BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

614  Connecting

Erik made his way back to the guild headquarters. As he walked toward his room, he called Rebecca, informing her he had found Catrina and she could come back.

"Really? Erik, that's wonderful news!" As Rebecca spoke, Erik could hear the joy in her voice, and he could almost envision the smile on her face. "I'll head back now. See you soon!"

With a warm farewell, Erik ended the call and continued down the corridor, his footsteps echoing in the emptiness. The victory felt hollow, tainted by the sinister undertones of his discoveries.

When he reached his room, he found Noah waiting for him. The young clone had grown so much in just a few days, his eyes filled with a wisdom that belied his years. "Master," he greeted Erik, his voice tinged with respect and curiosity. "How did the day go?"

Taking a moment to examine Noah, Erik felt a sense of sorrow for losing his innocence. "I found my target," he replied, his voice weary.

"That's wonderful, Master!" Noah was clearly eager, but Erik's somber expression suggested that he was not as enthusiastic.

"Yes, it's a good thing," Erik said slowly, "but I wish I could see what happens at that lab.

 Unfortunately, because of the absence of cameras in the building, I won't be able to take any pictures."

Erik's words weighed on the air, causing the room to fall silent. Curiosity brimmed in Noah's eyes, yet he restrained from asking his questions, feeling it was not the opportune moment.

As Erik moved to the window, he heard the distant sounds of sirens blaring in the city below. Etrium had become a murky place for him, where the boundaries between morality and immorality had been blurred by the twisted games of power.

Despite knowing that such occurrences were common, he still believed that this place was a little safer.

Noah's eyes followed his every move, his thoughts racing as he tried to understand what was happening. He could feel Erik's unease, sensing that something significant had changed within him.

Finally, Erik turned back to face the room, his eyes meeting Noah's. "We've done our part," he said, his voice firm but filled with an undercurrent of uncertainty. "Now, all we can do is wait and see what happens."

The mystery loomed before Erik, and he knew he had only scratched the surface; the real challenge was yet to come. The thought of the obstacles that lay ahead weighed heavily on his mind.

As he settled into his chair, his mind still whirling with thoughts and suspicions, he knew he was on the brink of something much larger than himself.

Just as he was drifting into a state of relaxation, a sharp knock on his door jolted him back to alertness. As soon as he put on his mask and Noah hid, he opened the door and saw a concerned guild staff member standing outside.

"Sir, Miss Ravithier has arrived at the guild headquarters," the man informed him, his voice steady.

Erik's eyebrows raised in acknowledgment. "Thank you," he replied, his mind instantly shifting gears.

 "Please tell her to meet me in my office."

The man nodded and hurried off to deliver the message, leaving Erik standing in the doorway, his mind now fully awake.

Hastily changing into clean clothes, Erik made his way to his office, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

He arrived at his office and settled behind his desk, his eyes scanning the various documents and notes scattered across the surface. Each piece of paper held a clue, a fragment of the truth that he was determined to uncover.

The door to his office opened, and Rebecca stepped in.

The woman's entrance was marked by an air of weariness. Her shoulders were slumped, and the fatigue in her eyes was clear. She took a seat in the chair opposite Erik's desk, letting out a sigh.

"I really need some sleep…"

Erik leaned back in his chair, studying her face. She had been through a lot, and he could see that the quest had taken its toll on her.

"Yeah, feel free to take a room and sleep as much as you want," Erik replied.

"Yes, thank you…"

"So, what do you plan to do now that the quest is complete?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Rebecca's eyes flickered with uncertainty before she replied, "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm tired of traveling," she said with a hint of a smile, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

"I'm thinking of sticking around this city for a bit. Mind if I stay at your guild?"

Erik's face, hidden by his mask, broke into a warm smile. "Of course, you're more than welcome here."

A look of relief crossed Rebecca's face, and she leaned back in her chair, visibly relaxing. The two of them fell into simple conversation, discussing their recent adventures and sharing stories from their past.

As they talked, Erik grew curious about Rebecca's history. The daughter of the Fierce Lioness, she had lived a life filled with expectations and pressure. He was eager to explore the complexities of growing up as the child of a celebrated figure.

"Tell me about your past," he asked, leaning forward, his eyes fixed on hers. "What's it like to be the daughter of the Fierce Lioness?"

Rebecca's eyes widened at the question, but she didn't hesitate to answer. She began to open up about her life, describing the challenges and triumphs, the weight of her family's legacy, and the constant need to prove herself.

As she spoke, Erik listened intently, a new understanding of her character forming in his mind. She was strong and determined, yet vulnerable and human. Her experiences had shaped her into the warrior she was, but beneath the surface, there was more to discover.

The talk went on with no hitches. As they delved into each other's pasts, the barriers between them naturally dissolved. Needless to say, Erik's remarks were heavily edited to obscure his non-Etrium origins.

It was a moment of empathy, a joint appreciation that exceeded their functions as mercenaries and collaborators.