Chapter 666: The identity of the Butcher [1]

"You will... thank me for this. I’m doing this for your own good."

A voice whispered in the back of Soran’s mind, her thoughts muffled.

Soran’s vision was completely gone.

All she saw was darkness. Not even a hint of light.

Her mind felt numb, sharp pangs of pain piercing through her skull with each passing second as faint cracking sounds accompanied them. She could hardly make sense of what was happening, but if there was one thing she knew, it was that she was being escorted somewhere.

’Ah, I’m screwed...’

She didn’t know where she was being escorted, but it certainly wasn’t the medical center.

’...I’m probably going to get brainwashed or some shit.’

Honestly, even if Soran had the energy to resist, she probably wouldn’t have been able to do much in the first place. There had been a time when she had been stronger than him, but with her being out of commission for so long, there was simply no way for her to fight back.

"I heard all about your situation. If you follow me, I’ll help you get back to your past glory. There’s no need to be afraid."

Bullshit.

Soran’s lips didn’t move.

Even if they could, she probably would’ve kept them shut. There really wasn’t much that she wanted to talk about.

In fact, she would much rather he stop talking.

Silence.

Yes, she wanted to be in silence.

But even though that was what she wanted, he wasn’t kind enough to give it to her.

"I’ve talked with them. They are all aware of your talents. If you can use your talents for the right causes, then I’m sure they will help you heal from your current situation. You’ll no longer have to suffer. Just think about it."

He kept rambling on and on.

Honestly, if Soran had the energy, she would’ve told him to shut up. Unfortunately, she didn’t even have enough left in her to muster that much.

He kept rambling on about healing her and whatnot. Soran didn’t believe in that nonsense. Her nodes were far too damaged for any treatment, and even if some miraculous cure did exist, it certainly wouldn’t come free.

’There also seems to be someone else he’s carrying.’

It was too bad that Soran couldn’t see who.

In the end, these were her last thoughts before her mind completely blanked, and she faded into nothingness.

*

’Her situation is a lot more troublesome than I expected. Most of her nodes are damaged, and it’ll take quite a large investment to bring her back. I’m not sure I can carry on with the procedure. You’ll need to see whether the higher-ups think that investing in her is worth it or not.’

’Don’t worry about them. I’m sure they will agree.’

’It doesn’t really matter. For now, she needs some time to recover. We can proceed with the operation once she’s more fit. She’s not in the right state to proceed. Thankfully, Osvald seems to be doing fine. He doesn’t need a check-up. But what about you? Your arm...’

’...That’s none of your concern, doctor.’

The darkness persisted even after she regained her consciousness.

In the darkness, she heard voices. They talked about some weird procedure...?

’Ah, right. I’m going to get brainwashed soon...’

Soran felt her body get carried away into a strange place. A bed? Well, whatever it was, it was quite hard.

Uncomfortable too.

’Don’t worry. You’ll recover soon enough. By then, you’ll thank me.’

The familiar voice reached her ears once more.

Hearing the voice, Soran didn’t feel much. It was true that she was a sort of man-killer... yes, that’s what they called the opposite of ladykillers, right? Well, whatever it was, she was a man-killer.

A proper bona fide man-killer.

Brandt... Brandt... The name did ring a bell. Probably back in the academy? Well, to be honest, she didn’t remember all that well. She certainly did remember him, but also didn’t.

It was a bit troublesome.

It was good that she couldn’t speak.

’No, but this is truly a very troublesome situation.’

Soran tried to feel her nodes, but the moment she did, she was unsurprised to realize that the connection linking her to them was gone.

Ah.

’So the situation has gotten this bad, huh?’

Soran wanted to laugh, but found herself unable to. Her entire body was paralyzed from top to bottom. Not only could she not move or see, but she had also lost connection with her nodes. In other words, she was completely useless.

A vegetable.

’...Do I have no option but to get brainwashed? Or are they going to turn me into a cyborg?’

All sorts of thoughts swam inside Soran’s mind. She wasn’t particularly scared. To be honest, there wasn’t much that could scare her anyway. This was probably the reason why she didn’t feel much despite the helpless situation.

In a way, this was good.

At least, she didn’t have to worry about mentally breaking down in a situation like this one.

But she did feel that it was a bit of a pity.

There were still a few things that she wanted to do.

’Ah, if only I had still been in my prime. Maybe...’

Soran’s thoughts came to an abrupt stop. She couldn’t quite see, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t hear. Though faint, she caught the sound of the door opening as a figure entered a moment later.

Step. Step!

His steps were soft, not as heavy as Bradnt’s.

Someone else?

Soran strained her ears as the figure drew closer and closer to her before finally coming to a stop. Silence filled the room shortly after, the space occupied by nothing but the soft hum around her.

So...?

The silence stretched for what felt like hours, the figure standing still while doing absolutely nothing. In a way, Soran started to grow nervous.

Don’t tell me...

Sure enough, something reached down and pressed against her lips. Soran’s entire mind blanked as she felt her lips get pried open. She wasn’t even able to resist before she felt something get shoved down her throat.

"⎯⎯!"

Soran’s eyes widened in an instant.

Although she couldn’t see, she could still perform the action as a powerful throb invaded her mind. The pain nearly sent her passing out once more, but the moment she was about to, something forced her out of it as her vision started to flash.

Her lips parted as she tried to scream, but nothing came out of her mouth as the pain invaded every inch of her mind.

’W-what’s happening!?’

Soran’s vision continued to flicker as the pain continued to invade the deepest parts of her mind.

She didn’t understand what was happening, but she didn’t have time to process it, as the pain was strong enough to make her feel something. It was agonizing, as though someone had split her skull open and started hammering at her brain nonstop.

She wanted to make it stop, but it only grew worse with each passing second.

The worst part was that she couldn’t move at all. The only thing she could do was suffer in silence as the pain grew more and more ferocious.

Such pain persisted for what felt like forever as Soran agonized inside her mind over and over, and it was only when the pain subsided a little bit that she realized something.

H-huh...?

Just right before her, she managed to catch sight of what seemed to be an outline.

One that grew clearer and clearer by the second as her vision returned.

And soon⎯

A figure appeared before her, his finger pressed against his lips in a ’shh’ motion as he smiled at her.

"Been a while, Team Leader."