BXBX NOVEL Chapter 37: Old Men
The fact that the old man told him that Harold wasn't completely at fault for what had happened was already proof of that. He didn't need to go out of his way to call him here in his office for that matter anyway, yet he still did.
Ignoring the last bit, Cedric sighed and said: "We might think that Harold was just another victim but others don't see it that way."
"Well, fuck them!" The Chief scoffed in disdain, causing Cedric to smile wryly. "Boy, I'm old enough to be your grandfather. I've seen and heard all types of shit in my long ass life, believe me when I say that the public's opinion doesn't amount to shit in the grand scheme of things."
"..."
"Since you've been stuck here, I'm sure that it's already painfully clear to you how ugly and miserable this life is. Most of those parroting idiots haven't experienced even a fraction of what you lot had been through."
"They see the world in rose-tinted glasses due to the sheer fact that they've gotten lucky." The Chief scowled, "Have them face a real demon and I'm sure that they'll soil themselves before they could even plea for their lives."
The Chief's words were heated. He wasn't merely saying those words to comfort him, his tone has a basis but that's a story for another time.
Still, the mere fact that he showed fiery displeasure upon saying those words made Cedric think that the group of people he was talking about might've been really terrible. Possibly even beyond his imagination.
"...anyways! Learn to ignore them. Words are just that, words. It won't be anything else unless you make them so."
"I'll keep that in mind." Cedric nodded to show his agreement.
"Right, another thing," The Chief took another sip of his coffee before continuing, "Take this."
He then hands him a mask that has holes in his eyes and mouth. Cedric frowned but he still took it. Unable to help himself, he inspected it using the System.
*
[White Mask (T3)]
: A plain-looking mask that helps the user hide their feature. It also prevents skills/abilities that discern that user's identity.
*
"...not that I'm ungrateful for this, but..."
"The stunt you pulled during the invasion will certainly catch their eyes." The Chief interrupted him. "Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they're already investigating about you. After all, you did play a big role in thwarting their invasion. Surely, they're not pleased with what you did. Not by a long shot."
A grimace made its way to his face. Right, Cedric certainly forgot about that matter entirely.
He forgot that the Demons are using every means they have to collect intel about humans. They're surely profiling those who show enough talent and if they could, they would nip them in the bud before they blossom into a real problem.
Because of his carelessness, not wearing anything to hide his features, and all of that, he probably already provoked their ire. The Chief was right, it'd be a miracle if he was still unknown to them at this point. The same goes for the cult as well.
"You better start learning how to act." The Chief commented in amusement. "I'm quite sure that they will start sending scouts in your Hell Dives to learn more about you. The more you fight, the more you'll reveal yourself to them. The more intel they have on you, the easier it'll be for them to kill you. That's, of course, assuming that you maintain your clearance rate of your Hell Dives."
Cedric felt a headache coming. This wasn't good at all. Because of his carelessness, life had just become even more of a bitch to him.
"This...this should help...for a bit at least. Thank you, I'll use it well." Cedric replied with difficulty.
"Right, the mask could only buy you time. It's not a permanent solution. Well, it's up to you to find it, so good luck I suppose." The Chief snorted in amusement.
"Thanks a lot...I guess." Cedric replied with some snark.
"You're welcome." The Chief teased, "Well, that sums it up. You're doing well in terms of recovery. Continue that and you might just become a miracle for the people here."
"..." Cedric was confused, but it seemed that the Chief wasn't in the mood to clarify things for him.
"Also, you don't have to return to your 'prison cell'. If you want to, you can just build a temporary residence anywhere within these walls. You have enough Demon Souls to sustain yourself anyway so feel free to do that."
"...can I really?" Cedric was surprised by that sudden offer.
"Yes, you can." The Chief nodded, "So long as you continue to behave like you've always been, we won't have problems. I also know that you value your privacy but of course, you'll be monitored still since you remain within these walls. This is just a little bit of freedom I can give you in exchange for saving my useless brats."
'Ah, so that's why.' Cedric nodded inwardly.
Still, this was good news to him. With this, he could have more space to maneuver. If he's being honest, being stuck in the prison cells was starting to become stuffy for him, especially after Harold's death.
Harold was his only friend here, and now that he's gone, Cedric couldn't see himself making connections with others. He will still be monitored, yes, but that's to be expected, this wasn't a deal breaker to him so he'll gladly take the offer.
"If that's the case, then thank you, Sir. I can certainly use some space."
"I know." The Chief replied, "Anyway, that's all I called you here for. You may now scram."
Cedric smiled wryly before standing up and bowing at the Chief. Bidding his farewell, he exited the office and made his way out of the building.
Silence permeated within the Chief's office once he left, creating some semblance of peace before it was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an unknown person who sat on the same seat Cedric used previously.
"...so? How was he?" The Chief asked the newcomer.
"Needs to work more on his poker face, but overall not bad." The man who just shimmered into existence uttered. He also shamelessly helped himself to the remains of Cedric's coffee before wincing at its flavor. "Ack! Too sweet! What did you put in this, diabetes?"
"Too sweet, my ass! It's the perfect ratio, bitch! And did you just seriously drink on a used cup? You're fucking creepy, you know that?" The Chief glared at the man.
"...it's part of the investigation!" The man at least had some decency to look ashamed after that was pointed out. "It helps me learn more about him."
"By what? Tasting his spit? That's fucking disgusting, you and I both know that. Plus, you're almost as old as me. The kid's not even 25, so yes, you are fucking creepy."
"Do you wanna hear my thoughts about the kid or not!?" The man was incensed and it shows.
For what it's worth, the Chief just snorted at the man's outburst before asking: "Lay it on me, then."
"He's clean." The man sighed and then rubbed his face at the implication of his words. "I MEAN!! He's not a spy, nor he's brainwashed by the cult. He's perfectly sane...well, as sane as any person who's been here for years, that is."
If the Chief released a sigh of relief after hearing that, neither commented about it. After all, both of them had an image to maintain here.
"Also...he spotted me, so there's that." The man smiled ever so slightly at that.
The Chief raised a brow in surprise and said: "You mean to say that you, Arishem Romanovia — one of the slimmest and creepiest assassins this city could offer, have been spotted by a Tier 1 Lv.2 brat like him? You sure you're not senile yet?"
"Shut the fuck up! Slimiest and creepiest, my ass! You're sullying my fucking reputation!" The man now named Arishem, glared at the Chief. "I'm not senile yet, bitch! And I didn't slip up either! The kid's senses are just way too sharp!"
"...really?"
"Yes! Really!" Arishem snorted, "He was paying attention to every nook and cranny of your office without so much of an effort on his part. It's insane honestly. I almost couldn't believe that he's only Tier 1 Lv.2!"
"Huh...you got all of that from tasting his spit?"
"Can you fucking stop emphasizing that part!?"
(Unbeknownst to these two, Cedric heard their entire conversation, and the face he was making right now looked certainly uncomfortable. Unfortunately, he couldn't just march back in there and protest since that would reveal his cards even more, and he's not specifically ready for that talk just yet. Even so, Cedric agrees with the Chief that this Arishem guy was really creepy.)