The Villain Reborn as Game's Final Boss

Chapter 254: Culling [6]

The culling had finally ended.

Well... there were still some people breathing their last moments of life, but—

Spurt!

Haa...

They too met their end.

The scent of rusted iron had enveloped the entire area, making it look like a war had been fought here.

Well... it was indeed a war, but one that was closer to a slaughter.

"This should take care of all problems."

I spoke while looking at Arthur, who had been silent the entire time.

Arthur just nodded his head, as he observed the last of the deserters being killed.

Around three thousand were killed today.

All these people could have served a better use, but... maybe it was better to reduce the risks to the maximum extent possible.

Not all of the top Numbers had been present, as some of them were busy handling their own businesses.

I could have still summoned them... but there was no need to increase the losses in their absence, specifically the top 10 Numbers, who were now the core of D.X.

Still... even if some of the top 10 weren’t present at the moment, they would soon be given the orbs and asked to bond with them.

I didn’t think any of them would protest against it, but if they did, then... well, it would just result in the losses piling up for me.

"No. 8."

I uttered the words in a low voice, though No. 8, hearing his name called, immediately turned in my direction before walking towards me.

As he stood before me, I observed the guy in silence.

His face right now wasn’t the most memorable one.

It was a face that was easy to mix into the crowd... but it suited him.

After all, mixing with the flow was what he specialised in.

"The authorities will start their investigations, and Syma will soon be questioned. I hope you have memorised the script."

No. 8 didn’t reply immediately, as his lips stretched into a little smile that soon turned into a chuckle.

"You don’t have to worry about that. I have trained all the people who will be questioned accordingly."

"That’s good."

Nodding my head, just as I was about to move, I observed No. 8’s change in expression, which made me stop in my tracks.

"Anything else?"

On my question, No. 8 just smiled back, scratching the back of his head.

"You are very observant... sir."

Hm?

"But I don’t really understand how you could commit such a basic error despite the sharpness of your brain."

Silence.

"What are you—"

"Let him speak."

I interrupted Julien, who was about to confront No. 8.

No. 8 simply looked at Julien before giving a small bow.

"My apologies... I should have framed my words in a better way."

"..."

"But, I think he knows what I am trying to say."

No. 8 looked at me while smiling knowingly.

Though I could see his eyes narrowed slightly... as his brain was analysing the sort of response that I would give.

"How about you simplify it for me."

No. 8 raised his brows, but didn’t object.

"If you wanted to keep the organization hidden from the eyes of the authorities, then you should have changed your methods of operation from the start. There was no need to bring this culling into effect."

Uttering the words, No. 8 swept his gaze across the bodies that were sprawled on the ground, many having their heads cut off.

"These tools... they could have been put to better use, and—"

No. 8 paused, turning to look at me.

"Do you really think that fear will ensure that the organization stays hidden? Hehe, it would just speed up—"

I could see No. 8 raising his brows in realization, as he stopped midway.

"It would just?"

I repeated his last words, wanting him to finish what he had to say.

"Hehe... just an old man rambling. Ignore me."

Heh.

Saying his part, No. 8 bowed before walking towards the exit.

"You are betting big, Frost... Just make sure you won’t lose the gamble."

No. 8 uttered the words in a raised voice without turning back, as he had walked quite a distance away from me.

"I won’t."

There was no way I would lose.

There was a long silence, as I observed the Numbers leaving the area after their work was done.

Though some still stayed behind, searching for any living souls among the deserters.

No. 120 was one of them.

That vampire was a good one.

He had the madness that I needed my Numbers to have, coupled with the strength to back it up.

But, he wasn’t the only one.

I could see many Numbers having the same tendencies as No. 120, the only difference being that each of them had their own methods that differentiated them from the rest.

Haa...

"It seems my work here is done."

It was time for me to leave.

It must have been around a month since leaving the academy.

"Things would get a little rough from now on, but I trust that you will handle everything."

Julien didn’t reply, but I could sense him nodding his head.

"And when will you be evolving?"

I asked Arthur, who had his eyes fixed on Julien.

That guy now treated Julien like his own son.

Their time together wasn’t wasted in the end.

"There’s still time for that. I have to solidify my foundation first."

Though I gave a faint smile while nodding my head, I couldn’t help but think about his words.

What else was he going to gain from staying in the same rank?

Within minutes, we had reached the control room, as the screens showed the footage of all the bases under D.X.

Many of the Numbers had already returned to their rooms, while I could see the researchers working on the system that had been developed to monitor them.

Alfred was leading the team, as the researchers moved like puppets under his command.

Observing people was fun in itself.

"Let’s meet again."

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End of Volume 2 - Academy