Chapter 35: Petty
"Same level, huh?"
Elian Reed looked at the scene before him. A group of breakers gawked as one of them prostrated herself to him. Behind him lay the bisected corpse of a monster—a quiet monument to how far he'd come.
From a defect who struggled to earn enough to get by, to now a powerhouse who held the faith of people in his hands. The responsibility felt heavy. He even grew fearful of what his future might hold. What if he made a mistake? He was merely a boy who hadn't even turned twenty.
But then a cold breeze comforted him. To his left was a dazzling woman more beautiful than any other. For a brief moment, she appeared and made a smug smile.
Ah, that's right. I am not alone.
Though he couldn't touch her physically, just her mere presence set Elian's heart at ease. He noticed it during the past weeks, when he was with Bianca, the world didn't appear so scary. And though he was afraid of what was to come, so long as he was with her—
I can bear it.
Something plinked against his chest, followed by a soft beep.
"Elian, the shielder tried to scan you. They see you as an enemy. Try to practice blending in with other Breakers. Do not worry, should the worse come to pass, I will intervene."
The boy nodded without answering. He glared at Charlie, pondering how to kill him.
"Sera! This bastard is unregistered breaker! He might be a criminal! A rogue!"