Etranger

Chapter 90

Episode 2. Book 4: Choice Chapter 8

The two stood with dumbfounded expressions. The intermittent, misty rain fell through the rapidly disappearing illusory world.

Theyre really strong! Are these Sages?

Only the expression overwhelming was appropriate in describing the enemys level of strength and aura. San and Biyeon felt suffocated. Their bodies trembled on their own. With his lips tightly closed, San looked alternately at the three people in front of him. He stopped on the person sitting in the middle. 

The man, who was over two-and-a-half meters tall, was sitting on a large tombstone with one knee propped up on the tombstone. Dites pale, white neck was held like a toy in his right hand, naturally stretched forward in his hand with his upright knee propping his arm. Dite was shaking like a ragged doll. Her feet were dangling above the ground and one side of her chest was exposed through her torn clothes. She had her eyes open, but her eyes were out of focus.

Why? asked Biyeon. 

This was a question that had several meanings.

I have to collect defective products that dont communicate effectively. Did it surprise you? A woman next to the giant man said. She wore a silver-gray one-piece dress, which showed off her noble figure. However, her expression was cold and indifferent.

A white fog rose above her silhouette. She had delicate pink skin that was slightly revealed along her shoulder line. Her skin was not wet from the rain. The steam rising from her body gave off a purple, dreamy atmosphere in harmony with the surrounding dark landscape.

Its like a freak horror show. Our grim reaper wears black clothes, it seems like this neighborhoods reaper is a bit different? San lightly touched his sword and muttered. Contrary to his sarcastic remarks, he looked at Biyeon anxiously. She was frozen still from nervousness.

"Hey! Lieutenant Biyeon Kim! Wake up and ease your expression. Doesnt it just mean death? It looks like we really fell into the deep end this time though fuck

I dont want to die as a virgin. So why Please, let us go, Biyeon responded bluntly. 

Biyeon frowned at the man holding Dite. Dites body, with her head slightly bent, occasionally spasmed as if she was being shocked by electricity, repeatedly contracting and relaxing her muscles. Perhaps the man was playing around with his energy.

We wont kill you guys, so dont be so scared. You both are very valuable specimens. We need to keep you both alive for a proper experiment, the other man next to the giant in the middle said.

Thats good news

Not so. Being alive will make you feel more pain. Lets see If youre already an Awakened Warrior, then it means youve already reached the Councilor level, so you both wont die of natural deaths for at least a hundred years. There are so many others who are curious about whats going on in your bodies. Theyre all waiting in line, including us. What do you think? Dont you think itll be fun?

Were going to live that long? That sounds great. However, I dont want to live to an age when Ill be throwing my shit against the wall! Well politely decline. San responded calmly with a bitter tone.

The road to becoming a hero is not well paved. Furthermore, its impossible to evade us with your abilities. Just think of it as your fate. Those who Awaken with nectar live better than they had ever lived before. Even things that are forbidden in your world are possible. Anything your instincts tell you to do is possible. Why would you hate this kind of life? the woman responded. The woman called Sil, short for Siluroy, stood up slowly, swept her blond hair back, and laughed.

What can I do? It doesnt sound very appealing? Biyeon said as she stepped back. She was still short of breath. Her stamina didnt fully recover.

I was curious when I heard some famous children were coming over, but it seems that theyre still not very good. Well, it was said that you both are good with illusory techniques and thinking up alternative solutions, so you both arent acting normal right now, right? Im looking forward to seeing your true colors.

Biyeon looked at San. He was silently looking at his sword. There seemed to be no intention of avoiding the inevitable. Meanwhile, the other man jumped in front of them.

We didnt properly introduce ourselves, right? At one time, they called us Sages. My name is Sul, and that girls name is Sil. Well be the ones showing you around.

He slowly took one step forward. His movements were beautiful. He looked like a Greek-era male sculpture.

Stop your barking The man in the middle opened his mouth. Sil and Sul stopped moving.

Dammusa, abbreviated as Dam, gave off a completely different aura.

The man shook his hand and threw Dite off to the side.

Take her away. I hate those who are uselessly interested in our work.

Dites body flew in front of the two. Her body rolled a few times on the rocky floor like a ragged doll and then stopped in front of Sans foot. Dite was still trembling with her eyes wide open. Her neck and limb joints were shattered and folded in random angles. Her chiton gown was terribly torn, revealing her thighs.

San stared at Dam. Dam was smiling back. There was no change in Sans expression. San bent down on one knee and held Dite in his arms. He put a hand under her neck, cleared away her blood-tangled hair, and straightened her neck bones and neck. Then he started placing her bent limbs back in their original, natural place. He tore off parts of Dites ragged clothes and straightened her broken bones in place. He hugged her body, which was still shuddering from excruciating pain.

Then he moved her to a flat area. The Sages didnt pay much attention to his actions.

Why? Light briefly returned to Dites hazy eyes while she was still in his arms. Her little lips fluttered for a moment. San smiled.

Our contract period isnt over yet. Three years, right? Until then, shouldnt we help each other and strive to live? Nevertheless

It seems like itll take us a while to get your revenge. Please understand.

Biyeon took over for San and carefully laid Dites body on some dry ground nearby a rock. She took out the nectar she had and poured it into Dites mouth to give her some energy.

Biyeons movements were slow, but she continuously moved. Her movements were like flowing water, constantly moving. However, in the silence, something else may be flowing. As it was their preferred way of communicating

The three Sages looked at the two of them with interest.

Certainly, they are different. What does it look like to you two?

I think theyre having a conversation. It was on Nils record. There seems to be a channel we dont know about that they can use.

But how can they be so calm? Is it possible to maintain internal homeostasis even after being exposed to the waves of Dragon Fear we sent at them?

I dont remember any humans who acted this way after even one wave. I guess itll be pretty fun and interesting for us, right?

Ah they only seem to be at the 4th Stage of Acceleration, right?

Its better that way. Well have to conduct physical examinations and dissect them, so well have to catch and hold onto them

Sil and Sul stretched their bodies and stood up. In front of them, San and Biyeon were taking deep breaths while holding their swords in one hand and hugging each others backs with the other hand. On their shoulders, the misty rain was evaporating. Their cloudy aura started spreading out like a storm.

Episode 2. Book 4: Choice Chapter 9

Are you ready?

[If it wasnt for that Dam guy, I think wed have a pretty good shot.]

Biyeon raised her head and commented her opinion to San on their private channel.

Yeah I feel bad. Its like Im walking into my own death, right?

[Lets stick to the goal] San communicated briefly. Biyeon smiled lightly.

Well, we have to go through it at least once, no?

Lets go!

San went out first. Biyeon followed closely behind. They took off their heavy outfits. They were wearing only their swords, gloves, and simple clothes. It was like that day in the forest plaza

They dont want to be specimens! This is too much fun! How interesting!

Sil walked out leisurely with her hands behind her back. Sul followed closely behind.

As if he wasnt interested in the battle, Dam pulled out a strange-looking cube and seemed to be trying to match different patterns, like a modern-day Rubik Cube.

Kwang-

San burst forward after stamping on the ground. Biyeon followed closely. Their bodies were already at the 4th Stage of Acceleration. Sils hair slightly fluttered as she approached the rushing San.

San swung his sword without hesitation. Sil was his opponent. He rotated the blade on an axis to slice her body into pieces. He had already broken the speed of sound.

His sword went out first as the sound followed later. The opponent was a woman and was unarmed. However, Sans aggressive strike was decisive and unwavering.

Sil raised both her hands and waved them lightly as if shaking some water droplets off herself. She looked at San blatantly

Sans sword glided smoothly between her fingers and away from his original target.

But

Hoh-?

Sils eyes grew slightly larger. With a time-difference attack, Biyeons sword came from behind San, targeting Sils right chest area with a piercing strike.

This was where the second heart of this race was located. In fact, while in the process of moving forward, Sils body suddenly moved backward, barely avoiding Biyeons attack.

However, due to the opponents next successive movement, Sil had to hurriedly twist her waist to avoid the incoming attack. At the same time, Biyeons sword swiped down from above like an ax.

Sil twisted her body and avoided it, but the passing aura left a scar on her shoulders and legs. Sils relaxed expression quickly hardened.

Oh! These guys are stronger than we presumed! Theyre using different levels of acceleration in consecutive attacks

Sans sword, which had been lightly deflected with her finger in the first attack, had bent twice in space and approached Sil at a much faster rate than expected. Furthermore, Biyeons sword was seemingly striking a larger range with her stabs. They were both attacking above the upper limits that Sil and Sul expected.