Curse the Mainframe! 50 What Else Do You Want Now?

A few hours later, Alec woke up feeling completely and utterly refreshed. He hadn't felt so great in such a long time.

Alec looked over the room again with fresh eyes, spotting various things that he had missed yesterday. Though it wasn't strange for a family to have a guest bedroom, this one clearly showed the signs of a smaller bed that had been here previously, and the attached bathroom still had a rather child-like print that he wouldn't overlook.

He didn't know if it was because they couldn't bear to get rid of it or they just overlooked it, but Alec got the feeling that things weren't so simple.

Elias, who was groggily waking up next to him, gently dislodged the bunny that had reallocated himself onto his body last night. He had been buried under the pile of fur. Remarkably, the bunny wasn't that heavy even though he was that large, and Elias' weakness for soft, cute things was satisfied for the day.

Bunbun buried himself deeper under the blankets now that both boys had vacated the space, soaking in the leftover warmth.

By the time both boys were about to leave the house to do their daily morning exercise, the sun had just barely emerged, casting a dim light on the streets.

Alec stepped out from the house, pausing.

Elias turned back, wondering why he'd stopped.

Alec shrugged. "You go ahead first. Let's split up to cover more ground."

Elias inwardly raised a brow, but still went on ahead. Since Alec said that, he wouldn't refuse. From what he gathered thus far, they were relatively safe still in a small town like this. The people here were not very advanced in their magical capacity and didn't seem to have much training.

As Elias' figure disappeared in the distance, Alec's eyes sharpened slightly, but maintained his smile that seemed to give those who looked at him an amicable feeling, like they were brushed by a soft breeze. Coupled with Alec's cherubic looks, he looked like the model example of an adorable and well-behaved child.

Henry felt his heart ache as he was reminded of his son.

"Misters, are we playing hide and seek?" Alec said, slightly on edge. If he had to go down this line, with his familiarity in various plot devices, they were here to make more trouble.

Philip, who was hiding in the shadows nearby, felt a chill go down his spine at the familiar tone of voice. Was it just his imagination, or did the child's smile give him a vaguely threatening feeling?

Likewise, Henry, who had sobered up from his drunken stupor the night before after crying his eyes out on the street like a pathetic imbecile, felt his finely-honed instincts scream at him, as if he was facing a dangerous beast.

Alec's smile turned a bit sharper when they didn't respond. Though not a single millimetre on his face changed, the aura that he gave off made them feel like the beast had started to bare its fangs.

Henry stepped out without hesitation, not going against his instincts. He felt like if he dallied longer, he would have the face the beast head on, which would not do his well-being any favours.

When he noticed that Philip was frozen on the spot, Henry tugged him out. Though he hadn't been very close to his friend previously because of how those lousy backstabbing bastards had badmouthed him every time they saw him, he hadn't realized that he unintentionally believed at least a part of what they were saying.

Philip had similarly told him not to put too much trust in those he had called his friends and teammates, which had displeased him at that time. It was only when the shit hit the fan that he knew that the other man was only looking out for his wellbeing.

It wasn't until yesterday, when he had lost everything that he held dear that he realized how much the other man cared for him both as a neighbour and a friend.

Henry had already made one mistake, and he would not make any more.

Now that he looked at the child before him, he didn't look anything like his son, nor did his laugh in his memories when he was drunk sound anything like what those backstabbing bastards had at all.

How embarrassing was this? For a veteran hunter like himself to make mistakes like that just because he had been drunk was inexcusable. Not only had he put someone in danger, he had also exposed Philip to a side of himself that he never wanted anyone to see. If it had not been this child before him, who was capable of fending him off, he would likely have a murder on his hands.

Just fort his, he was very thankful that he had been dealt with so easily and lightly yesterday. He couldn't live with himself if he didn't do anything to show both his apologies and gratitude, so Henry had banged around on different doors in the middle of the night, asking around if anyone had seen such a child in their town.

Henry took a deep breath, remembering the things that he did yesterday in his drunken state. Just the thought of it made his face burn in shame. As if it wasn't enough that this child had seen him in such a state, Henry had actually swung his fists as he contained killing intent. He, Henry, had tried to hurt a small child!

Just thinking back about it made him feel ill. What had he been doing? It would have been better if he couldn't remember anything, but his memory was crystal clear, as if he had been entirely sober at the time.

Henry bowed deeply in apology. "I apologize for all my drunken actions against you. Though I was not in the right state of mind, that does not mean that what I did was in any way excusable. I will not make excuses for myself. However, it was my responsibility and mine alone. My friend here, Philip, only did not interfere when he saw that you were capable of taking care of yourself."

Philip hurriedly bowed. "That does not excuse my actions as well. As an adult, I should have stepped in sooner and-"

Alec's eyes flitted from both men, his temper calming when he saw that there genuinely were expressions of contrite and remorse on their faces. Henry looked deeply ashamed about his actions, which raised Alec's impression of the man by a notch.

Having calmed down, the feeling of a predator eyeing them hungrily disappeared, causing Henry and Philip to heave a sigh of relief.

Henry felt like he'd seen a wider part of the world. Which family's child was such a prodigy that his mere presence was able to bring so much pressure to two grown men?

Alec studied them in puzzlement. Why were they sweating so profusely?

What the System didn't know was that the two men's perception and danger instincts were better than a normal person's, and Alec hadn't quite been able to hide his rising temper.

Having calmed down, Alec wouldn't make the man continue to bow to him. "Perhaps it would be better not to fall into such a state again," he said, his tone a little sharp.

Henry's face, thick as it usually was, reddened. "It won't happen again," the man said solemnly. "If I may, what is your name? My name is Henry, and that is Philip."

"Alec," he said simply. Though he was able to feel the two men's goodwill, that didn't mean that he would use his full name.

Alec nodded at them, turning to go on his morning exercise.

Henry watched a little blankly as Alec left just like that, without doing anything else or asking for any compensation. The swell of admiration in his heart grew. How could a person be so magnanimous? Not to mention, it was a child like this who was his son's age.

Alec carried himself in a manner that befitted those of the great clans or sects, unlike his son – he was hit with a sharp pang of sadness, who loved to whine and play around.

Alec jogged lightly for a street before pausing, looking behind him.

Philip and Henry looked away.

Alec continued. Henry and Philip continued following after him.

Alec stopped. Henry and Philip stopped.

Alec looked behind him, smiling. "Is there something else I can help you with?"

Chapter end

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