Power Thief's Revenge [BL]-Chapter 166: Probation

Chapter 166: Probation
"What!? Probation!?"
Hermes, Eris, and Somner were the only ones sitting at the meeting table in the Ninth Department that morning. To Hermes’ left, Eris just sipped on her tea as if she already expected this reaction. To his right, Somner bowed his head apologetically.
"You heard us for the first time." Eris said matter-of-factly. "You’re lucky it’s not a suspension or penalty on your income. The Golden Apple is in a tough spot right now, Potentia. Not only are you under probation and rigorous supervision, the government also demands detailed s on your usage of this... ’Power Thief’ ability."
Somner tried to ease the blow. "But at least they want you in more missions now! It’s just... It would have to be solo missions."
"So I can’t work with you guys anymore?" Hermes cried.
And here he thought that things could go back to how they were before. That he would have the Cloud Nine Squad to back him up from the sharks waiting for him out there, those sharks with their cameras and flashy news headlines.
But now he’s... alone.
Somner took his hand, and squeezed it gently. "Only temporarily, Master. You’re still part of the team. Just prove to them that you’re not dangerous. That your power is not a threat, but beneficial to mankind."
Hermes sighed. "But haven’t my past records already proved that? Even before my true powers were revealed, I only ever used it for good!"
His boss shook her head. "Potentia, you’re going to have to prove that every single day of your life. Just like us. Do you think you’re the only Threat power user who had to deal with this shit?"
Hermes knew she was right. The McNamaras must have been in hot water too because of their Sirentone ability.
They would have to constantly prove that they’re not going to use their hypnosis to command leaders and take over the world. And they even have relatives who had attempted to do that, to make matters more complicated.
Hermes took a deep breath, and exhaled. "Alright... What’s my mission for today?"
"It’s as easy as pie!" Somner beamed, handing him a file. "We just received a last night about a family in the Verdant Meadows that had their eldest son attacked by a Void beast. Your mission is to investigate and eliminate the threat."
Eris skimmed over the files already. "Based on their description, it’s an F-class Threat. You can’t fuck it up."
Hermes felt a bit disappointed. F-class? He had fought kaijus, big name villains and primordial beasts.... And now he’s assigned to missions they’d give to an F-class newbie’s first day.
But he swallowed his pride, and decided he will accomplish this mission with flying colors.
So he could prove that he was good.
So he could prove that he was meant to be with the big leagues, that he deserved to be here. And he’s not going anywhere.
***
Hermes had heard of the Verdant Meadows before. It was this suburban area with all these middle-class folks in Haven City. White picket fences, cookie-cutter houses, and people who smiled and waved at each other as they passed by...
He never liked these places.
They always seem so superficial and artificial to him. This was the kind of place he imagined Raphael would grow up in.
Yeah, he would fit right in here.
He found the Gregors’ residence, the family who ed the incident.
Ding!
The door opened, and a family greeted him. There was the father, the mother, possibly the younger sister of the victim, and their maid.
"W-Who is it?" The mother asked.
They all looked tense, as if they were looking around if their neighbors were watching them.
Hermes cleared his throat and did his best to muster his most reassuring fireman smile. "Hello, I am Copy Cat. I am here to deal with the attack you ed."
But speaking of attacks....
Hermes found it weird when he was looking at the house from the outside that there was no sign of any damage or breaking in. And inside too, he couldn’t see any signs of struggle. Strange....
The family then practically got on their knees for him. "Oh a hero! Please save us! A monster ate our son!"
"Pardon?"
The father pointed upstairs. "Our son, Samuel Gregor... He was supposed to go to work yesterday but did not. Then, when we went to check... OH MY LORD! It’s... It’s...."
"It’s what?" Hermes frowned.
The little sister explained, her tiny body shaking. "The monster ate him, Sir! And now it’s trying to pretend to be him, trying to lure us into its stomach too! We locked the door ASAP!"
The maid was loudly praying the rosary in Spanish. The family started to talk over each other, and Hermes had to step forward and reassure them a hundred times to finally get them to calm down.
He went upstairs, in front of the bedroom which was said to be Samuel Gregor’s.
He knocked three times....
And something inside replied alright.
"Help me.... Please... Mom? Dad? Sophie? Rosalinda? Please... Help me... I can’t move..."
The voice was guttural, obviously that of a monster. But the desperation in it felt...
Human.
Hermes clenched his fist. No, this was just the beast mimicking Samuel just like they said.
He placed his hand on the knob, turning slowly.... His eyes glowing with Paragon’s sunbeams....
"What are you waiting for, my Lord?"
Hermes jumped when he heard that voice. Sure enough, standing at the other end of the stairs was the last person he wanted to see.
"Are you stalking me?" Hermes said coldly. "How did you know I was here? Put any trackers on me while I was in your place?"
"No. I would never do that. I respect your privacy, my Lord." Raphael’s blue eyes with golden pupils twinkled. "I checked in HeroMissionListing.com."
"That government website?" Hermes blinked.
He had never thought anyone was actually checking that. After all, it was just a website for the public to send their s for heroes to come help them, but it’s filled with a lot of scams or civilians just asking for an autograph and selfie.
"Yes. Every mission is recorded there. That’s how I got by during my years without a guild." Raphael walked towards him, his cape swishing. "I suppose I’ll see your name there more often now that you’re on probation."
Hermes’ expression turned grim. "Yeah well... You promised that if I claim to be dating you, things would work out."
"It will." Raphael smiled wider. "That’s why I’m here. Being a supportive boyfriend."
"Yeah, yeah. But... How did you know the exact address though?" Hermes frowned. "That wasn’t on the website. It just says the general area, which is in Verdant Meadows."
"Easy." He pointed to his eyes. "X-ray vision."
"Wait... You have X-ray vision too!?" Hermes was dumbfounded. "What the fuck can those eyes not do?"
Raphael chuckled. "Why don’t you try it out, if you are still hesitant, my Lord?"
Hermes turned to the doorknob he was holding. Then, he looked up at the pure white plain door... and focused.
Finally, his vision dissected the door like peeling through an onion. Layer by layer, he got past the wood...
And saw a giant beetle laying in bed inside.