“Do you have a spare briefcase?” Daniel asked nicely to one of his interns.

The intern walked to his cubicle. Daniel heard the screeching sound of the opening closet door. And an abrupt close with the intern extending out a briefcase in his grip. “I have one spare. I’ve never used this in a while.”

“Great, thanks. And here.” Daniel handed some bonus in cash worth a few twenty-dollar bills. He forced it into his palm when he didn’t take the cash. “I really mean it. Take it and I won’t take a no for an answer.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“And I did. It’s my sincerity.”

“Thank you, Chief.” The intern bowed and shook Daniel’s hand.

Not wanting all his other clerks and interns to feel left out, he had come prepared for them with some cash gifts as well. He had not told them the reason for his day of resignation.

Poor them. I do wish them well for all the effort they put themselves through. Daniel remarked that they had all served in his office since the beginning of his term as chief two years ago. Not an ounce of favoritism. With thirty minutes till his shift ended, he was ready to announce it.

“What?!”

“You’re leaving?!”

Daniel soothed them down, guaranteeing a promise they could still contact him outside of the office. Therefore, he gave them each his phone number and access to a new group chat. “We will keep in touch outside. That’s a promise.”

“You better!” Rebecca exclaimed, standing in an erect posture from her seat with her ribbon-length hair flicked mid-air. And partially revealing her dark-tinted strands of violet coloring. Others even dared to hand back the money gift if he couldn’t keep the promise, holding their pocket.

“Again, I promise!”

They all nodded, letting go of their pockets.

Daniel surrendered to his seat, feeling a little heart-ridden from their reaction. A last slurp of water by his desk. He rechecked his resignation letters, glancing through the proper letter and signatures at the end. Beforehand, he had already copied the backup of the list onto his personal account and deleted the file on the work computer. All in his grasp, Daniel grabbed his paper and the briefcase, departing from his desk.

The clock’s hand reached twelve, ending the day’s shift. Everyone else in the office immediately packed up, wanting to see Daniel off. He headed off to the hallway first, waiting for them before locking the doors, leaving the key in his hand. “Time to go,” he muttered, zooming past the sky bridge hallway for the last time.

“It’s gonna be hard not seeing you here anymore.”

“The daily lunches and break hours in the office.”

Daniel grinned, not trying to be sentimental. “Agh, I hope your experience will lead you to your future successful lives. I can’t be certain a new chief will come after my vacancy…But I wish you all the best.”

“Hey, it’s alright. The group chat will keep us company…here we go,” Rebecca said as she clicked the elevator door button.

A brief silence as all watched the elevator doors open. “More than two years of service,” Daniel muttered with a deep sigh. “Thank you all.”

Daniel stood at the center, directly at the door. He leaned against the railing with his head lying on the wall. The woman clerk faced herself at Daniel, extending her clenched fist. He looked at her and she grinned, nodding. He returned with a fist bump. Others, catching the moment, shared theirs too.

Ding!

Back to the first floor in the lobby. Rebecca exited first, making space for Daniel to walk out. He turned right in the opposite direction of the entrance. In this direction led him to the city council hall, displayed fully on a sign hanging above the pairs of duo doors. As he reached closer to the doors, he glimpsed the ongoing meeting with the mayor through the windows. “I’ll be out in a moment,” he said and thrust the door inward.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I have a quick statement.”

Mayor Burman, confused, glanced his eyes into each of the council members present. Daniel mentally counted ten, excluding the mayor. “Excuse me for a moment,” he uttered through the mic.

Most of the audience kept their attention on Daniel. Maybe a few have some ill-intentions, but he couldn't care less. His intended last day of serving can only come sooner. But he maintained his joy within as much as possible. Yep, today’s the business hour of the month. I recognize a few faces from before at the Venue. Including from the papers.

The neighboring council member to Mayor Burman’s left leaned towards her microphone. “Ok, you get two minutes.”

“Everyone present, I have come to you today to share my current status in the desire of change. The desire is my resignation from my position as chief of operations.”

Commotion triggered in the hall. All the council members were flabbergasted by his declaration. The mayor was silent and couldn't bring out a single word. Cold and stoned to the point, he can bring up the charismatic smile. While there is ongoing chaos, Daniel continued. “Personal unprecedented events and health crises have come to my footing once I stepped out of the venue that night. There will be no further information to be stated. ”

Daniel set the briefcase down and walked around the podium. He handed them the stapled packet, containing all the requirements to demand a resignation. Afterward, he headed back to his podium, waiting for the official answer.

“I will have to decline,” Mayor Burman said, tearing the signature paper.

You bastard. Not even you! Daniel clenched all of his fingers on the edge of the podium’s countertop. “You really want me to stay in the matters of crisis?!”

“You’re supposed to talk to me beforehand.” Mayor Burman grunted with a slight drip of sweat.

Daniel walked up close to the table. “I don’t have time. That’s why you received all of your news and daily operations way ahead of the consistent delivery schedule,” he whispered to the entire council.

“Sir, you did your duties before without the office of chief of operations. There’s no need to hold him back when he desires to resign. Please reconsider your interpretation.” The latter council member suggested.

“That doesn’t satisfy my reasons.”

How much damn longer is he holding me here? Daniel’s torso and chest felt a jolt of heat inside, clashing with the edge of his ribs. Oh no. My qi is gonna go out of control. “Sir, please, I need to resign. Let me have the way out.”

Mayor Burman, unfazed, shook his head.

Ok, that’s it. Daniel swiftly headed back to the podium, and he had enough, grunting through his jaws as he held his grip hard on the countertop.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Crack!

The countertop levitated from the podium’s stand as he grabbed it, only to yank it off the podium. His eyes glowed illuminating gold, pushing the demand for him to resign. “Now the evidence has been shown in front…when will any of you recognize the potential crisis I'm enduring? I can't be here much longer; otherwise, there will be trouble.”

Mayor Burman grew conflicted as he witnessed a traumatizing appearance Daniel unintentionally exerted. Everyone in the hall saw his hands fidgeted, and the sweat dripped much more from the temple of his head, flowing down in the path to his facial cheek. Also, the audible tapping echoed from behind the council’s roundtable.

“How much longer are you gonna drag this damn decision?” Daniel said.

“Alright Fine! You may go!” Mayor Burman surrendered his opinion. Subsequently, Daniel was removed from the council as a former chief of operations. His golden eyes dissipated and relaxed his hands. He gave one bow to the council and the guests attending. He departed the hall, gripping his briefcase. “Oh yeah, I forgot. Here’s the key.”

He set the key on the table and finally left.

3.2

Three Days Later

“ARGH!”

Quite an unfortunate morning to start off with a relentless shriek that echoed beyond the walls in his bedroom, seeping through under the thin spaces of the door. Because of living alone, Daniel vividly heard a violent storm rumbling and roaring through the hallway and the rattling of the decor hanging on the wall. Somebody make this stop! Daniel grunted as he held both of his hands tight on his head, feeling he was going to lose it. He grabbed Mother Elaine's journal and aggressively flung it away.

SHATTER!

Daniel plunged to the floor from his bed. The one thing he doesn’t want to deal with again returned. Everything in his room started to shake. Vast amounts of energy jolted outward from his back, followed by the tension circulating his neck as if he was strangled. Layers of his wall peeled in reaction to the qi. Books free fell from the collapsing shelves. Mindlessly, Daniel rammed towards the partially shattered glass window in front of his bed. He zoomed out midair and immediately dropped down the hill, slamming his nose into the dirt.

Grhh. He grunted from the shock after striking his entire nose. Landing on the incline, he rolled downwards continuously, ending with a slam to his back right at the fence. His eyes are completely shut, pitch-black because of the sharp pain coming directly from his nose. He felt it and might not have heard a crack, but the dull pressure was not mistaken.

Slight groans came hard when he lifted himself up with his knees as his hands were all focused on his tattered nose. Christ. Daniel reacted when he nudged his finger, feeling a hollow gap in his upper nose of what should've been the solid, straight nasal bone. His palms felt wet and cold. He hovered one of his hands right in front of him, revealing the drops of blood. His eyes stared at it, focusing entirely on his hand.

Daniel’s heart skipped a beat when his blood was entirely blue. He wiped the stain onto his face, hovering the other hand away, and prayed it was not blue. Unfortunately, not. Wiping his other hand away, he looked uphill to his house. The entire house was stationed on a hill, and the incline was his backyard. Definitely not for outdoor gatherings. To get back to the house, Daniel has to make a strenuous effort to hike up the steep hill to reach it. Otherwise, he could take a longer route with a path naturally shaped by the elevated hill and take a trip around it with only access back inside at the front.

“Man…What a pain-”

Not wanting to take the latter, he breathed in and conserved his stamina when he stepped his foot onto the hill, beginning hiking upwards. Wait. I don’t feel any strain. Daniel noticed the lack of fatigue in his legs. He tested himself by speeding his legs, effectively jolting him at constant speed as the distance of his house rapidly shrunk. What the hell. What kind of power is this? He grew fascinated at the moment’s surprise.

SHATTER!

“Umph!” Daniel grunted after being slammed through an unscathed window, crashing to his bed flat. My freaking nose. Give me a break!

He rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. It’s bare, and the paint was entirely peeled off. Not a drop of debris laid on the floor, likely to be disintegrated from the exertion of his qi. Something is surely wrong ever since he got stabbed by the masked individuals at the Venue, Ava got killed, resigning the position of Chief of Operations, and reading the scroll.

Daniel sat up, collecting his thoughts until he figured he had enough of dealing with the madness. Wondering where the journal went, he glared back outside. He stepped foot outside through the clean frame, peeking from the edge of the hill. Darn it.

The journal was partially hidden in the grass on the perimeter of the hill. Daniel grew furious when he sprung out, away from the house. He leaned downward as the elevation dropped and adrenaline overridden his doubts while speedily descended along the hill. Arriving on the surface, he quickly picked it up, brushing dirt off the cover. He went back up the hill, returning to his bedroom, and felt toasted, leaving the journal on the bed. Thus, he headed to the shower first, soaking off all his agony to the drain.

I have to figure out what led to all of this…No news of Ava’s investigation from the officials. My personal investigation got me able to craft a synopsis. Since then, after two days, life’s been boring. I’m really not homey, aren’t I?

Daniel stood for a long while under the heavy showers, soaking all over his head. After eight minutes of self-reflection and loathing, he left the shower and dumped the old clothing into the trash. Thus, he strolled through the closet, scanning through the selections of his outerwear. It doesn't feel right wearing any of them. He began to remember something and climbed up the ladder until his hand reached the shelf hovering above the hangars. He grabbed the handle, dragging the chest towards his right shoulder. Daniel dropped it onto the carpet, blasting off a thin layer of dust.

The chest was designed similarly to a cubicle from the square-shaped structure. He took note it weighed much lighter than when he first received it. He was fairly lean toward his age and profession. Thinking about it, he observed his arms and noticed it was enlarged, realizing what caused it to feel lighter. He unlocked the chest, protected by a pin.

The lid opens with an uncomfortable creak. Daniel hovered his arms over his chest, lifting up a black uniform. The white-colored perimeter imprinted on the suit jacket from the lapels all the way to the top button. Good to see you again. Daniel happily gazed.

He placed the suit jacket on the bench and took all the contents, also placing it on the bench. He laid out the entire set on the surface of the dresser. A suit jacket. Dressing Shirt. Heavy trousers. A pair of black dress shoes. Two boxes. Check.

Dressing up, he saved for the suit jacket last. Daniel chose the smallest box of the two, carefully opening the lid. The bulky and sturdy watch poked out of the bottom of the box, revealing itself for Daniel to visualize. He took it out, throwing away the box and equipped it on. Good as new while hugging his left wrist tightly. Finally, he gave a taste to the suit jacket when putting his arms through the sleeves.

Worth the wait for something this cozy. Daniel buttoned up his suit jacket and proceeded to the second box, which was much larger than the former. He nudged it closer towards the center, carefully opening it. A perfume-like smell gushed out through the opening space, leaving a scent grasping his nostrils. Daniel reacted away from it as he coughed and sneezed, feeling the broken bone rattling inside. What world will someone put a damn scent of perfume within this box?!

He came back with his nose covered tight and one hand reaching in, pulling out a handcrafted pistol, followed by two ammo cartridges and a tight holster. Daniel slammed the box, shattering the drawer’s counter, and leaving a wide gap. The perfume smell significantly ceased, but the fume still stimulated coming from the pistol. That infuriated him. And he went to the bathroom with it and placed the pistol directly below the running faucet. He twisted the switch fully while washing his face of any lingering remnants, mainly his nostrils.

Not that much trouble after a period of water gushing from the faucet. The perfume finally ceased. He wiped off the pistol with the towel, tossing it to the trash, and Daniel went back to the drawer, equipping his holster. The holster hid under his trousers, leaving a brief poking out above the waistline. With the perfume gone, he observed the pistol and recalled the kind thanks to the grip’s texture. Very dense and tough feeling, especially when Daniel gave a knock, creating a notable echo. Just like hardwood. He noted. The color theme was ordered to be entirely black, originally the grip was supposed to be left brownish with darker veining. However, he wanted it covered with a darker veining and kept as authentic as possible. It’s the first time he ever grasped it. And the only thing in the chest he has never been firsthand witnessed. Delightedness can only last much longer, but he refocused back to checking the functionality coming in check.

No ammo and activity, good. He gave a grip on the barrel and thrust back, hearing the recoil. Check. He unloaded the empty cartridge and inserted one of the two loaded spares. Daniel left the closet only carrying the trash out, ignoring the damaged drawer. He tumbled over the wrecked shelves and furniture, grabbed his phone, and headed out to the main hallway. And didn’t leave the journal unaccompanied this time.

All the decorations supposedly hung on the wall were scattered and shattered all over the floor. Daniel tiptoed across the hallway, dodging every shard and debris. The extent of the damage from his qi reached the end of the hallway. He gave a look and turned to the kitchen, leaving the items on the dining table.

“Ah…what should I eat?” he muttered to himself while wandering into the kitchen, straight to the fridge. He took two foiled wraps, a Tupperware filled with rice halfway, and a bag containing sliced cucumber.

Growl!

Daniel held tight on his abdomen. The first time he ever felt insanely hungry or left, it grumbled. Therefore, he began making his first meal of the day with all the ingredients he got out of the fridge.