novelraw Chapter 630: How did it even get to this?
Chapter 630: How did it even get to this?
A downside Dante never expected to be this big was that being an Ascended Cyborg prevented him from enjoying a proper shower. Volcan’s emulated senses allowed him to feel the sensation of hot water touching his skin, but the gradual loosening of his tired muscles was mostly gone.
Dante didn’t sweat that much anymore, so frequent baths were no longer necessary. He still took one on a daily basis, sticking to the habit like it’s one of the few things that prove he’s still human. He had to cut it short this time, knowing his desire to avoid the party would lead him to waste time. Drying himself, he equipped some underwear and then a suit.
Most of his old clothes had to be thrown out because of the increase in size his bionic limbs provided. He has to wear loose clothes now, and for the same reason, he had to pay the tailor a visit and get himself a bunch of new suits. Thankfully, the market for EI clothes has been growing for the last couple decades, so he was able to find something that wouldn’t rip the moment he moved.
’What a waste of time...’
After checking his appearance, Dante went down to the first floor. Carlos heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that he was ready. After checking on the staff, they had him wait for a while before going up on the stage.
’What a waste of time...’
Despite the bad mood he was in, Dante tried to give a good speech. The ease with which he was able to keep the act astounded him. The loud music, the cheers, the laughter; all of it gradually pushed him toward the edge.
’Look at them. They don’t care.’
’All they want is to dance and play.’
’The world could be burning around them and they wouldn’t care.’
’Worthless. All of them...’
Dante understood. The world was built in a way that made it impossible for the common folk to care about anything. Most were too busy surviving, and by the time they earn themselves some reprieve, they are left far too exhausted to think about anything, leaving them with no choice but to numb themselves with entertainment and alcohol.
Expecting anything from them was a waste of both time and mental power. Their existence made no difference at best and ruins things further at worst. As he watched from atop the stage, Dante found himself having trouble thinking of the cheering crowd as nothing but mindless cattle.
’Maybe I should just kill them...’
Just then, his eyes happened to lock onto someone in the crowd. Their eyes met, and a radiant smile bloomed on her face, banishing the exhausted thoughts from his mind.
’Sunshine?’
~[ ]~
Moonstone, Neo-Vatra.
The headquarters of the Superhero team Silver Wind.
A dark aura radiated through the living room, casting a gloomy atmosphere from a couch’s corner. Its source was a young woman with long orange hair. The shirt and shorts she wore, the bucket of ice cream bucket resting on the nearby coffee table, and the screen projected on the wall—all of it hinted at an attempt at relaxation, but going by the expression on her face, the young woman didn’t seem to be having a good time.
With a twitch, her body moved after remaining still for a very long time. Grabbing the half empty ice cream bucket, she took the spoon lodged in its melting contents and scooped some, bringing it to her mouth the next moment.
Watching from the sides, one would find it difficult to believe she was Sunray, the radiant hero who can lift people’s spirits with her smile alone. That was what went through Beatrice’s mind when she stopped at the room’s entrance, and looking at the tall, white haired man behind her, it became clear that they had the same thought. A resigned sigh escaped the team leader, and she prepared herself mentally before walking inside.
"Merry, how long do you plan on keeping this up?" Though she was going for a reprimanding tone, the petite woman came across as concerned more than she was annoyed. "You might gain weight at this rate."
The words seemed to get a reaction out of the orange haired girl, but when she turned to look at her, Beatrice froze in place. She was not expecting to be met with those teary eyes.
"Leader..."
Before she could react, her petite body was snatched then stuffed into a deep valley.
"Leader!!!"
The crying and sobbing began, but Beatrice was entirely frozen, the soft sensation enveloping her head having taken away all desire to resist. It was then that she remembered something important: no matter what her friend ate, in the end it all goes into that part of her body.
"Merry, please calm down." Wolf looked quite distressed as he approached the two, his hands hovering in the air. "You’re going to suffocate her!"
"But... but!!!"
A violent gust of wind blasted the interior of the room, startling the orange haired girl and loosening her hold. Free from the deadly trap, Beatrice quickly distanced herself.
"It has been a week already! You need to get your act together."
The shouting only caused the tears to well up again. Grabbing the ice cream bucket once more, Merry scooped more with the large spoon and shoved it into her mouth as if trying to stop the wailing before it could begin.
"What’s up with all... the commotion..."
Kafka emerged from the stairs, yawning while scratching under his shirt. It took him one look to understand the situation, which is why he turned in the opposite direction instead of approaching the others.
"Not again..."
Watching him go, Wolf couldn’t help but notice how surreal the situation was. This was the fifth time their day started this way. Even though he understood what caused his friend to be this way, it was still strange for her condition to persist for so long. Ice cream should have solved it by now, but even though she already went through several gallons, it didn’t seem like she was anywhere near close to recovering.
"How did it even get to this?"