Chapter 137 - Sympathizing

As Teren walked down the road after school, he was still attracting a lot of watchful eyes. This time, it was no longer malice, therefore, he was able to walk more comfortably. Instead, it was eyes of interest once again.

After a whole day of tail-wagging, it became obvious that the popular group is treating Teren like a king, something that doesn't seem like an apology.

Being the 'popular group' their friends all over the school, even seniors and from other schools began to hear this. Just like Eline and the others' reactions when they saw Mike and Catherine bowing their heads back then, those 'outer' friends were a bit skeptical of what they heard.

Teren didn't say anything about them. He had been thinking a lot. He was just one man, his enemies were groups upon groups of elites, having experience and resources of a whole country. Every second is considered a waste.

His simple plan of secretly amassing an army and taking over one of the spots of the Spirit War was just too idealistic. Teren realized that it was an idea when he was just thinking of getting together with Iesa. He didn't think of the consequences and the reality of it.

But one thing is for sure, he would need loyal allies.

'...'

However, Teren was like the most unsociable person there is, he thought. That's why he's trying and understanding.

He glanced at Nick who was the only one besides him right now.

'Is there a Spirit of Sensitivity about loyalty? If I have that, I could experiment trial and error.'

Teren prioritized getting a Spirit that spots malice towards him due to the number of his enemies. Everywhere and everywhen during the last Spirit War, he would only see people trying to kill him no matter what he does.

He had given up communicating with them. He had to turn his sympathy, his understanding, and his compassion.

Kill

It was his only method. The Great Spirit of Revival has yet to be found, Teren thought. Therefore, the logic is simple, instead of incapacitating them, giving them a chance to come back and hunt him down, the numbers wouldn't dwindle.

Teren sighed.

'If I didn't get the Great Spirit of Mind-Altering, I wonder if I'm still alive today?'

However, it just wore off and after using it massively last time, like a machine heating up, it naturally broke down the more he uses it. He had used it so much that it affected himself, it was quite a blunder.

If only he remembered, he could've used the time to prepare...

Teren shook his head.

'At least... I enjoy not being able to remember all those things even if it's just for a year or so.'

He then glanced at Nick.

'Sympathize... I forgot how that feels but I know the word itself. I should understand him. Does he hate me? Of course, he does. But he was not only annoying but full of malice back then, I just fell into my instinct and attempted to kill him. Why is he still alive? I forgot... ah, Iesa!'

Teren smiled and nodded. He didn't regret making a failure back then.

His eyes looked around and he saw a convenience store. He frowned at his own idea but he still tried it.

"It'll take us a while to walk there. Let's rehydrate first."

"Okay, what drink do you want?"

Teren almost facepalmed himself when Nick immediately thought that he was being ordered.

'Although my authoritative image might lessen, I did think of giving him something a drink myself. It feels harder now, if I suggest I go get it myself, it would seem like I'm trying too-...'

"You know what, what do you want to drink? I'll buy us some."

Teren just cut off the thinking. He felt like if he based all his actions on thinking instead of what he felt, he wouldn't get the things he lost.

"R-really?"

Of course, Nick was shocked. Teren just nodded back.

"T-then, here's my money." 

Trembling, Nick gave. Is this some sort of a psychological trick? He thought.

"No, I may not look like it but I'm loaded."

Teren say without boasting but it sounded like it. However, it was the truth. Now that the Spectre Gang dissolved under him and was given to the Drago House, almost all their money and properties all fell to Old Derman which Teren got a share.

Even without that, Teren was getting a share from the activities of the leading gang in the city. He just didn't want to show that he's rich that's why he doesn't seem like one. That made him save up a lot too.

He would be dumb if he's trying not to get attention but he wore gold all over his body. But now that he doesn't care anymore, should he do it?

Nah, gold was not his thing, he thought.

Teren showed his wallet that was filled with large bills. With that money, he could buy a cheap car in cash at that exact moment. He showed it not to make Nick guilty or something.

"W-woah..." Nick reacted. He hasn't seen that much money in one place. His bullying instinct kicked in but he didn't need to control it. Remembering it was Teren made it shirk back the moment it kicked in.

"Wait here."

Teren then walked into the convenience store. He wasn't always in one but he knew there was something weird happening here.

It was too quiet but seeing the two people with black clothes on their heads made Teren realized what's happening.

"You, closed the door!"

One of the robbers pointed a gun at Teren. With a gun pointed in front of his face, Teren remembered the time when he was being hunted and all kinds of arsenals were used being used on him.

He looked at the robbers up and down.

'... losers.'

Teren thought and continued.

'Now that the Handwing Gang is gone, leaving their territories behind, these chumps think that they do whatever they want. The police are not as cruel as them, after all. It's better to deal with them than the Handwing Gang. That should be their thoughts.... seriously, such a bother.'