Chapter 80: A Warm Feeling

The night air washed over the group of three as they emerged from the alleyway, moving towards the city that stood ahead.

The bustling city lights were a stark contrast to the darkness they had just left behind and it was even blinding.

Levi, with Marie, cradled in his arms and Ian by his side, walked through the dimly lit streets, heading towards the heart of the city, leaving behind the slums.

Their destination was the five-star hotel where Levi had been staying, a place of luxury and comfort that Ian and Marie had only dreamed of.

As they approached the towering building, its grandeur left them awestruck.

"Levi, where are we going?" Ian whispered, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

His mind had still not recovered from what happened back in the abandoned building and he was struggling to comprehend the things happening around him.

It was all too sudden and unexpected.

He had just followed behind Levi, going with the flow- but now that Levi was leading them to somewhere unknown - he couldn't help but ask.

"Somewhere safe," Levi replied, his tone reassuring. "Somewhere we can rest and live comfortably."

Ian and Marie exchanged glances, their hearts pounding with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

A place where they could rest? and even comfortable?

Where would that be? Would that mean they are finally escaping the harsh reality of the slums and embracing a life of comfort and security?

They didn't know but Levi directly entered the hotel lobby dragging them along with him.

Ian and Marie were overwhelmed by the sheer extravagance. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and plush furnishings adorned the space, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury.

Ian couldn't resist but say.

"Levi, are you sure we can enter here? Wouldn't they kick us out?"

He asked, genuinely concerned.

Both Ian and Maie wore dirty clothes, torn here and there - he was worried if they would be kicked out.

"Why are we even here, isn't this place where rich people live?"

It was time to explain everything.

Levi's voice was steady as he recounted his journey into Paradise, painting a picture of a terrifying and desolate world.

He spoke of the rocky area and the monsters that roamed the land. He told about the monsters he faced, the battles he fought, and the strength he gained.

He intentionally omitted the details of the maze and that he had made a contract with the demon. Not because he wanted to keep it a secret but because he didn't want to drag them into trouble.

Instead, he focused on the positive aspects of his experiences. He told them about joining the Mercenary Federation and the money he had earned.

He explained how he had stumbled upon the Sanctum and how he had emerged victorious, securing enough wealth to change their lives forever.

"I have enough money now," Levi said, his voice filled with a quiet determination. "Enough to buy you Citizen Watches and to rent a house."

Ian and Marie listened, their hearts filled with a mixture of joy and apprehension. They were happy for Levi, for his newfound strength and success.

But....Ian and Marie exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them.

Ian spoke first, his voice thick with emotion. "Levi, man... this is... it's too much. We can't just take all this from you."

Marie nodded, her eyes glistening. "We're so grateful, but... we don't want to be a burden. You've already done so much."

Levi leaned forward, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. His gaze was intense, filled with an emotion that surprised even him. "Listen to me," he said, his voice slightly rough. "You're not a burden. You're..." he paused, swallowing hard. "You're family.

And this? This is what family does."

He managed a small smile, fighting back his own tears. "Besides, who else am I gonna share all this with? You two... you're all I've got."

The weight of his words hung in the air. Ian and Marie's resistance crumbled, replaced by gratitude.

Together, they stepped out into the vibrant city, leaving the hotel's opulence behind. Levi led Ian and Marie through the bustling streets toward the government office, where they could finally obtain their Citizen Watches.

The process was unexpectedly seamless. Levi's status as a Mercenary afforded them a level of respect and priority that they had never known. In just a few hours, they emerged from the office, each wearing a Citizen Watch— now they were no longer the bastards belonging to the slums.

They were citizens of the Union of Asia now.

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End of Volume 01 - The Forsaken Path