Power Thief's Revenge [BL]

When Hermes got to his office, he already had his stuff packed up for him.

"Hey, Potentia. They said you're moving to the Ninth Department, huh?" The old bastard who bossed him around said. 

He gave Hermes a pat on the back. "I knew you'd do great things, my boy! Congratulations!"

Hermes frowned. "Huh?"

More colleagues suddenly acted nicer towards him.

"We heard that they're also making you a permanent worker now."

"And that they're going to have you take a RAM test… Did your powers suddenly increase?"

An RAM test stands for a Rank Assessment Matrix Test. It was usually only taken at puberty when the ability first manifested, but it can also be taken again when a user experienced drastic changes in their ability's strength. 

"To be fair, some people are just late bloomers. You always strike me as one."

"You seem close to Director Somner. Can you put in a good word for me? Eh, buddy?" One of them elbowed him.

Hermes sighed. So this was all Somner's doing. 

He didn't really like all this attention on him, but at least it's better than being bullied. But he was also sure these people would be making rumors about him and hoping for his downfall. 

"That kiss in the cafeteria… Are you guys an item?"

"You must have crazy rizz if you can pull an S-class like him! What's your secret?"

"I hear he's a playboy, so expect heartbreak soon."

Hermes just ignored them and took his things. If he said anything, it would just fuel their questions and assumptions.

He doesn't owe them shit. 

"Farewell, everyone." He just bowed and left. He hoped to never see them again, or he might bite their heads off.

BAM!

He slammed the door shut before anyone could say anything else.

The departments were numbered based on the floor level they were in, and the higher you are, the more well-regarded your department was. There were 10 departments in The Golden Apple, and this also determined your teams in field missions.

So to be transferred from the Sixth to the Ninth Department was a big thing. That was why people were trying to suck up to him so they could get transferred too.

Just as Hermes was about to enter the elevator…

"WAIT!" 

A big beefy hand stopped it from closing, getting between the gaps. The owner of this hand howled in pain.

"YOWCH! These stupid metal cages! They always close on me!"

Hermes couldn't see what the person looked like because the things he was carrying blocked most of his vision. All he could see was the person's huge arms, thick thighs and legs and a shock of fiery red hair. 

The person then clicked floor 10, which was the executive department and where the HR could also be found. 

"Hey, brother." The person greeted him. 

"Mm." Hermes just nodded.

The person whistled as the elevator went up, tapping his feet loudly. 

Then, he spoke as if he couldn't bear the silence anymore. "So uh… Nice weather we're having, eh?"

"Mm." Hermes does not like small talk. 

The person seemed to take the hint, and decided to change the topic to a more serious one.

"Well, have you heard about the attack on Cryoshift? Pretty scary, eh? Considering how strong that motherfucker is."

Hermes raised an eyebrow at this, becoming more guarded. 

But he couldn't act suspicious. And luckily, the boxes he was carrying covered his face. "Yes, I've heard. How… unfortunate."

"I don't get it. Why wouldn't he fight back? He could easily smite anyone with his godly ice powers. Something feels off about it, y'know?" The person sounded truly concerned. "I can't help but have this rumbling feeling in my tummy…."

Hermes frowned.Who is this person anyway, and why do they care so much?

Are they Ymir Glace's family? Friend? Admirer? Lover?

But it's none of his business. He just wanted to get out of this elevator as soon as possible. So he made a non sequitur response. 

"People say it's Magnarok who did it."

"HELL NAH!"

Hermes blinked at that sudden reaction. The person started going on a passionate spiel. 

"Why would Magnarok even attack Cryoshift in a private setting!? He only attacks when there's a crowd watching! He's no slimy, double-crosser! He would never hurt Cryoshift outside of the battlefield, that's just cowardly!"

They went on and on. "A true villain knows that you must only fight a hero at their best! That is when you can show that you have usurped them, that you deserve the title to be their arch nemesis! What's the point if you attack them at their worst? May the gods strike ye if you do!"

"Right…" That was all Hermes could reply. 

Ding!

The elevator opened as they finally reached the ninth floor. Hermes got out as soon as he could.

"Nice talking to you."

The person waved, wearing a big grin. "A pleasure too, my brother!"

But just before the elevator door can close….

"WAIT!"

The beefy guy blocked it with his hand again, forcing it open!

Hermes: '....'

Isn't this guy scared of getting his arms crushed? Or needing to pay for the damages if he broke the elevator?

"My brother, you smell familiar!" The person said, sniffling. "Please show me your face!"

"I… smell familiar?" Hermes frowned.

He slowly put down the boxes so the person could see him. He was also pretty curious about what this man looked like. 

Hermes immediately recognized who it was. Even if he wore a disguise, even if he wore a different skin and clothing….

It was obvious!

The person also had the same look of recognition on his face. "My brother… I feel like I have encountered you before. But I cannot recall. Still, there's no doubt about it."

The person suddenly threw a ball of fire towards him!

Hermes used Cryoshift by impulse, blocking it before it burned his face. He got enraged by this sudden attack from this man, his eyes going pure blue and the spikes growing on his skin. 

The man with red hair grinned, parts of his body hardening and turning dark as coal.

"You are one of us."