[7:00 PM]
[Basement of the Zeus Family Mansion → Lily's Workshop]
Zeus was working on assembling the final component of the last dagger in his hand.
The component was a nearly complete small metal disc, fitted beneath the short, symmetrically shaped hilt of the dagger.
"Looks like she's not coming tonight," he muttered.
He set the daggers aside, and just as he was about to leave the workshop, the door opened automatically, and Mira entered.
She was wearing comfortable summer clothes—a pair of denim shorts and a short-sleeved top.
"Sorry I'm late."
"When did you arrive?"
"Half an hour ago."
---
[Several Hours Later]
After some hard work, the final result was a black metallic disc with a radius of 0.3 meters—meaning it was about half a meter in diameter.
It was large enough to protect his face or chest if he let the shield hover in front of him.
If the daggers attached to it were withdrawn, it would revert into a black combat disc with sharp edges—about twice the size of a clenched fist.
In shield mode, the daggers' sharp ends were positioned outward—so it could also be used as a weapon.
After finishing the project, Mira had fallen asleep while sitting at the table.
Zeus carried her to Natalie's room.
When Natalie saw him, she was confused.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing... she fell asleep after we finished working, and I didn't want to wake her up."
After setting her down in his sister's room, Zeus went to his own room and quickly fell asleep as well.
---
[Next Morning / 11:00 AM]
Mira woke up in an unfamiliar place, feeling a bit disoriented.
When she realized it was Natalie's room, she wondered how she ended up sleeping there.
She washed her face and went downstairs, where she found Zeus's aunt and cousin Zack sitting together.
She greeted them and asked about Zeus and Natalie.
Zeus's mother replied:
"Zeus left a little while ago. You'll find Natalie in the garden."
Mira thanked her and decided she'd head home after saying goodbye to Natalie.
---
[30 Minutes Later]
Zeus was at the city police's vehicle repair workshop.
He was walking through a massive garage, following one of the officers.
"I'm sure I left it around here somewhere… Ah, there it is."
The officer pointed to the corner between two massive vehicles—Zeus's bike was parked there.
"Thanks for your time."
"Don't mention it."
Zeus took his bike and rode through the underground garage beneath the police division's edge—
emerging into the crowded city streets.
"Living without personal transport is a real pain," he thought.
As he stopped at a red light, Zeus received two notifications.
The first was from Sam:
"My idiot friend Zeus, we've prepared a welcome-back party for you tonight.
So whatever plans you had—cancel them and come to the White Fox Lounge.
Everyone in the team is excited to see you again after such a long time!"
Zeus started to reply, but the light turned green.
He pulled over to the side of the road and messaged Sam that he'd be there.
At that moment, a little girl standing beside him was staring up at him.
Zeus didn't notice her right away—he was reading the second message, from Mira:
"Did you test the weapon?"
He replied:
"Just a few light tests—still need more training to handle it smoothly."
"Sir, what are you doing here?"
"Who—?"
Zeus looked over and instantly recognized the girl—it was Sally, the brilliant child he had helped rescue.
Before he could respond, a woman rushed over and picked up her daughter, glaring at Zeus with a mix of fear and anger.
A natural reaction for a mother.
"Wait, Mom! That's the uncle I told you about!"
The mother hesitated, then asked Zeus with uncertainty:
"Are you from Special Forces?"
Zeus showed her his badge, and only then did her expression soften.
She bowed deeply.
"I'll never forget what you did for my daughter—saving her was a beautiful act I'll remember forever."
Zeus quickly got off his bike and gently placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her from bowing again.
"Please, ma'am, no need to bow. I was just doing my job."
He noticed she wiped a tear from her face, then asked:
"My husband and I run a tailoring workshop just two blocks from here.
I'd really like to invite you for lunch—to get to know the man who risked his life to save children."
Zeus was a bit embarrassed—he had a lot to do today before returning to his squad tomorrow.
Then Sally spoke up, excitedly grabbing his hand:
"Can you teach me some fighting moves after lunch?"
Zeus wanted to politely decline:
"I really don't have the time today. There are urgent things I need to finish."
"That's too bad…"
Zeus saw how genuinely sad she looked—and his heart wouldn't let him say no.
"But… I can spare a little time for a cup of coffee."
Sally squealed with joy and, without warning, ran over and climbed onto Zeus's bike.
Her mother was about to scold her, but Zeus's laughter stopped her.
"Alright, ma'am, your daughter will show me the way to your shop."
The woman hesitated at first, even if it was just for a minute—
but when she saw Sally's joy, she couldn't bear to say no.
Zeus rode the bike to a small clothing store two blocks away,
and waited outside for a minute until Sally's mother arrived and invited him inside.
Sally complained that the ride was too short.
"What's your name?"
"Sally."
"Alright, Sally. I promise I'll take you on a longer ride later—but not today."
"Is that a promise?"
"Yes."
(Sally's Mother): "Please, come in."
Zeus entered the neat little shop. A man who looked to be in his forties was inside.
The man gave Zeus a curious look. Zeus noticed he had a calm, observant gaze—
the kind only a military commander would usually have.
Zeus didn't jump to conclusions. While Sally's mother introduced him to her husband,
Zeus glanced around the shop after exchanging greetings and a handshake.
"That observant gaze... strong grip... a leg amputated above the knee... and this shop specializes in military clothing repairs and customization.
There's definitely a story behind this."
"Welcome, young man. What you did for me is something priceless."
"Please, you don't have to exaggerate. I was just doing my job."
"But my information says you weren't obligated to take part—you were just a civilian at the time."
Zeus paused, then looked the man straight in the eyes and asked:
"Were you in the military?"
"That's a long story… why don't you take a seat first?"
Zeus sat down. Sally's mother went to make coffee, and Sally herself sat on Zeus's bike outside.