Chapter Text
They stepped across the station platform and saw someone welcoming them. One of them nodded then approached the handsome man.
"Mr. Zalatustra, nice to meet you," exclaimed the man, holding out his hand.
Zalatustra is in his 20 years, young and handsome with blonde hair and deep blue eyes.
The four colleagues in the back have unique looks that seem to resemble actors and actresses.
However, the most striking thing is their outfit which is cosplay from a comic, looks out of place.
Zalatustra shook the man's hand with a faint smile and replied, "Nice to meet you too, Mr. Huang."
Zalatustra's intense gaze surprised Huang Tao who then cleared his throat and then let go of their handshakes, he directed them to his car to head to his company, Intis Group.
Zalatustra suddenly exclaimed, "I thought it should be someone named Zhou Mingrui who greeted me?"
Huang Tao was stunned for a moment then smiled politely. "He happened to be sick so he asked for time off."
Zalatustra nodded understandingly. "I see," was the response.
The four comrades looked at each other with tacit understanding.
They boarded Huang Tao's car with a strange atmosphere.
"Mr. Huang, do you like literature?" asked one of Zalastustra's colleagues, Alex, a young man with black hair and golden yellow irises.
"That's right, I collected a few," Huang Tao replied awkwardly. Not expecting such a question.
Alex continued, "You are very knowledgeable."
The red-haired woman with the same eye color narrowed her eyes at Alex. Her gothic style dress made her look even more attractive.
Zalastustra interrupted, "If you don't mind, can you invite Zhou Mingrui to have lunch with us, Mr. Huang?"
Alex glanced at Zalatustra as if to question whether that was the best course of action?
"Hnm? Why him?" Huang Tao asked subconsciously. It was strange that a foreign guest asked about one of his workers whom he thought did not attract much attention.
Zalatustra only smiled politely without giving an answer causing Huang Tao to be curious, but did not want to disturb his guest. After all, they will be new investors with a large investment. Maybe somehow the worker knew them, that would be good.
"I'll invite him once we get to the company." Huang Tao made a wise decision.
Anyone following me? Really? Was that a cult that The Star was talking about?
When I walked out of the cinema and was about to head to a nearby cafe for coffee, I had the feeling of being a prey being stalked by a predator.
The Assassin's ability gave me the advantage to be sensitive to all possible dangers. The stalker didn't have any killing intent, but his gaze was very strange. I feel uncomfortable.
The stalker followed even after I sat down and ordered coffee. Cold sweat ran down my back, and with strengthened senses, it was my sight that the scout was caught.
I pretended not to know while judging his appearance from the corner of my eye. And the next second, my heart skipped a beat. I recognize that person.
The handsome green-eyed policeman who was interrogating me about my residence permit. But, why is he following me?
Does he know that I drank Assassin's potion?
I can't stay calm until the coffee I ordered comes.
Gluk!
"Cough!"
Damn it! I choked with anxiety.
This is not true. I want to know the reason for watching over me!
As I hit my chest to relieve choking pain, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the handsome man standing and walking toward me.
I'm nervous, but this is what I expected. He will definitely approach me sooner or later.
He finally arrived and sat across from me without permission. His green eyes studied me sharply and his expression was sad.
My heart hurts somehow. It feels like there was something I forgot, but I don't know what it is.
Our eyes passed and he gave me a warm smile.
“Klein, your real appearance resembles the Gehrman Sparrow. Thankfully, it's easy for me to recognize you in this world, " he said.
Hah? What? Who is he calling?
"Sorry, it looks like you have misidentified people, I'm Zhou Mingrui not Klein," I replied with a stiff smile.
This cop has a different aura from last time, as an Assassin, I can see the obvious difference.
"I know that," he replied.
Then why?
He saw a look of utter confusion on my face and his green eyes filled with sadness.
"Are you not familiar with my face?"
Is he narcissistic?
I stared at him with an irritation that I clearly showed.
“… Or, my name is Leonard, Leonard Mitchell. You usually call me the poet's friend. "
I shook my head at his introduction. "Sorry, sir. I don't know you, all I know is that you interrogated me about my residence permit."
I shouldn't have said the last sentence, but in order to drive this person off, I had to answer emphatically that he had misidentified the person.
"Is that so?" he continued, squinting. "Then, do you recognize the name Sherlock Moriarty?"
I was startled and stood up suddenly startling Leonard.
"Do you know who Sherlock Moriarty is, sir?" I asked who sat back down with a stiff posture and my nonchalance disappeared.
His green eyes suddenly brightened when he looked at me then he nodded happily. "Yes, why? He is my friend."
Sherlock Moriarty's friend? That means I can ask where this Sherlock Moriarty is, right? And also the reason for having Miss Sharron protect me.
"He's got someone to protect me, and I want to know why personally, I've never even met him," I said explaining how I found out about his friend.
I took off the formal speech and turned informal because Leonard was Sherlock Moriarty's friend, so I assumed that he was not a stranger anymore.
Leonard was flabbergasted until his mouth opened and closed repeatedly as if he wanted to say something, but it didn't.
Finally, he said after a long silence, "Was the one protecting you Miss Sharron?"
This time, I wasn't surprised because Sherlock Moriarty was certain to tell Leonard who was looking after me.
"Yes, can I meet your friend? I have been feeling uncomfortable lately and also I wanted to ask what 'they' he meant," I explained hopefully.
Leonard brushed his hair and replied, “He was in a remote place that cannot be reached right now. You can ask for my help if something bothers you, " he offered.
So, I see ... Of course it makes sense. If not, why else was this Sherlock Moriarty asking for a ghost and not himself who came?
By the way, Leonard turned out to be a good person. The poet's temperament does radiate from his appearance.
"Recently I had a bad dream." I recounted the experience since drinking the Assassin's potion. Not keeping it a secret because I'm asking for help to overcome so as not to get involved with a cult.
Leonard was pensive for a few moments after the story was over then looked into my eyes intently.
"Klein—Zhou Mingrui, I have an object that can purify your body from that, but you will return to the way you were before drinking it."
That means, my weak and pathetic state comes back if I want to be free.
There are no free lunch in the world! I want to cry!
However, for the sake of my peace and survival and mentality, I must agree to Leonard's suggestion.
"Can I use it? I'll pay for it."
What that item can buy by money?
Leonard propped his chin, thinking.
"Yes, you can pay for it by listening to my stories and fulfilling some of my requests, would you like?" he asked suddenly.
It's ... A one-sided profit deal, but I have no reason to reject such a good thing. Such magic items should have a much higher price than demand or listen to stories, what can I, Zhou Mingrui, an ordinary employee, do anyway? However, I'm sure Leonard won't ask for anything troublesome.
"Of course." I let out a sigh of relief.
At that time, my smartphone beeped.
"Eh?"
I saw the caller was my boss, Huang Tao!
I was so shocked, I almost dropped my smartphone and glanced at Leonard nervously.
"My boss was calling, wait a moment here," I said as I got up from my seat and went to a quiet area.