Universal Sign-in: Ascending to Godhood With My 10x Rewards!-Chapter 42: Reflection and Character Development?

"Katie?" I called out with a hoarse voice, my tone low and shaky.

The young girl, with her short height, stood in front of me, hands softly clenching my elbow. She had widened eyes and pupils that trembled and rippled like those waves that flowed on still waters when objects landed on them.

My voice grew softer as I unclenched my fist and brought it down completely. Her eyes — an innocent pair that greatly resembled Margie’s — gently quelled the heated feeling that bubbled in my veins. "What are you doing here?" I asked, completely turning away from the old man now.

Katie sniffed, letting go of my elbow as she wiped her nostrils, "You’re... you’re hurting that man."

"Katie!" The girl’s mother yelled from behind. It seemed Katie had stubbornly forced her way here.

Katie ignored her mother’s call, and I ignored both Jericho’s and Marcus’s voices.

I nodded, "I know."

I let out a call sigh, standing upright, and I gazed down at Katie.

"Look," I spoke, glancing at the boss with the corner of my vision as I patted her head, "you should go back to your mo–"

"But it’s wrong!" Katie yelled as she wrapped her soft, little palms around my hand. My eyes widened, and I inched back slightly.

"What is?"

Katie raised her neck, looking up at me. "What you’re doing."

"No, it’s not wrong." I declared with a shaky voice as I shook my head. "He started i–"

"So you think hurting that big man is right?" Katie asked, her large pupil glistening under the lights that poured from above the station.

I stared intensely at her eyes. And for the first time, the image of Margie that overlapped with her face began to dissipate.

I blinked.

"Yes." I said, "You don’t know what he di–"

"My mom said to me, ’If you’re really doing the right thing, then you’ll feel good about it. You wouldn’t be sad, and you won’t second-guess.’"

I remained stunned. "Okay?"

"Mr. Nameless, if you’re really doing the right thing here by hurting this man, why are you crying?"

My eyes widened.

Crying?

I’m...

I stared straight into her eyes, and in the depths of her pure pupils, my reflection stared back at me.

Tap–!

Tears fell from the corner of my eyes.

I raised a hand, cleaning the tears with a surprised expression, "What? Why? When?"

Katie hugged my leg, holding it tightly within her embrace.

I breathed in and out rapidly, clearing the liquid that continuously poured and dripped from my eyes.

Why?

Why does the truth hurt so much?

He wasn’t lying. Why did I get so heated up? Why am I so stupid?

Why was I about to kill someone just for insulting me?

[Cold-Blooded is reacting...]

Suddenly, my heart felt cold and empty, and the flickering warmth that had circulated my blood for a little while faded and dissipated, leaving behind a lasting chill that evaded my mind.

The tears stopped immediately.

I clicked my tongue.

It’s okay, Dustin.

You’re not perfect. You’re only human, after all. And humans get emotional and make mistakes.

Rest assured, though. I will definitely work toward controlling the stupid actions that come with the emotions.

How can a man aim to control, conquer or prosper in the world when he can’t even control himself and his own emotions?

Not everything demands my attention.

I put a hand on Katie’s head once more, saying, "You’re right, Katie." And for the first time, a wide, unreasonably warm smile, just like Marcus does. Even my eyes crooked and smiled along with my lips as I ruffled the girl’s hair, "from now on, I’ll keep what you said to me in mind."

I will move on this path from now on. After all, a man who responds to foolish people who try to gain his attention — through actions or words — is no better than a fool himself.

I nodded.

The girl finally smiled. A brilliant, toothy smile.

Seeing the half-broken teeth in her mouth, I almost chuckled as I ruffled her hair more. She giggled.

The girl’s mother still called her name from behind.

I glanced at the mother.

She stood, crouched at a peculiar angle, just about thirteen steps away from me. It seemed the woman was too scared to come any closer.

Who wouldn’t, though?

I looked at Katie once more, still ruffling her hair as she giggled.

That’s why this girl is gutsy. She has a strong, fearless character.

"Now, go to your mom," I said, glancing at the old man who still squirmed and writhed on the ground in pain, "I’ll clean up my mess here."

Katie nodded and immediately scurried off.

After watching her meet her mother with a smile on my lips, I glanced at the figure standing before me.

My smile morphed into an awkward one as I scratched my head, gazing at the frowning Jericho, whose hands were tucked in his coat pockets.

"So... pretty dumb of me, huh?" Haha."

Jerry’s stern and almost annoyed gaze steadily pierced my eyes. I averted his gaze, glancing elsewhere.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he turned, "Let’s just go."

I nodded.

But before walking with Jerry, I looked at the old man once more.

He fainted, the overload of shock and the pain might’ve jammed his brain.

"Sorry, old man," I whispered, turning my head. "I could’ve handled that better."

I clenched and unclenched my fists, staring at them.

Control of intent.

Know when to act and when to remain calm.

Damn, I sound so smart all of a sudden.

Is this what they call character development?

It tastes better than cotton candy.

Jerry grunted as he sat on the ground, just beside Marcus, who still attended to the wounded soldiers.

"So," Marcus remained calm, quietly tying a bandage around one of the soldiers’ heads, "what was that all about, Duz?"

"Leave him be," Jerry interjected, "The old man touched a sore spot."

I nodded, almost shedding tears.

You’re a lifesaver, Jericho!

But then, Jerry turned toward me, still staring at me with that same harsh, judgmental expression.

"But on a serious note, what you did was way out of pocket. I didn’t expect that from you, Duz."

I frowned. "It was a–"

"Oh, I know. No need to tell me," Jerry shrugged, raising his arms. "And I’m not trying to sound like a hypocrite because I wouldn’t have let that slide either. But the way you went about it... way too emotional. You could’ve killed him. I would’ve just shot both his legs and an arm."

I shivered slightly.

Yikes.

"But well," Jerry shrugged again, "I don’t even hold my family to such high regard to get mad when someone shit talks them. I’ll probably laugh with them too. But I’m saying what I would’ve done if I were you."

"Jerry," I called, "that isn’t any better than what I did."

"I know." He replied, "And to be honest, that’s why I didn’t stop you. At first, I wanted to, but then I got curious as to what you’d do. And I can’t be blamed, the Dustin I knew five months ago would’ve ignored their taunts with every fiber of his being. He might’ve even flipped them a middle finger and made a run for it, leaving this station forever. But you," Jerry pointed his index finger at me. I raised a brow, "you chose to stand on business."

"That was just assault if you ask me." Said Marcus as he finally sat on the ground, done with the soldiers’ injuries.

Both Jericho and I gazed at him.

"Assault?"