16 Gab

"Huh? You said something?" Hans raised his eyes, tilted his head before shifting his gaze away.

Crack—crack—

Hearing a popping sound from his side, Hans took a glance towards Aegeus who's watching in amusement as he tossed popcorn in his mouth.

It seems like he's enjoying it.

'Hang on…'

Where did he even get a popcorn?

"Ha, haha… so you're siblings? ..." Aegeus alternated his gaze between Hans and Hannah before continuing, "… but uhm why aren't you identical? I mean…"

Just as Aegeus finished his words, he abruptly came to a halt. His pupils constricted as he quickly shifted his gaze towards the window.

'Huh!?'

The veins in his forehead popped up as he focused on one particular area with his eyes turning gold.

At that moment, the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He felt goosebumps as his perception passed through miles away.

'What's this abnormal amount of mana!?'

Throughout his 20 year experience, as a veteran awakened, no one has come close to whoever this being is. It's in another realm of its own. It's better to leave here immediately or else…

'We're doomed.'

As his palm began to moisten, Aegeus swallowed his saliva. Unable to reach the handkerchief from his pocket, he just wiped his sweat with his palms.

'Is it... him?'

Moving his gaze to the two, his expression gradually crumbled, "Postpone the talk first." Aegeus got up from the soft couch as he continued, "We have to leave."

Ting—

Aegeus then tossed the coin in the air, which magically transformed into his signature hammer. No matter what happened, securing their lives is the priority first. Even if he is powerful, he's not sure if he can save everyone once push comes to shove.

"What happened Aegeus?"

"You see for yourself."

In the meantime, sensing Aegeus's dilemma, Hannah followed where Aegeus' set his sight. She closed her eyes and deeply focused her perception on where the disturbance is.

"What do you think?"

Aegeus's question awakened her from trance but she responded with a question of her own.

"Isn't this too much?"

"What? the leaking mana?"

"Yes."

After hearing her words, Aegeus let out a light chuckle.

"Haha, although you're strong, you lack experience." Aegeus then brought his other hand to his pocket, "Even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand."

"…"

"Sigh—, it's not that his mana is leaking but rather…" Cold sweats drip from his forehead, "… mana is gathering to him."

The cold wind brushed her eyebrows, as her eyes nearly bug out. Of course, she knows what this means.

Awakened, a special existence capable of ruining cities with a snap of a finger. But in fact, awakeners has another branch.

They are called the 'Blessed', though as of now, only one person has this title. Not much is known about him. He rarely showed up into the scene before vanishing like a shadow in the dark.

"Then that means…"

"Yes, he's here."

She tightly clenched her fists, cold emits from her hands before giving out a soft groan.

'Fuu.'

Now she understands why even Aegeus showed a trace of panic. This is a being so powerful that no one can contend. Even sensing him is hard, let alone approach.

"Uhm, excuse me. Can you tell me what is—"

Just as Hans was about to ask, Aegeus shushed him up.

"Kids should not meddle with adult's problems. Let's get going."

As if they were chased by a car, Aegeus and Hannah hurriedly left outside the building as they signaled him to follow.

"…"

Hans scratched the back of his awkwardly.

"But I'm an adult, though"

Well, now that he thinks about it, he's a kid compared to others. Due to Awakened being superhumans, they also tend to live longer than regular humans. That is why although Aegeus seemed in the 40s, his true age might be probably at 60 or 70.

Of course, him speculating like this is meaningless. Since he didn't know Aegeus, his prediction might not be correct at all. Information about A class Awakeners and above was always confidential. It was like a thick mist was covering their personal information that's why people only know the tip of their iceberg.

For others, these Awakeners were like heaven but currently for Hans, they've become his goal.

'What am I thinking?'

He shakes his head left and right and lightly slapped both of his cheeks. For now, Hans decided to quietly follow Aegeus' orders.

Well, he doesn't want to be stuck here forever. Thus, he can only comply.

...

*SFX for loud crowd chattering*

Unlike the eerie silence inside the auction site, the outside felt like a party. Hans can't even hear his voice as everyone were busy chattering loudly. The increasing sound of their talks made him want to cover his ears but Hans just ignored it and swept his gaze around the area.

'Now that I see it…'

The streets were full of crowds as they gathered around themselves.

'So many?'

Without a doubt, the people gathered here are more than twice the size of what he knew.

It seems the rescuers brought other survivors too.

"Everyone! Shut your mouth!"

Everyone's attention quickly shifted to the owner of the voice. Their eyes flinched the moment they saw Aegeus speak, followed by a deafening silence.

"Form a straight line with five rows. We're leaving in a minute!"

At the same time, everyone began positioning themselves in a column-like manner. Aegeus overseeing this nodded satisfaction. Fortunately, everyone is cooperating.

Meanwhile, Hans stood in the back row. Though everyone is tense at possible dangers they might encounter on the way, Hans maintained a relaxed atmosphere.

At that moment, Aegeus' voice rang again.

"Walk fast but don't push someone around. If I catch someone pushing their way out…" The ambient heavy pressure descended to everyone once more, "… you see this?" Aegeus raised his hammer to the sky before continuing, "… I'll smash you with my hammer, you got that?"

Everyone subconsciously gulped their saliva as they hurriedly nodded their heads. They don't want to be squashed into mincemeat now, do they?

"I'm glad you understand."

Aegeus then displayed a friendly smile, though, to others, it seems like a grin of a devil.

"Now, I'll explain how we will move..."

As he began to explain what everyone needs to do and what to avoid, someone came closer to Hans.

"Excuse me, looks like we're both the clowns here huh."

It was none other than the guy in front of him. He's wearing a bright expression on his face as he tries to start a conversation. The guy introduced himself as Gab, 22 years old, and lives somewhere near the association branch in Manhattan.

"My birthday is Septem—"

Gab wanted the conversation to continue but was interrupted by Hans coughing.

"Cough— I get it okay? You don't have to tell me what your birthday and zodiac sign are. I get it."

Hearing Hans' words, Gab ended up standing there awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck, and soon returned to his spot.

"Now that you're all set. Let's move."

Aegeus' command resounded through their ears as they began to leave the area. One step at a time, the group looks like an ant finding a colony. They avoided any paths where monsters are lurking, and safely cross half the distance of their destination in just 30 minutes.

Soon, everyone came to a halt and rest down in a nearby park. The walk is supposed to be fast but some can't keep up the lead. Most of these evacuees are civilians. Some have kids in their arms while others were elderly that is why.

Puff—

A gray-colored smoke escaped from Hans' mouth as he lit up a cigarette. He was leaning back on a tree with his other hand inside his pocket. His eyes darted towards others, especially to the Awakeners patrolling outside the park. There are 3 of them. Two men and a woman.

Each has their own signature looks but they only have one thing in common. It is the blue lotus badge dangling around their waist. He sometimes saw them on TV and any other media platforms, performing tasks and doing live interviews.

'Lotus? That lawless group?'

Well, they are not really a group per se, but instead more like the home of those mercenaries who like working alone or have a small elite team. Founded by an SS-Class Awakened, 'Lotus' is famous for its global community, almost all nations have an Awakened or two that is a member of the Lotus Mercenary.

But this Awakened community also has a terrible reputation.

'Is this where Nana's team is?'

Although he resented his sister for what she has done, the 15 years of bond can't be broken that easily. In fact, he already has suspicions about how she became like that but that's not his problem, right?

He also has a problem of his own.

At that moment, a hand tapped his shoulders as his thoughts flew in a daze.

"Hey, why are you alone here?"

It's the guy earlier, Gab.

Hans set his jaw as he lit up another cigarette, "You want some?"

"Oh, thanks."

Pulling a cigarette stick in the pack, Gab lit it on his lips. Hans observed him briefly before his gaze shifted away.

Meanwhile, Gab walked beside the small chair and proceeded to sit on it.

"Did you know?"

Gab leaned back and softly muttered to Hans.

"… That an average class-A awakener earn up to 10,000,000,000 USD each year? Haha, I bet you wish you have that much money too… ehehe."

Puff—

Hans didn't want to talk to Gab but this guy didn't want to leave his side at all. Well, if he thinks more about it, he can't really get along with others aside from Aegeus. So seeing Gab being friendly, Hans was a little uncomfortable. After all, back then, when a person approached him they just throw insults in which fortunately didn't happen as of now.

"Why are you quiet? Are you an introvert?"

"…"

"Is it true that introverts only bathe 2 times a week? Cough—"

Before he could even notice, Gab is already speaking as if he was getting his answers. Hans couldn't take it anymore thus, he straightforwardly answered.

"Get out of my face, man. I don't want to talk."

Gab shrugged his shoulders, "… but I'm just sitting here… talking to the wind… ehehe."

Is this guy just friendly or he's really that brainless?

Hans puffed the cigarette one last time, throws it on the floor, and stepped on it to kill the light. He glanced at Gab before walking away.

'Hah—'

He got no time to make friends. What's more, they will be leaving soon. They might not see each other anymore when they get out of this hell place right?

To powerful Awakeners, this place must be heaven-sent as they can level up here faster than raiding those rare high-ranking dungeons. Unfortunately, for Hans, this place is limiting his growth. He didn't even get to raid the dungeon he planned earlier because of this void portal thing.

'Speaking of it, what is a void portal?'

Hans has been pondering all this time what this void portal thing is. Even he wants to know what it was and who is the enemy wreaking havoc in New York.

'Hang on…'

Hans's figure came to a halt, and turned around immediately, more specifically, to where Gab is sitting.

'Should I ask this guy?'

Now that he saw it, Gab is quite a tall but slim guy. He has this faded hairstyle and friendly facial features. You get the gist of it. As if sensing Hans' gaze, Gab raised his hand and waved it towards him.

Crunch—, crunch—

Leaves crunched under his feet as Hans sat beside Gab.

"Oh, changed your mind?"

"No, I want to ask a question."

"Really? That's great!..." Gab swept his gaze left and right before whispering closely to Hans, "… I even know Senator Ray's mistress… ehehe."

Hans shook his head as he raised his head to the sky before looking sideways.

"Do you know what is a void portal?"

This time, as if his rear was cold, Gab flinched in surprise. His friendly smile was replaced by a serious expression as he crossed his hands to his chest.

"Civilians were not supposed to know this." He leaned forward with his eyes focused on the ground, "… even low ranking Awakened does not know this."

Hans nodded in understanding. He gets why this information is a secret to many, as it may involve truths that may subvert the world or can cause global panic.

'As expected, it's not that simple.'

Thankfully, Gab seems knowledgeable, or else he'd have no single spec of idea what happened to this state.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone…?"

"Hans."

"Right Hans, promise me."

"Okay, I swear."

Gab closed his eyes, took a deep breath before speaking in a gloomy voice. Hans reflexively leaned closer.

"To be honest, the void portal..."

As if the time abruptly stopped, Gab continued.

"… I don't know what that is."

"..."