Women.
5: Chapter 5 – Hah.
Women.
“I want…
to join the Stellaron Hunters.” Zao Wu’s request was audacious.
Then again, he had already dared to call Kafka, a notoriously infamous and universally wanted criminal, “Mama.” It seemed there was nothing he wouldn’t do.
And in his pure, clear eyes, only Kafka’s reflection could be seen.
To be looked at by him was to feel as if the entire background behind you had blurred into nonexistence, as if his world contained only you.
Even Kafka, who possessed the incredible power of “Spirit Whisper,” had to admit that this was a feat that even those under her mental manipulation could scarcely achieve.
Even she couldn’t help but be drawn in.
After all, the more complex a thing is, the more inevitable it is that it will contain impurities, making true purity a rare find.
Zao Wu, despite being a humanoid life form, possessed a mind that was utterly clear and ethereal.
It was truly remarkable.
“For now, I’ll just chalk it up to a child’s careless words.” Whether it was his request to join the Stellaron Hunters, or calling a woman like her by that sacred title.
Kafka lifted Zao Wu from under his arms, and as he stared at her in a daze, she gently placed him on the ground.
She then rose gracefully, turned, and walked toward another private room.
“Silver Wolf, with me.
Elio has new instructions, and I need your help.” “Ah Ren, help me look after Zao Wu for a bit.” “Ha, you’re asking Blade to look after him?” Silver Wolf seriously doubted whether Zao Wu would still be in one piece by the time she and Kafka finished their business and returned.
After all, Blade was someone who could go mad at any given moment, entering his “Mara-struck” state.
At a time like that, without Kafka to restrain him, and with Zao Wu lacking Silver Wolf’s “Aether Editing” abilities…
The consequences were simply unimaginable.
The silver-haired girl shot Zao Wu a worried glance.
As for the handsome man who had been ordered around by Kafka, he raised no objection.
Once Kafka and Silver Wolf had completely left the room, Blade finally made his move before the fireplace with its blazing flames.
He walked slowly toward Zao Wu, and with each step, it was as if spider lilies from hell bloomed in his wake.
The man’s cold, condescending gaze easily brought to mind a hunter and its prey.
The slight upward curl of his lips, a hint of a smile, was even more terrifying.
Of course, Zao Wu felt fear; he was afraid.
It was evident from the cold sweat trickling down his cheek and the slight bob of his throat.
But Mama Kafka had said…
that Blade would look after him.
Therefore, Zao Wu would not run away.
No matter how painful, no matter how terrifying.
He had to honor a promise, however ethereal it might be.
A person like him.
No matter the situation.
Would always be called “foolish,” wouldn’t he?
“I was once…” Blade finally spoke.
At the same time, he leaned on his fragmented Shard Sword and knelt on one knee before the boy, closing the distance between them.
His gaze was like a torch, attempting to ignite the fragile jade of Zao Wu’s pupils.
His voice was deep and rich, stained with an inseparable melancholy.
“…as foolish as you.” “…” “On you, I smell the same thing as on myself.” “The scent of one who has returned from hell.” “My sword…
it’s excited.” “So, want to learn the sword from me, kid?” “…’A creation’?” “So you dragged me away just to tell me this?” “Afraid of hurting the kid’s feelings, were you?” “I don’t recall you ever being this gentle with me.
You didn’t even comfort me when my account got banned!” Silver Wolf was now officially jealous.
She hugged her chest—which couldn’t be called nonexistent, but was certainly subtle—and turned her face away, puffing out her cheeks in a pout.
She looked as cute as a little steamed bun.
Kafka stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, admiring her coat in the reflection as she replied with a calm smile.
“I hardly think you’re the type who needs my comfort.
Besides, didn’t you get your revenge on the headquarters of that network company on Pier Point?” “Giving every player in the universe a free five-star character of their choice…
that’s so you.” Hearing Kafka praise her glorious deeds, Silver Wolf’s mood improved considerably.
And this world-renowned genius began to ponder Kafka’s underlying motive for telling her about Zao Wu’s true identity.
After a moment of thought, she quickly locked onto the key.
“You mean…” “Ruan Mei?” At the mention of this name, even Silver Wolf’s tone grew heavier with a trace of respect.
Ruan Mei.
A female scholar of gentle and elegant temperament, member #81 of the “Genius Society,” and an expert in the field of life sciences.
Silver Wolf had no desire to elaborate on just how great this so-called “Genius Society” was.
But she was a girl the Genius Society was destined to never have!
Hmph.
It’s not like she wasn’t chosen by Nous, the Aeon of Erudition, or anything!
In any case, Ruan Mei, having been invited into the Genius Society, was undoubtedly a genius who ranked among the foremost on a cosmic scale, one whose name would be remembered.
Rumor had it that for her, even cultivating an entire planet was an incredibly simple task.
All of creation grew between her slender, jade-like fingers.
But by the same token—all of creation was also destroyed with the flip of her palm.
Even though Ruan Mei was an organic life form, just like Silver Wolf, in her heart, she felt much closer to Screwllum, the inorganic member of the Genius Society.
There was no particular reason.
She just felt that even Screwllum…
probably had more of a human touch than Ruan Mei.
“Zao Wu is her child!?” “Perhaps, a child she abandoned.” Kafka’s lips were curved in a smile as she said this.
Only her reflection in the glass could see how cold her eyes were, as if they were frigid enough to freeze a plum blossom in defiant bloom.
She used to think the inhabitants of Pteruges-V, who knew no fear, were demonic enough.
Then Ruan Mei, what should you be called, you who hold no reverence for life itself?
“Abandoned, huh…” Silver Wolf also pursed her lips, expressing her disdain for such an act.
Even she wouldn’t abandon her game accounts, and they weren’t even digital life forms!
“Even if he was abandoned, that doesn’t explain why he appeared here.” “But this kind of nonsensical prank does have a whiff of Aha about it.” “Don’t tell me that Aeon of the Elation plans to have some fun with us?” “It doesn’t matter.
The more you pay attention to Them, the more you become part of the joke.” “It’s best to just go with the flow.” “Eventually, They’ll naturally get bored, lose face, and look away.” Kafka slipped on her black overcoat, her posture confident and at ease.
“So what you’re saying is, you’re letting Zao Wu stay.” “But I don’t think he has the kind of talent needed to join us Stellaron Hunters.” “Besides, Elio never…” “Who said anything about him joining the Stellaron Hunters?” Kafka flashed a cunning smile, more foxy than a fox.
“It wouldn’t be so bad to keep him around, even if it’s just as a little manservant.” “Hah.
Women.” —o—