"S-so... tell m-me..."
Chihua stuttered from anxiety. No matter how much logic he puts into it, he still cannot deny that he's scared.
"Okay"
Teren nodded, making Chihua flinch. He cannot be blamed for his 'overreaction'. Last time, Teren was able to pin Trisha, who's multiple times stronger than him, and knocked both of them cold.
"I took her in."
Teren finally answered Chihua's answer. However, it was very short and vague.
"Took her... in?"
Chihua muttered, trying to comprehend what Teren was saying which in turn, Teren nodded. He then smiled and continued-
"I found that Trisha didn't have any owner yet so I took the role."
"H-huh?"
As expected, Chihua was stupefied. He didn't know if Teren was joking or not. To say it so frankly, is this person hit on the head?
If he's not joking then this must be the most sickening thing that Chihua must've heard. No, even if Teren is just joking, it's one of the most inappropriate jokes to say right now.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It means exactly as I said it. Trisha is currently in my care. Although she bites back, when I 'punish' her, she gets quiet."
Chihua's world seemed to freeze. It could be a lie. Without proof, Chihua shouldn't believe it. However, just because it's Teren, the unpredictable murderer, he found it eerily believable.
Imagination is quite frightening sometimes. The strong girl that Chihua admired was being abused by this man in front of him.
'No! Boss is not someone who would get scared! She would always fight back!'
But that thought made him go back to what Teren said.
[Although she bites back, when I 'punish' her, she gets quiet.]
"..."
Teren watched as Chihua's facial expressions changed. Unfortunately for him, what Teren said is not a lie.
"Where is she...?"
A low voice entered Teren's ears.
Chihua's expression was darkened while his eyes cast down.
"Why would I tell yo-"
"WHERE IS SHE!!??"
With reddened eyes, Chihua rushed forward and furiously grabbed Teren by his collars.
"WHERE THE FUCK IS SHE!? I'M GOING TO KILL YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I'M NOT JOKING!!!"
He raged and his screams turned to shrieks. It was as if he was injected with a drug. All of his strength was used as he really want to pummel the person in front of him right. If he could, Chihua would've already killed Teren.
But in the end, he couldn't budge Teren.
'This is all of his strength?'
Teren was a little disappointed. But he found that this guy really raged with words. It's not a bad thing to rage if you have strength but if don't have sufficient power, controlling your emotions is a must or you would just be walking to your death.
Teren's evaluation on Chihua:
Unusable.
But then, Teren thought of something. If Chihua is already this angry with words, what would he react if saw Trisha's state?
Teren doesn't feel sorry for this guy at all, moreover, he felt a little annoyed since Chihua just barged into his school. He wasn't looking for trouble but answers. Yet, for Teren, it was troubling.
However, Teren shook that thought off.
"Tell me where she is!"
Maybe his throat was hurting but Chihua's voice lowered, albeit it was still loud.
"As I asked, why would I answer?"
Teren just wanted to get out of that situation. Of course, he can't just kill the guy. He no longer has Spirits except for the Spirit of Healing. Like Trisha, he only has improved physical properties.
"GRR!!"
Chihua's vision went black for a second before raising his fist and striking Teren with it.
"Fuck you! Fuck you! Die!"
With every hit, he would curse.
Teren's face became like a punching bag as he didn't act anything against it. Chihua's continuous strike could already kill a normal person. After a series of full-blown strikes though, his arm was so sore he could no longer give power to it.
Chihua was about to use his other fist then. But this time, Teren blocked it and didn't let go.
"You still can't understand? Look at my face."
Teren said, making Chihua follow his words.
Why would he want Chihua to look at his face?
It was simple, it's to show that Chihua did zero damage. And Chihua understood that...
Realizing that he couldn't do anything, tears fell from his eyes.
"If you bother me again, I will have to 'punish' Trisha for you."
It was an effective threat that made Chihua fall onto his knees.
"Wait wait wait! It's my fault! Please don't do anything to her!"
He pleaded becuase that's the only thing he could do. Kneeling and pleading before the man he despised the most was sickening and making him want to vomit. However, again, it was the only thing he could do.
Seeing this, Teren thought for a while before saying.
"Okay. I won't do anything to her with one condition."
"Tell me! I will do it!"
Even if it's false hope, it's better to cling onto it than cling onto nothing.
...
Sometime later, Chihua came out of the school ground with a darkened expression. Teren promised that he will send 'proof' that Trisha is doing well if he does what he was told, but even then. it may be just an empty promise as well.
At that moment, Chihua understood the true use of power. If he also have strength, this wouldn't happen.
What can he do to have such power?
However, achieving power overnight is nigh impossible. All he could do right now is follow Teren's condition...
The day passed by and on his way to a karaoke bar, Eron appeared before Teren.
"Teren, can you spare me your time? I have something important to tell you."
Eron said with a heavy expression. He looks more intimidating as a gangster now with that hardened look.
Fortunately, Teren didn't have anyone with him right now. He was just about to meet one later and maybe that's why Eron appeared before him.
"Then, can I suggest a place where we can speak?"
Teren asked which Eron nodded before leading him to the karaoke bar.. Teren didn't want to be late since he will get a mouthful sermon from Catherine again.