Guardians of The Damned-Chapter 33: Comfort In The Abyss

"Before that, I want to learn more about my useless father. Why did he refuse Mark's help? Why did he suddenly become passive, withdraw from his position, and rack up a massive debt to Revenant—one of the most dangerous groups in the city—only to leave me in their hands?" Determination flashed in Calvin's eyes.

"I've been wondering that too. Alright, we'll help you," I said.

"Why would you help me? Do you need something from me?"

I stayed silent, locking eyes with him. I could've given him some cliché like *because I'm a hero* or *I can't leave a kid in trouble*.

But this kid would see right through it. So I chose honesty.

"Yeah, I need something from you."

"And not because you helped me out of the kindness of your heart?" Calvin pressed.

Hearing that, guilt gnawed at me. I imagined myself no better than a villain, using a kid for personal gain.

Is this really who I am? Someone who'd exploit even a child if it served my goals?

Probably. And if that's what it takes, I'm prepared to be the bad guy.

"Yeah," I admitted.

"You're rotten, uncle."

"I know."

"Doesn't mean I hate you for it."

I blinked at him, caught off guard.

"You're a good person, uncle."

Good person? How? I'm using him for my own ends.

"You're not mad?" I asked cautiously.

"Nothing is free. I learned that young, back when Revenant 'took care' of me. I'd rather someone help me because they need me than because they want to. That way, I don't owe anyone." His gaze never wavered.

I was so amazed by his answer I couldn't help but ask, "Are you really twelve years old?"

Even as I joked, a doubt lingered inside me—*Is this truly the right thing to do?*

"What's the next move?" Eve asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Igor's house. It's in Excalibur."

"Okay, let's go," Eve said, stepping forward—only for Yin Hee to interrupt.

"Wait, I need to tell Mist something first. You asked me to look into anyone connected to Igor's death, right? A friend helped me. His name's Trick. Thanks to him, I found three names."

"A friend? That's not important. What did you find?"

"Hansel, Yurim, and Will. They were all Honors who went missing."

"Finding them won't be easy," I muttered.

"I managed to track down Yurim," Yin Hee said, but she hesitated, glancing away.

"But?"

"She's living a normal life now. Left her past behind. She's got two kids and a husband. I don't think she'll want anything to do with us."

"We won't know until we try." I paused, thinking. "Alright, here's the plan. Eve, Yin Hee, and Calvin will go to Igor's house and find his diary. I'll talk to Yurim. Any questions?"

"Yeah. Do I have to be involved in this?" Eve raised her hand. "I'm here to find whoever hired Scarecrow, not to dig into all this other stuff."

"Right, you did say that." I nodded slightly, then turned to Yin Hee. "Since Eve can't join you, I'll send my clone instead."

Yin Hee didn't object.

I inhaled from my vape, exhaled a thick plume of smoke, and shaped it into a humanoid form. Gradually, the surface solidified into skin, taking on my appearance.

"It's got about 50% of my fighting capability."

"Thank you," Yin Hee said sincerely.

"Sorry, Yin Hee," Eve apologized, guilt on her face.

"I don't mind, big sis Eve. Calvin, shall we?" Yin Hee smiled down at Calvin, and he nodded. Together, they made for the entrance.

"Big sis..." Eve's cheeks flushed pink, her eyes glazing over in a euphoric daze. Snapping out of it, she suddenly called out, "Wait, Yin Hee! I'll help after all!"

Yin Hee paused, turning back.

"Are you sure, big sis Eve? I don't want to burden you."

"It's fine! Leave it to your big sis!" Eve said proudly.

"Then I won't hesitate. It'll be a pleasure working with you. Though... doesn't that mean we won't need your clone?" Yin Hee asked, pointing at the smoky double.

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"Keep it. Even at half strength, it's still me," I said.

"You're right."

With that, Eve, Yin Hee, and Calvin headed off toward Igor's house, disappearing from sight.

Now then... time to meet Yurim.

Just as I thought that, my phone buzzed—Yin Hee had sent me Yurim's location.

I took a final puff, shaping the smoke into a hoverboard, and launched myself out the window, flying toward Gram.

A little about Gram: it's a district where most people live just a little above minimum wage. Humble, clean, and surprisingly lively. Homelessness was rare here. The air was fresher than in Olympus or Avalon. To someone from Excalibur, the water tasted filthy, but for someone from Aegis, it was heavenly.

Gram offered all kinds of work and a vibrant social life.

Even though Excalibur housed the rich, they couldn't spend freely without risking their status. So when they wanted real fun, they came to Gram.

The skyscrapers here weren't as grand as Excalibur's, but at night, their lights glittered like jewels.

Not the blinding light of Excalibur, but something softer, humbler—more human.

Some say that as long as Excalibur stands, the light of hope will never fade, and humanity will always rise.

But every time I looked at it, I couldn't help thinking: *That light is just temporary comfort in a bottomless abyss.*