When Did I Become An Artifact Dealer?!
Chapter 67: Who Is The Monster?

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Who Is The Monster?

Sellene was quiet for a few seconds. She did not respond to what Cail was saying.

Seeing that she seemed to be contemplating, Cail didn’t push further. He knew how to give space, he also knew that human desire is endless. He knew that this lady would probably choose freedom.

Based on his observation, her bottom line is not harming her father.

"What harm could there be from seeking freedom?" Cail said, "Independence starts from simple steps. You can use this as a bargaining chip."

Sellene remained silent. But Cail knew she was listening. Every time he spoke a word that struck her, her breathing would halt for a bit.

They were in this heavy atmosphere for a while, before the orb that was in Sellene’s hand glowed.

Cail backed away almost immediately. A while ago, he was still muttering about helping her or something, now that there was danger, he was the first one to step back.

Sellene was taken aback at first, but true to her ability, she immediately froze the orb in her hand before throwing it far. She didn’t notice Cail immediately ditching her as her attention was on the orb.

The orb wasn’t damaged by the ice. It glowed blood-red, illuminating the dim underground mine.

Cail narrowed his eyes and Sellene assumed a fighting posture. Just as they thought it was some kind of bomb, a voice sounded from the device.

[Hello? Can you hear me? If you are listening to this message, it means that our world is already eaten by the void.] The voice was somber and weak. Cail could sense exhaustion from it.

"A recording?" Sellene said, muttering under her breath.

They continued listening.

[My name is Doc Sanien Ven, I’m a leading researcher at Revolution. Virehn is my superior. His full name is Doc Cail Virehn.]

Cail was a bit taken aback by the name, but it wasn’t unexpected. They have the same name but different surname.

[Virehn was a genius. Even I, someone who hates him, acknowledged that. When others were still playing with mud, he was already solving difficult mathematical equations. Ordinary children play with toys, Virehn played with inventions.

He had been a celebrity since young. His mother is a fashion designer and his father owns a computer manufacturer company. An absolutely powerful corporation.

When he was 15, he was already the head Researcher at Revolution. I was under him during that time. Although I already knew that he was a genius, I still couldn’t help but be in awe at his mind-boggling inventions. They are not just simple ones, but they stayed true to the name of our institute. His inventions are revolutionary.]

"Wow! He’s smart!" Sellene’s eyes glowed with envy. Such a young age and he is already contributing to mankind, as for her she was still under her father’s wings.

Cail once again felt the gap. This time, he really wasn’t feeling any envy, but more like, "You’re already working that young? That sounds exhausting. But then again, I don’t believe this guy will experience burnout." That is true. The world getting swallowed is a testament to that. Virehn knew where to find fun.

The recording continued.

[At first, I didn’t notice it but there were signs... VIREHN WAS A MONSTER!

The first instances that I noticed something was wrong with him were because of a cat.

A young intern at the institute saw an injured cat lying on the ground. It seemed to have accidentally touched a scrap machine and was squashed under it.

The young intern who was feeding that stray was distressed. The cat was still breathing. He carried the cat and brought it to Virehn... HAHAHAHA. A big mistake. But Virehn’s image at the institute is so good that he might as well be a god. A gentle, well-mannered young man.

A group of soft-hearted interns pleaded. Virehn accepted the cat saying that he will heal it, but not to expect too much as the injuries seemed to be very severe.

I was his assistant at that time. I saw him carry the cat. Not at the operating room but at the dissection table.

I saw him open up the cat. I ran towards him and asked what he was doing... His response was

"It’s gonna die. Without me, its fate is dying. If I intervene, it could survive." His voice still warm as ever, but the words coming out from his mouth were nothing but chilling.

"Since I’m the one who could decide its fate... I choose for it to die." He said as he calmly cut the cat.

I was screaming inside. WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING A GOD?!

But I held it in, and asked, "If so, you could have just left it to die. Why do you have to dissect it?"

Virehn stabbed the creature’s little beating heart, "I wanted to see what makes this creature so special. A lot of humans pleaded for it to survive... There has got to be something special right?"

He sliced the heart open. The poor cat who was clinging for life didn’t stand a chance. Virehn looked disappointed, "Nothing special inside. Just a normal animal." Then he calmly put the organs back inside and stitched the cat closed.

He pointed at the dead cat on the table and told me, "Give that cat to them and tell them it didn’t survive." Then he tossed his gloves and walked towards the cafeteria.

I was stunned at that time. Such a cold-blooded response. At first, I didn’t think of it as that alarming. His sense of empathy might be off because he had been experimenting his entire life... But things started to escalate.

A lot of researchers were dying. Not murder, but suicide. I noticed a pattern. Those people seemed to be seeking Virehn for advice. I paid close attention to their interaction and realized...

Virehn was experimenting about human emotion.

I confronted him about it, "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING?" At first I thought he would flinch a bit after getting caught. But I guess I didn’t know him enough. He did not think that something was wrong.

He tilted his head, still sporting that gentle and innocent look, "Oh, you noticed! The results were a bit disappointing. I thought it would take longer."

"They didn’t even last a month. Humans are fragile under pressure."

I couldn’t hold back, I screamed at his face, "You’re a MONSTER!"

That time, Virehn showed a shocked look, before smiling. This time, the smile isn’t the fake innocent look, but his true smile...

It’s coldness that seeps through the soul, "Everyone plays with human emotions. I just play better."]

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