Chapter 414 Reflections
Darkness.
Endless darkness.
Who am I? Where is this?
Don't know. Cannot find answers.
In this chaos, thoughts became sluggish. Even normal thinking impossible.
Just wanted to sleep like this. Keep sleeping endlessly. After all, waking seemed to mean facing unimaginable nightmares again.
But no.
Can't be like this. Still had something to do.
Must wake up—
Accompanying such thoughts' birth, consciousness gradually clarified. Darkness slowly receded. In the silent chaos, sounds vaguely transmitted.
The sounds gradually became clear.
"Really, completely can't understand what Brett-sama is thinking."
The voice was lazy. Seemed complaining about something?
However—
Brett?
Brett...
Brett!!
Like a nightmare, the figure instantly flashed before his eyes. All darkness vanished at this moment.
He sat up abruptly.
"Brett!!!"
Heart-wrenching scream. Seemed ready to shatter listeners' eardrums.
"Stop shouting, idiot. Deafening."
Beside him came an impatient rebuke.
Just awoken, thoughts still somewhat chaotic, Ace instinctively looked toward the voice.
A familiar guy.
The man named Hyouzou lazily leaned against a bright window, currently looking at him quite displeased.
Ace finally reacted then.
He instinctively raised both hands. "I'm still alive?"
Though hands and body wrapped in bandages, vivid pain actually reminded him—he still lived. Scorching blood still flowed through his body.
Thought he'd been completely crushed to pieces by that monster...
"Yeah, I don't understand either why you're still alive now."
Hyouzou sighed. "Guys like you should've been thrown to feed sea beasts long ago."
"Where are my companions?!"
Ace flipped from bed, then due to pain, his body staggered and fell back onto the bed.
"All still alive and well."
Hyouzou snorted displeased. "Thank Brett-sama's mercy, Fire Fist Ace. Just not throwing you to feed sea beasts already deserves your kowtowing gratitude."
"..."
Tears.
Uncontrollable tears soaked the bandages wrapping his head.
An indescribable joy instantly filled Ace's entire chest.
Thank goodness.
Everyone still lived. They were all safe!
"Where are they?! I need to see them!"
Ace said anxiously.
He actually had no intention of directly acting. After all, after the previous battle, even however ignorant, Ace finally understood—the vast chasm of strength between him and that man named Brett.
This time could luckily survive. But next time probably not certain.
"Hmph, don't rush."
Hyouzou snorted coldly. "Brett-sama ordered me to bring you to see him after you woke."
Ace instantly fell silent. That demon-like figure surfaced in his heart again.
Never imagined such powerful beings existed in the world!
Was the old man fighting monsters at this level when young?
He couldn't say refusal words.
Now his and all companions' lives still grasped in this guy's hands.
No choice now, right?
Moreover, Ace now wanted to see Brett.
He wanted to ask that man why he'd spared his life.
"Okay."
Ace nodded.
"At least you're sensible, kid."
Hyouzou satisfiedly moved his tentacles, walking to the door opposite the window, pulling it open. Turned back, tilting his head toward Ace. "Let's go, kid."
Ace took a deep breath. Then depart—face that monster again!
Though injuries had received careful treatment, moving freely in such short time remained quite difficult. Ace had to endure severe pain each step. Just walking a few steps, sweat had already soaked his bandages.
After exiting, Ace noticed—he was inside an unfamiliar building. Following Hyouzou toward an unknown destination.
Occasionally encountered pedestrians also came and went hurriedly.
Hyouzou walking ahead glanced back at Ace. "Looks like you finally learned your place?"
Ace said nothing. Just quietly followed behind.
"This is Entry-Exit Management Bureau headquarters. If you dare cause trouble here—"
Hyouzou chuckled lightly. "Your fate would definitely be quite interesting."
This guy seemed very curious about that.
Ace ignored him. Just silently building mental preparation.
That Brett guy specifically sparing their lives—definitely had schemes.
If not too excessive, to ensure companions' safety—could negotiate with him.
Hyouzou led Ace up stairs. Soon reaching this building's top floor. Outside a large door.
Before knocking, a familiar voice came from inside. "Let him in, Hyouzou."
Hyouzou wasn't surprised. Pushed open the door, tilting his head inside, signaling Ace to enter.
Ace felt his heart pounding. But he still took a long breath, then walked in with firm steps.
Immediately upon entering, the door behind closed. Hyouzou didn't follow inside.
Ace didn't care about this. He looked at the man sitting behind the wide office desk, seemingly working.
No change from their previous meeting.
His and companions' attacks hadn't left even a single wound on him.
Truly a monster.
"So, Brett—"
Ace sat brazenly on the sofa opposite the desk. "What exactly do you mean?"
Brett held a pen, writing on paper. Didn't even raise his head. "Any reflections?" he asked.
"What?"
Ace said in shock. "What do you mean?"
"Naturally referring to that earlier battle." Brett said matter-of-factly.
"..."
Ace fell silent briefly. Then said seriously. "I lost. Completely not your match. Or rather—strength difference like a chasm. Before this, I couldn't even imagine such powerful guys existed in the world."
He answered frankly. Not at all dejected by his defeat.
"Anything else?" Brett finally raised his head, saying with interest.
"Because still weak—must become even stronger!"
Ace answered. "Otherwise can't even protect companions."
"Excellent."
Brett chuckled softly. "Then this battle wasn't wasted."
He waved. "Alright, go find your companions."
"Eh?"
Ace blinked.
His heart felt bewildered.
What did this guy mean?!
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