บท 10: 10
Standing in front of a mirror, Jason adjusted his tie a bit. He looks dapper with the suit although he kind of hated that tie. To be frank, he hated all sorts of ties. In a sense, tie and he didn't mix well.
"Shit, I can't do this," he loosened up the tie and threw it on the floor.
Jason adjusted his collar making him at least presentable for the birthday celebration this evening.
"Why couldn't they cancel the whole thing, aren't they worry about the damn crack in the sky?" Jason didn't understand the mindset of his extended family.
Although nothing had happened for the last three days since the appearance of that crack in the sky, much to the relief of Jason. But shouldn't his uncle and the rest of his families be worried about what would happen if something bad happened due to the crack?
Yet he knew, the stingy uncle of his wouldn't dare cancel his birthday celebration since they did pay a lot of money to rented a whole event hall in one of the most highly-rated hotels in NYC. Like a family motto of the Park clan, money is precious more than anything. Although, Jason did saw money as a necessity but not to the point of endangering his life over a few bundles of green paper.
He, having a dream to work at Wall Street was kind of for the sake of freedom rather than being a money-loving capitalist. Jason walked out to the balcony and stared at the crack in the sky. True to the rumors, the crack was increasing in its size, day by day. Alarming to the point of worrying those physicists debating on the television screen.
But unknown to the rest of the world, Jason was the most worried. Since he knew what would come out of that crack. Yesterday, he decided to post something on the internet anonymously. He told of what might came out from that crack. He explained from his experience of what went down from the beginning to the end, omitting certain facts such as his name as well as the location. He wouldn't want to risk being found.
Jason took his anonymity to another level, using a cheap smartphone he bought from a store and used an unknown cafe's wifi to post his encounter with the goblin. He decided to go through the hassle of doing as such for the sake of mankind itself. Who knows what would happen?
If there are people out there that believed in his story, some might prepare themselves for the worst. But like he expected. Jason checked his phone.
"As I thought, these people wouldn't believe me," Jason said.
He read a bunch of comments under the post he made and every one of it was ridiculing him. They ridiculed him to the point of cursing him with harsh words unbefitting for a humane person. Thankfully, he didn't post it using his own smartphone.
"Status open," he said out loud as the blue window appeared.
[Jason Park]
[Job : None]
[Level 2]
[EP : 1/1]
[Strength : 8+3]
[Agility : 8]
[Dexterity : 5]
[Stamina : 3]
[Energy : 0]
[E.Resist : 0]
[Points : 0]
[Unique Trait : Rapid Growth]
[Skills : Basic Swordsmanship Lv.9]
His eyes were focused on the skill section.
"The quick leveling starts to die down," he said.
For the past three days, he abandoned the thought of learning the trading skill in the hope of making a fortune. Instead, he pushed himself to the limits training himself in the way of the sword. He kept on swinging the katana after returning back to his apartment hoping to be at least prepared for whatever might come out of the crack. Since the appearance of that crack, every day the nervousness he had intensified. Jason didn't know why but his gut was telling him as such.
"Status close," the blue window disappeared.
RING RING
His smartphone rang and he saw the name on the screen. He couldn't help himself but frown after seeing that name.
"What?" a single word and his tone were definitely cold.
"Pick me up at JFK airport," the voice of a woman was at the other end of the call.
"I don't even have a car, why should I pick you up? Can't you just take a Zuber?" said Jason.
"Pick me up or else I'll tell your mom about-" before she could end her threat Jason said.
"Fine, I'm coming."
"Be sure to be there before I arrive," the call ended.
"She hung up?" Jason looked at the phone, "hmph, typical."
He snorted and grabbed whatever he needed. He stood there in front of the door as he was reminded of something. Jason looked back and saw his katana laid on the table. He shrugged his shoulder while thinking.
I might need it.
---
Jason clad in his black suit stood in front of the airport entrance. He drew quite an attention since he had something clothed strapped on his back. It looks traditional and didn't fit well with his modern look.
"Jaedong, I'm here," a woman came out from the entrance dressed from top to bottom in a rather glamorous fashion. A summer hat on top, a pair of large lens sunglasses, and everything else on her body that doesn't suit the season of fall.
"Gina, can't you at least dress appropriately with the season? and another thing, stop calling me Jaedong. It's Jason," said Jason.
Not a pleasant greeting for someone who came from far away.
"Shut it Jaedong, I'll call you by your Korean name. You know how fond I am with that name of yours, Jason just seems too plain," said Gina.
She handed him her bags which only irritated him further. He wouldn't act so servile like this if it wasn't for that thing.
"About the clothes, Miami is always sunny. I just can't get used to the weather here in New York," Gina replied.
Gina Park, another cousin of his. Made to be the representative of her family to their uncle's birthday celebration. An outgoing type of lady, social to the point of partying every weekend in some kind of beach party. Jason and Gina didn't see things eye to eye, most of the time she's the one who leads him much to him disagreeing. But at this current point of time, he couldn't reject her since she has leverage on him. Jason watched her from the back, as she was quick on her feet and was already inside a cab.
"Get inside Jaedong, or we'll going to be late," she pressured him much to his annoyance.
He got inside the cab after packing her bags at the back. He was about to tell the driver his home address but was stop by Gina.
"What are you doing," said Gina.
"Telling my address," Jason maintained his patience.
"No, we're not going to coop up inside that gloomy apartment of yours. It's time to shop," to her words, Jason's face tightened. He could already imagine the torturous hours of spending shopping with her.
Two hours later.
In front of Marion Latte Hotel, one of the top luxury hotels in New York City stood Gina and Jason. Gina was smiling and Jason, on the other hand, was miserable with sunken eyes. He had a few bags held in his hands courtesy of his cousin's shopping spree.
"Uncle is really spending a lot for his 60th birthday, still loaded with that money huh," said Gina with a condescending grin.
Jason stood silent, not bother to comment on Gina's remark. He knew what she meant.
"Oh, the party is about to start," Gina was about to rush off but her Jason called to her first.
"These things Gina?" asked Jason.
"Oh, let me get a room first."
---
A single queen bedroom perfect for Gina Park. Jason was impressed by the interior decoration but his priority right now was to threw these useless things on the floor.
"Hey, careful with those things," Gina shouted.
She couldn't stay idle seeing Jason throwing her things around on the floor. All of those branded things are brand new.
"Not my problem," said Jason.
Gina glared at him in response.
"Come on, the party is about to start," said Jason.
"You're not going to leave that thing behind?" Gina asked pointing at the clothed elongated thing strapped behind Jason.
"It's important," Jason said.
"Just put that thing on the bed, I don't want our uncles and aunts reprimanding you for bringing a thing like that inside a party," Gina took matters into her own hand.
"Hey, wait," Jason couldn't retaliate.
Gina already took off the clothed thing from behind him and threw it on the bed. Before Jason could get it back, Gina pushed him from the back until both of them were out. The sound of the door being locked rang inside Jason's ears. He tried to open the door, twisting the doorknob like a frantic man but nothing happened.
"You," Jason's face was flushed.
He grabbed Gina by the shoulder and pushed her to the door. A coquettish look was evident on Gina's face. A stark difference from the fuming Jason who was restraining himself from lashing out. A gentle hand caressed Jason's face accompanied by the seductive gaze of Gina.
"What the hell are you doing?" said Jason.
His deadpan expression didn't welcome the action of Gina.
"Nothing, I'm just remembering a certain night in summer," replied Gina.
Their eyes stared at each other with both souls didn't share the same feeling.
RING RING
A playful tune coming from Gina's smartphone broke the silence between them. She picked it up while her eyes didn't leave the sight of Jason's eyes.
"Hello," she greeted.
"Oh, I'm already here. I'm with Jason, we'll be there in a minute," replied Gina.
"They're waiting," said Gina.
She shrugged her shoulder releasing herself from the grasp of Jason and walked away.
"You're not coming?" asked Gina.
Jason let out a long breath. He tidied up himself and walked towards Gina.
"This is the last time," said Jason.
Gina chuckled in response as both of them headed towards the birthday party venue.
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