Chapter 39 (1/2)
Chapter 39: Chapter 4 Alice in Trouble-10
Once he said the magic words, the floor beneath the sitting man started to shake. Surprised by the floor rising, the man dropped the magic storage unit. Mad Hatter didn't miss the timing of the sudden break in the spell.
”Melt.”
The magic storage unit started to melt from its corners. The man, losing his protection, started to panic. Mad Hatter stared down coldly at the man and used his powers to knock him out.
”You aren't going to kill him?”
”I will leave that up to you. I hope it will be the most painful death.”
”I have an appointment, so that will be difficult. Will you be content with the second most painful death?”
”That's fine. Now, please return White Rabbit.”
”Is it a trend to take things from other people like it is yours? You're being a nuisance.”
The different tone meant that Heart was not in a good mood. They stared at each other murderously. SoYoon moaned in that tense moment, and they forgot their anger at each other.
”I don't like it, but let's call a truce for now. But what's up with this girl?” Mad Hatter asked, staring at Alice. She had blood all over her, but not a single drop of it was hers.
”Alice.”
”I didn't ask for her name. I'm asking why White Rabbit would go to this extent to protect her.”
SoYoon was not the type to think about other people's business. Other than for work, she had never helped save anyone other than March and Dor.
Yet she had thrown her body in front of Alice to save her. She may have known that the sword on her back would have protected her from becoming deathly wounded. Either way, the two men felt threatened by Alice due to the mere fact that SoYoon would even consider such actions.
”Did they know each other from Outhouse?”
”That's what's strange. It's not like they don't have any connection.”
Henry Liddell, Alice's father, was a researcher at the facility where SoYoon had been captive. Heart could not figure out, however, how this relationship would prompt SoYoon to protect Alice.
”They may have known each other personally. Maybe this girl has a power that Whitey needs.”
”So basically, you're telling me you don't know? Useless. Isn't your specialty finding out the truth from girls?”
The two men glared at each other. Outside the room, Heart's men waited nervously. Heart broke the gaze first and pointed to the door.
”Let's leave.”
Heart called his men to collect Alice and his fallen men, then left the room. Jack and his minions were bound kneeling on the floor. Jack, without a single injury, looked up at Heart and ground his teeth. Heart smiled joyously.
”This is what they call self-inflicted punishment. What a wonderful state you put yourself in. Where did that man who told me to kneel in the middle of Central go?”
If SoYoon had been awake, she would have recognized the anger behind his relaxed voice. Heart signaled his men to bring the man from the room and threw him in front of Jack.
”It looks like I've given you too much of an allowance. A joke is no longer a joke if it goes too far, my little brother.”
”I am in no way the younger brother of a lowlife like you!”
”The ploy you used was not so gentleman-like either. I'm not trying to reprimand you. I'm complimenting you. Using a girl was a good tactic. If you had done it correctly, I wouldn't have just kneeled before you, I would have given up my heart to you.”
After ending the conversation there, Heart smirked. The smile was one that smelled of blood and revenge. Jack cringed without realizing. However, Heart didn't miss the fear in his eyes. He crouched and pushed his face up close to Jack and whispered in a small voice.
”You used the wrong hostage, you idiot.”
He watched in amusement as Jack's face changed from confusion to realization to disbelief. When Jack looked over at SoYoon, Heart kissed SoYoon on her temple to prove a point.
”You just wait. You'll be begging me to kill you soon.”
The moment Heart stopped talking, his men blindfolded Jack and gagged him. Heart commanded his men only after Jack stopped resisting.
”What happened today will stay a secret. If I hear one word about today's happenings…”
Heart smiled widely. Within his smiling lips and soft eyes was a chilling menace. His men froze in fear, then quickly came to their senses and filtered out of the room one by one. Jack and his men were swept along with them.