Chapter 76 - A Teacher's Obligation

A vision entered Hanon's mind that left him in a stupor.

He looked at Teren before with uneasiness. Every time he saw Teren's dull and expressionless face, he felt a tinge of creepiness crawling on his back. He even felt scared but he didn't want to admit it that much.

That's why he called out to Teren at first. But when Teren looked at him in the eyes, he began to have cold feet and switched his target to Nick.

He had always thought that there was something wrong with Teren. However, from what he just saw, isn't this kid in danger?

'But as long as I see this vision, it will eventually happen.'

Hanon thought. Teren was a creepy existence to him. But still, he was a student, and therefore, no matter what Hanon feels about this student, he felt obligated to protect him.

'What should I do?'

Should he take Teren away? But what if he was just misunderstanding something? Since his visions often lack context, there was no way he could know what will actually happen. However, as an adult, it is his responsibility to be cautious and be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Supposed that the worst-case scenario is Teren being murdered, what will he do?

Looking at Teren's expressionless face, Hanon couldn't help but curse in his head.

'Damn this stupid kid! Why is he following someone so carelessly? Does he know where he's going to be in the next moment?'

Letting out some frustration internally, Hanon tried to stay calm and walked again before giving Nick a sharp glance.

'W-what happened?'

Nick sweated in the invisible pressure that he failed to understand the appearance of. Therefore, he could only stay quiet, unable to ask the fundamental question - where is Sir Hanon heading to?

With Hanon staying quiet too, the conversation that was going smoothly up until now disappear in a blink of an eye. This tense atmosphere that is composed of awkwardness and pressure, became heavier as moments passed by. 

Hanon, who usually wore a smile, was having a solemn expression. This is the cause of the invisible pressure. Although that pressure is only subjective since there is one person who wasn't affected by it.

after walking for several minutes, they have seemingly reached a place where the road ends. However, none of them stopped walking. This made Nick quite shocked.

'Are we going to the same place? Huh? or maybe this is really just a coincidence?'

Nick definitely became apprehensive from their silent teacher. If not for the fact that Teren was here and the place that they were about to arrive have people they know and can rely on, he would instead feel anxious too.

The cemented ground ended. This street has more bushes and trees than there are houses. Stepping onto the paved ground, they were met with an old car. It seemed like a vintage car that can be sold for a high price in this day and age.

'Hm? Where did I see this car before?'

Seeing this car, Hanon went straight to it and as if expecting his arrival, the door to the driving seat opened, stepping out was an old man with a long coat, hiding his thin stature.

"Mister Derman!?"

Nick muttered in surprise.

"Hm? Nick?" the old man, Derman, saw an unexpected person here.

But seeing Hanon's expression, Derman turned his attention to what Hanon was about to say. The latter leaned forward and whispered something to his voice.

Nick was quite shocked by the old man's appearance as he just stood there, suspiciously. He knew about how that detective was against the gangs and tries to put a stop to them, therefore, in his head,he concluded-

'He must be investigating the Handwing Gang. Is Sir Hanon an undercover cop!?'

Although he was not part of the gang, Nick was treated well by the gang members that there is no way he would give the enemies clues.

So instead of making a sharp turn and going straight to the warehouse, he walked up to them. Since he thought that they are cops, he thought they wouldn't hurt them.

Sensing his approach, Hanon looked at him and noticed something.

"Wait, where's Teren?!"

Old Derman sighed to this but this action of his was not noticed by the two.

"Huh? What?"

Even Nick was surprised by this as he turned around and Teren was nowhere to be found.

"Shit! Boss, we have to help him!"

Hanon shouted in a hurry. He just reported to Derman, his boss, what happened and what he found. It was just a short moment and he didn't think that Teren would be out of their vision!

"Wait, Hanon...!" 

As if not in the mood to be proactive, Old Derman called out but was ignored as Hanon glared at Nick before running towards a turn where he would spot large broken gates, leading up to the warehouses.

Running to the nearest warehouse, Hanon looked around to see a lot of men loitering around. Using his abilities, he found that none of them would attack them in a minute. Since he knows nothing from these people, seeing a minute to the future was already his limit. But that minute is enough for him to enter the nearest warehouse and there, he saw right in front of his eyes, the vision that plagued him earlier.

This time, it was not the perspective of his Spirit, but instead, his own perspective. That vision was clearer and more accurate. 

Teren's back faced him. Numerous thug-looking men surround the lone student.

I will not let an innocent child be subjected to this situation - Hanon resolutely shouted in his heart before shouting out.

"Tere-!"

"Welcome back, Boss Hark!"

But his shout was cut off when these thug-looking men bowed their heads towards the lone student.

"..."

While Hanon looked at this with a stupefied expression, Teren leaned forward and whispered something to the bald uncle at front.

"W-what!?" Uncle Joe reacted in surprise.

"Shh-... Don't be so surprised."

"As expected from Boss Hark!"