Chapter 84: Before the storm
Twenty minutes later.
They stood in front of a tall building.
Glass and steel. Modern. Expensive-looking.
Sign above the entrance: WebNoble Headquarters
Large letters. Gold. Pretentious.
Alex looked up. Harmony Plaza. Fifteenth floor.
They walked toward the entrance.
Glass doors. Revolving.
A security guard stepped forward. Hand raised.
"Stop."
Middle-aged. Uniform. Bored expression.
"Are you authors, editors, or staff?"
Alex gestured to Lilian. "She’s an author."
Pointed to himself. "I’m nothing."
The guard’s expression didn’t change.
"Then you can’t enter."
"Authors need appointments. Non-staff aren’t allowed."
Waved his hand. Dismissive.
"Please leave if you have no business here."
Lilian’s hand tightened on Alex’s arm.
Pulled him back gently.
"Alex... maybe we should just forget it."
Her voice soft. Resigned.
"I was almost over it anyway."
"It’s not worth the trouble."
Alex looked at her. Her eyes down. Defeated.
No.
He took out a thing.
The token Rose gave him, the higher level of Id.
Shining under the sun.
The guard’s eyes landed on it.
Went wide.
His face drained. Color gone.
"That’s... that’s..."
Voice shaking.
"First-Class Merit?!"
His legs wobbled. Almost gave out.
He’d worked security for fifteen years.
Never seen one.
Not once.
Those tokens are reserved for heroes.
For people who saved lives.
Who stopped disasters.
And this kid—
This teenager—
Had one.
The guard straightened. Fast.
Saluted.
Sharp. Military-style.
"Sir! Please, enter!"
"My apologies for the delay!"
Rushed to open the door.
Held it wide.
Bowing.
Alex walked past. Casual.
Lilian followed, peaceful and elegant.
The guard stayed bowing.
Didn’t straighten until they were inside.
Alex and Lilian reached the front desk.
A young woman sat there. Receptionist. Pretty. Professional uniform.
She looked up. Saw Alex.
Her eyes lit up. Bright. Lips parted slightly.
Then she saw Lilian.
Stunning. Ethereal. Holding Alex’s hand.
The receptionist’s shoulders dropped. Sighed.
Of course he’s taken.
She straightened. Professional smile.
"How can I help you today?"
Alex leaned on the counter. "I’m looking for an editor. Goes by JBeditor."
The receptionist blinked. "Oh, that’s our chief editor."
Pause.
"He’s very busy. Rarely meets people."
"Even for authors, he only sees the top-tier ones."
Alex said nothing. Just pulled out the badge.
Placed it on the counter.
Level 1 token.
Gold gleaming under the lights.
The receptionist’s expression changed. Instant.
Face went pale. Then flushed.
She stood. Fast. Chair scraping back.
"People’s Hero, please!"
Voice loud. Respectful.
"He’s in room BS520!"
Pointed toward the elevator.
"Fifteenth floor, turn right!"
Alex picked up the badge. Nodded.
Started walking.
Lilian followed.
"Wait!"
The receptionist called out.
They stopped. Turned.
She hurried around the desk.
"There’s a writer’s awards ceremony in an hour."
Pause.
"Would you be willing to be a special guest speaker?"
Alex thought. Considered.
Could be interesting.
"Sure."
The receptionist’s face lit up. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Bowed.
Alex and Lilian walked to the elevator.
The receptionist grabbed her phone. Hands shaking.
Dialed. Fast.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
"Hello?"
A calm voice. Her supervisor. Manager of events.
"Sir! Sir! I—"
"Calm down. Deep breath."
The supervisor’s voice steady. Practiced.
"A person must be calm like still water."
The receptionist took a breath.
"A People’s Hero is coming to speak!"
PFFFFFF—
The sound of tea spraying.
CLATTER.
Phone hitting the floor.
Scrambling sounds.
"Hello? Sir?"
More scrambling.
The phone picked up. Dropped. Picked up again.
"WHAT?!"
Voice cracking.
"A PEOPLE’S HERO?!"
"YES! Level one Token! He agreed to speak!"
Silence.
Heavy breathing on the other end.
Then—
"AGREE! AGREE IMMEDIATELY!"
"Get his name! His title! Everything!"
"I’m coming down right now!"
"DO NOT let him leave!"
"This is—"
Voice breaking.
"This is the biggest thing we’ve ever had!"
The phone went dead.
The receptionist smiled.
Wide.
This was going to be one hell of a day.
....
Alex walked down the corridor.
Each step heavier.
His aura changed.
Dark.
Oppressive.
The air around him thickened.
Temperature dropped.
Employees walking past felt it.
Instinctively moved away.
Gave him space.
Wide berth.
Something dangerous.
Something wrong.
They reached room BS520.
Door closed.
Name plate: JBeditor - Chief Editor
Through the glass window—
A man sat inside.
Forty-something. Balding. Greasy hair combed over.
Thick glasses. Stained shirt. Coffee cup ring on his desk.
Slouched in his chair. Scrolling his phone.
Smirking at something.
Lilian saw him.
Her body tensed.
Shivered.
Looked at Alex.
His face cold. Expression blank.
But his eyes—
Burning.
"Alex..."
Her voice quiet.
Worried.
"You’re not going to... kill him, right?"
Alex’s jaw tightened.
"I can give him a chance."
Pause.
"But probably... yes."
Lilian’s eyes widened.
"Alex, no!"
She grabbed his arm. Both hands.
"Please. I don’t want someone to die over this."
"It’s not worth it."
"He’s just an asshole. Not worth a murder charge."
Alex’s aura pulsed. Darker.
Lilian stepped in front of him.
Face to face.
Her hands moved to his cheeks.
"Alex. Please."
She kissed him.
Soft. Gentle.
Then pulled back.
Wrapped her arms around him.
Held tight.
"For me?"
Alex’s breathing slowed.
The darkness receded. Slightly.
He closed his eyes.
"Fine."
Voice rough.
Lilian pulled back. Smiled. Relieved.
Reached into her bag.
Pulled out a wireless earbud.
Handed it to Alex.
"Take this."
"You can hear everything we say."
"I’ll go talk to him first."
Pause.
"Maybe he’s nicer in person?"
Alex snorted.
"Doubt it."
But took the earbud. Put it in.
Lilian smiled.
Blew him a kiss.
"Wait here."
Turned toward the door.
There was a line.
Two people waiting outside the office.
Authors probably.
Lilian joined the queue.
Alex stepped back.
Leaned against the wall.
Closed his eyes.
Breathed.
Inner peace.
Inner peace.
If Lilian doesn’t want it now...
He could wait.
For now.
But if that editor said one wrong thing...
A sigh beside him.
Alex opened his eyes.
A man stood there.
Tall. Well-built. Glasses. Elegant.
Scholarly.
He leaned against the wall next to Alex.
Casual.
Alex raised an eyebrow.
Nodded.
The man smiled back.
Warm. Genuine.
Pulled out a tin.
Mint candies inside.
Offered one to Alex.
"Michael."
His voice smooth. Cultured.
Alex smiled.
Took the candy.
"Alex."
Michael looked through the glass window.
At the editor inside.
His expression shifted.
Complex.
He turned to Alex.
"I know this might be sudden..."
Pause.
"But could you give me some advice?"
Alex smiled.
"Is it about that dead baldy?"
Michael blinked.
Then laughed.
"Dead baldy. Yeah."
Looked back at the office.
"That’s one way to put it."