Fenrir: The Wolf Overlord

*SIGH*

"Old man, Give me a good reason why I should be a hero?"

The person sighed and banged the cup he was holding, on the table. The tea splattered all around the place but he gave no notice to it.

Across from him, there sat an short old man. He had a deep frown plastered on his wrinkled face.

The old man's name is Sorahiko Torino. He is a retired pro hero. Sorahiko is mostly known by his hero name, Gran Torino.

While the other person's name is Cipher. It wasn't a nice name but Cipher had chosen it for himself. He considered that the meaning of the word 'Cipher' defined him in all ways, a person with no importance.

Cipher had long bright silver coloured hair and bright blue eyes. He had a height of about 6 feet, which was easily noticeable even when he was sitting on a chair.

"Cipher, you are already 16. Many people are already working at your age, while the others are studying. But you just stay home all-day or train in seclusion. It is about time you do something productive."

"That isn't a good enough reason. If you want me to do something productive, then I can just search for a job around here."

This time, Sorahiko banged his hands on the table and glared at Cipher with an annoyed expression on his face.

"I am not saying you should get a job. I am saying that you should enter a school and make some friends your age."

"You are contradicting yourself. Just some time ago, you were telling me to enter a Hero School and become a Hero."

"Yeah, I know. The number of villains are increasing every day. The people, this world need someone to protect it. I am afraid that All Might alone cannot handle them all."

The expression on Sorahiko's face slowly crumbled down to a sorrowful look as he started to talk in a soft tone.

"Besides, I truly want you to make some friends."

Cipher clicked his tongue and intensely glared at the sorrowful old man. He didn't like the emotion that were directed at him. After some seconds of calming himself down, he spat out emotionlessly but venom was clear in his tone.

"All Might!? Heroes!? Villains!? Why should I care about those guys? They can go ahead and kill each other for all I care.

As for making friends, I don't have any intention of making friends with the hero-wannabe."

Sorahiko's expression further crumbled and he looked down at the ground. He knew the reason why Cipher heated Heroes and Villains alike. Heck, he also knew why he hated every person in general.

But the old man still had the conviction to convince Cipher to become a hero and make friends at all cost. So, he wiped away his sorrowful look and directed his gaze straight at Cipher.

"I know you had a very harsh childhood but it is time to move on, Cipher. Make some friends, family.

You don't need much, even one of them is enough. One that you can share all of your hardship with; one that you can trust with your life and sacrifice your life for, if need be. If you get that kind of friend-no-family, then your life will be filled with happiness. I am sure of it."

The words of Sorahiko were filled with kindness and warmth, with not a single presence of any negative feelings.

Receiving the words head on, Cipher was taken aback. At the same time, he remembered a memory, a memory from many years back. He remembered the first time he met this old man and how he was indebted to him.

~~~~~

"Oi, kid. What is that in your hands?"

"It is none of your business."

A kid version of Cipher glared at the slightly younger Sorahiko menacingly. He wore somewhat decent clothes, and had a small bag in his hands.

"Why did you steal the lady's purse?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

With that said, Cipher turned around and started to walk away. But the next moment, his vision blurred for a few seconds and he was inside a house, a house he didn't recognize.

"Now tell me, what could have forced you to steal?"

Cipher reflexively turned around to Sorahiko and got into a rough fighting position. The boy had a bad feeling that the old man in front of him was someone he couldn't stand up to. But who was he to bow down to a strong foe.

At the same time, Sorahiko felt the bloodl.u.s.t from the boy and he couldn't help but be surprised.

'How can a little kid have such a frightening aura?'

Sorahiko thought with a sweat rolling down his cheeks, but he already knew the answer to his question. So, he did the best that he could and let a gentle expression grace his wrinkled face.

"There is no need to be so alarmed. Nobody will try to hurt you in this place, so you can relax as if you were at home."

"Home?"

"Yes, home."

Cipher considerably relaxed as Sorahiko spoke with a kind and caring tone, devoid of any hidden intention and ill will. His words kind of reminded the kid of his kind and caring mother, and all of his other family memebers who didn't judge him.

"So, do you have a family?"

He shook his head silently and looked down at the ground. He had already let go of the purse in his hands at some point and it laid beside his feet.

"I see. Do you want a Taiyaki?"

Sorahiko, already expecting the response from the kid, warmly questioned out. He didn't wait for an answer and handed over the taiyaki. Cipher reluctantly grabbed onto it and stared at the old man. After some time, Cipher brought the unknown food to his mouth.

"It is sweet."

Slowly, tears started to drop down the boy's eyes one by one. They were tears of joy and remembrance which dropped down from his eyes uncontrollably. All this time, his expression remained the same neutral one but the tears were more than proof that he had feelings.

"Say, do you want to stay with me? I have been lonely these past few years and I could use some company."

Sorahiko sympathized with the boy and started patting his head. The boy didn't respond to any of it. He completely focused on eating the food he got, at the same time hiding his tears away from the old man.

The old man warmly looked over at the boy. He could already guess what happened with the boy and how he will answer. So, seeing him trying his best to hide his tears, Sorahiko couldn't help but have some pity as well as respect for the boy in front of him.

~~~~~

Shaking away the memories that started flooding inside his head, Cipher clicked his tongue and stood up from his chair. Sorahiko also stood up with full intention of following Cipher if he ever left.

'Annoying...I am only doing it to pay back the debt I owe to you. Don't you dare misunderstand, old man.'

Cipher thought and looked at the old man with no emotions whatsoever.

"Just this once."

Sorahiko abruptly stopped moving with just these three words, short but conveyed with a strong will.

"Hmm."

"I will do what you say just this one time."

Saying this, Cipher quickly walked out of the house, leaving the old man alone inside.