[T.L: punisher87]
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* * *
One year in Drakka's stronghold, and one year in the Tower of Stories.
During the two years of his captivity, Hedo received almost VIP treatment, with occasional personal visits from the leaders of the clan, including Kelliark himself. Except for the fact that he was imprisoned, Hedo was treated almost like an honored guest.
It was because of Kelliark's treatment of Hedo.
He wanted to make Hedo a person of Zipfel without resorting to mind manipulation if possible.
No matter how much mind manipulation would develop in the future, he believed that the moment it was added, Hedo's value would diminish.
Of course, Hedo didn't respond to Kelliark's sincere efforts.
Kelliark even released Hedo from his restraints, allowing him to leave freely. He even made a promise not to seek revenge as long as Hedo did not join the Runcandel. But Hedo did not leave.
"You refuse even when I offer you freedom. Is that what you're saying?"
Kelliark understood what had brought Hedo to such despair. Furthermore, he did not know that the world outside was a hell that Hedo could neither comprehend nor mix with.
Instead, Hedo had adapted perfectly to the days spent in prison with no meaning. There had been no better state in his life until then.
"...It's a pity. Since you've refused this as well, you will now be transferred to the Experimentation Ward. However, even there, if you change your mind at any time, you can request to speak with the person in charge. If you want to have a conversation with me."
And so, Hedo was transferred to the "12th Experimentation Ward" located near the Sota Desert and the Tower of the White Night.
At the time, the administrator of the 12th Experimentation Ward was an individual named "Ibunshi," who had gained infamy among the test subjects as a human known for using experiments as a form of torture.
"Hey there. When you were in Drakka and the Tower of Stories, it seemed like you were favored by the god of the human world. But here, I am your god, unless that person descends here personally. Hm... I'm a little unsure about how to treat you. Should I indulge you according to your personality, or should I be moderate in the consideration of the patriarch?"
This was the first time Ibunshi had spoken to Hedo. However, Hedo didn't even acknowledge his words.
""I prefer the latter. Although you are an experimental subject favored by the god of humans, it wouldn't be wise to treat you too lightly. Let's start with something gentle and old-fashioned, like a beating."
From that day on, Ibunshi physically abused Hedo every day. It was impossible to hurt a martial artist with the club of criminals, let alone superhuman.
However, at that time, Hedo's body was not the same as it had been in his prime due to long periods of fasting. He had the appearance of a weak giant, and with the restraints that restrained his strength, he was no different from an ordinary martial artist.
Hedo never resisted.
He didn't even scream. It wasn't that he didn't feel pain at all, but there was no need for him to show any signs of suffering.
"Subject 118! You're used to the pain, right? Let's see if your snout doesn't open again today."
Ibunshi was clearly insane. He saw Hedo's lack of response as rebellion and became increasingly focused on the resulting discomfort, forgetting that Hedo was an experimental subject sent by Kelliark.
In other words, he began to exceed the boundaries he had set for himself. The intensified torture and starvation turned Hedo into a lifeless being in an instant.
The once formidable entity that mercilessly tore apart the monsters of the Black Sea and defeated challengers who sought the Chiron had been completely destroyed.
His limbs had withered like dried-out branches, rendering him immobile, and the organs that generated aura were permanently damaged and no longer functioned.
Gradually, the only indication that Hedo was still alive was the faint whimpering that barely escaped his stiffened tongue.
Ironically, when the situation reached that point, Ibunshi showed signs of panic.
"What madness... What have I done! Can't it be fixed?"
"I'm sorry, Sir Ibunshi. Subject 118 cannot be revived without the legacy of Numerus. Moreover, at this rate, he will die soon. We should report to the higher-ups..."
"Report? You dare to mention reporting? It's not Subject 118 who will die, but you. How dare you... From this moment on, you are Subject 145."
"Sir Ibunshi? No, please!"
Ibunshi took measures to prevent Hedo's condition from being reported to the higher-ups. He demoted those who knew about the torture to experimental subjects and made every effort to ensure Hedo didn't die.
However, since Hedo himself had no will to live in the first place, there was no chance of improvement in his condition.
Moreover, if an audit were to take place, it was only a matter of time before the situation would be revealed. Ibunshi spent restless days, consumed by anxiety.
'When I first received Subject 118, I received only one specific instruction. If Subject 118 requests to see the patriarch, listen to it. grant his wish. He never did, so it wouldn't matter even if I killed him, right? Even if I reported his death during the experiment... No, it can't be. The patriarch will punish me personally.'
Preventing Hedo's death was impossible.
In the end, after much deliberation, Ibunshi chose to shift the blame onto someone else in the experimental facility. Specifically, he turned to another person in the facility who couldn't be treated lightly—the only subject he couldn't handle recklessly.
'Subject 109... Let's make it look like Sandra Zipfel killed him.'
Subject 109, the assigned experimental number for Sandra.
At that time, no one in the 12th experimental facility referred to Sandra by her number. Although she was an experimental subject, she was a pure-blood Zipfel, and all the researchers in the facility treated her like a lady, as if she were their superior.
Of course, beneath such consideration lay underlying hatred and mockery. It was just because she was a pure-blood Zipfel that she couldn't be treated recklessly. She was nothing more than an annoying pet in the laboratory.
She kept causing accidents as she freely roamed the facility, but she couldn't be abused like the other subjects.
That was Subject 109, Sandra Zipfel, at that time.
"Ibunshi! I heard you were looking for me. Did a new treat arrive?"
"Oh, my lady. Have you arrived?"
"Is there a treat!"
"Haha, of course, a new treat has arrived. Have you heard of sugar?"
"Sugar?"
"It's a powder that tastes very sweet when you eat it. Here... Oh, if you eat it like that... It's an indecent act."
"It's sweet! What do you mean by indecent?"
"Well, I guess you don't need to know. And a new toy is also prepared."
"A toy too? Is it my birthday today?"
"Every day is your birthday, my lady. However, there is something you need to be careful about."
"What?"
"You mustn't kill it the way you did with the previous toy. So, twisting its neck or stabbing it with something is not allowed."
Sandra had already undergone some living golem transformations, so she possessed incredible strength for a five-year-old.
She had unintentionally killed a few subjects with that strength, but it was more of an accident caused by Ibunshi and the researchers playing pranks rather than her own intention.
"Go ahead and stab, my lady. Yes, if they don't show enough pain, that's what you should do." Sandra followed those words without any hesitation.
Her innate temperament was peculiar, but the 12th experimental facility was her entire world. Since the formation of her ego, she had only seen, heard, and learned things within the facility.
This time, Ibunshi wanted to take advantage of Sandra's frog-like aspect. He thought that the mischievous nature typical of children, where they do the opposite of what they are told, could be helpful.
Remember, my lady, you must never, never hit or kill anyone. Just pat and love them."
"Love? What is that? What's that supposed to mean? Tell me in a way I can understand, don't talk like an idiot!"
"...Hmm. Maybe pat their head, have a conversation... or even endure a bit when you're annoyed. Something like that. Now, the toy is waiting. Shall we go?"
That was the first meeting between Hedo and Sandra.
"Hello, Subject 118?"
Of course, Hedo didn't react, and Sandra ended up beating him from the very first day.
Therefore, this time, Ibunshi felt that his choice was excellent. However, the problem was that Hedo didn't die despite Sandra's frequent attacks.
Instead, Hedo managed to regain some strength, albeit slightly. Although he couldn't move his body and could only whimper, occasionally he would utter complete words or sentences. This disproved the expectations of those who believed he could never recover without the blood of Numerus.
"Hey, are you dead or alive? If you're dead, stay dead, but if you're alive, answer me. I'm always trying so hard to play with you alone."
"Get... lost."
"Argh, you make me so angry! I should tear your mouth and twist your neck... No, I'll endure it. Because I have to love you! But I'll punch you twice. No, three times! Oh, are you dead? You're still breathing. See you tomorrow!"
Such bizarre days continued. As the time went on, Ibunshi became more anxious about this situation.
'It's getting to the point where I feel like Subject 109 is teasing me, as if I'm losing and about to die. Subject 118 is more persistent than I thought...'
When such thoughts occurred to him, Ibunshi decided to lock Sandra and Hedo in Isolation Room 118 altogether. He planned to keep Sandra confined until the stress of being trapped led her to kill Hedo before finally releasing her.
'Now, Subject 109 will truly finish off Subject 118. If that happens, even the higher-ups won't be able to investigate properly.'
* * *
"...I have never heard a more vile story in my life, tower keeper."
Jin wanted to ask. How could he remain loyal to Zipfel despite experiencing such things?
But then he realized that the object of his loyalty wasn't Zipfel, but Sandra Zipfel.
"Everyone has their nightmares. I don't even know now that those days were a nightmare. Maybe… if time had continued as it was, the lady might have killed me in the end, as she intended that time."
Since Hedo was here now, it was clear that this plan had failed.
Just a few days after he and Sandra were isolated together, the 12th experimental facility was attacked by Runcandel.
"The one who attacked the 12th experimental facility at that time was Black Panther, your mother."
"Rosa?"
On the day she attacked, the 12th experimental facility was completely ruined.
All data was discarded, and the researchers and mages who remained in the laboratory could not hold out against Rosa until reinforcements from the main headquarters arrived.
During that time, when the entire wing was on the verge of collapsing, vibrating as if it would crumble any moment.
Sandra cried out as she held the fallen Hedo in her arms.
"She said not to worry because she would protect me."
I will protect you.
It was the first time Hedo had heard such words since he was born. In his past life, where he traveled between orphanages, the Black Sea, underground prisons, and experimental wings, he had never heard such a natural statement. His life was never taken for granted.
He didn't know from what or how she would protect him, but Hedo suddenly felt the need to keep living.
He decided that he would live for this strange girl.
That day, Hedo stepped into the path of humanity, leaving behind the life of a beast.
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