Pointing his finger at the youngest amongst the entire group, this courageous cultivator had a mix of determination and fear in his eyes. Do you wonder why I'm calling him courageous when I state that he is clearly terrified?
You need to remember that courage isn't the opposition or lack of fear. If you don't know that something is dangerous, would you be scared of doing it? If you were to drink a cup of water from your friend, you wouldn't be called a courageous one by doing it just like that. But what if you knew there is fifty-fifty chance that this cup contains a lethal poison?
Considering how this guy was able to overcome his fears to vouch for his junior, I can't help but feel sympathetic towards him! Is it Eve's fault that seeing such a devotion touches my soft spot?
"Mind your own business! It's not like he will dare to harm us now that he knows where are we from!"
Ooh? It looks like we have a rebellious one here? Considering how she looks to be only around sixteen years of age, it's no wonder that she dares to act in this way. But that means I need to put her in line in the first place! Actually, I have something I would like to test as soon as possible, and she might be able to help me with it!
"Okay then, Eve, would you be so kind as to bind her for me?"
While I would love to start my tests as soon as possible, I still need to sort out some of my questions.
"Going back to you, I still didn't hear the answer, should I take it that you don't want to tell me?"
"No! Please, we were told that one of the Flying Crane elders was killed in here along with some of his juniors, and we were asked to join the subjugation squad! As for why we were there in the first place, the senior that attacked you first was out scouting for talents for our sect!"
Noticing how his junior managed to irk some of my anger, this man really did his best to sate my thirst for the answers. While I'm glad that all that I wanted know is revealed, but didn't he realise that he just took away the lifeline for the last remaining girl from their group?
While she didn't answer anything, I saw her opening her mouth only to be overwhelmed by the intensity of this guy revelation! Well, the more I'm into this trial, the greater part of my personality of the earthling is turning back. While I threatened them, if I go back on my words, there will be a lot of problems later on, so I need to make a powerful statement to keep them in check!
"Blop!"
"The focus mode is turned down!"
As if I saw the colours of the world for the first time in my life, a sudden wave of emotions, sensations and all the other feelings filled my body. Just like someone who was a vegetarian for his whole life and suddenly decided to eat meat, I could feel my body craving for food, fight, sex, laugh, exercise, pain and all kinds of sensations that I could think of!
At the same time, I finally realised how beautiful those girls in my custody were! Despite the situation, I was barely able to hold the flush from appearing on my face!
"Blop!"
"Do you wish to breakthrough your current bottleneck?"
Wait, what? Did I level up enough to attempt to crush my limit? WAIT! I can't be bothered to read through all the messages hidden in my post storage now! I still need to resolve the current situation!
Shaking my head for a second, I try to clarify my thoughts as I feel a hand appearing on my shoulder. Turning abruptly around, I calm down only after seeing a weird look on Eve's face.
"Did something happen?"
With worry, puzzlement and amusement mixing in her pupils, she held her hands on my face while forcing me to look her into the eyes.
"Yes, I just recovered my emotional part. Just a part of my ability that allows me to focus fully on the fight."
Nearing her ear, I silently whisper those words to her. Just to be sure, I put a small barrier of energy - or rather just release enormous amounts of it near her ear - to make sure that not even a single word will be heard.
"Oh, I got it. Don't worry about it later on!"
Wait, what shouldn't I worry about? Unable to comprehend her meaning, I can only watch as she dives back between the trio that is yet to be bound. Only after breaking the legs and arms of the guy that dared to spew the nonsense in my face with a decisive strike devoid of any hesitation or mercy, she bounds the male disciple from the sword sect.
"Do you remember what you told me about your special cultivation technique? Why not use the situation at hand to augment your strength a bit?"
With those words, she pulled the last, terrified girl from her knees to a standing position. With this, I could clearly see how terrified she was, to the point of having troubles with standing upright!
"Do you wish to live?"
Grabbing the neck of about seventeen years old girl from behind her, Eve speaks those words softly right to her ear.
"Y-yes!"
This is the first time when I got to see such a pleasant voice. As if pristine water was flowing down the mountain stream surrounded by the morning opera of the birds! Even with the tones of fright included in this simple sentence, I can't get enough of it! Is this the side effect of the Bonger's focus mode?
As I see where Eve's hands are heading, I can only resolve myself for future events as the true meaning of her previous words finally dawns on me.
Bonger, I guess I will take care of this breakthrough a little later.
"If you want to live, then be sure to satisfy us!"
With those words, my beloved one tears apart the robes that cover the girl's body!