In an industrial area, there lies a quiet coffee shop. Its light was the only thing that's visible in the dark area as most factories were closed off long ago.
Inside, Halvor was sitting opposite of the nightcrawler, Denma Wensley. He was preparing a cup of tea.
Taking advantage of his free time, Halvor checked his quest.
[Quest completed.]
Reward: 60 Starbeads.
[Hidden reward for Defeating Featman]
Reward: 100 Starbeads.
Considering the trouble he went through, 160 Starbeads doesn't seem like a good reward, but this was the only way for him to gacha and get stronger to protect his peaceful life.
He dismissed the panel and looked at the approaching Denma Wensley.
He put the tray in the kettle and cups, before pouring the tea.
"Please, enjoy." He smiled politely.
He took a whiff. The fragrance brings out a refreshing and calming sensation. He then took a sip. It tasted delicious. He couldn't explain it, but everything about it was just right.
"It's good."
"Thank you."
Halvor put down the cup and asked, "Continue where we left off. Can you explain what you mean by what you said? Why am I your Highness?"
"Yes, your smell and how my body reacted to it, My Lord. Most nightcrawlers came from cells that originated from the top, a king of the nightcrawler. From this singular cell, it evolved to a baby Nightcrawler.
"However, most kings were slaughtered by what humans called them heroes, and currently, there are only four left.
"Each lived under the scrutiny of the human nose, ruling small territories that escaped the human gaze."
When he heard his explanation, he became intrigued. He asked a bunch of questions regarding nightcrawlers, such as can a nightcrawler breed to one another, or can they turn humans into a nightcrawler
Denma Wensley answered both yes and no in order.
"Can nightcrawlers eat human food?"
"Yes, but it will not satisfy hunger. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to their food would poison our body, so it's not recommended. Unless you're a king of nightcrawlers.
"You are a peak evolution of our species, and the strongest of all."
Denma Wansley looked at him with deep reverence.
After getting the answers, Halvor felt more at ease. Information is power, after all. It gave him more ways to live his new life.
'If only I could hide my scent.'
His goal in this new life is a peaceful one, after all. His new identity will definitely drag him to trouble one after another. That is very far from the definition of peace.
[Proceeding to hide your scent… Completed.]
A male voice echoed in his mind.
'There appears again. Is this some kind of system that'll help me in this world? Quite the gold finger I have.' he couldn't help but smiled slightly.
"Huh? I didn't smell the scent of a king from you." Denma Wensley looked at him strangely.
"I hide it."
"May I know why, my Lord?"
"Everything in this world comes with a cost, and prosperity requires a steep price. As you had guessed my identity, how do you think others would react to my existence?
"Leave me be, or get rid of my presence for fame? I wish only a peaceful life, far from political conflicts and interests."
"I see. So that is your plan. You're planning to experience a lowly life while watching everything unfold, but your plan is to control everything from the shadows, and when the time is perfect, you strike.
"As expected of a king. Your methods are unfathomably grand."
'Eh? What is he blabbing on? Ah whatever. I'll just play along with his monologue. What's the harm anyway.'
"Indeed, I mustn't show my true self until the time is ripe."
"Then I shall be by your side for your grand opening, and your sovereign in the world, my Lord." He bowed respectfully.
'This guy's acting is good.'
"Speaking of which, my Lord. What are your plans for the boy?" He added.
"Before I answer that, please call me Halvor."
Denma nodded.
"I'm planning to train the boy to be powerful enough to defeat Featman."
"That is an excellent plan, my Lo- Halvor. Featman has always been a threat to our territory. It is about time we get rid of him. However, Halvor, may I know why six months?"
Halvor simply smiled, and just as he was about to answer.
"I see! So that's your plan! By training the boy, you will turn him into your guardian and carry out your tasks!
"Truly, the boy may seem useless now, but he has potential to be powerful second to you!"
'He is?' Halvor frowned slightly.
"If the battle between heroes, supervillains, and nightcrawlers are a cog, that boy will be the factor that'll reduce the grand scene into shambles!
"You're planning to make him your trump card without ever showing yourself! As expected of a great ruler!"
As he was listening to his rambling, one word piqued his interest. Supervillains! Of course they would exist!
This world is filled with superpowers, after all! Knowing how things work, there is darkness in light!
"I'd like to meet a supervillain."
When Denma heard his words, he said inwardly, 'Is he planning to work together with a supervillain? But never both the nightcrawler and heroes are on good terms with them. What is he planning?'
"Do you wish to work together with them?"
Halvor pinched his chin, "They're better off dead, but even hornets are a must in the ecosystem to pollinate the flowers."
"I will arrange a meeting with them."
'He can do that? That's a lifesaver!'
The reason why he's excited to meet a villain was just pure curiosity. He sees them in fiction, and now they're a real thing, he wonders if they're the same.
"Inform me when it's completed."
"Yes."
Denma clenched his fist as he said inwardly, 'A first task given by him! I will do my best and not disappoint him!"
"By the way, Denma. You mentioned there are four kings left in the world."
"They lived in different countries, but the one that sovereign this land is Allison. However, he fell into a deep slumber after fighting the top heroes.
"His territory split into seven regions. Our region is led by Nox, but due to her young age, many doubted her leadership."
"Yet how did she become a leader?"
"She's the only suitable candidate. You see, our region is the weakest of the seven. There are not many suitable nightcrawlers."
'What a joke. You lots push the responsibility to someone else and then blame them when they did it wrong.' Halvor said inwardly.
"Is she a terrible leader?"
"Far from it, she is capable of pulling out most of the tasks. Her support grows each day, but there are those that doubt every decision she makes."
Halvor grunted in acknowledgement. He got the gist of the situation.
Whatever happens, he must stay away from this young leader.
"Halvor, if there's nothing else. I will go out now to complete the assignment you gave."
"Just take it easy, it's not urgent."
'Is he saying this because he didn't want me to get stressed out with the deadline? Lord Halvor, I will follow you forever!'
"No! I will complete it as soon as possible and not disappoint you!" He dashed to the door and vanished.
Halvor blinked a few times in confusion at his excitement.
"Why is he so energetic? He's much more excited than me to meet a supervillain."
After muttering those words, he saw someone enter the cafe.
A woman in her twenties. She has golden and cream hair that reaches her back. She has smooth white skin and looks incredibly exquisite.
Seeing a woman of that caliber, Halvor couldn't help but stop his breathing.
"That Denma, why is he so lively early in the morning?"
As she was speaking, her gaze was on Denma. Halvor took the opportunity to grab the boy and teleported.
So when the girl turned her gaze to where he was earlier, she only saw an empty seat.
"Is it just my imagination? I swear I felt someone sitting here."
In the air, teleporting non stop until he reached his house, he thought back to the girl.
From her confidence that seemed to shake the mountains, and the air she exuded. It wasn't hard to guess she's Nox. He must avoid all contact from her.
As he was thinking, his stomach grumbled.
"I just ate a few hours ago."