Nicole watched the doctors argue about her release with slight annoyance on her face.

''But we still need to do more comprehensive tests and keep her for observations. It is madness to let her go back to her work now.'' One doctor said in agitation.

''I agree. I have never seen or heard anything like this, we need to get to the bottom of this. If we can figure this out, it would make us famous! Imagine this: Previously unknown condition found out by us!''

After listening to the doctors argue about her condition, Nicole felt that the doctors were trying to intentionally keep her under observation.

Looking at the Captain listening to the bickering on the other side of the room, she decided that this is a useless waste of time.

''Captain, I am ready to report back to duty. This can't be explained in medical science either way.'' Nicole said in a quiet voice and carefully removed the monitoring equipment attached to her.

Looking at her annoyed complexion on her face, the Captain took a glance at the doctors. Brief silence passed and finally he nodded his head.

''Seems like they are hyped up for some scientific credit. Of course that would imply that your condition was caused by some sort of illness and I believe there is nothing wrong with you.''

Nicole felt that her captain was truly a good leader. She stood up and started to put on her jacket.

During this, the doctors were still in the middle of a heated argument discussing the aftercare and possible research on Nicole.

''Hey Cap? Let's go get me discharged.''

''Yeah, but if anything feels out of place, you are coming back in. Health is the most important thing, so report to regular check ups every day for this week.''

Seeing her Captain so considerate, she quickly agreed. Nicole and her Captain walked out of the room with silent steps and got her discharged in the front desk.

''Say, Nicole. When do you think they realize that you are gone?'' With mischief blatantly showing in his face, the captain asked Nicole with a playful tone.

''I don't know Sir. They were maybe bit too much into the argument, so I would say you can expect an angry call from a doctor mob in 15-45 minutes.'' Chuckling lightly, Nicole and her Captain arrived at their ride.

''Now, let's get back to work. We have plenty of things to do.''

''Yeah. While I was in that bed, I wondered if the team has found any leads.'' Nicole said with some expectation and continued.

''Did you guys check the reports to the police in the nearby areas? I have a gut feeling there might be something that helps us.''

''Not yet, but I'll have Erikson to check it out, at this moment we have nothing so why not.''

Somewhere in the slums Rob was sitting in mediation.

With a staff in hand, he floated in a fixed position surrounded by strange symbols and eerie light.

Kaleidoscopic lights seemed to be absorbed into his broken skin, and in turn healed slightly. Small wounds wriggled slightly, and were soon closing as if time was accelerated.

Opening his eyes, Rob placed his feet solidly in the ground. Almost fully healed now... I would have never imagined they had another master tier powerhouse stationed in the docks.

Walking towards the mirror, he took a glance at his naked body. All the internal injuries should have been healed, and only minor exterior wounds remain. After a few days I should be back to full power.

Fondly, he thought back to the events in the harbor. He came down there with indiscriminate fury that decimated everyone in his way.

Few problems were there, such as advanced weaponry and a master stage warrior.

''Oh Raimen, why would you ally yourself with those scums... We did have such a beautiful rivalry.'' Speaking to no one, he raised his gaze on the ceiling.

Reminiscing their olden days where they both competed fiercely and drunk themselves silly afterwards, Rob felt that fate is a mysterious thing.

Opening his secret stash, he pulled out quality cognac and filled two glasses full. ''Cheers old frenemy. May you rest in peace.''

Clinking his glass against the one standing across the table, he did not know what to say.

Raimen always had an upper hand when they were competing, but with the help of the mysterious shopkeeper he had surpassed his old rival.

Indulging in his memories, he still felt empty. His rival is now no more and he emerged victorious.

It was either him or me... And I won. I should prepare a gift for the shopkeeper, lest he would not find me too ungrateful.

Picking up his empty glass of cognac, he threw it into the wall.

''What would a being of that caliber need... New customers was it?''

''Captain! I think I found something!'' Erikson entered without any courtesy to the Captain's office with visible excitement glowing in his face.

The Captain looked over with some expectation, and signaled for Erikson to sit down.

Sitting down, Erikson placed his laptop on the Captain's desk and turned it towards his superior officer. ''So what am I looking here?''

''It's not what you see there that is interesting. It is just the basic report on regular police calls but what is interesting is this.'' Erikson clicked open the voice recording.

Listening carefully, the Captain picked up some important keywords. Mug, insane, theft and threatening. Listening to it multiple times, the Captain felt that this would be a breakthrough.

''Get Nicole and Larsson, I think we found the owner of that mug. Exercise extreme caution but do not turn hostile, I think this case may not be as simple as we think. Bring the mug and pose as normal policemen just in case.''

''Aye aye Captain. Will do.''

''Departure in 10 minutes. Dismissed.'' Watching Erikson leaving his office, the Captain opened his computer and looked at the pictures of the mug.

Switching to the image depicted on the bottom of the mug, he seemed to see the lines pulsating in the still image.

Mark of the beast...I hope Nicole was wrong this time. If the religious nutjobs would find out about this and connect it to the shopkeeper, it could ruin his life...

''What a waste of a day again... Why are there no customers? A man has to feed himself too...'' Mumbling with a frustrated voice, Victor turned off the faucet on the bathing tub.

Complaining is not going to help me. What can I do to attract more customers? Maybe I should research some marketing tips online. That has to be simpler than full time research on particle colliders and astrophysics.

Whatever. At least I can enjoy the quiet life. And I have you as my bathing company!

Picking up a yellow rubber duck and squeezing it lightly for the quack, he let it float freely in the bathtub.

After properly cleaning himself, Victor laid still in the warm water just enjoying the minor things in life such as long baths. Closing his eyes for a moment, he felt drowsy and satisfied.

At some point faint knocking sounds were echoing, but Victor did not think too much about it. Soon the sound of knocking was obvious and Victor was startled back to reality.

Opening his eyes in confusion he wondered who it could be at this time of night.

Rising up from the bathtub, he put on his bath robes and walked towards downstairs.

''Be right back, Ducky. It must just be someone lost and asking for directions.''

Slightly drying his feet on the carpet, Victor yelled in a loud voice indicating that he was coming and the knocking stopped.

Strapping his bathrobe tightly on, Victor put the safety chain in place and opened the room. Peeking from the narrow opening, he saw policemen standing tall on the other side of the door.

''Police, please open up.''

Hearing the confirmation, Victor opened the door chain and looked at the three policemen standing there. The female officer was holding a familiar mug in her hands and his eyes brightened seeing it.

''Oh you found the thief! Thank you so much! The mug has no value except in sentimental terms so I did not expect for you to find it so soon.''

Victor reached towards the mug, and the officers were startled at the sudden admission of ownership.

Seeing that the policemen and woman stepped slightly back, he frowned slightly. ''Uhh... So what is your business here at this time of the night. Please do come in.''