Chapter 10: The Ice Intermediary
When they parted ways that afternoon, their relationship had already become quite close.
Kirsty tentatively asked Marcus:
"There's a party at my dad's place tonight at 7 PM. Would you like to come?"
She looked at Marcus with some anticipation. Actually, she hadn't even wanted to attend this party because it would be filled with her father's coworkers from the company relocation, plus some neighbors—and more importantly, her stepmother Julia would be there.
"I'd be happy to attend. I'll bring a gift when I come tonight."
Marcus didn't refuse this opportunity to strengthen his relationship with Kirsty.
"See you tonight, then."
Kirsty stepped forward and gave Marcus a hug, whispered softly, then headed toward her rental apartment.
Marcus watched Kirsty's retreating figure. The sunlight stretched her shadow long and thin, her curly hair swaying slightly in the autumn breeze. She walked with a light step, radiating joy.
Kirsty felt his gaze and turned back to see Marcus still standing there, watching her. Embarrassed, she quickly turned away, unconsciously quickening her pace.
In that instant, Marcus suddenly wanted to change her fate, but the feeling dissipated just as quickly. He was currently just an ant, not capable of stopping a freight train with his bare hands.
Kirsty possessed unique potential. In the story, she was chosen by the intermediary to open the box.
She was destined to intersect with Hell, and rashly changing things might backfire.
The Cenobites, Leviathan, and various demons and monsters of this world stood like mountains before him—things Marcus couldn't move at his current level.
At least Marcus knew about Kirsty's future.
But he knew very little about his own future, about the Lighthouse, about Deep Blue Star, and didn't know what lay ahead. Marcus suddenly felt a sense of confusion.
He clenched his fist, feeling the power emanating from his palm. Since he was already in this world, he had no choice.
So he would climb step by step, strive to become stronger, and use absolute power to shatter everything.
Then, he would naturally have the right to choose.
In the evening, Marcus carried a gift box and arrived at Kirsty's building.
On the streets of Staten Island, the buildings near the center were modest, interspersed with some single-family houses. The further out you went, the more single-family homes there were.
Kirsty rented an apartment in a building near the edge of Victory Boulevard. Many of the apartments were vacant—Staten Island didn't have huge foot traffic.
"You're here! Come on, I'll take you to my dad's place."
Kirsty greeted Marcus with a happy hug as she came downstairs, then pulled him eastward along Victory Boulevard.
"Kirsty, I remember you said you were looking for a job because of rent. My building on Forest Avenue has four units, and three are still vacant. You could move there—consider it staff housing. It's not very safe here."
Marcus noticed the living conditions. Although Kirsty wasn't in danger in the storyline, many homeless people were squatting in the corners of the alleys.
"I just paid the rent. I'll ask the landlord tomorrow if I can cancel the lease."
Kirsty didn't refuse. She'd already accepted such a high salary, so what was a little accommodation?
The two chatted as they went to the housewarming party.
During the party, Kirsty's father, Larry, recognized the famous Marcus Dean and treated Marcus to many drinks.
However, Marcus was already a supernatural entity, and no matter how much he drank, he didn't get drunk at all.
The party ended at ten o'clock at night.
Outside, the streets were empty of pedestrians.
The two slowly walked back through the residential district's alleyways.
"Marcus, do you know why I wanted to move out and rent my own place?"
"Because you don't like your stepmother!"
Marcus answered decisively.
"Exactly! You really do understand me!"
"I just don't like Julia. That woman—I always feel like she's up to something."
Kirsty had drunk a little at the party but wasn't drunk. She spoke quietly.
Marcus knew Kirsty's instincts weren't wrong.
Her stepmother, just days after marrying her father, had an affair with her brother-in-law Frank. When they moved back to the house to clean it up, Julia had been constantly reminiscing about her passionate days with Frank.
"Your instincts are right. But I think we're walking in the wrong direction—this is the way to Forest Avenue."
Marcus said casually. During the party, he'd definitely noticed Julia's restless gaze fixed on him, but he had no interest in middle-aged women.
Hearing this, Kirsty stopped, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Marcus:
"I didn't go the wrong way. Didn't you say I could move into your place?"
Kirsty's upbringing meant she wasn't the reserved type. Once she faced her feelings, she would act decisively.
Hearing the young woman's straightforward words, Marcus looked at Kirsty's beautiful face, her eyes seeming to speak volumes.
The two gradually drew closer…
The next morning,
over four hundred miles away at the Miranda Estate.
Several people were talking in the bunker area, led by the butler, Markle.
The scene was a mess.
The bunker entrance was partially destroyed, and the surrounding area was scorched.
A body lay on the ground, missing legs and riddled with bullet holes.
From the remaining skin and clothing fragments, it was clear it belonged to a homeless person.
Butler Markle was directing the cleanup.
Local police officers who arrived at the scene were stopped at the entrance and easily dismissed.
The one million dollars donated to the police department was still proving useful.
Marcus also received the news at the same time. It seemed that the trap he'd set had sent the Ice Cenobite's intermediary to hell.
He told Markle to continue to be vigilant after cleaning up and not to let anyone from the estate approach the bunker.
After buying breakfast and leaving it in his room, Marcus went to the pet shop.
The three girls who'd worked part-time had already gone back to school.
Marcus could only clean up the pet shop alone again.
As for Kirsty, who was supposed to start work today, she was still sleeping in Marcus's room.
In a country like America, relationships move fast. As long as you like someone, that's enough. This is the fastest way to develop a relationship between a man and a woman.
However, the physical stamina of a supernatural entity was indeed too much for an ordinary young woman.
At this moment, Marcus was cleaning up after a Samoyed named "Elisa."
The name "Elisa" was given by the girl named Elisa—one of the three girls from a few days ago.
Marcus didn't understand why she'd give a dog the same name as herself, but that's what she called it.
A black Cadillac sedan stopped in front of the pet shop, and the door opened.
"Sir."
A muscular middle-aged man in a suit, sunglasses, and carrying a black briefcase approached Marcus.
"Did you bring everything?"
Marcus asked casually.
"Yes, it's all in the briefcase."
"Okay, just leave it here. You can go now. Oh, and leave the car."
The man in the suit put down the briefcase, turned to get into the car, but upon hearing Marcus's words, he withdrew his foot and prepared to leave on foot.
"Never mind, since you're already here, don't leave yet. Help me look after the pets. I have something to do."
Without waiting for his agreement, Marcus handed the scooper directly to the muscular man.
He then took the briefcase to the back room and opened it to check.
Duct tape, garbage bags, burlap sacks, a shotgun, remote-controlled explosives—nothing was missing.
The middle-aged man in the shop stared blankly at the dog waste on the scooper in his hand.
The pets in the shop were barking wildly. He was on the verge of tears. He'd never done this job before. He should have known better than to try and get this opportunity to prove himself. He should have let Detective Seventeen do it.
(End of Chapter)
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