nyslfriends Chapter 518 116.2 - Faceless Woman
Chapter 518 116.2 - Faceless Woman
Chapter 518 116.2 - Faceless Woman
"Astron," Shanks stood before me with a greeting. "What are you doing here? You should be resting."
"I need to speak with Varnis," I replied, my tone resolute.
"Why?"
"There's something I want to ask of him."
"Can you promise to make it quick?"
"It will not take more than five minutes."
Shanks studied me for a moment before nodding, a trace of understanding in his eyes. "You're thinking there's more to this than what we've uncovered."
"Indeed," I confirmed. However, revealing the source of my concerns was clearly impossible for now, as how could I say I suspected this because of a game?
Well, not that I need to reveal this anyway. It is not like I have any responsibility, and I should have earned at least this much right to probe a little.
Shanks gave me a final, scrutinizing look before he stepped aside, allowing me to enter the room. I nodded in acknowledgment and walked past him, pushing the door open to the interrogation chamber where Varnis was being held.
The room was dimly lit, a single overhead light casting harsh shadows across the cold, sterile walls. Varnis sat slumped in a metal chair, his hands shackled to the table in front of him. His appearance was haggard, his eyes bloodshot and tired, a far cry from the once-imposing figure he had been. With his mana sealed, he was nothing more than a normal human—vulnerable and powerless.
As I stepped into the room, Varnis slowly lifted his head, his gaze locking onto mine. For a brief moment, there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, followed by a deep, simmering resentment. He knew exactly who I was—the one who had caught him just as he was about to escape, who had thwarted his plans in the final moments.
"You..." Varnis rasped, his voice rough from exhaustion and defeat. "You should have killed me when you had the chance."
His words were laced with bitterness, but they didn't faze me. I remained calm, my expression unreadable as I regarded him. "If you wanted to die, you wouldn't have fought so hard to escape."
Varnis sneered, though the effort seemed to drain what little strength he had left. "Escape was the only option I had left. But now... now I'm just a prisoner, awaiting whatever fate your organization deems fit. Death would have been a mercy compared to this."
I didn't respond to his self-pity. Instead, I pulled out the chair across from him and sat down, my eyes never leaving his.
Varnis chuckled, though it was laced with bitterness. "So, now you're here to play the interrogator, huh? Fine, ask your questions, but don't think for a second that a kid like you can do anything to me."
I didn't rise to his taunts. Instead, I remained calm, my expression neutral. "How did you first realize that your Trait had a special quality?"
Varnis barked out a laugh, his voice dripping with contempt. "Oh, I see what this is. You're hoping to find some hidden potential in yourself, aren't you? Hoping to use the same method I did to get stronger? How pathetic."
His words were meant to cut, to provoke a reaction, but I didn't give him the satisfaction. I simply repeated the question, my tone steady. "How did you notice that your Trait had a special quality?"
Varnis sneered, leaning back in his chair as he stared at me with disdain. "Even if I told you, it wouldn't matter. It's not something that just anyone can do, even if you wished for it with all your heart."
I nodded slightly, acknowledging his response. "That must be correct," I agreed, my voice calm. "After all, not everyone can swallow such a seed from an eyeless woman."
The moment the words left my mouth, Varnis' demeanor changed. His eyes widened in shock, his breath hitching as if he had been struck. The confident, sneering expression he had worn moments before vanished, replaced by a look of utter disbelief.
"Maybe," he conceded, though it was clear he wasn't entirely convinced. "It's a stretch, but it's the only explanation that fits for now. I'll buy it, but we need to tread carefully. Whoever we're dealing with, they're smart—smart enough to plant these traps and cover their tracks."
He glanced back at Varnis, who was now slumped in his chair, barely conscious but still breathing.
The man's once notable presence had been reduced to a hollow shell, a stark reminder of the consequences of delving too deeply into dangerous waters.
'Dangerous waters.....Knowing too much can be dangerous sometimes.' Shanks turned back to me, his expression softening slightly. "Go back to your room and get some rest. I need to handle the aftermath of this."
I nodded, understanding the subtle dismissal. Shanks had a lot on his plate now, and I had pushed the boundaries of what I could probe without drawing too much attention to myself. "Understood. If there's anything else you need from me, just let me know."
"Most likely not," Shanks mumbled with a low voice, though I could hear him. Not that I cared.
After all, most likely, I will be sent to another place this evening.
Later that evening, as I rested in my room, recovering from the day's events, the notification I had been anticipating arrived.
My smartwatch buzzed softly, the screen lighting up with a message from the organization. I reached for it, my fingers brushing against the cool surface as I opened the message.
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MISSION NOTICE: SOLO OPERATION
Location: [Shange Town]
Objective: Investigate recent anomalous activities and neutralize any threats.
Details: The mission requires discretion and swift action. Further details will be provided upon arrival.
Departure: Immediate.
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I wasn't surprised. After what had transpired with Varnis, it was only natural that they'd want to send me on a solo mission, away from the prying eyes of others. A chance to test my capabilities further and, perhaps, to keep me occupied while the higher-ups dealt with the aftermath of the Veilcroft operation.
'It seems they really want to keep me busy,' I thought.
But it didn't matter. If anything, a solo mission suited me perfectly. There were fewer variables and fewer people to worry about or to cover for. Just me, my abilities, and the task at hand.
'And if I showed that I was better at solo missions, that would also suit better for my future.'
I leaned back against the headboard, the soft glow of the smartwatch illuminating the room. The details were sparse and intentionally vague, but that was standard for operations of this nature. They'd fill me in once I was on-site, ensuring that only those directly involved would have the full picture.
'A solo mission means they trust me, at least to some extent,' I mused, my mind already shifting gears to prepare for what lay ahead. I needed to be ready—physically, mentally, and strategically. Whatever awaited me at the mission site, I would face it head-on, just as I had done in Veilcroft.
As I began to pack my gear, methodically checking each item to ensure it was in perfect condition, I couldn't help but wonder what this new mission would reveal.
'Well, let's see what you have in store for me this time.'