When they parted that afternoon, their relationship had become quite harmonious.
Kirsty tentatively asked Benjamin,
"There's a party at my house at 7 pm tonight. Do you want to come?"
She looked at Benjamin expectantly. Actually, she hadn't wanted to attend the party at all, because it was attended by her father's colleagues who had moved with the company, some neighbors, and, most importantly, her stepmother Julie.
"I'd love to go. I'll bring a gift to visit tonight."
Benjamin didn't refuse this opportunity to build a relationship with Kirsty.
"See you tonight."
Kirsty stepped forward and hugged Benjamin, saying softly before heading towards her rented apartment.
Benjamin stared at Kirsty's retreating figure. The sunlight cast a long, thin shadow, her curly hair swayed gently in the autumn breeze, and her steps were light and cheerful.
Kirsty sensed something and turned back. Seeing Benjamin still silently watching her, she shyly turned away, unconsciously quickening her pace.
In that instant, Benjamin suddenly wanted to change this girl's fate.
But one must know one's place. He was currently just an ant, unable to stop a chariot with his bare hands.
Kirsty possessed unique potential. In the story, she was chosen by the Hermit, an agent of Pinhead, to open the box.
She was destined to intersect with Hell. A hasty change might backfire.
The Hellish Cenobites, Leviathans, and various demons and monsters of this world stood like mountains before him, beyond Benjamin's current capabilities.
At least Benjamin knew Kirsty's future.
But he knew very little about his own future, about the Lighthouse, about Deep Blue Star. Unsure of what the future held, Benjamin suddenly felt a sense of loss.
He clenched his fist, feeling the power emanating from his palm. Now that he was in this world, he had no choice.
He will never give up no matter what. He would climb step by step, striving to become stronger, using absolute power to shatter everything.
Then, naturally, he would have the right to choose.
...
As evening fell, Benjamin, carrying a gift box, arrived at Kirsty's building.
On the streets of Hatton, the buildings near the center were mostly small houses, interspersed with a few detached wooden cabins. The further out you went, the more detached wooden cabins there were.
Kirsty's rented apartment was in a building near the edge of Hatton's First Avenue. Many of the apartments were vacant, as Hatton didn't have a lot of foot traffic.
"You're here! Come on, I'll take you to my dad's."
Kirsty greeted Benjamin with a happy hug as she came downstairs, then pulled him eastward along First Avenue.
"Kirsty, I remember you said you were looking for a job because of rent. My apartment on Second Avenue is a four-bedroom unit, and three of them are vacant. You could move there; it can be used as staff dormitories. It's not very safe here."
Benjamin looked at the living conditions. Although Kirsty wasn't in danger in the storyline, many homeless people were squatting in the corners of the alleyways.
"I just paid the rent. I'll ask the landlord tomorrow if I can cancel the lease."
Kirsty didn't refuse. She'd already accepted such a high salary, so what was a little more accommodation?
The two chatted as they went to the move-in party.
During the party, Kirsty's father, Larry, recognized the famous Dean Miranda and treated Benjamin to quite a few drinks.
However, Benjamin was already a cursed disciple, and no matter how much he drank, he didn't get drunk at all.
It was already 10 PM when the party ended.
The streets outside were deserted.
The two strolled slowly back through the alleys of the residential area.
"Dean, do you know why I moved out and rented a place?"
"Because you don't like your stepmother!"
Benjamin replied decisively.
"Yes, you really understand me!"
"I just don't like Julie. That woman, I always feel like she has ulterior motives."
Kirsty had also drunk a little at the party, but wasn't drunk, and said softly.
Benjamin knew Kirsty's feeling was correct.
Her stepmother, only a few days after marrying her father, had an affair with her brother-in-law Frank. While moving back to the cabin to pack, she kept reminiscing about her passionate days with Frank.
"Your feeling is right, but we're going the wrong way, aren't we? This is the way to Second Avenue."
Benjamin said casually. During the party, he could indeed feel Julie's restless gaze on him, but he had no interest in middle-aged women.
Hearing this, Kirsty stopped, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Benjamin:
"I didn't come to the wrong place. Didn't you say I could move into your place?"
Kirsty's upbringing dictated that she wasn't the reserved type; once she faced her heart, she would act decisively.
Benjamin, hearing the girl's straightforward words, looked at Kirsty's beautiful face, her eyes seemingly speaking volumes.
The two gradually drew closer…
...
The next morning,
700 kilometers away at Miranda Manor,
A few people were talking in the backyard, led by the butler, Markle.
The scene was a mess.
The wooden house was mostly destroyed, and the vegetation outside was completely uprooted.
There lay the remains of a body, missing both legs and riddled with bullet holes.
From the remaining skin and clothing fragments, it was clear the body belonged to a homeless person.
Butler Markel was directing people to clean up the scene.
The street police who came after hearing the sound were stopped at the door and casually dealt with.
The one million pounds donated to the police station was still putting to good use.
At the same time, Benjamin received news that the trap he had set had sent the Ice Crystal Ball's Hellish Agent to hell.
He told Markle to continue maintaining strict vigilance after the cleanup was complete, preventing anyone from the manor from approaching the backyard.
Afterward, Benjamin bought breakfast and placed it in his room before going to the pet shop.
The three girls who had worked part-time had already returned to school after their break.
Benjamin was left to tidy up the pet shop alone again.
As for Kirsty, who was supposed to start work today, she was still sleeping in Benjamin's room.
In a country like the United States, the pace of life is fast, if you like someone, that's all that matters—it's the fastest way to develop a relationship.
However, the physical abilities of cursed disciple are indeed a bit too strong for an ordinary girl.
Benjamin was currently cleaning up after a Samoyed named "Elisa."
"Elisa" was the name given to her by the girl named Elisa from the other two days ago.
Benjamin didn't understand why she would name a dog the same as her, but he just went with it.
A black Desmond sedan pulled up in front of the pet shop, and the door opened.
"Sir."
A strong, middle-aged man in a suit, sunglasses, and carrying a black briefcase approached Benjamin.
"Did you bring everything?"
Benjamin asked casually.
"I brought it, it's all in the box."
"Okay, just leave it here. You can go now. Oh, and leave the car."
The man in the suit put down the box, turned around to get into the car, but hearing Benjamin's words, he withdrew his foot and prepared to leave on foot.
"Wait, since you're already here, don't leave yet. Help me look after the pets, I have something to do."
Without waiting for his agreement, Benjamin handed the shovel he was holding directly to the muscular middle-aged man.
Then he took the box to the break room and opened it to check.
Tape, sacks, burlap sacks, shotgun, remote-controlled bombs—nothing was missing.
The middle-aged man in the shop stared blankly at the dog poop stuck to the shovel in his hand.
The pets in the shop were barking wildly. He was on the verge of tears. He had never done this job before.
He has known better than to try and get this opportunity, he should have let number 17 do it.