Chapter 590: Morons!

Chapter 588

"MONSTER!"

"...."

"DEVIL!"

"A BEAST!"

Ray’s heart began racing as his eyes darted from one person to another.

Everybody was cursing at him.

Words were being hurled at him, each one striking harder than a hundred punches ever could.

Beads of sweat began forming across his temples, his throat drier than it had ever been.

His heart pounded relentlessly, as though it were trying to leap out of his chest.

His friends.

.... Hi-His friends were all looking at him like he was a monster?

Like something they didn’t un—

"RAY!"

Gasp—!

"Cough.... Cough...."

Ray struck his chest a few times, trying to calm his wildly beating heart.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Sweat dripped onto the ground before him as he slowly lifted his head and looked around.

Trisha was still standing where she had been.

Everybody was in their previous positions, their eyes flashing with a hint of worry.

’Huh?’

"What happened? You were talking about some consciousnesses, and then you suddenly blanked out. What happened to you? Did-Did the Celestials get into your head?"

Ray blinked in confusion as he turned his head towards Chloe.

’It-It was all my imagination?’

"I-I—" Ray trembled.

He placed a hand over his face, tears seeping between his fingers.

"I’m sorry I hid this from you all. You all deserved to know, but-but I just couldn’t bring myself to say it because I didn’t know what you would think about me.

"I don’t care about the rest of the world. They can call me whatever they want, but-but I just couldn’t lose a single one of y—"

"Mehn, just shut up for a moment. You can cry all you want, but I’m more interested in the consciousnesses inside you. Is one of them perhaps interested in technology? Can they help me advance my work?" Van asked, an excited gleam visible in his eyes.

His lips were pressed together in excitement, like a child about to receive a surprise gift.

Ray blinked.

Tears fell to the ground as he slowly lifted his head to look at his best friend.

"Are they friendly? That’s what I’m more concerned about. Maybe I can get some tips on how to grow stronger from them?" Caster inquired, looking in Ray’s direction.

’Huh?’

"Oh. So that’s why you act like someone with split personality disorder. One moment, you’re pissed like someone whose girlfriend was snatched from him.

"A second later, you’re overly cheerful like someone who just had candy for the first time, and then you’re back to being Ray. Fascinating," Chloe muttered, rubbing her chin before suddenly snapping her fingers.

Her eyes twinkled, stars practically flashing past them.

"You know I love Werewolves, yeah? But when I thought about it, I realised I don’t want to go through the whole transformation thingy. I might be fascinated by it, but I just can’t imagine fur growing out of my beautiful skin.

"So, is there a way your Celestial buddy can help me? You know, maybe turn me into a Celestial?"

"Wh-Uh-what’s going on?" Ray was more than confused, his head spinning as he struggled to understand why his friends were speaking this way.

"I-I just told you all tha-that there are two other consciousnesses inside me that take control of my body. Are-aren’t you all scared?"

"Pfffft! Oh, please. They’ve had control over your body a few times and haven’t attacked us or done anything to us all these months. Why would they start now?

"Besides, you could possibly learn to tame them to some extent. So, if they haven’t harmed us, it means you’ve been actively fighting behind the scenes to protect us." Caster shrugged, waving his hands dismissively.

Van facepalmed.

"Long talk. You could have just said, ’We trust you, Ray. You would never do anything to harm us.’ Simple."

A sudden warmth began spreading through Ray’s chest, his heart warming at the sight before him. But he still couldn’t bring himself to relax completely as he turned his head towards the Captain.

The man had remained silent ever since they entered the room.

He hadn’t said a word, not even during the revelation.

"Yawn... what? Why are you staring at me like that?" Raze frowned.

"I-Yo—"

"—What? You think I care? I brought you into my squad knowing, or rather, thinking you were a Werewolf. What? You think anything will change just because you’re part Celestial too? Tsk.

"All I see right now is a powerful Vanguard and nothing else. Let’s see, you could even become a Captain soon. Ha."

’Hm. I guess that explains how he always grows stronger after each major battle,’ Raze added inwardly.

Van stared at Ray.

’I guess he’s keeping the System a secret for now. I guess it’s too much to talk about. If they heard about it, who knows what could happen? So it’s better that way. Besides,’

He gave the room a quick glance.

’... We don’t know if this place is bugged.’

Ray smiled for a moment before lifting his gaze towards Trisha, who hadn’t said a word or moved from her position.

She simply continued staring down at the Tribrid as though deep in thought.

"Y—"

Trish turned around and began walking away.

"You are a monster," she uttered as she left, causing Ray’s face to fall.

It felt as though a sword had been thrust into his heart and twisted at the same time.

He instinctively reached for his chest, his heart aching as though he had been physically wounded.

’Wh-Why do I feel this way?’

"... But then, you’re the good kind. A monster worth keeping around. So I guess we’re good as long as you stay good. Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I won’t cut you down if you or your buddies ever turn against us."

"Ouch." Chloe winced at the bluntness of her words.

"Way to go ruining your chance with him," Van mused sarcastically.

Trisha’s face immediately heated up. She turned her head to the side, muttering silently as though speaking to herself.

"I don’t have any feelings for him."

Still, Ray smiled gratefully.

He didn’t even realise when he let out a breath of relief.

His body felt lighter, and so did his mind.

It was as though a mountain had just been lifted off his chest.

His eyes began to tear up.

"I love you guys. Thank you so much. I promise, I will get us all out of here, no matter what."

"Leave that aside for now and tell us the story of how you became a Tribrid. I’m curious," Chloe chimed in, leaning forward. "I mean, we have all the time in the world at the moment."

"Fuck the story. Come on, ask your buddies if anybody is interested in tech already. I need their advanced knowledge," Van grinned.

Ray simply shook his head, mumbling under his breath.

"Morons."