Damn it, Aaron... was all he could helplessly think to himself. He hesitantly lifted his arms, wrapping it around her shoulder. Something in him was telling him to hold her closer, to comfort her, even when he didn't know how to.
"I will fix this...", he said, his voice was unsure but he willed himself to say better. "I will get us out of this problem I promise."
"No!", Aria cried from behind him. She ran forward, hugging his back. Her head roasted against his shoulder. "You are not going anywhere! I won't let you!", she cried. Hee fingers gripped onto his shirt. "They are scary people. They have gun!"
"I know Aria", he replied. "But I can do this. We need to go back too"
"I don't want to go back! Let's stay here in the church. I am Sure the father would let us!", Aria continued to protest. In his arms, Frida seemed to want to say something, but all she could do was nod her head.
"We can't stay here forever", Aaron said.
"Actually you can", a deep yet benevolent voice came from behind him. Even without turning around, Aaron could tell who it was.
"And I am guessing we need to become followers of Earth Mother", Aaron said back. His voice came out sharper than intended. But he didn't care. He didn't want his mother or sister praying to the Earth Mother even if it has safety.
"I can't force you to", the bishop chuckled. "But if you do, there would be more reason for you to stay here."
"I am sorry but we are the followers of the Lord of Storms, father", he said, "nor are we people who worship the moon".
The last part made Father Utravsky's smile to falter in surprise but he didn't lose his composure.
He slowly stood up. He held his Mother's shoulder, helping her back down.
Aaron could see the reluctance in her eyes. The silent protest hidden behind them. But she choose not to cross him. As he said, they are followers of the Lord of Storm. The man of the house makes the decisions. Aaron was the man of the house who lost his chance to live as a child.
Seeing his gaze, Father Utravsky only smiled and said, "i guess it can't be helped", before walking out of the room. Aaron turned to his sister who still clung to his hand, prying his hand free. "Take care of mom. I will go look around", he said, patting his sister on the head.
Next second, Aria watched his brother's back disappear behind the closing door. Her body felt weak as she sat on her Mother's bed. "Mom...", she said, her voice shaky. Her call made Frida look up at her. "Brother changed a lot.."
...
Outside the resting quaters, Aaron saw Father Utravsky standing there. The man who looked like a giant had his back facing towards him, the presence made Aaron to hesitate.
"You seem hesitate, my boy", the bishop said, his tone as humble as it usually was. "Do I scare you?"
Have you seen yourself? Aaron mentally rebuked but didn't voice it out. "I have been told to be vary of priests."
"Seems like some have been sullying the honor of priesthood", Father Utravsky said simply but continued. "You are familiar with the vampires. I am surprised"
You mean sanguine- he mentally joked. "I have. I am Sure you noticed my friend. He is quite the Monster."
"I suppose he is", he chuckled, turning to Aaron. "I can see you have no desire to let your family worship the Earth Mother. But you have also some troubles that forced you to seek refuge here."
"You aren't wrong", Aaron shrugged. He felt more relaxed after seeing Father Utravsky being so lenient. "But dont be sad Father. You will get to convert some other more capable people that us folk form the slums."
"I do pray I will", he smiled. "I also pray the Earth Mother blessed you good fortune. And until then, your family will be safe her."
Aaron was surprised. He didn't think father Utravsky would make such an promise to him. But then again, he probably considers this as protecting one of Earth Mother's children who seeks refuge.
[Notification]
The blue transparent system appeared before him. The message made his smile wide.
...
"So this is where you were attacked?", Nolan asked, looking at the alleyway. The blood was still fresh on the walls.
It was already evening by the time the duo got there. They snuck past patrols sent by the mob to look for him. They were already investi
"Yes", Aaron confirmed. "But I couldn't remember what I was delivering or to who".
"That's helpful...", Nolan muttered under his breath. His speech altered between that of a charlatan and hyper Active teen who was restraining himself.
"Easy with the sarcasm, man. I am also new to this", Aaron replied as he looked through the traps.
"Weren't you a Reader of this shitty book?"
"I told you. The main story doesn't start until end of june", Aaron clarified. "Also it's not a shitty book."
"Whatever...", Nolan dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "We got nothing but dead-end".
Aaron didn't want to admit it but Nolan wasn't exactly wrong. He decided to take a minute and formulate all the information they had as he began stroking his chin.
'Aaron, worked for a gang called Howlers. And from what I can guess, he was a Runner for them. And during his last delivery, I was attacked abd killed. When I woke up, I didn't find anything on me. So the group that attacked me wanted that item. Why? What was that item? Money? Likely something illegal if they used a Runner to get it delivered.'
Howlers wasn't not that small of a gang. It was said they had connection in higher places even though Aaron wasn't sure about it.
"What we need right now is information. Especially about these kinds of dealings", Nolan's words snapped Aaron out of his thoughts. "And I have a feeling you know a place".
Those words made Aaron a little surprised. Monster's I tuition was very strong. So, trusting what Nolan said, he decided to follow his thoughts freely.
"I think I know where we can get our information", Aaron said after some thought. But the idea made his own feelings turn complicated.
Nolan noticed this, but decided not to speak about it.
...
At Pleasure district of Dharavi street, Aaron and Nolan stood in front of one of the Pleasure houses. The stared at the sign in front of them, hesitant to step in.
"...You coming in?", Aaron asked, without turning to face away from thr sign.
"...i dont have the money. Even for entering", Nolan replied.
"Neither do I"
Nolan snapped his head to look at Aaron, giving him a puzzled glance. "Then how do you plan to go in?"
Aaron paused for a few seconds before replying, "Wait here". He then stepped ahead, walking casually under the gaze of the Monster Companion.
Nolan watched, waiting for Aaron to be stopped by the gaurds. He expected Aaron to do something by talking to them. But to Nolan's surprise, Aaron walked right in.
"What the-?", Nolan was stunned. It was as of Nobody but he registered Aaron's presence as they he stepped in. And in the crowd of people, Nolan himself lost sight.
...
Inside the pleasure house, Aaron navigated the place with a sense of familiarity. With [Fourth Wall] on Active, he could easily hide his presence from people around.
Of course, it still had limits, which Aaron realised was interacting with people. Those who bumped into him seem to notice him while for the others, he practically didn't exist.
With a sense of familiarity, Aaron found himself navigating through the place until he finally entered a specific cabin. He slid the door open, finally stepping in and closing the door behind.
"Aaron?", a female voice came from behind him, "you are safe?"
"Sally", he replied, looking at the scantily Clad woman, who sat on the mattress. Her legs completely exposed, giving one the urge to touch her thigh. She was already beautiful, but it was clear she used extra make up, effectively covering the slap mark on her cheek from the morning.
"I-I..", she stuttered, "I thought you were captured".
"After you exposing my family, I almost was", Aaron replied, glaring at the woman, his anger completely overlooking the admiration as well as embarrassment he had.
"They threatened to kill me! I had no choice!", she defended herself, her voice still shaky and helpless. "I had no choice!"
"And you decided to throw me and my fault under the bus?!", he yelled back at her. The sheer answer he held in his voice made Sally shiver.
"Is everything okay In there?", a woman asked from outside the door, clearly worried by the commotion.
"Y-yes! Everything's fine!", Sally replied quick enough. She then composed herself before looking back at Aaron.
"I did what i had to. My life is most important to me", she retorted back, biting down the guilt she felt. "And I'm sorry for what I did. But I will always save myself first if I am threatened".
She was resolute with her words, even as her eyes reflected guilt. Aaron could see it himself. Whatever words he had to say to her, he swallowed it. He was here for other things.
"I am not here to argue", he finally said, restraining his anger. "Yesterday, around evening, did you hear anyone's or any group come to celebrate? Or any news similar to that?"
If what he carried was that precious to the point he was attacked, it was clear that the group who stole it would come to celebrate. That's how life was for low level thugs. And Nolan's spiritual intuition also pointed in this direction, giving Aaron more reason to trust this line of thought.
Sally, seeing Aaron finally change the topic, thought for a second. "I think the Red Hats gang came in last night to celebrate. One of them spent the night with Lily as well. She should know".
"Where is this Lilly?", Aaron asked, thinking he found a lead.
...
Outside the pleasure house, by the alley, Nolan stood there, playing with a Coin, clicking his tongue in annoyance.
He wanted to go in, but the money he has could be useful later, he didn't. Even more annoying was, he didn't know how the currency works in this world since the precious owner of this body was a maniac. All he could do was sigh helplessly and wait for Aaron.
Just then, his spiritual intuition Activated. His head, that was leaning against the wall, sharply turned to the darkness. His instincts were telling him he should go investigate.
[Quest Generated]
Huh?
[Investigate the alley]
[Reward:???]
[Penalty: none]
[Time limit: 04:59]
[Time limit: 04:58]
.
.
A Quest?
Nolan was surprised as he stared at the information displayed on the holographic interface before him. It was like the time he searched out Aaron. His Intuition generated the Quest.
So now it only meant one thing– something in the alley is crucial.