anything at first, just leaned back and watched the trembling woman before her.
Teressa flinched at the small sound of a distant door closing but remained rooted in place. It was now or never.
Finally, the woman tapped her cigarette into the ashtray and stood up. She walked around the desk, her heels clicking sharply on the polished floor.
"You say you can sing?" the woman asked in a low voice. She reached out and used two fingers to tilt Teressa's chin up, forcing her to make eye contact.
Teressa's eyes were wide, filled with a mix of apprehension and stubborn determination.
"Yes, I can."
The woman traced her gaze over Teressa's face, noting the exquisiteness of her features with a strange glint in her eyes.
"Alright." The woman said, a slow, thin smile now spreading across her lips.
"I might have something for you. It just so happens that we need a singer."
Upon hearing her words, Teressa's eyes brimmed with tears of joy.
"Thank you. Thank you so much! I promise you won't regret this." A hopeful smile graced her face, beautifying her features.
The receptionist nodded and led Teressa into the building.
After so long she finally had a chance to pursue her dreams.
How wonderful.
[Active Skill: Aura Shift
Executes a total suppression of the Host's original presence and personality. This skill adapts the host's persona to achieve perfect synchronization with the target environment.
Synchronization Status: Active.
Note: Activation is permanent for the duration of the specified mission.]