Chapter 179: A City That Is No Longer Home

Jet stood across the street from what remained of his former apartment building, watching several construction workers remove debris from the damaged entrance.

Yellow barriers surrounded the property, and most of the shattered windows had been covered with temporary boards.

The authorities had already inspected the building, but repairs would take considerably longer. Several neighboring residents had returned to collect their belongings, while others were still searching for temporary accommodation.

He hadn’t expected to feel particularly emotional about seeing the place again. It was only an apartment, after all, and he’d never considered it luxurious.

Nevertheless, he’d spent countless evenings there with Inez, sharing meals, helping her with schoolwork, and listening to her complain whenever he insisted that she go to bed early.

Now there was nothing left for them to return to.

Jet adjusted the strap of the small bag hanging from his shoulder, careful not to aggravate his injured arm. He’d recovered a few belongings that had survived the destruction, although most of their possessions were either damaged or missing.

Fortunately, Inez’s important documents had been recovered, and Nadia had helped organize everything they would need while staying at the protected residence.

He remained outside for another minute before turning away.

The meeting with Alessandro earlier that afternoon had settled one concern, but it hadn’t changed his decision. Zenith City had become increasingly dangerous for him and Inez, and even with Damian imprisoned, there was no guarantee that every person connected to the assassination network had been identified.

Besides, he had other reasons to leave.

His regression had given him knowledge of events that hadn’t happened yet, and remaining in one city indefinitely would only limit his opportunities to prepare.

There were places he needed to visit, resources he intended to obtain, and challenges that would eventually demand far more strength than he currently possessed.

But before any of that, he needed somewhere Inez could live without constantly looking over her shoulder.

By the time Jet returned to the protected residence, evening had settled over Zenith City. Nadia was preparing dinner in the kitchen while Inez sat at the dining table, drawing something on a sheet of paper. The little girl immediately looked up when she heard the door.

"Brother!" Inez exclaimed, abandoning her drawing and hurrying toward him. She stopped just before throwing herself into his arms, remembering his injuries. "Are you feeling better? Aunt Nadia said you’re not supposed to carry anything heavy."

Jet chuckled and gently patted her white hair. "I’m getting better, little troublemaker. And don’t worry, this bag isn’t heavy enough to defeat me."

Inez examined him suspiciously before returning to her chair. Nadia emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel as she looked toward Jet.

"You’re back earlier than I expected," Nadia remarked. "How did everything go?"

Jet placed his bag beside the sofa. "I managed to collect a few things. The apartment’s still a mess, though. I don’t think we’ll be going back there."

Nadia nodded sympathetically, although she didn’t appear surprised. They’d already discussed the possibility of finding another place, and the condition of the building made returning impractical.

After dinner, Jet finally brought up the decision he’d been considering.

"Inez, there’s something I want to talk to you about," Jet began, sitting beside his sister. "I’ve been thinking that we should move away from Zenith City and start somewhere new."

Inez immediately stopped playing with her spoon.

"Move away?" she repeated, looking between Jet and Nadia. "But this is where we live. What about my school? And Aunt Nadia?"

Jet rested his hand on the table, giving her time to process the news. "We’ll find you another school, and you’ll make new friends. I know it sounds sudden, but I think we’ll be happier somewhere else."

Inez frowned, clearly unconvinced. "But I already have friends here. And I know where everything is. What if I don’t like the new place?"

Jet smiled gently. "Then we’ll figure it out together. I’m not asking you to go somewhere alone, Inez. Wherever we move, I’ll be right there with you."

The little girl considered his answer before turning toward Nadia.

"Aunt Nadia, you’re coming too, right?" Inez asked hopefully.

Nadia’s expression softened. She approached the table and crouched beside Inez’s chair, taking the girl’s small hands in hers.

"I’m afraid I won’t be coming with you, sweetheart," Nadia explained. "I have my own life here in Zenith, and now that things are settling down, I need to return to it. But that doesn’t mean we’ll stop talking."

Inez’s face fell. "But I’ll miss you."

Nadia smiled and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her forehead. "And I’ll miss you too. You can call me whenever you want, and I’m sure your brother will bring you to visit someday."

Jet watched them quietly. Nadia had helped protect Inez during an incredibly dangerous period, and he couldn’t imagine how much more difficult everything would’ve been without her. However, he had no intention of asking her to abandon her own responsibilities simply because he wanted to relocate.

"Thank you for everything, Nadia," Jet said sincerely. "I know I’ve already said it before, but I really appreciate what you’ve done for us."

Nadia waved dismissively, although her smile remained warm. "Just make sure you take care of yourself. That little girl needs her brother in one piece."

Later that evening, after Inez had gone to her room, Jet met Frey in the residence’s sitting area. His best friend was sprawled across one of the sofas, examining something on his communication device when Jet approached.

"So, I heard you’re planning to abandon Zenith," Frey remarked, looking up with an exaggerated expression of betrayal. "Were you seriously going to leave without inviting your best friend?"

Jet dropped into the opposite chair and laughed. "I was actually wondering whether you’d finally gotten tired of following me into trouble."

Frey snorted. "Please. If I stopped following you, who would make sure you don’t get yourself killed doing something stupid?"

Jet grinned before becoming slightly more serious. "I’m leaving, Frey. I haven’t decided exactly when, but it’ll be soon. What about you? Your family’s here."

Frey lowered his communication device, considering the question. "I’ve already thought about it. With Damian arrested and his people being rounded up, my family’s finally getting some breathing room. Dad and the others don’t have to keep hiding anymore."

Jet nodded. "That’s good. I was worried they’d still be in danger."

Frey leaned backward against the sofa. "There’s still security around them, but things are improving. Besides, my family can’t just pack up and leave Zenith. Their businesses are here, and they’ve spent years building everything. Moving would be a nightmare."

"So you’re staying?" Jet asked, raising an eyebrow.

Frey stared at him as though he’d said something ridiculous. "Did I say that? I’m coming with you, idiot. My family can take care of their businesses without me hanging around annoying everyone."

Jet laughed. "That’s probably the most convincing reason you’ve given me."

"Exactly," Frey replied proudly, folding his arms. "Besides, someone needs to supervise your terrible decisions."

Before Jet could respond, the sitting room door opened, and Mikhail Dragunov entered carrying a bottle of water. The E-Rank porter stopped when he noticed the two friends talking.

"What are you two discussing?" Mikhail asked, approaching the sofas.

"Jet’s planning to leave Zenith," Frey answered casually. "And apparently, I’ve been appointed his personal babysitter."

Mikhail glanced toward Jet with interest. "You’re leaving? Where to?"

Jet shrugged. "Haven’t settled everything yet. But we’re moving soon. What about you, Mikhail? Have you thought about what you’ll do now that the expedition’s over?"

Mikhail scratched his chin before settling into an empty chair. "Well, I don’t exactly have much going on here. No family waiting for me, no girlfriend, and definitely no successful business."

Frey chuckled. "That’s a depressing introduction."

Mikhail ignored him and continued, smiling slightly. "Besides, sticking with you two might actually make my porter career prosperous. After everything we’ve been through, I figure following Jet is probably the fastest way to find more valuable expeditions."

Jet raised an eyebrow. "You realize following me also seems to attract people trying to kill us?"

Mikhail grinned. "True, but the pay is better than carrying luggage for ordinary Dungeon teams."

Frey burst into laughter. "Listen to this guy! He’s already planning how to get rich off our suffering!"

"Someone has to be financially responsible," Mikhail retorted, pointing toward Frey. "And judging by your personality, it certainly won’t be you."

Jet laughed along with them, enjoying the ordinary conversation after days filled with fighting and investigations. For the first time in a while, they were discussing their futures without worrying about an immediate attack.

Eventually, Jet retrieved his communication device and opened Cassian’s contact information.

He had one more conversation to make before finalizing their departure.

When Cassian answered, Jet leaned back against the sofa and smiled.

"Cassian, I’ve made my decision," Jet announced. "I’m leaving Zenith City. I think it’s time we talked about what comes next."