Code Collector

A day after the Second Coming of the Fire Dragon, Allen found himself on a bed. He looked around and realized that he was in his room, fully clothed and the wounds he got had already healed.

"What happened?" the boy asked himself. His memories of the night before resurfaced, making his eyes widen after remembering that Jeremy knew his identity.

"So, you're awake." Jeremy himself walked inside the room, carrying a tray of food with him. "No one else knows, so don't worry."

"But why did you came back?" Allen asked. "It was too dangerous and you weren't at your full strength."

"I was wondering the same thing too," Jeremy replied. "Why should I risk myself for a criminal? He even made a deal with me that was in his favor, exploiting more from me so he could have some sort of advantage."

"Jeremy–"

"I'm not done," Jeremy cut Allen off. "But then the conversation I had with Jack just the night before cleared my mind. The Wandering Trader was a businessman and he didn't do anything wrong. He was an antihero that the worlds need in order to flip the tides of fate. In other words, we need you."

Allen ended up telling everything about the Wandering Trader, his goal, his aspirations, and his missions. The only thing left unsaid was how he wields the power of a Primordial Beast. That was a secret that only a few people should know. Telling Jeremy this would be a big risk that he can't take.

"So, you're basically going out and about collecting Codes and trading them to other people?" Jeremy asked to which Allen nodded in agreement. "But why?"

"To ascend," Allen said. "If you think that hunting in the wild would be the best path into higher Worlds, then you're wrong. Even the Primordial Beast Bearers knew of this."

"W-What?" Jeremy stuttered. "I don't seem to understand. You mean trading and doing favors for other people would be the secret to quicker ascension?"

"Quicker and most effective," Allen corrected. "You won't only gain Codes, you'll also gain experience with handling human interactions. You know how complicated humans are and if you want to rule, or get a position in higher ranks of society, you have to have a backer and a series of connections."

"Wow," Jeremy said. "C-Can I come with you?"

"No," Allen said with a wide fake smile. "I work alone, and prefers working alone."

"But you said you wanted to have connections?" Jeremy scrunched his face. "That's mildly confusing."

"If you can't understand, you don't have to," Allen said. His phone vibrated, so he checked it to see who messaged him.

'Where are you?' It was Jack.

Allen saw another message that was sent earlier, so he also checked it. 'Come to the hospital rooftop this afternoon. I'll give you the rest of the deal.'

The boy's eyes lingered on the top corner of the phone and saw the time. Time travels differently in the Otherworlds, but humanity found a way to divide it so it would be like the one on Earth. 

Approximately one second on Earth was one and a half second in the Otherworlds. When divided into three hundred and sixty five and one fourth days, using this method, the worlds' revolution on its own sun would align. 

At this moment, it was already 3:30 in the afternoon, making Allen hurry out of his room and excused himself from his visitor. He messaged Jack that he was coming as he sprinted his way to the rooftop as quick as he could.

Not five minutes later, the boy arrived, panting and completely out of breath. "Sorry. I just woke up."

Allen offered his hand but Jack didn't take it right away. "Is something wrong?"

"Let's talk first," Jack said, making Allen drop his hand down. "You didn't know what happened after you fainted, but it wasn't good."

"What?" Allen asked. "Jeremy was just home and he was safe. What do you mean?"

"He was safe from the beast but not from his work," Jack said. "Gwen too."

"Jack?" Allen asked. "What are you saying?"

–

"This boy is something, huh?" Rourke was finally free from the chain as he walked into Jeremy who was carrying the unconscious Allen. "I have never seen someone utilize two Code effects at once. That was amazing."

"That's because he's a prodigy," Jack said proudly. "He's a boy who could use a whole lot of energy and mind power."

"He's still a boy though," Sebastian said as he offered his hands to Jeremy. "Let me carry him."

Jeremy was about to hand over Allen when four masked men appeared behind him. He immediately threw Allen away, and spun, conjuring his sword and raised it in defense. "Who are you?"

"The criminal divisions of Camp Twyla Police Station," one of the masked men said. He pulled out his black mask, revealing a man in his mid 40s. He had blonde hair and huge figure, looking intimidating to everyone around him.

"C-Captain Dove," Jeremy stuttered. He kept his sword back and saluted at the man, the old man clicking his tongue and sighing. "Is there something wrong, sir?"

"Arrest him."

"What–"

Two of the other men went behind Jeremy and handcuffed him, making everyone around them fully confused. "Sir? What is happening?"

"Jeremy Young, you are hereby arrested by the crimes of being the Phantom Cunt's boss," Captain Dove said. "Here is the proof of your crimes."

The man showed his phone to Jeremy, showing an image of him and Allen on the rooftop while they watched over the car accident. The image was somehow altered and he was seen smoking while grinning, making it look like he was the one who caused the accident.

The Wandering Trader stood behind him, looking submissive with his hands and head down. Even Jeremy looked at the image and almost believed for it to be true. If they showed this out, it would look like he was the Phantom Cunt's boss.

"You are also dismissed from your position, along with your associate Gwen Fleming," Captain Dove continued. "You will pay a fine of seven thousand dollars and serve three months in prison."

"S-Sir…" Jeremy tried to fight but his head was covered with a black sack.

"Hey," Jack intervened, gripping the arm of one of the men that was tying Jeremy. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We were only given orders," Dove said. "I'm sorry, but we have to do this or it will be us who will sent to prison."

"The Wandering Trader– or the Phantom Cunt as you called him, is literally right here," Rourke scoffed. "And that man is Jack Summers, were from Verta Carta. Shouldn't you be arresting us instead?"

"Orders are orders," Dove said. "This order was sent by his own father, so we don't have any say in this."

"Stop," Jack said. "Stop or I will break every bone in your body."

"Do not do this or I will be forced to use force," Dove warned, but Jackson didn't retaliate. Instead, the man raised his sword and swung it around like a child playing with a stick. This made Captain Dove sigh and took out his radio. "Jeremy Young is refusing. Proceed to send one hundred men to suppress him. His sanctions will be quadrupled and he will serve twenty years in prison."

This made Jack let go of the arm he was gripping earlier. "You bastard."

"A command is a command," Captain Dove simply said. "Goodbye."

"Don't worry," Jeremy said under the bag on his head. "I can handle this."

Captain Dove sighed once more. He waved his hand to his men, gesturing them to go while he stayed behind and turned to Lay. "Senior, please hurry up. I'm starting to lose hope."

"We have found our key to the renewal, child," Lay said. "Do not worry anymore. We will take over the world and kick the ones out."

"Thank you," Captain Dove nodded. He saluted at Lay who gave him one in return. "I will look forward to your promise, senior."

Lay nodded. "It won't be long."

The police left, leaving Jack and everyone else dumbfounded. "What in the hell?"

"He was my junior at the academy," Lay said. "I forgot to tell you, but he will be our eyes and lips on the upper ranks of the military."

–

"So you mean, Jeremy was arrested and he lost his job?" Allen asked Jack.

Jack sighed. "I guess he didn't. He bailed himself out, paid his fine and slept in your room last night saying he will look out for you."

"You're making me feel bad," Allen looked away. "Don't do that."

"It wasn't my intention to do so, but Jeremy really cared for you. Probably because you're one of his few few friends," Jack said. "Apart from Gwen, that boy is lonely. He might have the attention of the crowd, but he's still alone."

"Give me your hand, pops," Allen said. "Let's finish this deal. I have to go back now."