A Little Money and a Place to Live Tomorrow is Enough (8)
No response came from November. Perhaps thinking this was implicit agreement, Libra turned back and returned to her desk. After briefly scanning the area, her hand soon held a test tube containing some liquid.
“This is a stronger drug than what you used.”
Inside the test tube was a gold-colored liquid that looked dangerous even at first glance. The liquid, which glowed like phosphorescent material, made one wonder if it was really safe to inject into the human body.
“I’ll give it to you if you want. Of course, it’s not free. I am a merchant, after all. I don’t do business at a loss.”
The liquid in the test tube swirled right in front of November’s eyes. November stared blankly at the liquid swaying like a pendulum, as if hypnotized.
“I’m not asking you to betray the Argo Family or give up organizational information.”
Even as Libra began to make her formal proposal, November maintained silence.
“Why are you doing this, brother... Deny it quickly! Reject that drug and push it away...!”
Jason watched the scene anxiously. If he could have his way, he would have rushed out right now to grab November and run away, but he couldn’t.
He wasn’t confident he could properly explain why he was here. He had already lost a lot of trust from the last incident.
The clear act of betrayal of leaking information to the Watcher. Normally, this would deserve immediate punishment without room for excuses.
The only reason he was alive now was due to the mercy of the First Brother and Boss September.
Most organization members not only didn’t follow him but ignored him and even mocked him, asking why he wasn’t killed. Getting caught at Libra’s hideout in this situation? He didn’t even want to imagine how much criticism he would receive.
Moreover, seeing how the Archer introduced Libra as a doctor, it seemed the Archer had a close relationship with Libra... He had no idea how to explain this relationship.
“...Come to think of it, aren’t I also a traitor?”
He wasn’t in a position to criticize anyone for betrayal.
“Hey comrade. What’s making you so anxious?”
“B-Brother seems about to fall for that villain’s proposal... Of course I’m anxious.”
“Then why don’t you step forward?”
The Archer hit his weak point. If you’re anxious, step forward. Persuade your brother who’s wavering towards evil and return home.
“That’s... Not as easy as it sounds.”
But Jason couldn’t easily shake off his hesitation. November was quite moody. The moment he discovered him here, he would immediately misunderstand. Above all, being very stubborn and rarely listening to others’ words made explanation even more difficult.
No matter how misaligned the organization might be, the fact that it was his home hadn’t changed. Jason didn’t want to abandon the shelter he had finally found.
“Really? You’re no fun. Live with some romance.”
“That’s what I plan to do.”
“Oh? What are you going to do?”
“Romantically...”
Jason glared intensely at November with wide eyes.
“Just trust in my brother!”
“So you’re saying you’ll do nothing. Fine.”
The Archer sighed and went along with his opinion. While quietly suppressing his presence, he observed the wound on Jason’s shoulder. For a decent high-level villain, this would have healed moderately by now. But blood was still dripping from his shoulder.
‘Weak body. Pathetic comrade.’
Tsk, the Archer clicked his tongue internally. The wound showed no signs of healing. For humans, a wound piercing the shoulder is serious. And Jason’s wound was surely serious as well. The Archer was certain.
“Need to settle things quickly with that golden pig...”
He felt quite guilty about accidentally injuring him. That would only be possible after those two finished their conversation.
Both Jason and the Archer waited for November to speak, for different reasons.
“...Now.”
November opened his mouth.
Of course, she had calculated for cases where the drug wouldn’t be taken voluntarily. It was over the moment any of her organization members came to this laboratory. It didn’t matter if they weren’t an executive, but an executive came – this was fortunate.
She would be able to properly obtain data on this improved drug.
“It seems sad sacrifices will repeat again. How regrettable. Truly regrettable.”
“What the fuck is that....”
“Br-Brother!”
Jason reflexively jumped out. Despite his serious injury, he quickly ran over and tried to undo the chains.
“Tr-traitor bastard! Why are you here...!”
“That’s not important right now! I’ll get you free quickly! Wait!”
He struggled to undo the chains but they wouldn’t budge. In his weakened state from the shoulder wound, Jason wasn’t strong enough to break them.
“You... What happened to your shoulder? Fuck, who did that! Only we can rough up our traitor, dammit!!!”
“Oh... This is quite thick brotherhood.”
Libra leisurely filled the syringe. The carefully tilted test tube emptied as the syringe filled up.
“I won’t forget your sacrifice.”
Thud. Quiet footsteps echoed vastly through the chamber.
“Hey, you! Just run away! Leave this to your brother!”
“How could I do that? Wait. I’ll quickly... Ah!”
Jason took his hands off the chains and stepped back several paces. Then he put his hand on his belt.
“Ability... With this ability...!”
The ability to make one lose their way.
It’s an excellent ability for escape. It’s time to show the results of his training.
But as the name of that power suggests, it prevents one from taking the right path. It was the same now. When it could be used for the most righteous path, the power was at its weakest.
With both his strength and starlight depleted, Jason himself had trouble manifesting it. No matter how much he worked the oar on his belt, the ability wouldn’t manifest.
“This... Damn... Damn...!”
“I said run away?”
“Comrade, move!”
Just then, the Archer’s shout came from behind. Jason reflexively moved aside. Even then, he didn’t take his hand off his belt.
Though the Archer didn’t particularly care for November, he had ties with his comrade. His arrow precisely grazed the connection point of the chains. This was enough. The chains binding November came loose.
“You traitor!”
Also, Libra had gained enough distance. To inject the syringe.
“Too late.”
Crack! His syringe pierced November’s back, and November pushed Jason’s body away to create distance from himself.
November’s starlight blazed with intense light.
Jason’s ability activated.
He lost his way.
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