Guardians of The Damned-Chapter 34: Frankly

As I was sinking deep into my thoughts, I caught sight of two familiar faces. I hesitated for a moment, considering whether to approach or not, but ultimately chose to.

Lowering my altitude, I landed in front of them. They looked up, noticing something descending from the sky, and smiled when they realized it was me.

"Syn!" my mother called out with a bright smile.

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"Mom." I grinned back and hopped off the hoverboard, shifting my gaze to the girl standing beside her.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" I asked.

"Why should I?" the girl replied with an annoyed look.

She was my little sister, Mira—petite, cute, dressed in a brown cloak over a white shirt and jeans. Mom wore a simple white dress, her long black hair falling over her shoulders. Though age had started to leave its mark, her beauty remained stubbornly vivid.

"Don't you miss your bro?" I said, spreading my arms.

"Die!" Mira punched me in the stomach.

"Ouch!" I yelped, pretending it hurt, even though it barely did.

"It's so annoying that I can't hurt you," she grumbled.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I said, holding back fake tears.

"Figure it out yourself, stupid idiot," she huffed, crossing her arms and looking away.

I could only sigh at her attitude.

"Syn, have you been eating properly?" Mom asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"I have," I replied.

"When will you come home?"

"Once I'm done with my mission. Don't worry, Mom."

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

"I won't," I said with a patient smile.

Most people would get annoyed by their mother's endless questions, but to me, it was her way of showing love. And I was happy.

"Where are you two headed?" I asked, curious.

"We're going shopping for dinner. You should join us, Syn."

I thought for a moment and agreed. It wouldn't take long anyway.

"You hear that, Mira? I'm going shopping with you," I teased.

"Hmph!" she huffed and marched ahead with exaggerated steps.

"Don't be mad at her," Mom said, reassuringly. "She just needs a little time."

"I know," I replied.

We walked to a nearby supermarket and picked out ingredients for dinner. Along the way, I made jokes and silly faces, trying to get Mira to laugh or even smile. She only responded with a flat, unimpressed look.

A little disappointed but undeterred, I kept trying.

At checkout, I proudly paid for the groceries—fulfilling my duty as a son. Using my powers, I floated the heavy bags ahead of us, letting them hover in the air.

On the way home, Mom and I caught up. We talked about the neighborhood: who got married, who passed away, who landed prestigious jobs or got accepted into top colleges—the usual small-town news.

"We also have a new neighbor. Mister Saki moved away after getting transferred to Olympus," Mom said.

"When did the new ones move in?" I asked.

"Yesterday. They seem like nice people, Syn. They even gave us some delicious food from Excalibur."

"Really? That's good to hear."

Just as we were absorbed in our conversation—

"Thief! Someone, please help!" a woman shrieked nearby.

Scanning the crowd, I spotted a man sprinting away, a black cap pulled low over his face.

I casually took a drag from my vape and conjured a rope of smoke. Like a living thing, it slithered through the crowd, wrapped around his left leg, and yanked.

The man hit the ground with a loud thud. Either the impact knocked him out or the pain did. I directed the smoke to lift him up and float him over to me—head dangling near the ground, leg in the air.

He looked unconscious, eyes tightly shut.

"Thank you!" The woman ran up, her face bright with relief.

I handed back her purse. She clutched it tightly.

"I'm so thankful you caught him! If I lost this, I don't know what I would've done—it's all the money I have left!"

"It's nothing," I said, dismissing the smoke. The thief dropped headfirst onto the pavement with a thump.

"Wait, aren't you my neighbor?" the woman said suddenly, glancing at Mom.

"Miss Rin?" Mom guessed.

"Yes! What a coincidence!"

"Oh my, it really is!" Mom laughed warmly.

"Is he your son?" Miss Rin asked, turning her eyes to me. Our gazes met, and for a second, I almost faltered.

It felt too coincidental—too convenient. I inhaled quietly, gathering my thoughts.

No, it wasn't pure coincidence. Yin Hee had given me an address close to home. Meeting the target by accident wasn't impossible. I had just been caught off-guard by how soon it happened—which, in a way, made things easier.

Yurim had assumed the identity of "Rin." According to Yin Hee, she now worked part-time as a teacher and a waitress. Her husband was a freelance worker. Together, they earned slightly above average, living simple, modest lives.

"Yes," Mom answered.

"Your son's quite handsome," Miss Rin said with a playful grin. "I have some nephews his age—should I introduce them?"

"That's a generous offer," Mom said, flashing me a teasing smile. "What do you think?"

"There's no need for that, but thank you, Miss Rin," I said politely.

"Don't sweat it! Oh, and why don't you all come over for dinner? As a thank-you for helping me."

She could have easily handled the thief herself, I thought. She was an Honor, after all.

"Wouldn't that be troubling you?" Mom asked, ever considerate.

"Of course not! So, what do you say?"

Mom glanced at Mira and me. We both nodded.

"Then we won't hesitate to accept," Mom said, smiling.

We followed Miss Rin—Yurim—to her house. Mom and Mira helped her prepare dinner while I "relaxed" on the couch, watching TV—or at least, that's what they thought.

In truth, it was my clone on the couch.

I was upstairs, quietly rifling through Yurim's belongings, searching for anything useful.