BXBX NOVEL Chapter 278: Trim the fat. [1/2]
As if that were not enough, the 2nd Amendment was also covered in the same stuff. Gunshot wounds, lacerations from the beatings and even torn clothes, even Yvonne looked ragged.
Lilly, Bella, Aki and Jas were the only ones who looked presentable. Phillip not so much. Given the timing, I think the LLG witnessed my girls absolutely kick the crap out of my bodyguard unit. With that in mind, they decided to show up after the Siren's had calmed down.
"So..."
The current room was as quiet as a graveyard. My girls all looked bored while the LLG squirmed in their seats. Joshua and his group stood at the door across from where the Sirens were.
This was not exactly how I wanted to introduce everyone. But it is not like I could say anything about it.
Josephine's words, no matter how cruel, were true. I was surprised how the 2nd Amendment was taken down so quickly. Probably, according to Jo's observations, the guys were all knocked out because they were protecting Claire.
However, if they were allowed to fight at all, they might have been surrounded by a thousand people just like us when we arrived. There wasn't much they could do in such a situation. Still, I couldn`t hide my disappointment.
They had {Rewind}, {Regen}, and {Reload}. Was it really so hopeless? My girls after the enlistment all evolved into Phantoms without a hint of hesitation. They gave up everything to achieve their goals.
"Then let's start from the beginning. Humans must pay with their lives to join the Reapers, to become a Wraith, that is the price. A Wraith to become a Phantom must pay with his humanity."
Isolde's words detailed the cost. Every stage of the Reapers had a price. And true to what Jo had said, it seemed that none of Joshua's group were prepared.
"Riding on Darling's coattails, you are all just weak-minded parasites! Even after everything you have earned, why are you all still Wraiths! Do you all still think you can remain human! Pathetic!"
Though souls were the greatest obstacle, just as Isolde refused to become a Specter, there would be Wraiths who refused to become Phantoms. Wraiths were the only rank where Reapers could still pass as human.
Phantoms, in addition to being stronger than Wraiths, gained the ability to become immortal. They would rebuild their "bodies" in exchange for souls. Anyone who saw the writhing shadows reconstructing a Phantom would come to the same conclusion.
'We were no longer human.'
As a power-hungry son of a bitch, I assumed everyone was like me. Since I had no qualms about giving up my humanity in the first place, I never really questioned it. I heard some stories about how the people of the 2nd Amendment died.
Who the hell would refuse to get stronger if they could? Phantoms could survive mortal wounds, for crying out loud! Who wouldn't want that?
But I failed to consider that I had nothing to begin with. My life as a reaper was leagues better than when I was human. How would people who were attached to their human lives react?
A cough broke the silence in the room. Phillip looked at me as if he was about to take a shit.
'What? What the hell am I supposed to do?'
I then received a transmission from one of my Kindred.
[Honey, I have experience leading an organization, will you trust me to manage them?]
It was then that I remembered that Bella had run a terrorist group. If she could get muscle-bound punks to follow her, she should be able to do a good job, right?
[Yes. I will rely on you, Mrs. Code.]
[...]
Bella then turned to me and made a "what the fuck" face as she gawked.
[What? You seemed surprised?]
[I... I just didn't think you'd really hand everything over. You trust me way too much! They are the foundation of your power, you know? The LLG and the 2nd Amendment are both powerful pawns. In the beginning, you tried to squeeze everything out of me and treated me as nothing more than a tool.]
Then I made a genuine smile as I relished Bella's confusion.
[I am sorry I was such a jerk back then, Bella. That was before. I fell in love with you. Now, everything and anything I own belongs to you. I said before, right? I trust you with my life.
Do as you see fit.]
Bella then looked away as she blushed.
[How can you say something so embarrassing so easily? What if I take this group and stab you in the back? Will you still trust me?]
In response to her adorable threat, I opened my shirt to reveal my chest.
[Here, Mrs. Code, I offer you my heart. Stab me from the front instead].
[HONEY! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!]
[Dear, please stop committing such deplorable acts.]
[Husband, you do realize that everyone connected to Bella can hear you, right?]
[Haizz. Possum, everyone around me is talking about how disgusting you are.]
[Master, please try to at least keep up appearances! Your dignity is crumbling!]
[Someone do something, I cannot stand the sight of my beloved being labeled as a lascivious debauchee]
[Darling, how about I strip too! That way we can be perverts together!]
[NOOOOO!!!!] x7
Aki then used [Flash Step] and appeared behind me. She embraced me from the back and secretly buttoned up my shirt. Feeling the warmth of her body, I held her chin and moved her face towards me. We shared a light kiss, forgetting our surroundings.
[Tsk.] [Wow!] [Fuck.] [How envious.] [One step too slow.] [...]
My Japanese lover suddenly pulled out a small handkerchief and gently wiped my mouth before returning to her seat. When I looked at the people around me, they no longer looked at me with fear, but with revulsion.
Phillip whispered under his breath. "Not what I had in mind, but I will take it."
Then Bella began to speak to the group, her face covered in irritation.