Author's Note: Ok, i thought i uploaded this chapter already, but apparently not. Sorry for that.

And also, there has been an ongoing event in an unspecified area of the earth, specifically on the levant. Now i'm not pointing my fingers where... but...

My childhood was… unremarkable.

I was left as a baby in front of a church in the middle of nowhere by my parents. Well, a 'middle of nowhere' might be stretch, but you get my point.

I was taken in by the Pastor, whom I come to call as my father. Well he named me, so that's that.

Along with Aro and a couple more kids in the orphanage, I was taught religion and theology in addition to literacy and basic math. I must admit that I am not the brightest tool in the shed, even Aro is somewhat smarter than me.

The so-called village in the middle of nowhere is a sedentary settlement in northern Iberia. It has a population of less than a thousand and primarily produces agricultural products for them to sell.

Actually, there is a bigger settlement about a thirty-minute walk. It's beside a river, and I guess I used to go there back and forth? There is no danger, really, at least not dangerous enough for me to not go alone. Heck, I used to sneak out at night to go and play.

There is no dangerous wildlife, since they where hunted down.

I'm not by any means 'strong' in the sense that I am physically fit. Even when I was a kid, I was quite frail. I often can't keep up with the other kids when playing in the wilderness…

Yes, that means I get picked on quite a lot but… It's all in the past.

There's this one kid who always likes to mess with me. He definitely has a bigger body than the rest, so I guess that's why he's the de facto leader of us kids. Wonder what he does now? Strength can only take you so far in life…

Well, I can probably fold them right now, correct a few mistakes in the past with a few 9mm. But alas, I have no enemies.

"Sir? Sir?" a gruff voice snapped me back to reality, "Here's your laundry. That'll be Three thousand LMD."

"Three thousand? What did money suddenly become useless?"

"Sir, you requested to be and I quote 'extra careful, and treat it as if it were spun from gold threads.' End quote" The man sighs.

"Ah well even if it isn't made from gold per se it is still an expensive piece." I snorted as I handed him the money.

Yes, it was a suit piece. I was planning on wearing this when I go to Ursus to sell weapons. First impressions are the key to success, I've read from somewhere. Plus, I have contact with that Ursine general from when I sold the gems. Knowing more people in positions of power is very lucrative you see.

As I left the laundry, the busy nightlife of Lungmen engulfed me. It was around 10 PM, yet this city is still bustling as ever. I didn't bring any weapon with me, as I am very sure no problem will arise. I didn't bring my car with me either since I would find a way to get stuck in traffic somehow.

I should get back to my office and go to sleep. Tomorrow I'll be going 'home', you could say. Oh, but it's quite the walk… should I hail a taxi? No, I'll get caught in traffic anyways.

I shook my head, and instead enjoyed the metropolitan scenery, until someone came up to beside me and brushed my arm.

"Yo." Greeted a familiar voice.

I turned to look and it was somebody who I expected to come at some point. Quite unexpected to come at this time, but hey, people have their preferences.

"Huh. Mostima, I'd figured you'd come." I greeted her by nodding.

"Of course! You still haven't answered my question~" She winks.

Oh yeah.

"Oh yeah, that." Yeah, I remember now, "We'll talk about it in my office if you can?"

"Sounds perfect! I'm a bit tired too, you know? Let me stay over."

"Stay over? To someone you've met only for a couple of days?" I shook my head, amused "And I only have one bed, unless you want to sleep on the couch."

She flashed a playful grin, undeterred by my response. "Well, you know what they say, sharing is caring."

I chuckled, "Yeah well, don't blame me if the couch turns out to be less comfortable than it looks." He took a glance at her, who had her hoodie up, "You seem you've been busy."

"You could say that… I was all over Terra."

"For what?"

"Secret~"

I rolled my eyes.

"Well, we're here… huh?" we've arrived at my office building. The Casino downstairs was already closed. You'd think a casino would be better off being open at this time, but I'm a man of morals and I think gambling is bad for anyone. Ahem.

There is a suspicious person though, standing in front of the building and leaning against his car while writing something.

He notices us and waves his hand, "Excuse me! Are you Alter Valero?" he greets.

"Yes, that would be me. And you are?" I questioned him whilst observing him from top to bottom. He's wearing a suit with a coat strewn on his car's roof.

"My name is Inspector Li, and I'm from the Lungmen Revenue Authority. And I'm here to talk about your unreported income."

I subconsciously coughed, "Sorry, what? Unreported income? You must be mistaken, my secretary made sure of that. And if hypothetically, If I really do have unreported income, how much would it be, really?"

"It would be… around 17.3 million LMD" he stated with a satisfied expression.

"17.3 million LMD? Now that is a lot." I nodded in acknowledgment, "However, you miss one key thing." I held up my finger.

"And what might that be, Mr. Valero?"

"The fact that my company does not generate income." I dropped this statement with a grin forming, reveling in the widening of this faker's eyes, "you should do more research, bud."

"What? Then what about that casino?"

"Well, we don't own that. We're leasing the casino." I grinned as I enjoyed him losing his cool.

"How does that even work?!"

"I don't know," I smirked.

Well, I do know, obviously. Technically, I do own the Casino. I made a company that manages that casino, which then leased the casino to my main company. Yes, while the casino may appear inconspicuous in terms of business, it is where my 'dirty' money obtained from… deals…come to get washed.

Of course, then those 'cleaned' money will be invested into several assets, such as a restaurant, a hotel, a factory and so on and so forth. These assets were overseen by a shell company, which, in turn, was managed by another shell company. The primary company entity, LiberiCo, was owned by a holding company, which, in a complex web, ultimately belonged to me. The holding company, in turn, was held by a trust fund with me as the beneficiary, and the trustee was yet another company. Oh, and all these are registered in foreign countries, except for LiberiCo, which is registered in Lungmen.

And because of this, I technically owned nothing—no assets, no income, and no tangible holdings whatsoever.

But let's return to the issue at hand, shall we? How should I deal with this thug who masquerades as an LRA inspector?

"Aight, then. 'Inspector Li'. I'll look the other way and I'll be excusing myself."

"Not so fast. My boss wants to see you."

"Yeah? Well he will need to submit the appropriate forms for a meeting with me. Goodbye." I turned my back on him, before turning right back and dispatching a bullet that narrowly missed his head and struck the wall behind him, "This is just a warning." I smiled.

"What's up with that guy?" I let out a weary sigh as Mostima and I entered my office. "I mean, come on, you're just a run-of-the-mill thug. No need to go to such lengths to masquerade as an ignorant, self-centered, selfish, loudmouth from the LRA people."

Mostima gracefully meandered through my office, inspecting every object that caught her eye.

"Can you imagine that?" I continued, "Who the heck does he work for, anyway?"

"Hmm… he probably works for the Rat King…" Mostima replied casually, her attention now fixed on a potted plant I bought in Kjerag. Unfortunately, it had met a grim fate. Such a shame... it was vibrant once...

"Rat King?" I sat down on my desk chair, and rotated it to look at Mostima, "Who the fuck is he?"

"The Rat King," she reiterated calmly, as she delicately examined the wilted plant. "He's the godfather of Lungmen's criminal underworld."

"Yet another godfather," I muttered, "Well, I suppose as long as he keeps to his own business, I won't give him much thought."

"With the recent influx of exiled Siracusan mafia members, particularly those from the Carolina family who sided with Mary Carolina, relocating to Lungmen," she explained, referring to the migration, "you've probably put him on edge."

She put the potted plant down and looked toward me, "Anyone would be wary if their power is perceived to be in danger." She smirks.

"And why does he seem to be keen on targeting me?" I raised an eyebrow.

"The Rat King isn't stupid. He knows you're the one behind the mass influx of the Siracusan mafia in Lungmen." She smiled as she walked towards me and sat on the chair in front of my desk, "So, your answer?"

"Hmm? Ah. That. Well what was it again? 'the thing that I most regret?"

"Yup,"

"Well, the thing I most regret is..." I paused, shutting my eyes briefly, the weight of the memory sinking in. "Not saying goodbye to my loved one," I finally confessed with a heavy sigh.

"Oh... you had a girlfriend?" she questioned.

"Ehh… might as well call it that." I replied with a slight cough, "Uh, we made a promise to take care of each other when we were, what, like… 10 years old or something."

"Are you implying marriage?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"My child and teenage mind certainly thought of it that way," I admitted, memories flooding back, "Oh, her name is Isabell, by the way."

"Isabell... what a lovely name," she remarked with a warm smile, "How many years since you last saw her?"

"Four? Maybe five years? No, it's been six years." I thought to myself, mentally tallying the time.

"And do you want to see her again?"

"She's over in my old hometown, err, village, back in Iberia." I answered, "I'm going there to meet an old friend, actually." I added nonchalantly, giving a casual wave.

"Hmm... Can I tag along?" she unexpectedly suggested.

"What, you wanna come?" I raised an eyebrow, "Don't you think it's a bit weird being a third-wheel and all?"

"Don't worry, I'll manage." She assured me with a smile.

"Well, if you say so..." I reclined in my chair for a moment, then suddenly sprang to my feet, clapping my hands together. "Alright then, let's do it!"

"Now?" she asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Did I stutter?" I responded with a wry grin, even though it was approaching midnight, "Be right back, I'll make myself coffee. You want some?"

"Sure," she replied with a nod.

"Great." I flashed her a thumbs-up before heading outside of my office.

I left my office, and leaned back for a quick breather. Before making a beeline for my car. Not my sportscar, but a jeep that I finally decided to buy after that whole Kazimierz fiasco.

Coffee? I can buy instant coffee in the convenience store.

Mostima? I'm sure she can understand my reasoning for leaving her.

I turned on the car and drove off immediately. Thank God I don't have to deal with her.

Now… a visit to the convenience store is in order.

As I drove through the highways of Lungmen, I subconsciously adjusted my rear mirror and saw the grinning face of Mostima in the back seat.

I choked on my own saliva and accidentally rammed a car in front of me.

Woe is me. A fucking traffic jam once again blocked me. Hold on, isn't this nearly midnight?!

Mostima made her way to the front passenger's seat beside me, "So, where are we going?" she asked innocently.

"I-... How did you- Sure whatever, you can come. But don't be annoying. We're going somewhere south."

"Sure~ Seems fun."

"Don't you have work?"

"Do I?"

I sighed and turned on the radio. Who knows? Maybe there'll be a good song to lighten the mood?

You're listening to… 50.5 FM.

TRINITY RADIO.

Where we play the best of the best of the best.

A voice fades in:

Tech-savvy consumers are lining up today to be the first to purchase Rhine Labs' brand new stupid piece of shit that doesn't do the goddamn thing it's fucking supposed to. Trinity News Team Tech Trends reporter, Taff Jate has more.

Ah, I forgot I still set the frequency to Columbian. Who listens to Lungmen radio anyways? They're all shit. Only mindless consumerism and mundane controlled news, with boring Eastern music. Okay, I might be biased, but I prefer Columbian music to Yanese ones.

But Rhine Labs released a new product. Is it the new television?

Thanks, Brandon. It's being called the biggest fucking waste of your hard-earned money to come along in years. Rhine Labs' new stupid box thing hit the shelves at crowded malls and overpriced electronic stores around the country today.

(Changes voice, interviewed) "It's got a whole bunch more memory and megapixels and whatnot, than any of the other TV shit that I already have. I can't wait to get home and spend my whole fucking night trying to figure the goddamn thing out."

Oh, so it's the accessory to a TV. I forgot what it's called, but apparently, it has low reception? Anything that Rhine Labs produces is top quality, though.

(Voice changes to Taff Jate) If you can somehow claw and bite your way through the impossible-to-open packaging, this stupid piece of shit offers a wide variety of frustrating as-hell functions.

Including, flashing random fucking words and numbers on its display screen. Not coming with the fucking little doohickey thing it's supposed to. And being goddamned ass backward as fuck.

I agree!

Rhine Labs spokesman Nalac Tomcon said, "The company designed this sucking, fucking goddamn thing to make everyone in the modern home want to tear their fucking eyeballs out."

(Nalac Tomcon) "We listened hard to what our customers said they wanted the most out of their own home entertainment system. And then, we pumped out this impossible-to-use fucking piece of shit."

(Taff Jate) Anyone mystified by the device's numerous, extraneous features, can scroll through the interactive help menu. A labyrinth-themed maze of indecipherable topics of use to fucking no one.

(Nalac Tomcon) "We want people to be screaming in unison from houses across the country, work, work, you cock sucking piece of shit. What is wrong with you? Why can't you work like a normal machine?"

(Taff Jate) With a 100 million LMD nationwide campaign, to plaster irritating ass advertisements for the retarded hunk of garbage, in every single goddamn place you look, Rhine Labs is expecting it to become the next fucking gizmo you absolutely have to fucking own if you don't want to feel like a toothless hillbilly living in some hillbilly shack somewhere.

(Interviewed man) I love bullshit like this. Basically, I'll buy any goddamn thing that I see in an ad.

(Taff Jate) The fucking piece of shit is available now. So, run out and pick one up, and invite all of your friends over to see if any of them can figure out this motherfucking time vampire. Unless one of them is an Originium scientist, Rhine Labs pretty much guaran-fucking-tees they'll have no chance.

For the Trinity News Team, I'm Taff Jate.

Thanks, Taff. Rhine Labs says they plan to release an upgraded 800 GB version of this piece of shit by the end of the year. Just when you figured out the goddamn remote control for this one.

*Imagination by Victorian Dragons plays*

Huh…

"You think you'd buy it?" I asked Mostima who was seated beside me.

"Why would I?"

"Never mind, I'll probably buy it though." I laid back on my seat as the bright taillights of cars stuck in traffic blinded my eyes.

I instinctively reached into my pocket for a quick smoke, only to realize that I left it in my office when I ran away from her!

Great.

Author's note:

My AC broke in this god fucking hot night i'm literally burning everytime i sleep and wake up sweaty.