Beep—Beep—!
In the dimly lit room, a piercing alarm shattered the silence, its repetitive tone almost brainwashing in its intensity.
The source of the sound was a giant-sized, specialized agent phone placed on the nightstand. The glow from its screen illuminated the surroundings, faintly outlining the room's layout and decor.
The bedroom was approximately twelve square meters in size, featuring a 1.8-meter by 2-meter double bed. While not particularly spacious, it was neatly arranged, reflecting the owner's preference for functionality and minimalist aesthetics.
However, the computer desk, equipped with a hard-light screen generator and an ultra-slim chassis, was cluttered with scattered paper documents, creating a stark contrast to the desk's otherwise high-tech appearance.
This scene suggested that the room's owner had worked late into the night, too exhausted to tidy up before collapsing into bed.
Yet, another detail hinted at a different possibility.
A few pieces of clothing were strewn across the wooden floor, as if hastily discarded.
Rather than attributing this to sheer exhaustion, one might guess that the owner was simply too lazy to clean up—or perhaps there had been an unexpected "incident."
"Ugh..."
A low groan of discomfort escaped the bedroom's owner as the blaring alarm jolted him awake. He rolled over abruptly, squinting as he instinctively reached out with his right hand, fumbling across the nightstand.
His fingers brushed against the phone's screen, and with practiced ease, he swiftly silenced the alarm, plunging the room back into darkness and quiet.
However, the peace didn't last long—
Beep—Beep—!
The shrill alarm rang out again, echoing throughout the room.
"Who is it...?"
With clear irritation, the bedroom's owner finally opened his eyes, muttering a vague complaint.
He "struggled" out from under the covers, his movements sluggish, clearly still in the groggy state of someone just waking up. But thanks to his "special constitution," he quickly regained full alertness.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pressed his left hand to his forehead and grabbed the phone with his right, squinting at the screen.
As the screen lit up, its faint glow illuminated his face, revealing the bedroom's owner—
A handsome man with golden, middle-parted hair that should have looked neat and professional but was now disheveled, sticking out in all directions like a bundle of straw.
The harsh light from the screen reflected in his eyes, revealing a mix of impatience and resignation.
This man was none other than Leon S. Kennedy, an elite investigator of the Empire—or more accurately, the newly promoted Director of Operations for the Investigation Department.
Though he was known for his good looks, calm demeanor, and reliability, the repeated interruptions from the alarm had left him looking exhausted and helpless.
Seeing the words "Incoming Call: Work" on the screen, Leon's shoulders slumped involuntarily, his expression growing even more resigned as he muttered under his breath:
"Come on... I just started my vacation a few days ago. Ugh, life..."
This single sentence encapsulated his "hectic" life since joining Atlas. It seemed he had grown accustomed to this endless cycle of work, where even a vacation was a rare luxury.
With that, Leon pressed the answer button and ran a hand through his hair, only to find that his "exploded" hairstyle was beyond saving. He decided to leave it as it was, messy and unkempt.
As he held the phone to his ear, a clear female voice from the administrative staff came through, reporting:
"Director Kennedy, the Joint Reconnaissance Unit has gathered intel on the environment beyond the spatial gate and discovered a city inhabited by a mix of aliens and humans. The Investigation Department's intervention is now required."
"Hmm..." Hearing this, Leon felt a sense of foreboding. He couldn't help but think—no, he was certain—that his vacation was once again ruined.
However, since this matter involved the spatial gate and laid the groundwork for future unification wars, Leon wasn't as annoyed or frustrated as he might have been.
Besides, he was used to it. His tone remained calm as he replied:
"And then?"
"The Investigation Department is currently short-staffed, especially with the 'Purge of Dissidents' operations in Universe-14 (Starship Troopers) and Universe-15 (Aliens) entering their final stages. This has also led to a shortage of experienced operational commanders..."
The female staff member first explained the department's predicament before getting to the point:
"Therefore, Minister Wang has ordered you to take command of this intervention operation. As for your vacation, we will apply for a postponement with higher-ups. During the operation, you will receive triple your daily salary, along with the usual benefits."
Minister Wang?!
When the staff member mentioned the source of the order, Leon's entire body stiffened.
Instinctively, he freed his right hand and quickly turned around, reaching behind him to search for a familiar "presence."
However, his hand only touched the empty bedsheet.
???
Leon frowned slightly, a look of confusion flashing in his eyes as his thoughts became muddled.
The other side of the bed should have been occupied by a tall, mature, and intellectual "older sister" figure...
When had she returned to the office?
Had she gotten up that early?
And then hurried back to their Investigation Department headquarters, only to drag him out of his vacation and back to work given the current situation?
What was the point?
Leon was utterly baffled, but his confusion lasted only a moment.
Perhaps accustomed to dealing with such sudden chaos on his own, Leon quickly gathered his thoughts, pushing aside his momentary bewilderment to focus on the task at hand.
"Alright, I understand. I'll head to the Ruins Base shortly. Anything else to report?"
He responded in a steady voice, trying to appear calm and efficient, as if his personal affairs had no impact on his emotions or judgment.
"That's all, Director."
"Okay."
Leon acknowledged briefly before hanging up.
Then, his gaze shifted slightly to the control panel on the nightstand, and he said softly:
"Lights on."
As soon as he gave the command, the room's lighting system responded instantly. The bedside lamp and the chandelier on the ceiling lit up simultaneously, filling the space with a soft, warm glow.
The light wasn't harsh, and its comfortable brightness helped him shake off the last remnants of sleepiness, dispelling the morning haze.
Meanwhile, the window on the east side of the bedroom began to change subtly.
At first, it displayed a serene nighttime lakeside scene.
But as the holographic imaging system in the glass adjusted automatically, the transparency gradually increased, allowing the morning sunlight to filter into the room. The warm rays of dawn slowly illuminated Leon's face, revealing his still somewhat resigned expression.
In truth, from the wrinkled bedsheets to the scattered clothes, every detail silently recounted the events of the previous night—
Namely, Leon's wild night with the so-called "Minister Wang," Ada Wong.
Although Leon was on vacation, whenever he returned home, he always made time to organize paper documents, review and double-check past mission details, and stay updated on the Empire's latest developments.
The previous evening, he had met up with his friend Mike Monaldi for a casual gathering. They drank beer, ate barbecue, and enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation.
However, this peace was shattered by a sudden doorbell ring.
The moment the doorbell sounded, Leon immediately became alert.
Especially since it was close to midnight and he wasn't particularly close with his neighbors, he found it very strange.
When he checked the visitor's identity through the surveillance monitor, the screen displayed a familiar figure—Ada Wong, dressed in leather pants and a deep red trench coat.
Moreover, Ada was flashing a charming, teasing smile, staring at him through the monitor.
At the sight of this, Leon's heart raced involuntarily.
Ada's appearance instantly pulled him out of his relaxed state.
Without missing a beat, he opened the door, and the atmosphere shifted immediately. What followed was Ada raising her left hand, extending a finger to lightly touch Leon's lips.
Then, things escalated into the indescribable.
After a "long" period of madness, Leon finally collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted, letting all remaining thoughts sink into drowsiness and fatigue.
The memories of last night were like a smudged oil painting, blurry and elusive, as Ada herself carried an air of mystery.
Upon waking, Leon went from being confused to annoyed, and upon learning that the order had come from Ada, he realized that all of this was her way of "compensating" him for interrupting his vacation.
However, Leon suspected that she might have done it purely for "fun," as Ada's actions were always unpredictable.
Oh well, Leon couldn't be bothered to figure out what Ada was thinking.
He might never understand that woman's mind. In comparison, even the most perilous missions seemed easier to handle.
Next.
Leon ordered some takeout to fill his empty stomach, then headed to the bathroom for a quick shower and freshening up. In less than ten minutes, he was clean and feeling more awake and refreshed.
His previously messy, "exploded" hairstyle was now washed and styled, returning to its usual "classic" look—neat, professional, and effortlessly stylish.
As he stepped out of the bathroom and entered the walk-in closet to change, the mechanical voice of the smart home assistant reminded him:
"Sir, your takeout will arrive shortly."
Hearing this, Leon put on his fleece-lined, bulletproof tactical pants and a long-sleeved, padded combat shirt.
The morning sunlight streaming through the window, combined with the faint woody scent in the room, helped him push aside the frustration of his interrupted vacation.
Once he was ready, he left the second floor, which housed the bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom.
He descended the glass staircase to the grand hall connecting the first and second floors, with a ceiling height of seven meters, and headed straight for the open balcony on the east side.
Whoosh—!
As the unlocked automatic door slowly opened, a cool morning breeze from the high-rise brushed against his face, instantly invigorating him.
Standing on the east-facing open balcony, Leon surveyed his surroundings, his gaze extending into the distance, taking in the morning scenery of New Acra's central district.
Towering megastructures seemed to pierce the clouds, their metallic surfaces gleaming with the sheen of a futuristic city.
Giant aerial parks dotted the landscape like emerald islands floating in a sea of steel, injecting a touch of life and softness into the bustling metropolis.
Multi-layered aerial traffic routes wove between the buildings, with civilian, commercial, and police hovercrafts each fulfilling their roles, flowing like smooth metallic rivers through the city's skyline.
Leon silently observed all of this, feeling an indescribable sense of fulfillment.
This "new home" was a testament to his past efforts and struggles.
Before being promoted to Director, Leon had saved up enough to buy a property.
Later, he sold a house in the suburbs and turned his attention to a megastructure in the eastern part of New Acra's city center.
This building was renowned for its top-tier property services, prime location, and stunning views.
After some consideration, he decided to purchase the top-floor duplex and make it his new home.
Although Leon, by nature, had little interest in luxurious or high-end lifestyles, he also knew that after risking his life for the Empire, the company, and humanity's future, he deserved a more convenient and respectable place to live.
At the same time, perhaps driven by a bit of selfishness, he hoped that this choice would give him more opportunities to interact with "that female superior" of his.
This hidden thought was something he rarely dwelled on, only occasionally mocking himself for it during moments of solitude.
Moreover, his new home was close to his workplace—the Imperial Palace.
Before long.
A sleek-looking "drone," or rather, a delivery robot, came into Leon's view. However, its true identity was not to be underestimated.
This delivery robot, resembling an ordinary mid-sized aircraft, was actually an upgraded and enhanced version of an aerial hunter, repurposed for efficient transportation.
Its clever design and relative intelligence allowed it to navigate the city's nooks and crannies with ease while carrying substantial cargo.
Then, the delivery robot hovered steadily above the open balcony, its magnetic levitation engines emitting a soft hum.
It opened the hatch on its underside and, using a mechanical arm with precise control, delivered a biodegradable takeout container to Leon.
The entire process was executed with the efficiency of a well-trained waiter, smooth and seamless.
Leon reached out and effortlessly took the takeout container.
At that moment, the delivery robot played a pre-recorded promotional message through its built-in audio system.
A clear, slightly playful female voice said:
"Thank you for choosing us amidst your busy schedule. If our flavors satisfy your palate, please consider leaving us a five-star review~!"
The tone of the advertisement was warm and friendly, with a touch of lighthearted humor.
Even on a morning where he had been rudely awakened and robbed of his vacation, Leon couldn't help but smile slightly.
These small details, blending technology, machinery, and service, undoubtedly added a layer of convenience and enjoyment to his daily life.
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256) — $5
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336) — $5
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542) — $5
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924) — $5
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284) — $5
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289) — $5
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316) — $5
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402) — $5
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570) — $5
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660) — $5
Get access to all of them for just $15 on Patre@n!
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]