Rain drummed against the reinforced windows of Zenith's tiny apartment, the sound nearly drowning out her choked sobs.
She clutched Megumi's hands with desperate strength, "I only needed 50,000 credits," she whispered as her voice tremble.
"There were multiple pay cuts and couldn't afford paying your schooling and our rent. I was young back then. When they offered me Law's 'charity loan' I told them I will pay them back but I was having difficulties getting money."
Her breath hitched, "I never thought they'd take you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have tried..." Zenith buried her head against Megumi chest wiping her tears against his sweater.
Megumi gently wrapped his arms around and rest his hand on her back, "We're fine," he lied smoothly.
"Two bounty hunters raided Law's operation. Got us out before it got worsted." He said.
Zenith's bloodshot eyes searched his face, then froze, "Your glasses?"
"Eyesight improved" Megumi said with practiced casualness, turning his face slightly away from the light to hide the faint glow glint in his pupils, "Must've been all those eye exercises."
A silence stretched between them, broken only by the hum of the malfunctioning climate control.
Finally, Megumi cleared his throat, "About Serena... Her apartment was destroyed in the fire. Would it be... I mean, could she stay here? Just until she finds new housing?"
Zenith's exhausted face softened, "Of course. God knows I owe her that much." She broke the hug wiping her tears on her hand.
"But Megumi... Law's people might still come collecting. That debt doesn't disappear just because he's dead."
Megumi's new ocular implants automatically zoomed in on the loan documents by the table, "How much?"
"Two hundred thousand now with penalties." Zenith laughed bitterly.
The numbers burned themselves into Megumi's memory as he made a silent calculation. That was four standard bounties. Maybe three if he took riskier jobs, "Don't worry, we get out this."
---
The tourbot's polished chrome surface reflected Miles' scowl as it chirped, "Welcome to Nyx Tower! Did you know our founder began as a—"
"Ship. Now. Under the name Miles Peter." Dress in his female disguise.
A long blond hair white woman with green eyes dress in a low crop flower dress.
"Ah! Mr. Miles!" The bot's voice modulator brightened.
"Your Stormcrow class vessel awaits on Dock Aurelian! As we walk, let me share how Nyx revolutionized—"
Miles speed walked away from the sales pitch as he ascended through glass tubes elevator. He was sent to the top floor where hangar was.
Once he entered the hanger, he looked at the image Agent J sent showing how his ship look like.
The first ship to his left took his breath away for two reasons.
Stormcrow's matte-black hull and retractable plasma cannons were gorgeous—but because of the man leaning against it.
Nyx himself, in a tailored silver suit that probably cost more than Miles' lifetime bounties. The tech mogul's famous heterochromatic eyes (one natural brown, one augmented gold) tracked Miles like a targeting system.
"So, you must be the Demon Hunter?" Nyx's smile showed too many teeth.
Miles' rest his hand under his chin, "You could say that."
"Pleasure to meet you, Demon Gunslinger." Nyx pushed off the hull.
"Though I am curious why she used one of her favours so that I could give you one of my hanger. You rather Interesting."
Miles smiled quiet modestly before saying, "You don't mind if I go explore my home."
Nyx smiled, "As you wish hunter." He walked past but took one good look at Miles before heading down the elevator.
---
Sarah's hologram flickered as she whistled appreciatively at the marble bathroom, "Damn, babe. I am so jealous that you didn't take me along."
Miles smirked, "Wait till you see the bedroom. Got this fancy mood lighting and amazing sheeting."
Sarah coyly whispered, "Maybe you should show me a demonstration on how-"
"Focus," Miles interrupted.
Sarah snapped back to reality, "Right, you talk with Nyx? Anything suspicious?"
"He didn't give me the vib that he was up to no good. He know exactly why I was here and seems to be friendly with our government officials." Miles lowered his voice.
"Thing is, he wondering why we working for them." Miles spoke as he removed the disguised chip revealing himself.
"Well, best stay on your toes and check every inch of this place for bugs or anything. Sarah babes out." Just like that Sarah hang up the call and left Miles on search.
---
Serena stood awkwardly in Zenith's doorway, her few salvaged possessions in a dented storage crate, "I can pay rent," she said immediately. "I have been working as a craftsman at a cartridge store so I believe I should be able to pay my keep."
Zenith pulled her into a sudden hug, "You'll pay me by staying alive, I'm sorry for being the reason you lost your house." she murmured.
As the women talked, Megumi slipped out onto the fire escape.
Rain streaked down his face as his eyes glowed brightly, "System, can you help me get stronger."
[Commencing: training mode]
[Recommending training program]
A list of training basic workout appeared in front of him. Ten pushups, Ten sit-ups, Ten leg raise, and Ten squats.