Interrogation

Before leaving the ward, Hans put on his mask and hoodie.

It wouldn't be good if someone noticed his new look. The sudden height increase would not be a big deal, given that strange phenomena are common these days.

What he doesn't want others to notice is his sudden change in overall physical appearance, so he should conceal it until he's safe under the radar.

For the time being, he just wanted to level up without being watched.

'Raise the level as quietly as possible.'

He's not saying he has to hide forever, just that it's the best option he can think of right now. He may be forced into the spotlight at some point, but he wants to be ready for when that time comes.

Isn't there a saying that goes, "Stay low-key, not everyone needs to know everything about you?"

Let them believe he's still the F-Class Awakened Hans and then surprise them with a bang. But that will most likely be the subject of another story soon.

'Wait, what was I thinking?'

He's not even sure if he can level up or not.

Hans shakes his head, slaps his cheeks with both hands, and walks out of the hospital.

.....

'Should I eat something first?' '

Come to think of it, he has a report to make to the association about what happened last week. Fortunately, they gave Hans a week to recover first, which was just enough time to fabricate a perfect alibi that even the association would buy.

'I also need to find a new rental room.'

New Jersey had become a forbidden zone these days, and it appears that enemies were already eyeing the state, according to news reports.

This is why Hans would be forced to seek new shelter here in New York or somewhere else he wants to be.

*Sfx of people running*

Hans came to a halt briefly, sweeping his gaze at the hospital staff running around before galloping towards the elevator.

....

"... just sign here, Mr. Luther, and you're discharged."

The woman behind the counter handed him a piece of paper and a pen, pointing out everything he needed to fill out and do. It was a procedure that had to be followed when a patient was discharged.

Hans smiled as he accepted the papers and scribbled notes on the white sheet of paper.

'Huh?'

Hans secretly raised his gaze, sensing that someone was watching him. There, the nurse is meticulously observing him from head to toe.

"Mr. Luther, I'm not trying to pry, but it seems that you're quite taller than what's written on the records..." The nurse cast a glance at the computer before returning her gaze to Luther. "... or I'm probably hallucinating."

"Ah, you think so? ... Do I have to sign here? "

Hans responded briefly as he tried deviating from the topic. What if she continues to probe? He's afraid he won't have enough reasons to avoid them without raising suspicions. Fortunately, the nurse no longer appears to be interested, or else he's done for.

"… The bills will not be credited to my card, correct?"

Hans chuckled as he stared at the total amount of medical expenses he had consumed. What if his account's bills were suddenly cut?

To be honest, he's already out of money. Most likely, his account only has about a poor $200 in it.

"Haha, yeah. Don't worry, the association will cover all of your medical expenses, as promised."

"…I see…"

Hans drew his collar up before turning around to leave when he was abruptly stopped by a nurse. Sweat was dripping down her brow as she rested her hand on her chest, attempting to steady her heavy gasp.

"Are you getting discharged now, Mr. Hans?"

"Oh? Oh, I've just finished."

Hans pointed behind him with his index finger. However, he is perplexed as to why the nurse would suddenly inquire of him. Of course, he recognizes her as well. She is the nurse in charge of his day-by-day treatment.

'Donna, was it?'

He didn't know what Donna's reasons were, so he stood there silently, looking rather perplexed.

'What does she want?'

He tried to think of possible reasons for her behavior, but he couldn't come up with anything.

Meanwhile, Donna rummaged through her pockets, trying to pull something out of it which also aroused Hans' attention.

'Did I leave anything at the ward?'

Aside from that, Hans couldn't come up with any plausible explanations for why she was here. Unless she's here to—…, but they haven't had much interaction right?

"Here…Uhmm."

Donna quickly took a watch from her pocket and handed it to Hans. Hans, taken aback by the sudden strange action, couldn't help but ask.

"What is this for?"

Could it be a present? Or does she just want to 'make friends'? No, that's impossible. She hasn't made a single move in the last few days so assuming that it was like that is illogical.

"Um… can I have your contact number? I'll give you mine here as well."

Hans stared at her, dumbfounded, as she hurriedly began writing her contact number on a small notepad.

"Uhmm… you write yours right on my watch."

As she said those words, her face gradually turned pinkish. Donna had no idea what she was doing. Even though she is a woman, she has little experience in this field, so seeing Hans dazedly looking at her watch made her heart skip a beat. She didn't make a mistake, did she?

"Sigh— alright."

Hans taps his phone number on her watch, a cheeky grin on his face. It seems that he still requires some tests, which is why the nurse inquired about his contact information.

"Here."

Hans returned her watch, his gaze fixed on the woman's delighted expression. Could she have required it for personal reasons?

Donna took a dazed look at the watch before slipping it back into her pocket.

"Thank you."

She bowed slightly before clumsily stumbling somewhere. Hans scratched his neck in confusion as he stared blankly at her disappearing figure.

Although she is a beautiful nurse, Hans' priorities are not centered on relationships. Furthermore, he would most likely not return here, as he may move to other locations from time to time.

Well, it wouldn't hurt to just be acquainted, would it?

'At least, she'll be the first name in my saved contacts.'

He hurriedly left the hospital, heading straight to the nearby association branch.

Meanwhile, Donna is hiding behind a wall, peering at Hans as he walks away, before placing a hand on her chest and sighing in relief.

'Kya! I got his number!'

Unfortunately, if only she know that the number she'd been given was an old one, she might have collapsed powerlessly on the floor.

…....

Step, step—

Hans went to the Awakened Association's Manhattan branch headquarters. The structure consists of a towering 200-story skyscraper that is already slightly taller than the Empire State Building. Large mutated trees were etched on the sides, and a small fountain was being built in the center.

How much money was even spent on this building? Billions?

"… Inspector Jay is an A-Class Awakened, so please don't annoy him…"

While leading Hans to the interrogation room, the association staff explained everything he needed to know.

Awakened crimes were no longer in the government's hands, but were instead judged by the association. Meaning, all Awakened-related issues should be reported to the association authorities rather than police stations.

"This is where we part ways. The inspector in charge is waiting for you inside."

"Thank you."

According to the staff of the association, there are two investigators inside. Given that they were both association police, it's not surprising that they were both awakeners.

The Association Police Department was an important branch of the NAA. Many Awakened chose to be police officers because there are numerous benefits and privileges available. Inspectors were also considered high-ranking positions, with mostly A-Class awakeners occupying them.

Sigh—

Pushing the door, he strolled forward inside the closed room. The interior has a plain design, with two chairs across from each other and a silver table in the center.

"Good to see you, Mr. Luther."

"Likewise."

Two men in jackets and jeans approached Hans' figure.

"My name is Inspector Jay, and this is my sidekick. We only need you to answer a few questions about the incident last week."

Inspector Jay's distinguishing feature is his gleaming bald head, which is complemented by his large eyes and horseshoe-style mustache.

"Kei."

Kei, the sidekick with a buzz cut and an earpiece, approached and presented him with a stack of photo cards.

'Isn't that the assassin?'

There was a photograph of that woman, though it was blurry. The other photos, on the other hand, were essentially a capture of the destroyed hospital ward.

"Can we begin now?"

Not wanting to prolong the conversation more, Hans quickly inquired. Well, it would be a waste of time if they talk nonsense right?

Inspector Jay dragged the other chair behind him and took a seat. His sidekick remained steadfastly behind him like a mannequin.

"Very straightforward, I like it. The let's start with… who help you, Mr. Luther?"

"What?"

"Do you happen to remember who helped you before you passed out?"

What? Rather than asking him what happened, the inspector instead asks as to who helped him? How is he supposed to respond to this?

Despite the abrupt change of events, Hans maintained his calm demeanor. It's better not to jump to conclusions hastily.

Perhaps a trap?

"Please, clarify. I don't understand."

"Oh, you're still playing games with us huh?"

Jay nodded and slid one photo of a shoeprint printed on the deck of the window.

"Mr. Luther, how do you explain this? I'm fairly certain the foot is larger than yours. "

'How come there's a footprint on the window? Did Felix…? No, he would never do such a thing.'

Hans cast a glance at Jay before returning his attention to the photograph.

'This is not a bluff right?

No, rather this is just a bluff to confuse him or catch him lying red-handed. That's a fairly legit tactic used by authorities to catch liars in the act these days.

"Are you still not responding? Sigh— we found evidence of someone using space ability in your room, so you should understand what we mean."

Jay has also been looking into Hans over the last few days. From his connections to his last activities, everything was thoroughly researched. Although his life had been somewhat tragic, his name was clean, with no crime detected at all.

Hans appears to be an honest and hardworking man with no lying tendencies based on his years of experience in this field as well. That's what he thought.

"Oh? Of course, I'm aware."

Obviously, he's not.

"Can you then tell us who this man is? We must also question him."

"But I have no idea where he is."

Jay's pupils constricted.

'Is it possible that guy is secretly protecting Hans? That seems possible.' For some reason, Jay was deeply troubled by Hans' protector.

If only Hans found out what Jay was thinking, he might strangle him to death. He didn't even have an idea someone is watching him and the inspector was already assuming that he's being protected?

Seeing that the conversation is going nowhere, Jay groaned lightly. He sometimes wondered if he really chose the right career.

'I'm already old.' Jay muttered in his heart. "Sigh— Just one last question. Are you the one who killed the girl?"

Hearing this Hans displayed a shocked, disbelieving expression on his face.

'Did she die?'

No, rather, why did she not survive? Didn't he leave her alive?

'T-then the plundered skill was from her?'

Hans nervously swallowed his saliva but he still replied with a seriously calm tone.

"No, sir I didn't."

Inspector Jay and his companion exchanged thoughtful glances. And as if their eyes can speak, they slowly nodded.

"You're free to go," Jay said as he stood up from his seat and extended his hand forward. Truthfully, they are unconcerned about this case and are instead relieved that a notorious assassin has died. Further investigations are not only a waste of time but also money.

"Thank you."

Hans can now breathe freely knowing the association will not delve deeper into the incident. However, the knowledge that someone was watching him made him uneasy.

'Someone is keeping an eye on me, huh?'

Hans swept his gaze around for a moment.

'Nothing…'

He rose from his seat and quickly packed his belongings to leave.

He had a lot of things he needed to get done, and the interrogation went much faster than he expected.

At that moment.

"What happened, Officer Greg?!!"

Hans came to a halt and quickly spun around only to see Inspector Jay, making a frown expression.

'Are you talking to the earpiece? '

"Where is it!!? Tell me!! "

However, the line appears to have been cut as Jay ripped out his earpiece and smashed his fist on the table.

Bam—

It broke into pieces; Jay glanced at his sidekick and motioned with his hand.

"Let's go."

"Yes, sir."

The two men dash to the door, leaving Hans behind.

"Uhm… Inspector Jay… not to be impolite, but what, what happened—"

Just as Hans was about to ask, Jay quickly explained in a short word. "Void Portal," they said as they rushed out of the room.

....

"Void Portal? What is that?"

Although he is familiar with many terms related to the Awakened world, some of them have been classified as confidential, so no further explanation is available.

'Didn't I read a thread about those on the internet?'

Hans attempted to recall the comments about that.

'Strange.'

The thread was not thoroughly explained before being quickly removed from the internet. Why is this so?

Hans sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

'Ah, that's right!'

Come to think of it, wasn't the pinned comment said something like... 'Run'?

But seriously, what does it mean?