The headquarters of Evotech Industries wasn't actually a single building. It was more similar to a complex of buildings interconnected through translucent bridges.
But this configuration wasn't strange at all. Evotech wasn't home to just a few hundred or few thousand researchers and scientists. It was a massive conglomerate that controlled the technical advancement of all 16 Hub Cities. Evotech's shadow could be seen looming over every positive change that has taken place in Niflheim over the years.
Of course, there was an equal amount of poison in that shadow, but even those who knew of this poison didn't move to stop its spread. After all, who would dare go against Evotech?
The reception room wasn't connected to any of the surrounding structures in the massive complex that made up Evotech Headquarters. It was instead located in the direct center, blocked off from the world through the use of various technologies and skills.
Only after one completed the verification process would the rest of the world open up to them.
A series of portals would appear in front of the verified researcher. And due to the system that interconnected everything within Evotech, the artificial intelligence systems were able to accurately open portals that strictly relate to the researcher in question.
It was yet another display of arrogance by Evotech, and a declaration that they were indomitable.
Currently, Damien was facing this very array of portals. There were many of them, considering his status within the company, but there were five in particular that he kept in mind.
First was the lab where Matter Duplication research was taking place. After that came the general area where the researchers would stay if they needed second opinions on their work or simply to take a break, and third was the home of Damien Grey, which was also within Evotech.
As for the fourth and fifth portals, they were labs used for other research, more personal use than the main lab. These would naturally be useful later on, but for now, Damien didn't need them.
"Aotian, have you had dinner?" He asked lightly.
Long Chen, who was dutifully standing behind him like a servant, shook his head. "No, sir. I have been with you this entire time."
"Hahaha! You're right! Then, how about coming over to my place?"
Long Chen scratched his head. "Ah, however, I may have some business to attend to at home."
Damien looked meaningfully at Long Chen. Clearly, this brat was leaving him to deal with his new wife and kid on his own. Long Chen's role, Long Aotian, was actually an orphan!
Damien's brow twitched, but he couldn't do anything about it. He was no longer Damien Void. Instead, he was forced to give Long Chen a pat on the shoulder and send him off.
"I understand. If things get difficult, you can always let me know!"
Long Chen forced a smile and left Damien behind, walking into his own set of portals, which were limited in number to just two, and leaving.
Damien grinned to himself. From Long Curb's smile, he knew his move was successful.
'Haha, you brat. You're a million years too early to mess with this big brother.'
It was just a harmless prank. He just used a little bit of Dragon Pressure on his dear friend. Although it wouldn't be enough to harm him at all, it would make him feel incredibly uncomfortable for a good few hours.
Trying as hard as he could to suppress his grin, Damien vanished through the portal to his new home.
***
The Evotech Headquarters wasn't just made of research labs and meeting rooms, it had a variety of different areas with contrasting purposes.
A cafeteria that served world-class food, a recreational area for exercise or simple relaxation, and even a residential area.
But perhaps the first two of the aforementioned amenities only existed due to the last one.
Ecotech was heavily insistent on secrecy. Even Mana Oaths weren't enough to guarantee their trust. Therefore, they built the various facilities in the South Wing of the building to accommodate the families of their researchers.
Even institutes had been built within the complex so children of these researchers wouldn't be inhibited by their situations.
But, many people viewed this place as a prison of slaves. Once one entered, they couldn't leave. The only ones who were allowed leave were researchers who submitted requests and gained approval from the executive board.
Essentially, only someone on Damien Grey's level was allowed this bit of vanity.
Within one of the houses in the residential area, a beautiful woman in her mid-20s stood in a kitchen, happily cooking away.
Her hair was jet black in color, and her eyes a common brown. Still, her more common features didn't diminish her beauty.
When Damien stepped through the portal, this woman was the first thing he saw. And his first impression…
'She's strange.'
Her body was average, and her face was average as well, but something about her screamed that she was a beauty.
It was like a passive charm that infected everything around it. But since the Void Physique and All-Seeing Eyes didn't react, he knew it wasn't charm at all.
[All-Seeing Eyes have been activated.]
[Status]
[Aishia Grey]
Valkyrie
Female - Age 10,023
Level 298 - [Heavenly Maiden]
Title(s): [Final Valkyrie, Daughter of Heaven, Lightbearer]
Affinities: Light, Spirit
Damien's eyes widened in shock. Under the guise of a dutiful wife in the kitchen was a battle angel that he had no chance of defeating without World Force.
"Honey! You're finally home!"
When she saw him standing in the doorway, she left the kitchen immediately, jumping into his arms and planting a firm kiss on his lips.
Damien was stunned. He was sure he was just kissed, but why did it feel so cold? It felt like if he lingered on that feeling, someone would…
"Yes, I'm home, honey. Thanks as always for the delectable greeting."
In natural Damien fashion, he ignored the warning bells and decided to tease her anyway. They were husband and wife, right? This much should be allowed.
Aishia forced a smile coy onto her face, but it was clear it was her first time trying to do so. Frankly, the way her features were scrunched was not appealing at all.
"Hehe~! How can I disappoint my amazing husband?" She replied shyly.
To an outside observer, there was nothing wrong with their conversation. But with Aishia's acute senses as a mid-level 4th class being and Damien's All-Seeing Eyes, they could clearly see each other's micro-movements, the very source of their current awkwardness.
'Fuck, she probably knows I peeked on her!'
'Shit, how did he discover my identity?!'
The duo's thinking followed the same path, but they didn't express it out loud. They continued their husband and wife act as they entered further into the house, sitting down on the living room sofa and relaxing in each other's arms.
"Honey, didn't you say you had to go out? When did you arrive?" Aisha asked curiously, traces of seriousness lacing her words.
Damien smiled. "Ah, you know how it is. Due to some unexpected circumstances, I was able to come home early. With Aotian's help, getting the Mysterious Fire Fruit was a piece of cake."
Aishia narrowed her eyes. "If you got the Mysterious Fire Fruit then what went wrong?"
"Naturally, it was the scavengers. Just before we found the Mysterious Fire Fruit, we ran into a strange one and had to scurry away."
Aishia's eyes hardened. Although she hates talking in riddles, these riddles were the reason why she understood Damien's sudden entrance.
It had to be known that his arrival was supposed to still be a few days away.
But now that he was here, nothing else could be done. The normal husband and wife conversation that hid an exchange of information continued on for a long while, stopping only when the sun rose over the horizon.
