Digitize: Rebirth of the Silver Death God

Chapter 75: Chairman Xu, A Dark Feeling

As the strange man left the museum, his mind couldn't help but wander towards the encounter with Nero and his mother. The guards noticed his complex expression, but neither of them spoke and only did their duty, they knew full well that they weren't of the status to provide counseling to such an individual.

'That woman... I can't put my hands on it, but... despite that dying stench, she truly does carry a tinge of familiarity... so much like her...' The man thought with slightly fascinated eyes as if recalling a figure of peerless beauty that was strong and prideful.

As the man compared the two, he shook his head as he knew such a pale and sickly-looking woman that was on the doorway to death could in no way be his fantasy.

Eventually, this man had arrived before a black Limousine, one though similar to its old era counterpart, carried differences through its stylized and angular design.

A group of men and women in suits stood before this limo with stern faces, but as they saw that white-haired man arrive, they each lowered their heads and made a court bow while speaking, "Welcome back Chairman Xu,"

Chairman Xu didn't even notice them as he walked into the open door and sat down in his usual corner, a few other bodyguards followed along. They secured him from different sides as the others went into different black cars.

A few moments later, the limo drove off with the company of these black cars as they traveled a particular route towards the exit of Rambruck.

While seated in the vehicle, Chairman Xu remained a bit distracted as the limo proceeded along very smoothly. Yet, it was at this moment, as if someone was already there, a voice sounded from Chairman Xu's opposing side.

"Mr. Xu, for such a high government official like yourself, to have personally arrived at my Levier Sector, I truly must wonder what might have caught your attention..." The voice said in a cool tone.

"Who goes there?" The bodyguards shouted in alarm as they quickly pulled out their specialized guns and pressed a few buttons at their earlobes, causing their shades to shine in neon lights.

Chairman Xu shook his head as he saw this and spoke, "Put those away; it won't do any good against this fellow..."

The bodyguards hearing this looked at each other before complying, Chairman Xu then glanced at the opposing seat. A man dressed loosely appeared, he wore a simple sporting t-shirt with shorts, sandals, a conical hat, and had curly black hair that flowed down his oblong-shaped face.

"Reil Levier, I'd have never thought that the Levier Family's newly appointed head would be so keen to my whereabouts, I must commend you on that information network of yours..." Chairman Xu said with a calm look on his face.

"I thank the esteemed Chairman Xu for his praise," Reil said with a smirk in reply to his words, he then shifted his eyes from Chairman Xu as he looked towards the tinted windows, gazing at the passing scenery on the private route used to leave Rambruck.

Chairman Xu looked at him for a while then spoke, "Reil, if you came to see me off, you could have done so from outside the car. So tell me, why are you here?"

Reil's eyes then turned from the surroundings onto Chairman Xu, his eyes now carrying a sharp light as he spoke, "I know what... or rather, who you're here for, but even if you are amongst the peak of the government, you should know that some things are beyond your reach..."

Immediately following Reil's words, his body burst into a series of multi-colored lights that vanished from the limo as they faded into nothingness.

Chairman Xu looked at this with sharp eyes as a cold aura filled the entirety of the car, even those bodyguards in the other cars were a bit shaken as they trembled slightly.

"Hmph!" With a snort, Chairman Xu calmed down as he closed his eyes while thinking to himself, 'Reil, to think he's learned so much, tsk, that boy will be ours and no one can tell me otherwise.'

When Chairman Xu thought to here, the images of a familiar red-haired child that carried a blazing presence became prevalent in his mind. He knew that this boy's background was huge, but it wouldn't stop him from recruiting him to the number one society of the DU, no matter the odds.

The scene here remained one of solemnness as the cars drove off into the distance, venturing towards the ever so distant reaches of the central sectors.

***

Not minding the strange scene that occurred a few minutes prior, Nero and his mother had continued about their day. Having already left the area of the replica, Nero and his mother continued to tour the museum, they idled about until it reached the peak of noon before they left and headed back to the core of the city.

After kicking Nero's butt in some old school arcade fighting game, a relic sought after by many known as Street Boxer. They left the arcade with different moods; Nero had a sullen appearance as he didn't even get a single hit with the busty girl that kept kicking.

Hersa, on the other hand, had a victorious smile as she beat that girl down with another thick girl with blond hair.

She looked at Nero and teased, "Hehe... ah, come on now, my son, why so sullen? Can't you even accept losing to your mother?

"Hmph! I... I only lost because of inexperience, I-I will beat you next time easily," Nero said with a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

Hersa smirked at this and didn't bother to push his limits; the two then went to the cake store where he bought her favorite cake before they started to wander the street during the evening, arriving in a gorgeous central park.

By this time it was already late afternoon, nearing the nightly hours, the bustling morning had faded as the cool wind brought about a change to the atmosphere.

"Yum-yum! Oh, I just love Strawberry Cheery Cakes, I haven't eaten this in such a long time!" Hersa said with a bright and cheerful smile, her mood now one of happiness.

Nero smiled while eating as enjoying his mother's pleasing appearance; he thought to himself, 'Don't worry, mother, now that I am getting a better job, you'll be able to eat more of what you like from now on...'

As the two ate, they spoke about various things until the stars had begun to show up. Nero checked the time and knew that they should start heading back, he was about to suggest leaving, but right at this moment, Hersa's face turned a bit melancholic.

'It's time...' Hersa thought as she finally hardened her resolve, her fist clenched as she swallowed the last bit of sweetness from her favorite snack on her lips.

Adult Nero, who was quiet for a while, also sighed as he spoke to himself, 'Here it comes... the true beginning... I wonder, will this too flow in the same pattern?'

Nero was a bit confused by his mother's look, but Hersa soon spoke, "Nero, did you know that there was something a peculiar about the Earth Ring?"

Nero now had a look of surprise on his face as he heard his mother speak about the Universe Ring, or rather, what went by a different name through Earth's standards as the Earth Ring.

He answered while avoiding saying what he knew from the World of Promise, "Yes, mother, I've heard a few bits about it during our history classes at school, though not enough is said about it in detail..."

Hersa made a strange smile on her sad looking face as she spoke, "Of course it is, the Earth Ring is truly a mystery like no other, an object that came to our world during an unprecedented event. There were many rumors of peculiar happenings, stories of superhuman individuals, and other wild notions during those days. However, in time all of that faded, and everything has remained a secret from all eyes..." Hersa said with a somewhat distant look in her eyes as she stared at the Earth Ring's replica.

Nero looked at her deeply as he felt that her mood was different, he thought to himself, 'Why is mother saying this? Could it be that...?'

Nero was about to think something, but suddenly, Hersa, who had a slightly complex look on her face, stared at him and spoke, "My dear son, I shall tell you of a secret..."

Nero felt his heart race as he had a bad feeling in heart, the nightly wind growing chiller as the park's mood had entirely changed.

****

Author's Note:

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