"Do you know where I can find any traces of Cursed Children around here?" Shiroya asked calmly.
He had not forgotten the task given to him by the Destiny System, 'to find a trustworthy Initiator partner within seven days'.
Upon hearing this, the little girl's heart tightened instantly. Her small hand clutched the money tightly, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Why was the gentleman asking such a question?
Could he be following her sister's trail?
Is he a member of the Civil Security?
Could he be here to eliminate them?
...
Seeing the girl remain silent for a long time, Shiroya frowned and asked, "Is this question too tough?"
This task was not simple indeed. Just tracking down a 'Cursed Child' was not easy, and establishing a trusting relationship seemed even more elusive.
'Could it be that I really have to go and apply for a contract with the relevant department? Not to mention how many days the cumbersome process would waste.'
Almost all the 'Cursed Children' from that department were filled with hatred towards humans. How much time would he need to spend to establish a contract?
Would seven days really be enough?
"S-sir... Why are you looking for a Cursed Child? Most people hate and despise Cursed Children, right? What about you, sir? Why do you seek them?" Saori asked nervously.
If the gentleman was really here to get rid of her sister, it meant their hiding place in the basement might be exposed, and she would have to quickly find a new place to live with her sister.
In any case, they must not fall into the hands of the Civil Security. The 'Cursed Children' who fell into their hands would suffer inhuman torture, being trained into becoming cold, numb tools.
Some would even die in the cruel training, abandoned mercilessly. She could not let her sister be taken away by these people!
"You want to know my reason?"
Shiroya squinted slightly, his innate vigilance at work.
Having just arrived in this world and not yet understanding the situation, he naturally had to be cautious.
He was silent for a while, finally choosing to reveal his true purpose. The girl's singing was without deception; so he was willing to trust this strong little girl, "I need an Initiator partner, that's all..."
Saori smiled faintly at that, "Partner..."
Was there really someone in this world who saw them as partners? Too many of her sisters, her fellow 'Cursed Children' had already lost their lives, and her heart had long been closed off.
"Sir, everyone sees Cursed Children as disasters, wishing to drive them out of human society. If it weren't for their irreplaceable combat abilities, they would have been exterminated long ago. What about you, sir? What do you think of Cursed Children?"
Saori's expression was very calm at this moment.
Shiroya looked at her, thinking carefully.
When he first arrived in this world, he had some ideas. With the help of the Destiny System, he could rebuild the order of this world, making it run according to his own ideal.
"They are not wrong; it's the world that is wrong!"
"They are the guardians of the old world, and the keys to the new world."
"For their contributions to humanity, they deserve more respect, not to be wantonly slaughtered and exploited as they are now, even more so now with survival becoming a luxury..."
Shiroya paused expressing his thoughts.
Unexpectedly, the girl in front of him silently shed a few tears, looking very sorrowful.
"Are you from the Civil Security?" She asked.
Most of Saori's doubts had been dispelled. The Civil Security officers, who saw them as tools, would never say such things.
But she still wanted to confirm, as she represented both sisters, and being cautious was always good.
"Of course not, who in their right mind would want to be a dog," Shiroya sneered, clearly showing his disdain for those who were corrupt and abusive.
These people had no other skills, but when it came to shooting 'Cursed Children', they never missed.
They seemed to have forgotten who stood up to protect their lives when the Gastrea attacked.
"Sir... Actually... I'm a C-cursed Child," Saori bit her lip and confessed her true identity to Shiroya.
She wanted to take a gamble. If Shiroya was truly looking for an Initiator partner as he said, she wanted to entrust her sister to him.
At least her sister wouldn't have to live this harsh life anymore. Her sister had been shot and needed treatment.
The wound was caused by a Varanium bullet, which was devastating for 'Cursed Children' since they have the Gastrea Virus.
Varanium wounds wouldn't heal on their own. Even a strong 'Cursed Child' like her sister could only suffer daily from the pain of the wound.
"What!?"
"You..."
Shiroya was shocked and instinctively used the Destiny System to scan the girl in front of him. {T/N: He should have done that from the beginning... Infact, he should scan every face he comes across 😔}
A screen visible only to him instantly displayed the girl's data.
< Status >
-Name: Saori
[Strength: 6.6] [Speed: 6.8]
[Constitution: 6.5] [Spirit: 10.5]
< Model/Factor: Nightingale >
< Talent: Light Sound (Can add various buffs through singing, can motivate teammates, or disrupt enemies) >
Her physical attributes were impressive, and her spirit was even higher than his, likely due to her Nightingale factor.
No wonder she could fight the bloodthirsty Gastrea!
This was still a wandering 'Cursed Girl'. She seemed to be in a state of long-term malnutrition and had not undergone any systematic training.
Even so, her physical attributes far surpassed ordinary people.
This...
So this is the last hope of this world, these 'Cursed Girls'?
...
[Images of Saori here]...
...