Not really...?

Liam glanced at the egg-shaped stationary pod standing in front of him.

"I still don't get it; why am I needed for this job?"

He pointed at Starfire and Raven.

"If both of you still have your powers, why don't one of you just make the delivery yourself?"

"Oh, brother."

Raven sighed.

"For one, I am not permitted to leave the underground while I'm on duty, so that someone could react immediately if something went wrong.

Secondly, it is illegal for a Character to transport another Character by itself."

"Master said something about... safety problems?"

Starfire added while tilting her head slightly to the side.

For once, Raven looked half-impressed.

"Security problems, but close enough."

"Hooray!"

As Starfire tried to hug Raven in delight, and Raven tried—and failed—to avoid her embrace, Liam thought over what they had just said.

'So that's why my father called me here... to complete a delivery. Damn.'

Liam let out a deflated sigh.

He wasn't dumb enough to assume this was a simple errand. His father probably wanted him to get a taste of his business and, hopefully, change his mind about inheriting the family business.

'As if I ever want to work for a living...'

Not having to work was one of the main taglines of the new era RealDreams have opened up.

"Star, get off me."

Raven finally managed to pull herself free from Starfire's grip and turned back to Liam.

"So, are you going to take the job or not?"

"Fine, whatever. I guess I owe my father that much.

But make it clear to him that this is going to be my last time aiding his business as well."

"Uh-huh. Sure."

Raven gave him a not-so-subtle smirk.

She clearly didn't believe a word he said, but Liam let it slide.

He wanted to finish this little quest as soon as possible—there was a Character waiting for him back home with his name written on it.

Raven snapped her fingers and conjured a spark of dark aura.

A small piece of paper appeared in front of Liam and fluttered down to his hand.

{letter signed "Frederick Miller"}

Delivery To: Ronan Dworsky

Package contains: 1 x Reze (from Chainsaw Man)

Address: RealDreams Sector 3, 123-657.

{endletter}

"You could have just sent me an e-mail."

Liam muttered.

He looked up the address in his phone.

It was only a 15-minute walk once he got back into the main city.

Raven sighed.

"My powers don't work on electronic devices... not in that way, at least."

"Not in that way?"

"Ooh! Raven can make microwaves move on their own!"

Starfire clapped her hands, which made Raven smile as well.

"It's more of a poltergeist thing... turning the machine on and making it open and close its door and whatnot... it is a fun Halloween party trick, though."

"Hold on, that was you!?"

Liam stared at Raven in disbelief.

He had vivid memories of live furniture haunting him whenever Halloween was near.

Whenever he told his parents about it, they'd always laugh it off and tell him there was nothing to worry about... Now, Liam finally understood why.

Raven returned his stunned expression with a sly grin.

"You can come back here any time you want, young master.

We all remember you...even if you don't remember us."

"...as if."

Liam huffed.

Raven shrugged and waved her hand in a circle.

The shadows swirled up like a whirlpool and surrounded Liam, Starfire, and the stationary pod.

Before he could utter a single complaint, they were all back out at the front garden.

"Ah, you're back."

Rem came over without a hint of surprise in her voice.

Her eyes darted over to the egg-shaped pod hovering behind Liam.

"Ah, I've seen you took the offer."

Liam narrowed his eyes.

"You lied to me."

He realized.

"Erm...?"

Rem tried to feign ignorance by tilting her head and smiling, but she wasn't very skilled at lying.

"You said you didn't know anything about the letter, but you did. You just wanted me to find out for myself, so I'll feel more invested in it."

"Well... yes."

Rem conceded with an apologetic smile.

"In my defense, young master, you always liked uncovering mysteries and adventure. I remember when—"

"Alright, I don't need a play-by-play on my childhood."

Liam grumbled, waving away Rem's commentary with a slight blush.

Rem covered her mouth with a hand and giggled softly.

"As you wish. Have you chosen who's going to accompany you during the delivery?"

"Have I chosen what?"

Liam asked back with a frown.

"It's a 30-minute trip at most; I can do it on my own."

"No, you can't. When delivering a package set as Class A+ or higher, you need at least one Class B+ or higher Character as a bodyguard in case of an emergency.

And as the two Characters you own are both Class B-, you would have to choose someone from here."

"Are my parents spying on me?"

Liam scowled loudly.

Rem smiled, but shook her head.

"Of course not."

Liam scoffed.

He was 100% sure that they were doing something to keep an eye on him, whether it was digital or not.

"You should tell them that this kind of helicopter crap is exactly why I wanted to move out."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Liam scratched the back of his head and scanned the garden area.

Every maid seemed to be busy with something, and he recalled that the inside of the mansion was similar as well.

The only free maid was...

"...!!"

Starfire stared at Liam with the energy of an excited dog eagerly awaiting a walk.

After another huge sigh that would impress Raven, Liam pointed at Starfire.

"I'll take this one."

"Hooray!! An adventure with young master!!"

Starfire immediately lunged at Liam and gave him a tight embrace.

"A great choice, young master."

Rem smiled and gave a small wave.

"I hope you have a safe delivery."