The guards picked the bucket, splashing the water on Jabez's head, and soaking him from head to toe. Instantly, Jabez burst his eyes open in panic, darting his eyes around in fear.
When those dark brown eyes met mine, Jabez widened his eyes, losing the colour on his face.
As if seeing Satan from Hell, his inflated mouth hangs open; the edge of his dry lips were curved downward; his brows were pulled up together as his teary eyes stared at me agitated and terrified.
"Please kill me," Jabez begged.
I didn't respond as I stared back at him with a blank face. His mouth is begging to die, but his eyes aren't; those dark brown eyes are glinting with menace.
However, his eyes started getting watery as he sobbed. "Please…just kill me already."
I ignored his wailing cries as I glanced at the two guards, staring at Jabez in pity. Probably sensing my gaze; the two simultaneously turn to me.
I heard them gulp as their bodies became stiff.
"The two of you," I called, looking at them. "Leave."
Hearing that I granted them pardon. They immediately relaxed; their chest lifted up slightly, heaving a sigh of relief silently. But through my sharp eyes and keen ears; those things are inescapable to my senses; even if I don't want to notice them.
Regardless of what I'm aware of, I didn't expose any of it. It's too troublesome to pinpoint all those things. After all, it's understandable that they would feel sad for their ex-comrade.
The two, namely, Paxton and Talon; they lowered their heads to their waist respectfully, then they turned around exiting the basement.
In my peripheral vision, I perceive Amana going out with them. "Amana, you are to stay here with me," I stated; my eyes are only focused on the sobbing man on the chair.
A nervous gulp then a quiet sigh floated to my ears, which was followed with the advancing footsteps. Soon, I found Amana standing next to me. "Do you have any orders, boss?"
I didn't answer; only observing and watching Jabez beg and cry, pleading for mercy.
Poor bastard; I think I left too much psychological shadow on him.
What an awful surprise.
I know that I shouldn't gloat about another individual's suffering. However, I can't lie to myself. I feel delighted seeing his frightened face. But to be honest, this is not enough to satisfy my thirst for blood.
'I want more suffering.'
'More blood.'
'It's not enough.'
'I need more chaos.'
My stomach started to churn, and I felt nauseated. It seems like the dark attribute is playing that trick again. Being in this room made me remember all sorts of things, making me hate Jabez's bruised up face.
Nevertheless, my stoic face remains the same.
However, if this continues, I might run out of control again even if I have the water attribute to make me stay calm.
The thing about my water attribute. It doesn't lessen my abominable thoughts. It was only there to make me think calmly. It is there so I could handle the repulsive notions in my head in a rational mind.
But those loathsome ideas are still there. It's like the water attribute is there to make me pick my choice between all those detestable options in my head.
Like my choices are only limited to malicious things…
Do I kill him? Do I take advantage of him? Should I make him suffer more?
It's terrifying to be honest. But helpful in a way. At least, I'm not acting recklessly anymore. However, it doesn't mean that it is also advantageous for me.
"Boss?"
Snapping out of the trance, I glance beside me, gazing blankly at Amana.
"You are to stay quiet when not spoken with, Amana." I took two chairs inside the Shadow Circlet, setting them in front of the man in the chair.
Jabez stared at me fearfully as he repressed his sobs. While Amana widened her eyes in surprise. "Where did these things come fro…*aack!*"
Electrocuted by the slave contract, Amana's body trembled, shaking as she shriek in pain. After which, Amana breathed heavily as she kept her mouth shut.
"Ah, I didn't mean that to happen," I said with no emotion, which only made it sound like a sarcastic remark.
Amana: "..."
Seems like Amana doesn't believe me.
At that, I decided not to care. I went and sat down on the chair positioned opposite to Jabez. I patted the chair next to me as I glanced up, meeting Amana's eyes with my deadpan face.
"Amana, sit next to me," I said.
Amana swallowed, looking tense and anxious. But she still obediently complied, sitting on the chair next to me. With that, I finally turned to Jabez, who stared at me in terror.
"Are ye going to kill me…?" Jabez asked in a trembling voice.
"Oh, I thought you wanted to die?" I asked back, unexpressive.
Jabez's swollen eyelids widened in horror. "I…I didn't mean it…! Please don't kill me!"
"Mm," I hum in response. "I won't, don't worry."
"Really?" Jabez probed in disbelief.
I nodded with my deadpan face. "I'm here to negotiate with you."
Gulping hard, Jabez nodded; he breathed out as his body relaxed.
This man can really act.
"Jabez Iscariot, right?" I said.
Jabez frowned, squinting his balloon-like eyelids at me with apprehension; his dark brown eyes were full of vigilance. "I know what ye want. And…and…I agree…!"
"Oh." I mouthed with an expressionless face.
Jabez then smirks. "Ye want me to become yer slave, isn't that right? Give me the slave contract, I'll sign it now."
I stared blankly at Jabez. "You're mistaken."
His eyes widened again, then his brows knitted together, looking confused and scared. "Wha…what do ye mean? Are ye still planning to imprison and torture me here?"
"No, I don't plan on doing any of those anymore," I said, which made Jabez more afraid and wary.
"Ye…yer going to kill me…?!" Jabez gasped, as if he realised what was on my mind.
His face contorted as he bellowed. "Ye said yer not going to kill me! Ye liar, cruel monster!"
"Ye heartless noble! Yer going to hell, monster!" Jabez cried, wailing as he complained.
With a calm gaze, I stared at Jabez 'pathetic face, standing up, I took a clean white towel inside the Shadow Circlet. I walked, standing in front of Jabez, and he gazed at me with open hostility.
"What?! Are ye going to kill me with that towel?! Hah! Ye can't kill me with such a thing!" Jabez said, mocking me as he glared menacingly.
"Who said I'll kill you?" I replied with a deadpan face as I cupped his cheeks gently, wiping the sweat and tears all over his face. "I'm here to clean your face, you poor thing. I can't stand looking at it. It's unsightly."
Jabez: "...?"
"Feel better?" I questioned blankly as I wiped his face thoroughly.
Jabez narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What are ye trying to do?"
I didn't answer. After cleaning Jabez's face, I took some ointment in the Shadow Circlet, rubbing the salve on his wounds. Jabez still stared at me vigilantly, but he didn't struggle either. I guess he knew that I'm doing this for his benefit.
After fixing Jabez wounds, I wiped the dirt and grease on my hands with a clean towel, then I went back to sit on my chair.
Amana stared at me with a baffled face; obviously confused by my actions.
"Now, let's talk about why I'm here," I stated.
Jabez straightened his back, looking at me with doubtful eyes. "Speak, what do ye want from me?"
"I'm here to hire you," I said.
Jabez frowned as his brows crumpled together. "For what?"
"To become my spy in the rebel army," I stated casually with no emotion.
Jabez flinched as he swallowed anxiously, then he glared at me with menacing eyes. "How would I do that? I don't even know where to find these people?!"
With a deadpan face, I calmly uttered, "I know what you are, Jabez. You're one of the spies of the rebel army in this militia, right?"
Both Jabez and Amana widened their eyes, gasping in shock.