To be honest, I’m not really interested in this so-called transaction, but the biggest problem right now is that I’m damn well forced to be interested...
After feeling the sharp cutting sensation on his neck, Leon fell silent for a moment, then decisively and crisply said, "Hmm."
Although it’s not yet certain whether there’s anything malicious behind Aquarius Director’s deal, the female reporter herself is indeed a good person.
Even if resumes can be forged, personalities can be hidden, and reactions can be faked, all her reactions and soul fluctuations align, indicating they can’t be faked. Someone like her being executed by the Clean-up Bureau, just for being implicated with Aquarius, doesn’t seem right.
Upon hearing Leon’s response, the paper-cutter on his neck finally stopped digging deeper and began to withdraw.
But what Aquarius Director didn’t expect was that just as the blade was about to completely leave Leon’s neck, a hand suddenly reached up and pressed the paper-cutter back into Leon’s neck.
"Don’t be in such a hurry to leave."
Having walked on the edge of death, Leon acted as if he wasn’t the one nearly killed, pressing the paper-cutter on his neck and using the soul connection to pull it back without hesitation:
"Since you’re willing to spare me to save Nicole, wouldn’t you consider providing more so she can live better at our bureau?"
Looking far into the distance at the paper-cutter pressed against by Leon, listening to his question, Aquarius Director, who hadn’t left but hid, silently fell into thought.
From a strength perspective, although the other party has some special aspects, he’s ultimately just a level-three cleaner. Given the right opportunity, I could kill him dozens, if not hundreds, of times in a single breath.
But this level-three cleaner is the one who repeatedly spoils my plans. Even with countless trump cards and the upper hand, when dealing with him, the situation always slips out of my control, bit by bit...
Looking at the distant, despondent female reporter, Aquarius Director hesitated for a moment before suppressing the urge to go back on his word and spoke through the [Silver Dagger of Cutting]:
"What do you want? Wealth and status should be easily attainable for you. Do you want powerful abnormal objects or a lifespan beyond human limits?"
"None of that, I just want to ask you a few questions."
Upon hearing Aquarius Director’s response, Leon couldn’t help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, then continued pressing the knife’s blade, a bit impatiently asking:
"Does that tin doll that attacked the palace have anything to do with you?"
"I just thought about it; it doesn’t make sense for it to attack sooner or later, but precisely when the Director was in the Dream Realm. The only one who could possibly know the Director’s whereabouts, besides me, is you."
"Don’t try to deny it; this has to be your handiwork!"
Seeing Aquarius Director’s continued silence, Leon hurriedly pressed down on the paper-cutter as the blade attempted to withdraw, then continued speaking:
"Before you appeared, I was merely skeptical, but now that you’re here, I’m certain Nicole’s capture was your deliberate setup.
You definitely wanted to give her a way out while also orchestrating the Director’s removal, paving the way for that doll to attack the palace. You and that mysterious organization and the abnormal object known as [Slayer King III] are definitely tied together!"
Listening to Leon’s unusually confident deduction, Aquarius Director had no choice but to nod and, frowning, replied:
"But I can’t answer that question. You saw how that doll died. Joining them meant signing on a contract-type abnormal object.
If I betray and divulge key information, other signatories’ powers will converge and use the contract-type abnormal object to crush my flesh and soul completely!"
You’d die if you leaked information?
Upon hearing Aquarius Director’s words, Leon’s eyebrows raised sharply.
So what you’re saying is, as long as I ready a ’forced truth serum’ or similar abnormal object, I might trigger that abnormal object’s effect and directly eliminate Aquarius Director or other members of the organization?
"Moreover, don’t think you can use things like [Scale of Truth] to eliminate me by triggering that abnormal object’s effects."
As Leon began pondering a loophole, Aquarius Director coldly snorted and said:
"Before joining them, I used that method to eliminate two of their members. Now, upon my suggestion, they’ve modified that abnormal object’s effect, making [Scale of Truth] and the like useless."
Damn... you’re a turncoat hacker who patches loopholes madly after they’re hit, aren’t you—?
Feeling disappointed, Leon clicked his tongue, but maintained his composure while lying through his teeth:
"No, I’m barely protecting myself right now. How would I consider eliminating you?
I was just thinking about the deer symbol on Nicole. It must be the mark of the Marian Deer, one of the Overlords of the Dead Realm, right? Is it also a member of that organization?"
"Don’t know, I’m not familiar with it; haven’t even met it yet."
You’re not familiar with it?
Upon hearing Aquarius Director’s reply, Leon blinked, immediately understanding the implication.
Despite Aquarius Director claiming unfamiliarity and never having encountered the Marian Deer, they’re "trusted" enough to borrow its authority, indicating that Marian Deer must be a member of the organization.
Otherwise, how did Aquarius Director interact with it? Through WeChat’s proximity radar?
Understanding, Leon nodded and continued pressing the cutter, questioning:
"Then onto the next question..."
Though the knife was meant to threaten Leon, he ended up being interrogated while pressing the blade. Even Aquarius Director’s inherent poise couldn’t help but feel somewhat annoyed.
"Just those two pieces of information are enough for me to discuss with the Scarlet Hair Lady to ensure Nicole’s protection; don’t go too far!"
"Last one, I guarantee it’s the last one!"
Having identified Aquarius Director’s weak point, Leon quickly pressed down the paper-cutter that wanted to withdraw and grinned:
"And I’m not asking for free. You know, even if I’m just a level-three cleaner, having exposed your secret, the high-ups at the bureau see us as sworn enemies.
So if I, your archenemy, am willing to step up and guarantee Nicole’s safety, proving she’s merely collateral damage, wouldn’t it make Nicole completely innocent, don’t you agree?"