Not far from the city where Gabe lived in, there was a town called Riverbed. With over 10,000 residents, it was a beautiful town known for selling delicious fish and prawns for relatively low prices compared to the city.In Riverbed, there was a particular shop called 21 Days. It was a small shop that sold country chicken and eggs. Right behind that shop was a house which was also owned by the same person.The shop owner, Baazee, was about the same age as Gabe. He sold one pound of chicken for five dollars. Because they were farm-raised chickens, there was always demand for the meat as well as the eggs.Baazee was in a happy mood because it was weekend time, so there were more customers today. His money box was also full now.However, the next customer changed his expression, for it was Sonia, a woman that he was supposed to marry.She took out a wedding card and gave it to him. He washed his hands quickly before taking the card. “Your younger sister’s marriage, huh. I will definitely
Baazee used to play football in minor leagues, and he was getting more famous every year. But during one game, he suddenly collapsed on the ground. After getting diagnosed, it was reported that his frontal lobe of the brain was affected by him hitting the football with his head so many times.Baazee might be a short guy, but because he was told that he wouldn’t be good at headers to pass or shoot the ball. This made him excessively practice header technique all the more from a young age.But after the diagnosis, the doctor told him that if he continued to play football, he could die from the brain damage. If not, he’d get dementia sooner or later.Taking all these things into consideration, Baazee decided to stop playing football. However, back then, he had no clue that his decision would not just end his professional football career, but also cost him Sonia.“I never asked you before, but why did you name your shop 21 Days?” Gabe asked. “I’m sure the shop had your grandfather’s name
Victor Fobb, a 29-year-old, was working as a private investigator. And his success rate was abysmally low, so not many people approached him to give work. It wasn’t that Victor was an incapable guy,but every time he received money, he’d focus on his personal mission more than the current task at hand. It was to investigate his dad’s mysterious death that happened almost eighteen years ago. His dad Wiley Fobb was a biological researcher who worked with the government on fields such as human immune response to infection. He suddenly went missing one day, and then his body was found along the shores of the southern river over a month later. This devastated Victor and his mother. The government officials came to their house and took every item belonging to his dad, even his dresses, watches, and glasses. And then, some people began to follow him and his mother from that day. They were gang stalking and gaslighting him and his family. This was when Victor began to realize that something
Gabe returned home almost three days after he set out to meet some of his friends.Ulf had been taking care of the puppies, and he already gave two of them for adoption, so only four remained now.{Are you satisfied with only two members in the pack?} Ulf asked. {And one of them is not certain, either.}“I don’t want to take just anybody into the pack,” Gabe retorted.[Then why did you go to Venkat’s house?] Systa asked him.“Because I just wanted to see how he’d react. I’m sure he won’t come to the place I told him to,” Gabe confidently said. “He has this nasty habit of not being able to digest it when others are happy. That’s the kind of guy he is. His ego will not allow him to come. And it’s better for us if he doesn’t come.”[Even if he does come, I doubt you’ll take him.]Gabe smiled. “Well, it all depends on how Venkat behaves. Anyway, I’m sure Venkat won’t come. That leaves us Victor and Baazee. They are both no-nonsense guys. And their lives aren’t in good shape, either. So I
A few minutes later.{Are you sure with your decision?} Ulf asked Gabe. {He doesn’t look like he’ll make a good addition. In fact, if he sticks close to you, he’ll learn the truth sooner or later. And then he could end up hating you and become your enemy. It’s not safe to have such a guy in your pack.}“He did shoot accurately, didn’t he?” Gabe reminded Ulf. “He does have the talent. If we had left him alone, he looked like he’s going to drown himself in alcohol. So, I thought of giving him a chance even though I was thinking of giving it to his younger brother Jamie. Let’s hope he’s brave enough to join my pack. We’ll find out tomorrow.”{Tomorrow is when you’re going to fight that woman Sansa, right?} Ulf frowned. “It’s a useless fight, if you ask me. If she wins, she’ll take the alpha system from you. If you win, they’re still not going to stop coming at you. There’s no real benefit for you by participating in this fight.}Gabe exhaled audibly. “There’s no other way. I can’t just r
“Ah, ‘the strong should also be responsible’ logic, huh…” Leona could only roll her eyes. “What a boring and conservative mindset… that reminds me of my parents.”Gabe rapped her skull with his knuckles, making her cry out loud.“What was that for?” she yelled at him while rubbing her head.“Respect your parents,” Gabe said, making her feel regret as well as anger at the same time. “Anyway, talking about responsibilities…” he hesitantly told her. “Do you want to join my pack?”Leona’s expression changed. “Pack? Why are you talking like we’re both dogs or something?”“I can’t take you into my pack unless Mia also agrees with it,” Gabe said. “So, why don’t you come along since I’m going to see her now?”“What exactly are you talking about?” Leona still didn’t get what he’s saying.“Just come with me. You’ll know it soon,” he told her and walked out of the store.“Are you and your wife trying to form some secret mafia or something?” Leona wondered. “I don’t mind joining a mafia, but I wo
Gabe came to meet Mia first, as she was living in the guest house next to the estate where Jessica and Russell lived.To his surprise, the doors were all locked. And there were curtains completely blocking the sunlight going through the windows.Gabe could not see what was happening inside.“Why is everything sealed off like this?” Leona muttered. “It’s like a vampire is living inside.” She looked at Gabe and teasingly said, “You are sure that your girlfriend, no, your wife isn’t a vampire, right?”“If she was one, do you think she would have left you alone to work in my store?” Gabe asked her.“P-Probably not,” Leona said. “Anyway, how long are you going to stand here? Go and knock on the door.”“About that… maybe, she’s sleeping inside,” Gabe said, as he could hear her steady breathing, which made him realize that she was indeed sleeping.“Huh? You’re too foolish,” Leona snorted. “You want to stand here until she wakes up or what?” She quickly went to the door and knocked on it mult
“S-Sparring?” Gabe looked at her in a bit of shock and confusion, unable to tell if she was joking or not. He was wondering how to hold her hand, but she asked about fighting him, which was quite unexpected. “You mean fighting?”“Yeah,” Mia contained her excitement, but he could still see it in her eyes. “I’ve been fighting a lot in my dreams. Now, I’m not the same as before. I don’t think I’ll lose to Bart if he fights me now.”“Oh…” Gabe was surprised. “You think you’ve gotten stronger than Bart, already?”“I don’t think so. I know so,” she confidently said.“You haven’t fought him at his full strength, so how can you say it with such certainty?” Gabe couldn’t help but ask.“Because you defeated Bart, didn’t you?” Mia retorted. “I think I can defeat you right now, so I can automatically defeat Bart, too.”Gabe's expression froze for a second, and then he forced out a smile. “Your logic is perfect, but don’t you think you’re underestimating me a bit too much? I’ve gotten so much stro