Chapter 271: Act ; Concern ; Infirmary (1/2)

”Look,” I say in a solemn tone as I gaze into Jessica's eyes, ”You won't be able to leave this place no matter what happens. Wouldn't it be better for you to cooperate with me than having me resort to unconventional methods to make you talk?”

”I told you,” she responds while glaring at me, ”I would rather die than do that!”

”So, you say, but I wonder if the rest think the same way…” I say while casting a few glances around, causing a few of the girls to flinch.

Seeing this, I realize that what I'm doing is pointless and wouldn't get me what I seek.

As such, I have no other choice than to simply use Indoctrination…

With that thought in mind, I shift my sight back to Jessica and send the order: 'Tell me the most important thing you believe that you should hide from me.”

Following that, Jessica's eyes seem to lose focus as she enters a dazed state for a few seconds before her both opens, and she says, ”I was supposed to find you and arrange an ambush on those close to you in order to lure you out to a trap and capture you for the founder.”

Hearing her words, I squint my eyes as I try to relay another order: 'Who is the founder?'

Unfortunately, that doesn't work, shortly after which I recall the fact that I am only able to relay one order for every usage of Indoctrination on an individual.

Nevertheless, her response to my order has shocked the girls present as they all gawk at her with an expression of disbelief and horror on their faces.

Good. It seems like the order worked just fine.

Even so, she sure went into detail regarding the plan despite my order being rather vague.

From the time I practiced the ability on Kristina back in the Rift, the responses are usually what come to mind first.

For example, if I were to use Indoctrination on Ayumi and order to tell me who is her big brother, she would give one response, and that would be either me or Shunsuke, mostly depending on who comes to her mind first.

As unfortunate as it may be, I didn't get to try this out in the past when it crossed my mind for the sole reason of being concerned regarding the outcome.

If she were to answer with Shunsuke, he would cease to exist…

Shaking such thoughts aside, I focus back on the matter at hand, only to realize that Jessica is now lying on the ground while still being in a dazed state.

It's almost as if she has become a shell without any thoughts or senses, simply staring ahead at nothing.

Naturally, something like this is quite a terrifying sight for those unaware of what's going on. That's the case with the rest of the girls right now as they stare at me with pure fear apparent in their eyes.

Letting out a small sigh, I telekinetically lift Jessica's body from the ground and continue to hold her up while saying, ”Don't make me resort to this. I've already captured enough souls as is.”

”So… is anyone willing to share some knowledge with me? I promise to not hurt you and your comrades if you do so.”

Hearing my words, a few expressions of doubt form in the room before one of the girls present raises her hand and asks in a meek tone, ”I will talk.”

Inspecting the girl who just spoke up, I notice that it's one of the two whose legs I just restored. I suppose being 'hurt' once already was enough for her….

---

After a while of interrogating the girls, I exited the room by using Permeation to pass through the door and began making my way over to where Kotori is supposed to be at.

As soon as I arrived there, I found myself gawking at the sight of the blonde-haired man getting kicked in the guts with a stupid expression on his face.

And so, I am here, standing beside Kotori as she scrolls through some terminal in front of her.

”That was surprising,” she says, ”I expected you to be much rougher with them,” she says while still focused on the terminal.

So, she was observing my actions after all. Good thing I decided to act 'nicely' and not pressure the girls too much.

Letting out a sigh, I say in a wry tone, ”There would be no point to scaring them speechless. Some terror along with a spark of hope is what usually makes one talk.”

”What about the girl whose soul you took?” Kotori continues as she turns her head to face me with a complicated look on her face.

”That was obviously a bluff,” I say while remaining unfazed, ”Humans fear the unknown, so I simply took advantage of their lack of information to plant terror in their hearts easily through the usage of otherwise ordinary abilities.”