Chapter 643 - 588: Edward Ortberg (2) (1/2)

”Master, I know that he can be useful but he doesn't look like the type to be used as a tool.”

The Quad-Spirit knew what its master was thinking but it warned him as Edward, despite being a mortal, is dangerous.

Arthur pondered for some time before turning to face the half-sleeping serial killer. The loud noise of chains caused Ed to lift his head for a second time, his black pupils gazing back at the devil standing a distance away.

”Is this what they call a devil? A fearsome appearance indeed.”

As a human who lived most of his life on Earth, before it was subjected to the system and its magic, Edward wasn't that knowledgeable about those fantasy races and heard a couple of things in his long stay on the 12th floor. At first, he clearly glanced at Arthur but didn't say anything yet, this time, he took the initiative to talk.

”Be careful, master, he's very manipulative.”

Arthur inwardly snorted and walked closer to the cell.

��Almost all serial killer are talkative, they lack to brag and maintain control. They are intelligent, yes, but after passing a long time in absolute solitude, it's not surprising to see them talk to themselves or turn mad.'

It's not that Arthur never possessed a serial killer, it's just that this one, Edward Ortberg, was a peculiar one, to say the least. The look on his eyes wasn't of despair, no, it was something else entirely. They contained a mix of curiosity and amus.e.m.e.nt.

”Edward Ortberg, the High-way killer.” Uttered the parasite with a calm tone.

”That is me, and who might this devil be?”

Ed cracked a smile as he rubbed his cold palms to provide some warmth to himself. The chains restricted his movements but he was still able to properly stand up, albeit with a bit of difficulty.

Arthur ignored the question and asked: ”Why would you turn yourself if you were going to escape the prison anyway?”

At first, Edward creased his brows then shrugged his shoulders and answered: ”If I didn't turn myself, they would never have caught me. It's better to get caught then escape from between their fingers. Ah! The looks on their faces each time I left. They didn't even learn their lesson… they had put me in the same prison!”

'Well, he definitely seems talkative.'

”So, in essence, you turned yourself and escaped just to show them you're in control?”

”Yes, and to let the world know about my feats.”

”Feats? You consider murdering people as feats?”

Hearing this, Ed chuckled and retorted: ”That's awfully hypocritical coming from a devil. I only took a few heads, nothing to brag about in front of someone like you.”

”Not all devils slaughter innocents.” Said Arthur while squinting his eyes.

”And not all humans are killers. They're conditioned to be.”

”Conditioned?”

”Yes. You think I was born a killer? Please! That's what those religious people think! Like myself, each serial-killer has a tragic past and a trigger which made the urges surface. I doubt not that the devils, or other races, are the same as us, humans. Each human, at least once in their life, think of killing someone, either in a cruel or normal way. Anger and frustration are what lead to those thoughts, however, only a few act upon those 'desires'.”

The devil's eye emitted a blue light as it focused on Edward, who didn't seem impressed or afraid. Additional information was added to the appraisal but it was only related to the murders committed by him.

”Your desires.. Were they beheading then dissecting the people traveling on the highway. Did you enjoy it?”

Ed spread his hand as if Arthur was stating the obvious.

”Why would I do something I don't like? If I thought I would regret those actions, I wouldn't have continued, or turned myself, even.”

Fariya didn't know why Arthur was wasting his time speaking with the prisoner but she didn't interfere and quietly stood by her master's side.

”If you were so good at escaping prisons, why are you still here?”

”There's a limit to what a mortal can do. I can't say I haven't thought of escaping but this isn't earth, the laws there do not apply here. Humans are, more or less, equal in physical strength but here, there are supernatural beings and wit isn't enough to outsmart absolute strength. You seem to be optimistic about something which I may be interested in.”

Seeing his uncomfortable stare, Arthur turned around while saying: ”Forget it.”

As the spirit say, Edward was too dangerous. He couldn't read him at all and even a brief exchange of words, he felt disadvantaged.

The killer didn't continue speaking either, he knelt on the floor and resumed his sleep right after Arthur and Fariya disappeared from his view.

…

”Master, you have me, you don't need his help. He's only a mortal!”

Fariya abruptly objected, seemingly wronged. Her demonic long tail swayed left and right in front of Arthur as tried to grab Arthur's attention, which was elsewhere entirely.

'Is there anyway to get his soul if I possess him?'

”No, even a parasite cannot steal a person's soul. However, there is a clan under the Whisperer King, it's known as the Soul Stealer Clan. They're wraiths capable of robbing the souls of living beings and use them to get stronger.”

*****

In Habs' office, the Warden was napping on his chair but it wasn't long before the door was opened and a tall blond man entered. The warden sighed as he knew who it was without needing to look, after all, there's only one person who consistently comes here to complain, almost daily!

”Warden.”