“WHAT!!!” Shin screamed out. The Ancient One injured? How is that even possible?

“How?” Shin frantically asked the minor god. However, a moment later Shin calmed himself down and apologized. “It is just very surprising…”

“Yes…even I was surprised…but that just goes to show you the Mortal Realm is a very dangerous place.” The minor god quipped.

“Your exalted existence, you seem to be implying this is the work of humans?” Shin asked as he curled his fingers into a tight fist.

“I do not know the answer to that question, Child. I only sensed a wave of destruction and then the presence of a powerful mana being released…something powerful enough to alter the laws of this universe." The God's voice turned grave and serious. "I do not know how he did it...but to alter the laws no matter how localized is considered a grave taboo. Worse still, he may have altered the future of humans tonight - his actions saved the lives of millions. I fear those above me will investigate the matter thoroughly...." The minor God stopped speaking as he realized that Shin, a human, would not understand these matters.

Instead of worrying about the future, the minor god decided to change topics, "Would you like to see him?” The minor god waved his gas like hand. It seemed as though the world was a clear pond and by shaking his hand, the minor god created ripples in the pond which spread out across the entire vicinity. Instantly, the surroundings changed and Shin along with the minor god appeared in what appeared to be an ICU ward.

Shin wasn’t too fascinated by the teleportation, instead his eyes were fixed on the Ancient One. Ryu, was sleeping in the bed with various wires stuck to his skin. On the surface, Ryu’s body didn’t have any injuries, however Shin was able discern that Ryu’s aura had considerably weakened.

“I am not sure to what extent you can see…but his condition is not too good. You will need to be by his side when he wakes up. That is my first request.”

The minor god’s words pulled Shin from his deep thoughts. “First?”

“Well…it isn’t really a request if you think about it. You are his servant, isn’t it given you will take care of him?” The minor god seemed to be complaining.

Shin gave a stiff smile and motioned the minor god to continue. Mentally, he regretted buttering up to this being – give an inch and they take a mile.

Understanding Shin’s expressions, the minor god added, “Don’t worry, I promise to make it worthwhile. You simply need to visit a human on my behalf and tell them no. No wait…I won’t be here…and the answer is too brief. Humans don’t like brief answers…how about saying – No and you must live your life diligently!” The minor god seemed to be really pleased with himself.

“Eh?” Shin wondered what this meant.

“Don’t think about it too much. She will know what I mean…” The minor waved his hand once more and ripples spread across the surface of the world – this time it changed to the ICU ward housing Shin.

Shin found himself facing himself. Shin’s body was wrapped up in bandages and there were several red tubes inserted into his arm.

“This is me!” Shin asked with surprise.

“Hmm…No this your body. You are here with me.” The minor god explained.

Slowly, the memories of the past few hours began trickling back to Shin. “I am alive?” Shin asked curiously – he didn’t believe he would survive his encounter with the assassin.

“Hai! This is my gift to you!” The minor god happily chirped. “You are bound to make a speedy recovery – much to the surprise of the humans. Although, I do not interfere with human affairs, since you are Ryu-sama’s servant and doing me a favour, this much interference is acceptable, don’t you think so...”

Shin didn’t reply as he stared at Oka-san and Oto-san rush into the room. Oka-san began crying even harder when she saw Shin in lying in the bed.

“Do you know them?” The minor god asked – initially, he thought they were Shin’s parents but Shin’s lack of emotions to their appearance made him question that. Further, wasn’t Shin a servant of Ryu-sama? Why would Ryu-sama take a servant who has living parents? Wasn’t that just morally wrong…

“They are my servants…” Shin spoke with a sigh. He felt guilty for abandoning them, more so after seeing Oka-san weep for him.

“EH??” The minor god exclaimed in surprise. Servants of such a young child – was this a young master from a rich household in Japan? “The world is truly a surprising place…but didn’t you call them Oka-san and Oto-san before?” The minor god asked as he remembered Shin’s words on the rooftop.

“Yes…I did…” Shin calmly replied as he walked over to Oka-san. She could not see him standing next to her. “Those are their names.”

“EHHH!!” The minor god really felt like face palming himself – how can there be someone so stupid!

No wait…maybe this is what Ryu-sama told the child before he separated him? The minor gods imagination began to run wild…

Few years ago…when this child was very young…a despicable Ryu-sama broke into the house, stealing the baby from the cot. Some years later, when the poor boy accidently met a man and woman who recognized him, the evil Ryu-sama told the child that they were his servants....

“Nothing like that happened…” Shin interrupted the minor god who was speaking out aloud his imagination.

“Eh?”

“Since, as long as I know. They introduced themselves as Oka-san and Oto-san. Together they have taken care of me…”

This really can’t be….maybe I should ask him…

“Shin…do you know what Oka-san and Oto-san mean?” The minor god spoke slowly and meekly as though he was carrying a bomb.