In a world like this, filled with all sorts of dangers, one would assume man's greatest enemy would be evolved beasts. In reality, the greatest threat to humanity will always be humans.
The moment the involvement of a Deviant was mentioned, everyone pulled their attention away from Lucius and began discussing in a dire tone. Their initial suspicion of him vanished in an instant, and their focus shifted to the more terrifying foe.
Lucius just sat down in silence, his shocked expression replaced with his cold gaze as he listened to their discussion.
"It can't be… They are really going to try to pull it off here again?" Evelyn frowned.
"I found it strange that humans were being kidnapped. I assumed a powerful evolved beast must be about to reproduce so it's having weaker beasts gathering food in large quantities, but the involvement of the Deviants change everything." Moon said with a thoughtful expression.
"The Deviant community has been kidnapping slaves all over the country and forcing the Biogenic process on them. While they don't have abilities, the second evolution makes them more monster than man. Making them tameable." Leo frowned.
"What if they are not taming them?" Lucius said with a thoughtful expression.
His words drew the attention of everyone. The others wanted to talk him down, but Moon raised his hand, signalling them to keep quiet. While he had a grudge against Lucius, he held this kid in high regard, that's why he went as far as to plan his assassination.
He was a worthy foe and a worthy ally.
"Tell me what you think." Moon said.
"The beasts that kidnapped humans were so good they left almost no trace. If you guys arrived a bit later, you wouldn't even notice." Lucius said.
"So?" Leo asked impatiently.
"Such coordination and perfection is not something that is achievable for low level beasts, regardless of the training. I believe there is a Deviant capable of controlling these beasts." Lucius said with certainty. "If I am correct, then, that person may be able to control evolved humans."
Buzzz.
Lucius's words left everyone in the room with deep frowns, as if they all recollected a bad memory. He gazed at each of their faces, his eye meeting Moon's own.
"Can I know why everyone is quiet?" Lucius asked.
They all exchanged glances for a few seconds before Moon finally composed himself and decided to tell the story.
"We once had a Guardian scavenger hero called Beast whisperer. He could speak to beasts and manipulate beasts…" Moon said with a frown.
"As time passed, he reached his limit and underwent the Biogenic process. But it was a failure… he became a Deviant." Evelyn sighed.
"You guys speak like you knew him personally." Lucius asked.
But Moon got up and began walking out of the room with an unusual cold look on his face.
"He was a member of this agency, Leo's sidekick. So it's our duty to put him down." Moon stopped at the door before turning to Lucius.
"If you are right about this, then you have done not just us but the country a great service, and we will see to it, you are well rewarded." Moon added before walking out.
One after the other, they all left the room, leaving Lucius behind with his thoughts.
[Now you have confirmed the situation, and you have thrown off all suspicions on yourself, what do you plan to do?] Lyxor asked.
'Nothing.' Lucius shrugged as he laid down on the bed.
[You are not interested in the power of manipulating beasts?] Lyxor sounded a bit frustrated.
'I am, but now is not the time. This is an operation involving high level guardians and powerful Deviants. I don't think it's something I can get involved in. Also, should they find another corpse missing a heart just like Ethan, things will get more suspicious.' Lucius shook his head.
His only option now was to lie low and ignore everything happening around him. If he is lucky, these guardians won't be able to kill the beast whisperer deviant.
Lucius could hope the man escapes, and he gets the chance to kill him later.
'What do you think Deviants are trying to do?' Lucius asked a question.
[From the little information I have regarding this, Deviants are resentful towards all normal humans who can get to live within the safety of human society without being discriminated against and killed…]
'Wait… if that's the case, why attack slaves? Their lives are just as bad as those of deviants, if not worse.' Lucius cut Lyxor off.
[The slaves were not attacked. They were not killed. Regardless, they are the working force of society. The things that keep the world moving. As long as they can be pulled out and made to join the side of the Deviants, society will eventually crumble.] Lyxor explained.
By removing the workforce mining the resources needed to keep the country running, they can weaken it, but was that even possible?
Lucius believed that the only reason humans were used for mining was because it was cheaper. With the technology available today, a replacement far more effective than humans can be created, it would just cost a lot.
In comparison, slaves are given the bare minimum, just enough to survive. The county saves a ridiculous amount by doing this so the Deviants planning to cripple the society with such a move will most likely fail.
[The second reason for this is military strength. Most of the world population are slaves. Turn that population into a well organized super soldier army, and all of humanity will fall into your hands.]
'That's if we don't take into consideration the difference in war weapons and gadgets' Lucius argued.
[Hahaha. The world's greatest minds in this world became deviants after experimenting on themselves. It's not that they don't have technology to face the world. They simply have no reason to show it.] Lyxor explained, leaving Lucius with a deep frown.