Chapter 148: The Next Trip
[Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade's Warehouse, Underground: Experimentation Room]
"If that's true, there might be more operations involving this drug. Did you hear a name?"
I considered telling them the real name but decided against it. Had to focus on the kid for now, and revealing too much would raise questions.
"I didn't catch the name," I said, keeping my voice serious. "But I heard this drug causes transformations… something like a demon."
Christian and Vanessa, their masked faces intense, took in the information. Christian spoke, his tone cautious but determined.
"There's something similar going on with Syndicate. Not sure I should say this, but that kid reminds me of a lot of the enemies we fought back then."
Vanessa nodded. "That seems true. So either Syndicate is making the drug, or they're working for someone who is."
I listened, knowing both were right.
Syndicate wasn't the actual producer of the drug; they were the main distributor.
Morwen, due to his close childhood friendship with Vladimir, was trusted with sharing the drug's formula with other organizations in the dark world.
Though the actual start of it has yet to happen, shortly their connections will lead to a mass increase in production and more frequent humans being turned into demonoid creatures.
Vanessa crossed her arms, thinking. "But...like a demon?" She paused. "If that's true, this can't be the only place they're doing this. There could be more."
I nodded in agreement, adding, "They also mentioned that there are more companies just like this."
Christian turned to me, concern in his eyes. "We've got to tell Mr. Cain." he stroked his chin humming.
As they spoke, the boy began to show signs of a seizure, shaking uncontrollably.
I observed this, thinking about what we should do... and I'm not sure how well my knowledge is of the anatomy and physiology of a human body with mana.
But if Christian isn't just brawn and no brain, then he knows that the main core of where mana lies is deep within the heart.
And if the drug flows exactly like mana it should be only mutating what's within his blood.
So if Christian could apply his own to the boy's heart... it might just be enough to stop him from fully transforming.
"CA25B," I said aloud, "do you think you can slow the process of his transformation down?"
"...!"
Christian tilted his head, then his eyes widened. "Right! Block the flow of the drug, keep it from reaching his core?"
Relieved, I nodded. "Let's try. No guarantees, but it's a shot."
Christian asked me to lay him down on the floor first, so I did as he instructed.
He crouched over the boy, placing his palm over the boy's heart and a bright blue light emitted from his hands.
huuu...
Exhaling out, he placed his other hand onto the boy's heart, tracing out the flows of mana, creating a current to allow for more circulation and flow around his heart.
The boy's body slowly calmed. I knew Christian could do it.
All three of us observed as the boy's skin color slowly returned to normal.
haah... "He actually did it..." I muttered... "Well done," I said.
"Thanks," Christian replied holding out a thumbs up.
Just as we were about to leave, we heard sirens blaring from outside.
Vanessa reacted quickly, telling us, "Let's leave quickly." Christian grabbed the boy, and I took hold of the sleeping girl.
We slipped out of the warehouse without getting caught.
...
...
...
[Geumcheon-gu, Seoul - Neighborhood]
[Thursday, 11:23 PM]
As they arrived in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, the neighbourhood was bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting long shadows across the quiet streets.
The night air was cool and refreshing, carrying with it the faint scent of flowers from nearby gardens.
haah...haah...haah...
"Can...we...take a break?" Exhausted, Rel pointed towards a grassy field, shaded by trees.
Vanessa and Christian nodded, and they settled into the quiet corner of the neighbourhood.
The tree provided a peaceful refuge, its branches swaying gently in the night breeze.
The sounds of the city were distant here, muted by the calm of the night.
They sat in silence for a moment, while Rel caught his breath and took in the serene surroundings.
Despite the events of the night, there was a sense of calm and safety in this area of seoul.
Christian whispered to Vanessa as they rested, "What should we do next?"
Vanessa, looking contemplative, replied, "We need to contact Mr. Cain to arrange for the nearest IDS station to transport us back to base."
Christian then expressed concern, "What about the kids?"
They looked over to see the children resting peacefully on Rel's lap.
haah...
Rel, aware of their conversation, turned his head and saw Vanessa lift her mask slightly, revealing her lips as she breathed in the fresh air.
"...!"
Then for a moment, her eyes met his before Rel looked away.
Acting like he didn't see anything at all.
She gave a warm smile and said, "We can return them to their families, right?"
Christian agreed, "We'll have to get the boy checked first, but we can drop the girl off on our way back."
Vanessa adjusted her mask and said decisively, "Let's go tell Mr. Cain then."
As they prepared to leave, Rel, leaned against the tree, and considered what was happening the next day. m _v,l-e _mp|y|r reader
The trip to France and the boy's condition weighed on his mind. What should he do?
Just then, the girl on his lap stirred and opened her eyes.
She looked up at Rel and asked, "Where are we?"
Rel replied gently, "We're in Geumcheon-gu." Her eyes widened with recognition, but before she could say more, Vanessa placed a hand on her head, gently putting her back to sleep.
She then turned to Rel, reminding him to ensure that the girl remained unaware of their identities.
Rel nodded in understanding, acknowledging the need for caution.
"We're taking the kids back to headquarters first. Then we'll drop them at their homes." Vanessa leaned against the tree, stating the plan.
Rel asked about the boy. Vanessa reassured him, "CA25B's mana is strong. He says it can neutralize the effects for a few months. Shouldn't be a problem until then."
Relief washed over Rel. "Okay."
He stood, carrying both children. "Let's head back to base now?"
Vanessa smiled behind her mask. "You're free to leave. CA25B and I are heading back, but you're off the hook. You're new, and taking down the boss was enough."
Christian arrived and took the kids from Rel. "You can head out after the IDS transport. Don't worry about the trial. We'll cover for you."
Rel, surprised by their generosity, nodded. "Fine... and thank you." Relief and gratitude washed over him.
***
[Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4-A]
[Friday, 12:42 AM]
I got home, tossed my mask onto the desk, and flopped down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling.
The mission had been utterly exhausting... but I did develop a new technique for Mitigation, and Christian learned internal mana control without any guidance. That's definitely a plus.
Still, I wished that mission could've gone smoother, without the boy being injected with the demon serum.
I hated that I created characters like Lampard... especially since so many of them existed.
For now, I'll have to trust Christian's mana to at least stop the boy's transformation.
But I also need to figure out how to make an antidote, since stopping the process only delays the inevitable.
FWANG
The sound of my system window popping up caught my attention.
[Your stamina has increased!]
[> Stamina: 74.5 >>> 75.7 (1.20+)]
"Well, at least I got something out of it,"
I muttered, feeling slightly better about the mission.
France trip so soon though... not much time for sleep.
I glanced at my watch – a new message blinked.
[You have 1 unread message!]
[??°? Histories Breakfast Club GC ??°?]
[Lan.Villerion <9:30 PM> Hey guys! I hope you're ready for our first trip as a club tomorrow! Make sure to meet at Seoul's IDS station at 7:30 AM.]
? x 9
(J.Ates has liked the message), (Val.Freya has liked the message), (LV.Heat has liked the message), (Ly4ra has liked the message), (BadAzz has liked the message),
(Alice.Elizabeth has liked the message), (2SwordTakeo has liked the message), (NoahTheArk has liked the message), (Jae.Yoona has liked the message),
haah...
Well, I'll try and get as much sleep as possible.
tap!
[ASRL.4444 has liked the message)
? x 10
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To Be Continued...
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Authors Notes:
- With Rel's skill: Divine Severance and his sword 'Axel' the damage output can be extremely high depending on how effectively he utilises aura.
- Aura can be applied to anything whether it be; stones, arrows, doors or even a water bottle.
- Rel hasn't reached a full understanding of Mitigation but he can now summon one portal to use less mana to manifest its ability.
- Christian and Vanessa is apart of Jaxon's Cain's Special Force Squad and the standard operations squad.