Uril was forced to eat by both Robert and May, after a while, the three of them indulge in small talk.
She had also heard stories about Rueben.
How he likes milk wines, a mix of milk and red wine, as well as purified water. He also liked steaks and the special "Sworian Sauce" that Robert created.
Well, she too liked the sauce. It just makes the juice of the meat even more flavourful, mixing with the tongue that brings an amazing delight.
She also heard of Rueben's troubles, like having nightmares and such. When she waited for Rueben to wake up back in the medical center, he was fine. But it seems she needs to add this to the report just in case.
"Truly phenomenal. I don't know who taught you to cook, boss, but they did an amazing job at teaching you." May put her mask back in place as she whistled cheerfully.
"Ahaha! My teacher would be smug when she heard you!"
"Thank you for the meal, Mr. Robert. But are you sure i don't have to pay? I feel uncomfortable eating such an exquisite meal for free..." Uril tried to take out her wallet only to be stopped by May.
"You might not know, but if the boss gives you a meal for free, you must accept it! If you insist on paying, he might get hurt by your gesture!"
Uril stared at her in disbelief, then turned to Robert, who was cleaning the counter, not even listening to their conversation.
"...Is that true?"
"Of course it is! I've been working in this place for 5 years! That's enough time for me to learn everyone's quirks and personalities!"
May exclaimed proudly as Uril swore that she saw May's nose lengthen to the roof, but upon blinking, it disappeared. It may have been an illusion in her mind.
Uril, though uncomfortable, slowly nodded her head and bowed to Robert. "Thank you for the meal!"
Robert formed a smile and spoke cheerfully, "Ahahaha! No need, no need!"
The two slowly digested their meal for a while before deciding to go.
"I'll come back in a few hours, boss! Don't deduct my pay because of this, okay?"
"Yes, yes. Careful out there, you two."
Uril and May held the briefcases and exited the bar. The two went to the center of Ward 5 with May's lead.
"So, Mr. Rueben is in Ward 15?" May asked while Uril inquired to someone.
"Yes, we'll take a steam-powered train locomotive to swiftly reach there. Two passengers please, yes it's fine."
Uril then turned to May as she held two tickets in her hand. May stared at the tickets, then to the sign beside the booth before saying,
"Wouldn't a carriage suffice?"
"Then we'll get there a few hours late. It is best we take the locomotive to cover long distances."
"....But it's too expensive, i can't afford that...."
Uril let out a giggle, "No worries, i made sure to get you a returning ticket too so you can come back here, and there's no need to pay me today."
"Wah, really? You are a good person, Uril."
"Really? That's quite perplexing because you called me an odd person back at the bar."
"That was then, now is now."
The two entered the station while laughing and chatting as they waited for a train.
***
Rueben opened the door, revealing a little girl looking at him straight in the eyes, her hair golden. He stared at the scene for a moment, before frowning and closed the door.
He had just heard a knock, and opening it revealed a little girl bloodied everywhere. Suspiciously, the girl resembled a lot like Sasha, so it must've been that his head was playing tricks on him.
Rubbing his eyes, he sat down on the bed and let out a groan.
Im going crazy. He thought to himself.
Rubbing his head again, he let out a deep breath as he ignored his other self sitting on the table reading what seemed to be a book.
Rueben turned to the Rueben on the bed and let out a chuckle, "What happened? Did you see something?"
"..."
"Was it, i don't know, Sara or Lito? Or maybe, our parents?"
Rueben ignored his other self as his other self put the book down.
"You know? Maybe you are right." Rueben muttered to himself.
"Right about what?" Rueben turned to the other Rueben as that Rueben stood up.
"That we're humans. After all, we did steal this fate and it's heart. So, by default, we became human."
"..."
"Like, for example, a parasitic mushroom who took control of a dead ant's body and tried to become an ant. Mimicking the ant, acting like the ant, and ultimately becoming the ant."
"...You're not making sense."
Rueben chuckled, "Oh, i know. But that analogy fits us so much in our current situation."
"..."
Rueben stared at the other Rueben in bed and shook his head.
"The mushroom mimicked the ant so much, now it started seeing itself as the ant. The most perfect way to describe us—"
"WE are HUMAN, alright!? We are human." Rueben rose up from his bed and glared at the Rueben, but upon looking, the Rueben was gone.
"...That's one way to convince yourself."
A voice sounded out from the door, prompting Rueben to turn his head towards the door, revealing Arkan holding a briefcase.
He fixed his glasses, "Im going to let myself in."
He entered the room and placed his brief case on the table before loosening his tie.
"The weather's been cloudy today. Well, it's always been cloudy, but today seems different."
Arkan sat down as Rueben calmed himself. He grabbed a chair and sat down across Arkan as he spoke.
"Looks like it's going to rain today. Good thing i brought an umbrella with me before coming here."
"...What brought you here?" Rueben looked out of the window from his chair and asked.
Arkan stared at him for a moment, contemplating his thoughts, before letting out a smile, "Well, Almer brought me here through fate. I bring good news, Mr. Rueben."
Rueben straightened his back as he listened.
"The Crown has decided that you return to duty. Though the director told me that you still have untreated issues, most of our hunter's would go mad from being unable to do anything inside this claustrophobic room."
He grabbed his briefcase and pulled out a document, "By the order of the Crown, Rueben Mortimer will be discharged after recuperating for two months. Effective immediately."
Arkan then smiled, "Congratulations on your recovery, Mr. Hunter of Hunters."
"..."
Seeing Rueben embarrassed by that title, Arkan chuckled.
"Do you have your equipment with you? Or do you need assistance regarding that?"
"No need. I have already told someone to reforge my weapons, it'll take atleast a couple of days to make it."
"Ah, i see. That's good. Wouldn't want to go through another long, boring process if you know what i mean."
The two then talked for a while. Talking about the current state of the world, the news and all that. Giving Rueben plenty of information which he had just bits off while recuperating.
"Now that's done. I should leave soon, i have already told the director to let you roam free. You'll leave the center once your weapons are delivered to you."
"Yes, Commander. Again, im sorry for the lack of hospitality..."
"It's alright, Rueben. We've gone past the relationship of acquaintances—"
Just as Arken was about to leave, the door opened, revealing Uril and May holding briefcases.
"Oh, you have visitors?" Uril held the briefcase and placed it on the floor near the door as she stared at Rueben, who only nodded at her.
May stared at Rueben, made sure that he was alright and made a mental note to tell Robert later before silently placing the briefcases on the table.
Arkan stared at May for a moment, before turning to Uril.
"Nice to meet the two of you. I am Arkan, the Branch Division Commander of Ward 5."
"Ah, yes. I am Uril Marquee and this is May. May i ask why you are here?"
Arkan just smiled, "The Crown has ordered for Mr. Rueben to be discharged. I came here to tell him that."
Uril flinched, before smiling, "T-That's wonderful!" Then she turned to Rueben.
"You're finally free."
Rueben stared at her, before chuckling. "Yes. But not right now. My weapons are still being forged, judging from the clothes you got for me. Thank you, Uril."
Then he stood up and went to the kitchen, "Do you want a glass of milk?"
"Am i a child to you? Why would i want a glass of milk?"
Shrugging his shoulders, "Milk is vital for one's growth, especially when they're still young. You should drink some."
"..."
Uril watched as Rueben went to the kitchen and started heating up a pan.
She heard a click of the stove before turning to Arkan.
"...Didn't the director tell you that his mental state is unstable? He's experiencing hallucinations, minor, but hallucinations nonetheless—"
"We know." Arkan put his index finger on his lips.
Then he moved his fingers to touch his glabella, "I have lost countless men while they're in hospital wards. They've gone insane from the lack of action and communication, most of them don't even have families anymore to spend time with while inside."
Arkan looked straight at Uril as May shivered and pulled Uril, protecting her, "I don't want to lose more capable men."
Uril stared at him, not being able to feel what May felt at this moment.
He's dangerous, incredibly dangerous. He's atleast boss' level... May thought to herself as she slowly reached for the dagger in her boots.
Arkan just stared at her while Uril stepped forward, "E-Even then, we may be able to gain more data and possibly create a method to—"
"I will not let those who follow me die while becoming beasts." Arkan growled as his eyes suddenly turned red.
May took out her dagger while pushing Uril out of the way, forming a stance as Arkan watched her while he sat down on the chair.
Fixing his glasses, he asked May, "Are you sure you can win?"
Shaking from fear, May gulped down her saliva as cold sweat drips down from her forehead. Uril gritted her teeth, "What do you think you're doing?"
She wanted to take a step forward only for May to stop her in her tracks.
"What are you doing—"
"Don't. Move." May warned, finally, Uril felt something was wrong.
Turning to Arkan, she watched as he put back his glasses, his red crimson eyes glowing as he watched them. Like a hawk waiting for the right opportunity to get its prey.
Just as the situation was about to escalate, the entire scene tensed up even more as Rueben got out of the kitchen and stared at them while smiling.
May immediately felt terror as her legs gave way, her eyes shook, her body spasming in fear as Uril worriedly bent down to check on her.
Rueben stared at the two for a moment, before turning to Arkan, who sat on the chair, sipping on a glass of water.
"What do you intend to do, commander." Rueben softly asked while holding a small kitchen knife.
Arkan turned his head to look at him, their crimson eyes staring at each other, both tensed up. It took Arkan a few moments to reply and chuckled.
"It seems you've become even sharper, Rueben. But take caution, your gaze is not only yours."
"..."
"Ask the lass about what we talked here, do not worry, i don't harm citizens. It's my duty to protect them for they are the future." Smiling, Arkan fixed his glasses while standing up.
Rueben watched as he walked towards him, patted his shoulders before walking to the door.
"It's about time i leave. Thank you for the hospitality, Rueben. I'll drop by sooner or later."
Then he left with a bow and closed the door behind him. Rueben stared at the door for a moment, before turning to Uril and May, who was shivering while looking at him.
He let out an annoyed sigh.