Chapter 48: A Hero’s Final Rest

After leaving Pride University, Nero decided to examine the reward he had received earlier.

[Borrowed Familiarity (Rare): After repeatedly observing someone perform a task, the user gains a temporary intuitive understanding of its basic motions and principles.]

Nero raised an eyebrow after reading the description.

So simply watching someone perform a task could help him understand how it worked?

Of course, it wouldn’t replace actual practice, but it would certainly make learning unfamiliar skills much easier.

"That could come in handy."

Nero dismissed the System window and reached into his pocket, only to feel something that reminded him of an important matter.

He took out an identification card.

It belonged to Edmund Smith, the elderly porter who had sacrificed his life to save him inside the Red Gate.

Seeing the man’s photograph brought back memories of what had happened.

Nero had promised himself that he would visit Edmund’s family, and he intended to keep that promise.

The address on the identification card led him to Willow Lane in New Arcadia City’s southern district.

The neighborhood was rather poor, with small houses standing close together along cracked roads. Many had patched roofs and narrow yards surrounded by low walls.

Nero eventually stopped outside a small house halfway down the lane.

Several people had gathered near the entrance, and through the open gate, he could see white flowers surrounding a coffin in the backyard.

’The funeral...’

It seemed he had arrived just in time.

As Nero entered, several neighbors turned toward him, but nobody stopped him from approaching the coffin.

An elderly woman sat nearby with a handkerchief pressed against her mouth, while a younger woman knelt beside her. A young man and a small child were also standing close to them.

"Dad, you promised this would be the last time."

Hearing those words, Nero felt his chest tighten.

Edmund had told him that the Gate expedition would be his final job before retirement.

He was supposed to return home to his wife and family, yet he had sacrificed himself to protect a young man he barely knew.

Nero approached the coffin and lowered his head.

Edmund lay inside, covered by a white cloth up to his chest. Someone had carefully arranged his hair, making him appear peaceful.

But Nero could still remember his face twisted in pain.

’Live fearlessly, young man.’

His fingers curled into fists as those final words returned to his mind.

Standing near the coffin was an elderly priest dressed in white and gold robes, which Nero immediately recognized as the colors of the Golden Order.

It seemed Edmund’s family followed the Order’s teachings.

The Golden Order worshipped God and had followers throughout the world, although its influence was particularly strong in the Britannia Empire.

Awakeners possessing Light or Holy Talents were especially welcomed into its ranks, while ordinary people could also join the priesthood after years of study and service.

Nero briefly wondered whether the Order had approached Richard Hyperion.

After all, Richard possessed a Light-based Talent, and joining the Golden Order was considered a major opportunity.

Just then, the priest addressed the gathered mourners.

"It is time. Let us lay him to rest."

A grave had already been prepared near the back wall of the property.

Although the Golden Order offered burial services in its cemeteries, many families preferred burying their loved ones in their own backyards.

According to the Order’s teachings, those buried at home would continue watching over their families and bring prosperity to future generations.

The younger woman bent over Edmund’s hand and began crying harder.

However, before anyone could close the coffin, a harsh voice suddenly interrupted the ceremony.

"You’re not burying him."

A red-haired man entered through the gate, accompanied by two large men.

One of them casually kicked aside a flower basket blocking his path.

The surrounding mourners immediately moved away.

"The Red Jackals..."

Someone nearby whispered the name before quickly lowering their head.

Gangs weren’t particularly uncommon in neglected districts like this one.

Although the police dealt with ordinary street thugs rather quickly, the gangs that managed to survive usually possessed considerable strength or had powerful people protecting them.

And judging by everyone’s reaction, this man was already well-known around here.

"Rafe, please. Not today."

The young man beside Edmund’s daughter stepped forward.

"Then you should’ve paid me yesterday."

Rafe approached the coffin and examined the body inside.

"Your family owes me sixteen thousand dollars. The old bastard died without paying, so I’ll sell his body and recover whatever I can."

The surrounding mourners were horrified.

Edmund’s wife immediately reached toward the coffin, almost as though she could protect her husband’s body from being taken away.

The priest stepped forward.

"Have you no fear of God? This funeral is under the Golden Order’s care."

"The Golden Order?"

Rafe examined the elderly priest before bursting into laughter.

"You’re just some neighborhood priest. Nobody important in the church even knows your name!"

The priest’s expression darkened.

"Now move aside unless you want to join that old bastard."

Before the situation could escalate further, a familiar golden window appeared before Nero.

[Choice Detected: A Final Farewell.]

[Option 1: Stand aside and watch.]

[Reward: Silk Handkerchief (Common)]

[Option 2: Stop the gang from taking the body through payment or force.]

[Reward: Chu II In-Mind Headphones (Rare)]

Nero selected the second option without bothering to examine the rewards.

Sixteen thousand dollars.

The ingredients for his body refinement had previously left him with only a hundred dollars. Although his later Choice rewards had added eighteen thousand to his account, he had already spent some of it on the Mana-infused pen and other expenses.

Paying the debt would consume almost everything he had left.

However, when Nero noticed Edmund’s wife desperately gripping the coffin, he made his decision.

"I can..." Nero steadied his voice. "I can pay what they owe."

Rafe turned toward him.

"Who are you?"

"You could say I am someone who owes him more than money."

Nero took out his phone.

"You said sixteen thousand, right? I’ll pay it, so let them finish the funeral."

Rafe examined Nero’s appearance before sneering.

"You walk in here and start giving orders? Do you even know who the Red Jackals are?"

"I heard the amount. I’m offering to pay it."

"And I’m telling you to get out of my way!"

Rafe gestured toward the coffin.

"Take him. We’re not leaving without that body."

The younger woman immediately threw herself between the coffin and the two men.

"You won’t even let my father rest in peace?! What kind of monster are you?!"

One of the men reached toward her shoulder.

However, before he could touch her, Nero put away his phone.

"Some people never change."

SWOOSH!

The man’s hand never reached Edmund’s daughter.

Nero crossed the distance before anyone could react and caught his wrist, twisting it sharply while driving his heel into the man’s knee.

CRACK!

"AAAAARGH!"

Before the first man’s scream had even ended, the second thug threw a punch toward Nero’s head.

Nero slipped past the attack and struck his elbow from below, causing the man’s arm to buckle.

He then swept his supporting leg, sending him crashing onto the ground beside his companion.

Within seconds, both men were lying on the floor, screaming in pain.

Edmund’s daughter stumbled backward against the coffin, completely shocked by what had happened.

Nero waited until she was safely out of the way before turning toward Rafe.

"You were offered the money."

Rafe immediately backed away and reached beneath his jacket.

Unfortunately, Nero was much faster.

Before he could draw anything, Nero caught his wrist and twisted it, forcing the man onto his toes.

"Wait! You’re an Awakener?!"

"You threatened to kill the priest too."

"Listen to me! You don’t know who I work for!"

BANG!

Nero struck him in the stomach.

The air was violently forced out of Rafe’s lungs, causing him to bend forward before another blow sent him to his knees.

"You came to a funeral just to threaten his family."

Rafe tried speaking, but only a strained cough escaped his lips.

Nero leaned closer.

"Look at them."

Rafe reluctantly turned toward Edmund’s wife and daughter.

"Remember this house. You’re never coming through its gate again."

"I-I understand! Just let me go!"

Nero grabbed him by the collar and lifted him from the ground.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"Taking you outside."

He carried Rafe toward the low rear wall before throwing him over it.

BANG!

Rafe crashed onto the empty road outside with a miserable scream.

His two companions soon followed, landing beside him before he could even get up.

Nero brushed his hands together before returning toward Edmund’s coffin.

He was honestly surprised. For an instance, the person doing all that didn’t feel like himself. But he was just too angry with the situation. He held back nothing.

At the same time, the entire backyard had fallen silent.

The priest was staring at him with his mouth slightly open, while the neighbors who had previously moved aside for Rafe were now watching Nero in disbelief.

Just then, a notification appeared.

[Choice Completed.]

[Reward Obtained: Chu II In-Mind Headphones (Rare)]

Nero dismissed it without much interest.

However, before anyone could say anything, a cheerful voice suddenly broke the silence.

"Yay! Big brother beat the bad guys!"

Nero lowered his head and noticed a little girl standing beside Edmund’s coffin.

She was smiling brightly while clapping her tiny hands, seemingly delighted that the bad men had been driven away.

For a moment, Nero didn’t know how to react.

However, the instant he looked at her, something suddenly struck his mind.

[Enlightenment Activated.]

[A/N: If you are enjoying the book so far. Give it a Power Stone Or Two Or Golden Tickets.]