Chapter 109: We finally meet again

Several hours ago, Lucien had been lying facedown on the bed in his room, groaning even in his sleep. Although he had already received some treatment and sustained no physical injuries, the experience had been unlike anything he had ever endured before.

Even now, the lingering discomfort was enough to leave him utterly miserable. He could hardly imagine what Eleven and the other two A-rank Guides must be feeling.

If even he, someone who had consumed the Might Fruits, was struggling this much, then what about them? They must all be in absolute agony, their entire bodies aching as though they had been torn apart and put back together again. Just imagining their suffering sent a shiver down his spine.

Hah... How terrifying.

And the damn Association had only given them a few days off to recover! After that, Lucien would have to return to his duties.

Shit! Lucien could not even see Zephyr! Despite being in such a bad state, he had still dragged himself over to check on him before returning to his small room, only to be stopped at the door and promptly kicked out. If only he had some say in this damn place, things would be so much better!

Just then, the silent mobile phone lying beside his pillow suddenly buzzed softly.

With his eyes still closed, Lucien cursed under his breath and reached out to grab it, intending to see who the hell was bothering him now. However, the moment he caught sight of the familiar contact name on the dimly lit screen, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Old Demon.

"What does this old man want now?"

Lucien forced himself to sit up, his hair a complete mess and his clothes hopelessly wrinkled.

"Hehe, does he want to check whether his useless son is finally dead or something?"

With a strained smile, Lucien picked up his phone and pressed it against his ear.

"Hello..."

The moment the word left his mouth, a familiar scene played out once again. A single, icy command came from the other end.

"Come to my office immediately. I have something to discuss with you."

Before Lucien could even open his mouth to object, the call was abruptly disconnected.

"That damn old man!"

Lucien nearly hurled his phone across the room in a fit of rage but stopped just in time when he remembered how expensive a replacement would be. He barely had any money to spare! Fortunately, he had left his phone behind when they went to B City. At least the poor thing had survived that disaster.

Muttering curses under his breath, Lucien dragged himself out of bed. He did not bother changing his clothes or even attempting to tame his unruly hair. He simply slipped his feet into the slippers beside his bed and trudged out to see what the Old Demon wanted from him this time.

To his surprise, the office door opened almost immediately.

However, the moment Lucien stepped inside, he came face-to-face with a familiar, aged figure seated opposite Lucien’s father and his secretary.

Doctor Edwin Vane.

The same short, elderly researcher who had once treated Zephyr as a test subject. The very same man Lucien had punched in the face in anger while rescuing Zephyr.

Edwin was still dressed in a white lab coat, a pair of finely framed glasses perched on his nose. The only difference was the color of the frames. Two more researchers stood behind him, both wearing unnervingly calm expressions.

The moment Edwin spotted Lucien, his lips curled into an eerie smile.

"We finally meet again."

He slowly rose from his seat, his smile twisting into something far more sinister.

"Unfortunately, I can no longer get my hands on that fine test subject of mine. Zephyr has now become far too important to the Association and the government."

His gaze settled on Lucien, and the resentment in his eyes deepened.

"But you... I have not forgotten the humiliation you made me suffer."

Lucien froze.

For a moment, he could only stare at the old researcher in disbelief. Then, almost instinctively, he took a step backward and snapped his head toward Lucien’s father.

What the hell was this?

Lucien’s own father had actually brought this lunatic here to see him?

No matter how terrible Lucien O’Connell might be, he was still his son! And this bastard had the audacity to invite someone who had harmed countless people into the same room as him?

A dreadful premonition crept through Lucien’s mind.

Something was wrong.

He needed to get out. Now!

Lucien abruptly turned to flee, but before he could take even a single step, one of the middle-aged researchers standing behind Edwin moved with lightning speed and seized him by the neck.

Lucien’s eyes widened.

An Esper!

And not just any Esper. The overwhelming pressure radiating from the man made the answer painfully clear.

An S-rank Esper!

Alarm bells screamed in Lucien’s mind as he struggled against the grip, his heart plunging into his stomach.

"What the hell is the meaning of this?! You two old, expired pieces of shit—"

He never got to finish.

A sharp blow landed against his neck, and the world went dark.

When Lucien regained consciousness, he found himself strapped to a white bed, with strange devices and wires attached to various parts of his body. The room was freezing cold, its sterile white walls lined with unfamiliar machines and equipment.

The moment he realized he was restrained, fury surged through him. He immediately began struggling against the restraints, cursing under his breath as he frantically surveyed his surroundings.

Then he spotted Edwin.

The old researcher stood a short distance away, conversing with the two middle-aged researchers. One of them was holding an open metal box and handing him several tubes filled with liquids of bizarre colors.

Lucien’s expression darkened.

"You bastard! Let me go if you want to live another day!"

Edwin had noticed him waking up some time ago. However, rather than showing any concern, he merely chuckled and turned toward the furious Guide. His aged face twisted into a look of false amiability.

"Now, now. Do not worry. I will make sure it hurts as little as possible."

He adjusted his glasses, speaking in an almost soothing tone.

"Your father has given me permission to do whatever I want with you, as long as I do not kill you."

He licked his lips, his gaze roaming over Lucien’s body from head to toe in a way that made Lucien’s stomach churn with disgust.

His anger quickly gave way to alarm when he noticed Edwin preparing a series of injections, carefully drawing the strange liquids from the tubes into several syringes.

"You filthy piece of shit!"

The moment Edwin approached, Lucien conjured water in his hand and launched an attack without the slightest hesitation.

He did not even have time to consider the absurdity of the situation. As a Guide, he should not have been able to use mana like an Esper in the first place, yet here he was, wielding his ability without hesitation.

After all, despite trying so hard, he could not break free of the restraints. But that did not mean he was helpless.

Lucien unleashed his A-rank skill, directing the attack straight at Edwin. He intended to kill the disgusting old bastard right then and there! Honestly, the world would be a much better place without a piece of shit like him!

However, his attack never reached its target.

The S-rank Esper among the middle-aged researchers standing beside Edwin moved and effortlessly intercepted the attack.

Lucien’s heart sank.

Edwin stood frozen in place. Although he was shaken by the sudden attack, the old man stared at Lucien in disbelief, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed.

A Guide had just used a water-type skill!

"You... How do you have that skill?!"

"Aren’t you a Guide?!"

But Edwin’s shock lasted only a moment. As the realization sank in, disbelief gave way to excitement. His eyes lit up, and an almost feverish grin spread across his lips.

"Good heavens! I cannot believe you possess such an ability! So you are not entirely useless after all!"

He let out a delighted laugh, gazing at Lucien as though he had just discovered a priceless treasure.

"Hahaha! I came here intending to teach you a lesson, but it seems I have stumbled upon a unique new test subject instead!"

Edwin leaned closer to Lucien, bringing his face so near that his breath brushed against Lucien’s skin.

"I am sure no one else knows about you having this skill, right?"

Lucien turned his head away, gritting his teeth.

"I am going to kill you! If you do not let me go this instant, trust me, your end will be even worse than a dog’s!"

Unfortunately, his threats only seemed to excite the old man even more. Edwin was eager to discover what else this A-rank Guide, whom everyone, even his own father, was fed up with, might possess.

Even the two middle-aged researchers accompanying Edwin seemed interested.

It was at this moment that the door, which looked ordinary from the outside but was actually made of metal, was suddenly kicked open with a deafening bang, sending dust billowing into the room. It all happened so fast that even the Esper among the two researchers failed to react.