The shards of history seemed to mirror the fragility of the moment as they landed against the glass separating Hobe from the world outside.
Miyagome's teeth sank into her lower lip until a bead of blood formed, an attempt to contain the surging anger within her.
Instead of offering sympathy, she unleashed her fury upon Hobe, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"Stop calling me by that wretched name. I am Alina! Miyagome is no more!" Her words were sharp and unforgiving, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
"But—"
"She's dead! Now, I am reborn as Alina the Wolf, and that's what you should remember!" Alina cut in swiftly, her tone hurried and seething with anger, leaving Hobe taken aback.
In the wake of Alina's fierce outburst, Hobe was left bewildered, unable to formulate a response. Her transformation from Miyagome, the girl he once knew, into this formidable and wrathful figure called Alina the Wolf was staggering.
It was as if she had shed her old identity like a snake shedding its skin, leaving behind only the remnants of her former self.
The air grew thick with tension, and it was palpable even to the most callous of the three remaining Upper Society operatives.
They had originally thought to revel in the sadistic delight of tormenting Hobe, but Alina's presence had changed the dynamics entirely.
Her anger, combined with her newfound power, created an atmosphere of fear that made them uneasy.
These operatives, who had once taunted and mocked Hobe, now found themselves hesitating, their bravado dwindling in the face of Alina's wrath.
They exchanged nervous glances, silently communicating their discomfort.
"But, Miya—"
"I've already told you! Don't call me by that name! That name..." Her words halted as memories of the past, the events that had shaped the person Alina had become, randomly surged through her mind.
"Stop calling me Miya if you and Hari want to stay alive!" She drew a deep breath, her fingers swiftly wiping away the blood on her lips. "Understood?"
A simmering anger manifested in the narrowing of her eyes and a palpable thickening of her presence, conveying that she stood on the precipice of a boiling point.
"Very well. Alina," Hobe finally yielded to the girl's demand.
Taking a deep breath, she finally continued, her tone measured and deliberate, "I'll make you an offer."
Hobe's keen ears tuned in, the weight of anticipation hanging in the air as he listened closely to Alina's words.
"I offer you the chance to sign a form."
"What kind of form?" Hobe's question was tinged with curiosity, though he could already sense the direction in which the conversation was heading.
"A form consenting to the installation of Slayer Knight into your body." Alina's inhale was deep, her gaze still frosty, and then she continued, each word carrying the gravity of her proposal. "And you have to accept the risk of installation failure, which could result in death."
Hobe didn't immediately respond to the question.
The weight of her words settled in the air between them, the room seemingly holding its breath as Hobe grappled with the enormity of the decision he was being presented with. The implications were clear, the potential consequences dire.
"If I accept this offer, what can you give me in return for all the risks I'll be taking?" Hobe countered.
"You will receive anything you desire: sumptuous feasts, luxurious living quarters, and power," Alina reiterated, her voice resonating with the gravity of her offer.
Hobe stood unwavering, his determination resolute as he reiterated his singular desire for Hari's well-being. "No, I don't covet all that. What I need is Hari's recovery and the chance for her to lead a normal life, like before this cursed zombie outbreak engulfed us."
In the room, a heavy silence hung, pregnant with anticipation. Hobe's words seemed to dangle in the air, an unspoken challenge to the powers that be. The weight of his imminent decision pressed down on him, and every moment felt like an eternity.
Alina maintained her enigmatic expression, her icy gaze fixed on Hobe, awaiting his response. She was acutely aware of the monumental implications of this moment.
"You have no inkling of what Upper Society can bestow, Hobe. This Montagne virus outbreak has endured for a year, yet you remain ignorant of Upper Society's capabilities," Alina cryptically intimated, alluding to their hidden potential.
Hobe's thoughts raced, a tempest of emotions clashing within him. The responsibility for Hari's safety bore heavily on his shoulders, but so did his burning curiosity to unveil the concealed truths. However, the undeniable risks and the potential dire outcomes of his decision loomed large.
"What can you assure me in return?" Hobe's voice quivered faintly, betraying his inner turmoil. He needed a clear grasp of the stakes, an understanding of what Alina could offer to justify his plunge into such a perilous endeavor.
Alina's lips curved slightly, a trace of amusement glinting in her frosty eyes. "You are a hard negotiator, Hobe."
With a low chuckle, Alina's presence asserted dominance over the room, compelling everyone's attention. "Regarding your request concerning your sister, Hari, that can be effortlessly granted."
Hobe's heart quickened at the prospect. Information was a prized commodity in a world cloaked in secrecy and danger.
Yet, doubts lingered, casting shadows over his decision—was the offer compelling enough to outweigh the risks?
Hobe persisted, his gaze unwaveringly locked onto Alina's. "I need a guarantee of Hari's safety, an assurance that she will remain unharmed."
For an ephemeral moment, Alina's stoic facade wavered, a hint of vulnerability crossing her features.
It offered a glimpse into the person behind the tough exterior, revealing depths previously unseen.
"I cannot promise her safety without your cooperation," Alina confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"But I can pledge that if you choose to join us, you'll have the opportunity to protect her, to ensure her well-being. Perhaps even access to the antidote. Hari could regain a semblance of a normal life."
Hobe's thoughts raced, torn between his yearning to safeguard Hari and his fear of stepping into the unknown.