Chapter 9

Keagan returned to the park, the same spot where the mystical door had transported him to the other realm. A surge of questions flooded his mind, compelling him to seek answers from the system. With a quick summon, he initiated a rapid-fire session of inquiry.

"Hey system, did all that really happen? Did I actually defeat a villain?" he asked, his voice filled with both excitement and disbelief.

The system responded in its convincingly human-like robotic voice, "Yes, all your actions have been recorded in your activity report, accessible at any time."

A sense of satisfaction washed over Keagan. However, he couldn't help but notice that not much time had passed in the real world. It was only a two-hour difference from when he left in the evening to now, even though it felt like he had spent an entire night in the other world. Perplexed, he decided not to dwell on it for now, as a jumble of emotions overwhelmed him.

Some passersby cast curious glances at him, seemingly talking to himself without realizing the vivid display in his vision. To blend in, Keagan opted to take out his old analog button phone, a second-hand purchase from someone clearing out their garage. It was a stark contrast to the cutting-edge smartphones most people owned, but it was all he could afford.

As he adjusted to the sight of his regular clothes, the superhero suit he had worn vanishing, Keagan couldn't help but notice the newness of his attire. The lingering scent of the store clung to his clothes, and a price tag dangled from his trousers.

He headed towards the roadside, hoping to hail a passing cab while continuing his conversation with the system.

"I remember the blonde girl, Emberlyn. She mentioned something about the country we were in calling itself Arcanum. What exactly is that place?" Keagan inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"The world you encountered operates under the same physical laws as your own, except for the presence of the system. That is all you need to know," the system replied with an air of mysteriousness.

Keagan pressed further, "So, are you a part of that world? Like, are you considered a deity or something? And why are the others unaware of your existence?"

"The nature of my presence is inconsequential, Spectral Guardian. My purpose is to assist you in your journey to becoming the number one hero. That is all you need to be concerned with," the system responded, its tone carrying a hint of ominousness, though not in a threatening manner.

Sensing that further questioning would yield no substantial answers, Keagan decided to let it go. He flagged down an approaching cab and settled into the backseat, providing the driver with polite instructions on his destination. As the cab driver keyed in the information on the GPS, Keagan's mind wandered to various thoughts. He glanced at towering skyscrapers, contemplating how he could use his newfound powers to demolish them with a mere gesture, or alternatively, acquire them with the vast wealth he now possessed. The anticipation of returning home grew within him, fueling his excitement.

They arrived at their destination, and Keagan spotted his younger brother, Josh, eagerly waving from inside the house. The cab driver couldn't help but notice the dilapidated state of the house and wondered if Keagan had the means to pay for the ride. He braced himself, prepared to be forceful and confrontational if he suspected Keagan was trying to avoid paying. However, much to his surprise, Keagan pulled out a crisp 100-dollar bill and tapped the driver's shoulder. The cab driver, taken aback, reached into his glove compartment and handed over the change. Keagan thanked him warmly and stepped out of the cab.

Meeting his brother halfway up the crumbling stairs, they watched as the cab driver drove away. The state of the neighborhood made it clear that security was not a priority in that area.

"Hey Josh, how's the new bike holding up?" Keagan asked, his face beaming with a happy smile.

"It's everything I asked for! I even rode it inside the house, just like you said. But now it's made me hungry again, and I'm not sure if we have enough food left for both of us. So, I waited for you to come back so we could eat," Josh replied.

Keagan pondered for a moment and then made a decision. "You know what? Forget about that food. It's been stale for three days now, and I don't think our stomachs can handle it. Besides, I don't think our bodies can endure another night of cold rain and mice nibbling at our feet. Let's go out to eat. Bring your bicycle and some clothes too. I don't think we'll be coming back here anytime soon," Keagan said, casting a lingering gaze at the house, perhaps bidding it farewell.

Josh chuckled amusedly. Turning to his older brother, he asked innocently, "Hey Keagan, where did you get the money for the bike?" Keagan smiled back at him.

"I got that promotion I always wanted. Now, we can live the life we've always dreamed of!" he answered with joy in his voice.

As they walked away, Keagan cast one last glance at the house. Its desolate appearance was a stark contrast to the vibrant world they were stepping into. The darkness enveloped it, broken windows evidence of vandalism, overgrown foliage consuming parts of the fence and basement. The house wore a coat of green mold, while a gaping hole in the roof revealed its vulnerability to the elements. To most, it was an unnoticed structure, lost among countless others. But for the two brothers, it held a peculiar significance—a sanctuary in the face of life's cruelties. Its worn-out insulation provided meager warmth, enough to endure the nights. 

With a final turn onto the main street, Keagan whispered a quiet gratitude, an expression meant solely for the dilapidated house that had sheltered them.

Keagan continued walking on the sidewalk, observing his brother skillfully maneuvering his new bike through the parked cars. Eventually, they arrived in a neighborhood where a restaurant was still open. Keagan gestured to Josh, and he obediently stopped and turned. They entered the restaurant and chose a table near the counter. A friendly young waitress approached them, offering a warm greeting. Josh's elation was palpable, his spirits lifted on this rare day of joy. The waitress took notice.

"Hi, what can I get you guys?" she asked with a smile.

Keagan turned to Josh, who was bubbling with excitement. "What do you want, Josh?" he inquired.

Josh eagerly pointed to a particular item on the menu, his choice resonating with him. Keagan nodded, signaling the waitress to bring the same dish. As they sat there, waiting for their order to arrive, Keagan absorbed the atmosphere, the weight of his newfound status sinking in. Memories of family dinner dates with their father and brother, and their mother's presence, flooded his mind. He longed to recreate that feeling for his brother, a yearning that resonated within himself as well.

The waitress snapped him back to reality by placing their orders in front of them. He looked up and caught her smile, sensing that she understood the joy he was bringing to his younger brother, and could feel the uplifting energy in the air.

"Will that be all?" she asked politely, balancing her tray as the condensation from the cold drinks brushed against her clothes. She seemed unfazed by it.

"I have another question. Could you recommend a nearby motel where we can stay? My brother and I just moved here and we're searching for houses to rent. We need a place to stay while I look for a permanent residence," Keagan inquired, seemingly embarrassed to reveal the state of living they were in.

"Oh, sure! There's one right across the street from here. It's a few blocks away, but it's only a 20-minute walk. I actually live in one of the dorms there. I'm a student at the university, so I know the area well. My shift ends in about 5 minutes. Would you be willing to wait for me to close up so I can take you both there?" the waitress offered.

"Sure, we don't mind," Keagan replied. The waitress nodded in agreement as she made her way back to the kitchen. The mention of her being a student reignited Keagan's aspirations. He had once dreamed of becoming a computer engineer, but his dreams were shattered by his father's untimely death. He had already applied to prestigious universities and had been accepted into several of them, thanks to his exceptional grades. However, his mother had squandered all the money his father had saved for his college tuition on drugs and her unreliable boyfriend. But now, his dreams began to flicker back to life as he realized he had the power to pursue whatever he desired. In that moment, he also remembered that his brother had been forced to drop out of school.

He yearned to give his brother the world, but he also understood that he wouldn't be around for most of the day due to his new double life. Josh couldn't simply wait for his brother to return from his own adventures. Keagan resolved to find the best prestigious private boarding school for his younger sibling, a place where he could be surrounded by children his age and forget about the harsh realities of their now-past life. He vowed to create a healthier environment for his brother, far from the cruelty they had endured.