Chapter 31: Chapter 30

“What do you think?”

He said that he had finished his mission in a hurry, but it seemed like a lie.

Otherwise, it would have taken half a day to bring something like that.

“Where did you get this? I saw the deputy chief came here earlier… .”

What Alexis Rainier gave me was a different evening dress than the last time. It certainly reminded me of what the deputy chief was wearing when she told me to go to Kalisten. The white dress she wore last time was taken from her.

This one was red.

“I bought it. I have a lot of money.”

“Ah… .”

“Because a mission pays you every time you succeed.”

“I see.”

Come to think of it, it seemed like the case. But among Espers, not many were interested in money. Even if they had a lot of money, what they really needed was a stabilizer.

To them, money was just a piece of tissue paper, and fame and honor was an illusion.

Because they couldn’t live without a stabilizer nonetheless.

“I haven’t made a mistake in five years.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Yes, so I think I can live outside the lab.”

“Is that possible?”

“Yes, the deputy chief will look into it.”

It was something I was completely ignorant of because it wasn’t described in detail in the original “And Everyone Was Silent.” In the original story, he dies fighting Kalisten in 10 days time. Considering the current situation, he was on the road to success. If he could go out and live, would he still die?

That being said, it was a little sad.

“Didn’t the deputy chief say anything to you?”

“… ah… .”

Um, in retrospect there was something:

“She said she would keep an eye on me.”

“Other than that?”

“She said she would pardon me when Kalisten awakens.”

“Other than that?”

I looked down at the hand stroking my cheek, startled. I was no longer in pain, maybe the tape worked. Because the tapes usually given out had the healing power to heal small wounds.

“Uh… There was nothing else. All I noticed was the deputy director because she was so pretty.”

“She’s pretty?”

He frowned, looking very offended and upset by those words. Scared by his sudden anger, I took a step back but he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him.

“Oh… !”

“What are you blind?”

I was lifted up and seated on his thigh, the fear that I had ignored briefly was climbing up my back again.

His ability was to enhance his physical strength.

Would he kill me because I displeased him?

“What’s so pretty about such a monster?”

“Uh, a pretty hair color and a nice voice. And the white lab coat suits her really well.”

“Do you want to wear something like that?”

“No.”

There was no way I would miss the lab coat I wore in my previous life. But in front of Alexis Rainier, I had to be careful. He might be a Z-class that didn’t need to be cautious, but I was an A-class that could be discarded at a moment’s notice.

“If I set up a mansion outside, I’ll take you with me.”

“Ah… .”

“But I don’t think that crazy woman will let you go.”

“… .”

“So, from now on, I’ll teach you how to escape out of here.”

I was speechless for a moment.

Did I hear him right?

If I can get out of this place by following Alexis Rainier’s words, I don’t have to get involved with Kalisten, and if I leave here, I can just run away from Alexis Rainier.

I won’t have to live with the fear of when you’ll die, when I’ll be scrapped, or when they’ll find out that I’m a woman.

“What do you think? Do you want to live with me?”

He had said something I couldn’t refuse, as if seducing me.

“Alec.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want me to follow you, Alec?”

Then he untied the thread on the necklace. As my necklace was untied, long platinum feet fell on my shoulders and cascaded down. It was a strange sensation each time my hair grew longer.

“You are mine.”

“… .”

“I never lose what’s mine.”

“Why do you want me?”

I thought he would be angry if I asked that question, but left my mouth before I could stop it. What am I asking—so oddly? But he just smiled and didn’t say anything. Alexis stroked my hair and touched my cheek. Then I made eye contact with him and pretended to read his thoughts.

I wanted to avert my eyes, but he didn’t like it.

I grinned every time I made eye contact with Kalisten, so I smiled every time I made eye contact with him. Alexis laughed as if pleased.

“You.”

“… .”

“What family are you from?”

“Huh?”

“This is a place for men only. Women are not allowed to enter unless you are a high-ranking researcher. But you, a test subject, are a woman. This isn’t a female laboratory.”

I stared at him, not understanding what he was saying.

“Felix Magnolia is looking for you.”