[1:11]
Barely fifteen minutes had passed since the appearance of the second wave, yet they had already dealt with it—a stark contrast to the previous horde.
Victor wondered about the reason, but it was ultimately rather obvious.
It was thanks to his intervention.
He had practically done nothing before, content with simply watching.
But now that he had acted, things had changed.
It seemed he had still been underestimating his abilities—but that was natural; ever since he had improved them before leaving school, he hadn't had the chance to properly test them.
Particularly his endurance and perception.
He was certain he could have wiped out the second wave on his own without too much trouble, though he would've been slightly exhausted afterward.
But he needed to conserve his strength—who knew if the next waves wouldn't make him regret those thoughts.
The boy decided to head back while waiting for the next wave, eager to continue his discussion with the strange chimera that had come from he-didn't-know-where.
He still had many questions.
However, Anna stopped him before he stepped through the door.
« Let me come with you. »
The boy narrowed his eyes.
« Why? »
A small innocent smile curved the young woman's lips.
« I can help you find him. »
She clearly didn't want the others knowing about its existence either.
Victor didn't see any problem with that.
Although they were dangerous, it didn't seem like they intended to kill him—at least not for now.
He simply nodded before heading toward the old clothing store.
The two walked a few meters apart.
Even if she didn't seem hostile, Victor wouldn't risk letting her get too close.
Who knew when the beast would reveal its fangs?
« What do you want? »
Anna glanced at him from the corner of her eye, a faint smirk on her face.
« What do you mean? I don't want anything. »
Victor clicked his tongue.
« Don't take me for a fool. You wanted to come with me for a reason. »
He stopped and turned toward her.
« And I hope it's not to kill me—you'd be disappointed. »
His emotionless voice echoed through the long hallway as Anna let out a small laugh.
« Come on, I know that's impossible for me… at least if I'm alone. »
« … »
Anna pouted, slightly disappointed by his lack of reaction.
« You're really not a fun boy. Whatever, I obviously wanted to ask what you were planning. »
« What do you mean? »
« You're the one taking me for an idiot now—you know exactly what I mean. »
Victor didn't answer right away.
« Don't be so tense~… Like I said before, as long as it doesn't go against our interests… »
He had no intention whatsoever of revealing his plans to anyone—especially not someone he had barely met.
Even if Melissa and Anna were both intriguing in a good way, he didn't trust them at all.
In fact, he didn't trust anyone.
He had trusted Lucie earlier, but that was only because the girl's nature was pure—it was so obvious it was almost funny.
She wouldn't hurt anyone without reason or absolute necessity.
But the serpent walking casually beside him was different.
It was merely waiting for the right moment to inject its venom.
« I won't harm you or your sister. »
That was the truth—two more or less didn't matter.
The thousand others waiting for him at the hospital were more than enough.
Anna didn't seem satisfied but stopped talking, following him a few meters behind.
He could feel her gaze stabbing into his back like a blade, but he didn't care.
If she acted, he would eliminate her.
A few seconds later, they arrived at the store—only to witness a surprising scene.
The chimera seemed to have completely trashed the place: shelves overturned, clothes thrown carelessly across the floor.
It looked as if it had destroyed everything in a fit of rage, but the reality was different.
It was standing in a corner near the wall, carefully examining various coats before selecting one perfectly fitted to its size—though it had to make openings to let its wings unfold.
« I must say, for monkeys you are surprisingly skilled at sewing. »
It spun around once.
« So? Don't I look like a prince? My people will surely worship me when I return! »
Victor and Anna exchanged a glance, though the boy could clearly see the silent question in her eyes.
Something like "This is the one impossible to defeat?" or "Are you mocking me?"
It had undoubtedly fallen several ranks in her esteem.
« Cut the crap, chimera. I'm here to make a deal. I don't have much time. »
The invader let out what resembled a sigh, clearly disappointed by the hairless monkeys' lack of taste.
« Very well, let's get straight to business. »
Victor nodded and took out a small empty plastic bottle, placing it on the ground.
« Blood will do, right? »
« I'd have preferred a limb, but I suppose I'll have other chances for that. I'll grant you three questions for that amount. »
He lifted his wrist over the bottle's opening.
« Be useful, will you? »
Anna's gaze hadn't left the creature—she was observing every inch of it, as if dissecting it over and over.
« Don't look at me like that, monkey. It's pointless—even if you were as fast as I am, I'd simply fly away. Or do you think these wings are just for decoration? »
It had clearly perceived the intention behind the woman's stare, but it felt no fear.
Ultimately, Anna looked away, pulling out a small knife and slicing Victor's wrist cleanly.
She couldn't help but notice a deep scar already present in that exact spot, but kept quiet.
For Victor, this was a way to know whether she was truly honest or intended to harm him.
After all, she wouldn't get a better chance than this to end his life.
Blood flowed slowly into the container under the chimera's shining gaze—it could barely contain its excitement.
The second the bottle filled, it began to float and drifted toward the chimera, whose mismatched eyes gleamed intensely.
It spun the bottle around, analyzing the reddish liquid from every angle, already trying to decipher its composition and properties.
« Excellent! Finally another subject for my experiments! What to do, what to do… The possibilities are endless! A cure? A bomb? Or electricity? »
The two stared at him strangely while the deformed being rambled on, not paying them the slightest attention—so much so that Victor briefly considered attempting a surprise attack.
But he wouldn't—not until it answered his questions.
Anna cleared her throat, pulling the invader out of its thoughts.
It regained the disdainful attitude it had abandoned.
« As I said, I will answer three of your questions. That's fair for such a small amount. »
A scowl appeared on Victor's face—its words didn't match its actions at all.
« You seemed pretty satisfied for something so 'small.' »
The chimera grinned mockingly.
« And what? What can you do about it? »
Obviously, Victor had momentarily forgotten the most important thing.
He would only get what the other party agreed to give.
That was the privilege of the most powerful being in the room.
It would only offer what it wanted to offer, while the weak could only take what they were allowed to take.
« Ask your question—you don't have much time left, it seems. »
« These games… What purpose do they serve? »
The creature froze instantly, staring at Victor strangely.
« You… Of all the questions, you really chose that one? »
The boy nodded, unshaken.
The being sighed.
« If you insist on knowing, very well. They're meant to recruit and train soldiers. »
Anna swallowed hard, listening to their conversation.
« A war? »
« Hehe… You catch on quickly. Yes, it's for the war that has raged since time immemorial. Countless worlds are recruited by one side or the other after overcoming the trial—or more precisely, after surviving long enough in the hell your planet has become. »
Despite the chimera's answer, Victor remained skeptical.
« That's funny, that's not at all what he told me. »
The being raised a brow.
« Oh? »
« He told me it was to entertain 'Him.' »
The air in the room seemed to drop several degrees as the creature's expression flickered violently—from shock, to anger, to fear.
« I'll give you another piece of advice, monkey. Forget what you heard. It's not something your primitive mind can handle. »
Its voice had grown several octaves deeper as it stared at Victor like it wanted to rip every limb off his body.
The boy decided not to push further—he had gotten what he wanted.
A war involving countless worlds?
That was exactly what he wanted.
What better way to grow stronger than to take part in battles of cosmic scale and reap lives?
« How can I detect the locations of the trials ? »
The chimera calmed, crossing its arms and curling its lips slightly.
« Finally a good question. »