Free Web NovelChapter 143: Chapter 142 - Eden’s Outliers(Part 1)
Point-of-View: Petra Engel
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Hm...it’s no use, I’m still getting nothing. I’m pretty sure I’ve mastered Thought Communication, I keep sending out connections without a problem, but so far, no links have been established.
How long have I been here, anyway? It’s had to have been at least two weeks. It happened so suddenly, some of Eden’s members showed up and brought us here one by one.
My new cell is a lot worse than the previous one, which is saying a lot...it smelled kinda musty in here, the walls weren’t painted, the floor was untiled, and it there was a fair bit of dust, with spiderwebs all over the ceiling.
There was a dim, flickering light above, with a creaky ceiling fan that barely provided any ventilation whatsoever.
As for the bathroom...there wasn’t one. There was a toilet seat in one corner of the room, and a shower with a drain in another corner...it’s pretty much a prison cell in here.
Miraliz was in the room next door, we’d tried talking through the wall, but it was no use, our voices were too muffled and we couldn’t hear what the other was saying at all.
And the door...was just a normal wooden door, I could probably break out pretty easily. But there were guards standing outside, and the door hadn’t been unlocked even once since I was brought here, it had a slot at the bottom through which they slid in trays of food and water bottles.
Damn it...why the hell did they move us here, anyway? And why did some random Meta-Humans I’d never seen before bring us here, instead of X or that Trevor bastard?
I can’t believe I lost my pendant...the men who brought me here were pretty rough with me when dragging me out of that other cell, one of them ended up yanking at my pendant and breaking the chain.
I begged him to give it back, but he just tossed it on the floor and then someone knocked me out. I think I remember seeing blood stains in the corridor outside the cells before that, but I’m not sure.
And before that, I remember hearing Trevor’s voice, sounding angry...it was pretty muffled though, so I don’t know what he said.
Was he having an argument with X? And didn’t they leave on some mission or something just a few hours before that? Without X, Miraliz and I had no way of checking any news or social media posts, so we’ve been in the dark ever since she left.
There’s no way they could’ve made it back so quickly...so, does that mean I heard someone else arguing? Maybe it got ugly and the blood I saw was the result of some altercation?
I doubt they’d have just moved us because of something like that. So, then, did something else happen?
Ahhh, it’s no use, I’ve got nothing! I’ve been agonizing over it ever since they brought me here, but I just can’t figure it out!
I feel like I’m losing my mind, there’s absolutely nothing to do in here, I’ve been working on polishing the techniques I’ve mastered, just to keep myself from going insane.
They haven’t even given me the book of Space Skill techniques, so I can’t occupy myself by trying to learn new techniques. All I can do is work on my current techniques and periodically attempt to contact my brother using Thought Communication.
Honestly, I’m not sure that I haven’t already gone crazy. I’m surprised that Astra or that Osian creep haven’t already lost out and lashed out...actually, maybe they have, now that I think about it.
They could be being held in rooms in a different area, maybe even in an entirely different location. I only know that Miraliz is in the next room because I yelled out in frustration when I was first brought here and she responded from the other side of the wall to the left of this room.
I then glanced up as I heard footsteps approaching from outside...oh, guess it’s time for my food. Huh, feels like it’s barely been any time since they slid in the last tray...am I losing my sense of time in this hell hole already?
I then stiffened as I heard a click echo out...did someone just unlock the door? Or is my mind playing tricks on me?
I stared in bemusement as the door handle then twisted downwards, before the door slowly creaked open, light flooding in from outside. What the...?
"Hey, come with me," Said the man who opened the door...I recognize him, he’s one of the ones who brought me here.
But not the one who broke my chain...well, not that I could punch him or do anything of the sort even if he did show up, thanks to this stupid Condition thing. Because of it, I couldn’t even fight back when they dragged me out of my old cell.
"Why? What’s going on?" I frowned in response.
"Just shut up and get on your feet. Now," He replied impatiently.
I hopped off the bed and walked towards him, feeling kinda nervous...what is this about, why is he letting me out after I’ve been kept locked up all this time? It doesn’t make sense.
"Okay, now what?" I inquired, as I got to the doorway.
"Follow me."
The guards were still here, so he’s definitely not sneaking me out or anything like that. As I followed after him, I noticed that the door next to mine was also open...so, Miraliz is out too, huh?
I’m getting a bad feeling about this, just what the hell are these people upto? I don’t like this, not at all...but I can’t defy them, as much as I want to.
Also...where exactly are we? This place looks huge, but also shabbier than the previous place we were being held at...most of the walls were unpainted, and it had a kinda dreary vibe to it.
Meanwhile, the previous place looked a lot more sophisticated, with a sort of fancy hospital or research facility vibe to it. Well, not that I’ve ever actually been inside a hospital.
"So, uh...where are you taking me?" I inquired, as I looked around.
"You’ll see soon enough."
Come on, you asshole, give me more than that. I’ve literally been in the dark for the past two weeks, or however the hell long it’s been since I was brought here. I so wish I could just punch this guy and then make a break for it.
But if that was an option, I’d have already tried to escape this place a long time ago. Man, this sucks!
The man then stopped by a large door, pushing it open and walking inside. I followed in after him, to see what looked like an arena, with a couple of balconies or viewing platforms, with several people on them.
And by the edge of the arena, were the other three Outliers, with Astra and Miraliz keeping their distance from Osian, who looked even worse than usual. fгeewebnovёl.com
He seemed to have lost some weight, but his skin was terrible and he had a patchy mess of facial hair around his cheeks and chin...he definitely looks like even more of a creep than he did before, and that’s saying a lot.
"Good, looks like they’re all here," Remarked a woman with long black hair and sharp black eyes.
"I brought her like you asked, Miss Kimura," Replied the man who brought me here.
"Yeah, I can see that. You don’t need to state the obvious, fucking dumbass," She responded icily.
That seemed kinda uncalled for, yikes.
"Hey, glad to see you’re okay," Miraliz greeted me, as I walked over to her.
"Well, I did feel like I was about to go insane, but other than that, I’m good," I replied with a wry smile.
"Tch, spare me the cutesy friendship crap, I’m gonna puke," Grumbled Astra, who looked beyond irritated.
"I’m sure you’re all wondering what you’re doing here. I’m Arisu Kimura, a Category 0, and this was actually thanks to my suggestion. It’d be a waste to leave you rotting in those rooms, so we might as well keep you all fresh and in good form. Therefore, every other day, we’ll be holding a couple of sparring bouts between the four of you.
Specifically, two one-on-one matches. Now, there are four scraps of paper in this box, two with Xs and two with Os. You’ll each be fighting whoever picks the matching scrap. Now, go on," She remarked, as she held out a small cardboard box.
Wait, we’re getting started just like that?
"I don’t see why we should listen to you," Frowned Miraliz in response.
"It doesn’t matter what you want, we can just force you with the Conditions. And besides, we’re all bored here, so we could use some entertainment," Stated Arisu bluntly.
Oh, so that’s why there’s so many people up on the platforms, watching us.
"You know what, this doesn’t sound so bad, actually...I could use an opportunity to let off some steam," Remarked Astra venemously, a dark gleam in her eyes.
"Before we begin, let me explain the rules. No killing and no dismembering. Basically, nothing that’ll leave permanent damage. If it looks like that’s about to happen, I’ll step in myself and deal with it. Other than that, anything goes," She informed us.
"Hm? Anything goes, you say?" Responded Osian as he let out a chuckle, running a hand across his crotch.
Ughhh, I absolutely don’t like that.
"Yeah, do whatever, I don’t give a shit," Shrugged Arisu, before holding out the box and giving it a shake, "Now, then, pick a scrap already."
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