Blue sat on the cold, hard floor, rubbing his head in frustration. "Why the hell are we in here? We didn't do anything wrong!" His voice echoed off the concrete walls.
Van Dragul Helsing let out a slow, mocking laugh, crossing his arms as he stared at Blue and Pluto with an amused smirk. "Because, boy, this is my island," he said, his red eyes gleaming, "and I can do whatever I want."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Now, let's get to the main part. Where do you come from?"
Pluto, who had been leaning back against the wall, sat up and met Helsing's gaze with defiance. "We come from Centauro Island."
A slight grin tugged at the corners of Helsing's mouth as he nodded slowly. "Oh, is that so? Then what, exactly, are you doing here?"
Blue, still seated on the floor, spoke up with a glare. "We came here to get some food, that's all."
Helsing tilted his head, his smile widening as he leaned back in his chair. "Oh, then one last question… well, it's more of a demand." He fixed his gaze on Blue. "Can you show me your source?"
Blue looked at him, genuinely confused. "What's a source?"
Helsing's eyes narrowed slightly, and for a long moment, he just stared into Blue's eyes, searching. Then he sighed, almost disappointed. "A source," he began slowly, "is when you absorb energy from the World Tree and make it your own."
Pluto, frowning, tilted his head. "Absorb?"
Helsing looked at him, almost annoyed by their ignorance. "Yes. You absorb that energy, and it will begin to form within you, growing stronger over time. Eventually, it becomes a source—an extension of your soul that grants you an ability unique to you."
Blue and Pluto listened, wide-eyed, as Helsing explained. Helsing then stood, brushing off his pants and pushing the chair away.
"Now that I've explained it," he said, his smile vanishing, "get to work. Start absorbing."
Pluto's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Helsing's voice took on a sinister edge as he leaned close to the bars, his breath chilling. "I will return in three days. If, by then, you still haven't formed a source…" He smiled darkly. "I'll kill you in the slowest way possible. And I'll enjoy every single second."
With that, Van Dragul Helsing turned, dragging his chair along with him, his laughter echoing down the hall as he left Blue and Pluto alone in the dim silence.
END OF CHAPTER 72