Chapter 84 (1/2)

– ”Seriously?” (Kazuki)

Kazuki sounded really happy.

– ”Where…. No, hang on. What about signs of infection?” (Kazuki)

Teresa Hussey's condition couldn't be described as good even as lip service. One of her eyes was blackened; dried blood was evident on her nose; her lips were busted open unsightly; her swollen, reddened cheek….

Several spots of her body were also reddened and bruised, and the stink from all sorts of filth wafted around heavily. Her current appearance attested to the indescribable hards.h.i.+p she had gone through. But Seol Ji-Hu couldn't spot any tell-tale signs of infection from forced breeding.

He displayed her condition through the communication crystal and opened his mouth.

”I found her in the experimentation area. She seems to be tortured, but I don't think she's been infected.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”Tortured? …Ah!” (Kazuki)

Kazuki sounded as if he had just about figured out the process of how she was discovered. Now that he had seen her through the crystal, his suspicions would be satisfied, too.

– ”Hmm. I was on my way back, but if you want, I can come and help you.” (Kazuki)

”No, hang on. It's difficult to describe exactly where I am. So, go back first.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”Got it. I'll trust you.” (Kazuki)

The communication ended there. Seol Ji-Hu quickly checked her wrists and ankles. If she had been tied down with special restraints, things might have become troublesome, but thankfully, she was bound with thick ropes, instead. As he pulled out a dagger, his eyes met the Princess's. She looked as if she had seen a mirage just now.

”….Is this a dream?” (Teresa Hussey)

Her voice was really hoa.r.s.e.

”Or, a hallucination?” (Teresa Hussey)

He simply grinned back at her. She must've found his response rather mean-spirited because large teardrops formed on those two jewel-like eyes next. She sniffled her reddish nose and continued on with a desperately pleading voice.

”Please, say it ain't so. Please.” (Teresa Hussey)

”This is neither a dream nor a hallucination.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu replied concisely back to her.

”I came to rescue you, Princess.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”But, how?” (Teresa Hussey)

”I know you have lots of questions, but please, hold them in for now. We don't have much time left.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

He quickly knelt down on one knee.

”…Ah.”

Teresa Hussey suddenly became fl.u.s.tered for some reason.

”What should I do, what should I do?! Sob, I won't get married now.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I couldn't help it, you see? That perverted b*stard didn't want me to use the bathroom….” (Teresa Hussey)

She explained her situation in a voice that got progressively smaller.

‘…Perverted b*stard?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

”….It's fine.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu quietly replied to her.

”I'm just thankful that… you managed to stay alive until now. Truly.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

He was being genuine here. Because he was concentrating on cutting the bind on her ankles, he failed to see what her facial expression was like when she heard his words.

”….Can, can I cry now?” (Teresa Hussey)

”Nope, you can't.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”What about a hot-blooded kiss, then?” (Teresa Hussey)

”Obviously no, wouldn't you say?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

While sharing a carefree banter, he brought the dagger closer to the rope binding her ankle, but then….

Dururuk!!

He heard a sound from the other side of a wall. Heok! He swallowed his breath. His hands stopped moving. His heart palpitated and the muscles in his entire body seemed to contract.

Now that he took another look, this building was shaped like a rectangular container from the outside, but the torture chamber was much closer to a square box. Only then did he finally spot a doorway to the far corner. He quickly remembered that this whole place being marked ‘Do Not Approach'. But he forgot all about it because of Teresa Hussey.

What should he do now? Too bad, even before he had the chance to come up with a plan, he heard the sound of the door being yanked open. He instantly lowered his body and hid behind the large X-shaped frame. Meanwhile, Teresa Hussey quickly lowered her head and began opening her mouth.

”Someone, anyone, help me. Save me. I want to go home. Ahhh….” (Teresa Hussey)

She began muttering all to herself. Splash, splosh…. Sounds of wet footsteps could be heard before a huge shadow was cast around the wooden frame.

”Here I was, wondering why I suddenly heard voices. You were yapping to yourself?” (?)

*SFX for slow simmering, boiling noises*

An ear-grating voice akin to a bubbling quagmire came from the shadow's owner.

Teresa Hussey's quick-witted thinking helped him to overcome the immediate danger. Of course, Seol Ji-Hu continued to remain vigilant. If this thing can move even under the rudium's control, then it had to be a really high-ranking creature. He didn't want to believe, but it was really here.

Cold sweat trickled down his backside. Luckily, the thing must've been staying inside this building and didn't know what was going on outside. But, if it found out what was going on from the get-go, then….

”Hmm?” (?)

The unknown creature suddenly began frowning.

”How did this b*stard get here?” (?)

Right at that moment, Seol Ji-Hu thought his heart would explode, but…

”Didn't I forbid it from coming here?” (?)

….But, he quickly realised that the high-ranking Parasite wasn't talking about him, but the mutated Orc he spotted during his search and made it enter the building first.

Although it was a good fortune among the sea of misfortune, it was also too early to feel relieved. He hurriedly grasped the rudium and undid all of the mental control bar the friend/foe recognition.

The mutated Orc turned around to leave. Even the hatchery, once deathly-quiet, was filled back up with sounds of renewed activity. The unknown Parasite creature tilted its head as the mutated Orcs began moving around again, but then….

”I, I'm thirsty….” (Teresa Hussey)

…Then, it reverted its attention back to Teresa Hussey after hearing her pained moan.

”Water, water….” (Teresa Hussey)

”Ho-oh.” (?)

Splash, splosh…

The creature approached the frame again. Saliva quickly pooled in Seol Ji-Hu's mouth. He felt tension surge through his entire body and didn't even move an inch from the spot. He even stopped breathing altogether.

”Kekeke. Looks like you're seeing hallucinations now. Is this your limit, then?” (?)

”Water. Gimme water….” (Teresa Hussey)

”To think, she'd break down already. That's too bad. Where's your initial spirit disappeared to now?” (?)

”Euhk.” (Teresa Hussey)

”Well, I guess that's because you're from an inferior species. Still, you did resist more than expected, so there's that.” (?)

The ridiculing words forced Teresa Hussey to chew on her lips.

”So, you want to drink water?” (?)

She quietly nodded her head.

”And you want to eat something, too?” (?)

”….Yes.” (Teresa Hussey)

”Then, speak.” (?)

She formed a conflicted expression.

”It's not difficult. All you have to do is to tell me.” (?)

The unknown Parasite opened its arms wide.

”Our Queen is magnanimous. And merciful.” (?)

”…….”

”Even if you're from one of the inferior species, she will not abandon you as long as you have one redeeming quality, however insignificant. So, speak up. Speak everything about the pledge made to the seven G.o.ds. That is the only way for you to prove your worth.” (?)

Teresa Hussey looked to be in a deep dilemma before her head faltered even more.

”I, I need more time to think.” (Teresa Hussey)

”What a frustrating little fool. How much more time do you require? Maybe, you still haven't understood what I'm saying?” (?)

”We humans are different from your kind. I have people who believe in me - my family, my friends, my subordinates. If I do as you say, then I become a b*tch that betrayed their trust.” (Teresa Hussey)

”Tsk, tsk. That is why you're inferior. All those emotions are useless when compared to the brand new world our glorious Queen will bestow unto this world.” (?)

”G.o.d d*mn it! I get it. I hear you, so gimme time to think about it for myself!” (Teresa Hussey)

Seol Ji-Hu finally grasped what the Princess was trying to do here. She was trying to send this high-ranking Parasite away, thus giving themselves a window of opportunity to escape.

”Fufufu. Aren't you a funny one? You think I don't know what you're trying to do?” (?)

”What was that??” (Teresa Hussey)

”Was it four days ago? Didn't you waste dozens of minutes by repeatedly telling me you'd think about it and then, began demanding from me this and that? You think I'll be fooled twice?” (?)

‘She already used this tactic before….' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu despaired inwardly. But then, Teresa Hussey began shouting out.

”D*mn it! Even if it's for a short while, it'll be fine! With you around, I can't get my thoughts straight!” (Teresa Hussey)

The unknown Parasite snorted derisively, but it didn't say no. Even without looking, one could tell the creature felt conflicted. It wouldn't be so bad to give her time to rationalise her thoughts now, would it? However, the being didn't back away peacefully.

”For a short while, is it? I guess it doesn't really matter, but if you are trying to deceive me again, then you better prepare yourself.” (?)

”I'm really trying to think about it.” (Teresa Hussey)

”Fine. I shall hope that you're being serious. If not….” (?)

Pow!

”Euh-huuk!!” (Teresa Hussey)

The creature's fist roughly slammed into her midriff. Teresa Hussey's eyes shot open wide. Drool leaked out of her gagging mouth. The unknown Parasite cackled on.

”….We are going to enjoy yet another fun time together.” (?)

Cough, cough!!

The creature ignored the coughing human and left through the exit.

”Urgh, that hurts.” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa Hussey complained bitterly. Meanwhile, Seol Ji-Hu quickly moved his hands. He felt sorry for her reddened midriff, but there simply wasn't enough time to ask how she was doing right now. That high-ranking Parasite's entrance had eaten up way too much time already. If it weren't for her quick thinking, he might even have overshot his time limit, too.

The ropes were thick, but they didn't pose much of problems when he used his Magic Power.

”Can you walk?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Yes…. Uh, eh?” (Teresa Hussey)

Finally freed, she unsteadily faltered as her feet touched the ground. Her arms flailed about and she nearly fell, but Seol Ji-Hu caught her in time. He lifted her up in an embrace by her slender shoulders and below her knees. Wasn't this the famed princess carry?

”Oh, my~?” (Teresa Hussey)

She blinked her eyes after inadvertently ending up in his arms. Seol Ji-Hu cautiously scanned the outside, worried that the unknown Parasite was nearby.

”I hope that thing won't show up soon.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”No, it's going to, pretty soon. Remember, I tried to fool it once before, and besides, the b*stard's got one h.e.l.l of a short fuse.” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa Hussey spoke in a wry tone.