16:58

And so, minutes later, they found themselves standing on the ground, both of them, with their faces almost kissing the floor, as the ruler is pulling one of their hands each with His left arm alone.

[CHE5TER]-So? That's all you both got? I'm using only one arm and still manage to beat both of you at the same time.

Yet both of the boys whisper to each other rather than answer to His question.

[C0NNER]-I swear if this was your idea, LUK3...

[LUK3]-...Yeah, man, put the blame on me now!!

[C0NNER]-You were the one who was talking to Him a few minutes ago, who should I put the blame on!?

[LUK3]-I...ttt... Are you serious, C0NNER!? He is your master, not mine!! You should know Him better than I do! And why do you complain!? You are used to His techniques!!

[C0NNER]-Just because I'm used to them, doesn't mean I like them, you son of a bi--

[CHE5TER]- --What are you two whispering there? Come on! Tell me!

Both of them can't bear the pain He gives them as entertainment. It actually seems funny for Him, while the others just scream for help when they look at N04H.

[C0NNER]-...Nothing... Master...

[CHE5TER]-Really? 'Cause it seemed like you were talking about something.

[C0NNER]-Nope! No, we weren--

[LUK3]- --Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, hey!! Can you take it easy, man!?

[CHE5TER]-But I am taking it easy. What's the problem, LUK3?

[LUK3]-It hurts me, that's the problem!! Let go already, you maniac!!

In the end, He lets go of their hands disappointed, as they get up from the floor and move a bit their hands around. LUK3 seems as he has a back pain now, while C0NNER has a problem with his shoulder.

[LUK3]-Yeah, great... My back is going to hurt for the next few days now...

[C0NNER]-Oh, yeah? Quit crying. It took me years to get rid of my problem at the left shoulder. *sigh* I just hope I still know where that woman was to help me again with a massage...

[LUK3]-Hey, can you tell me the address too? I think I need one as we--

[CHE5TER]- --Okay. You took your break. Next round?

Yet both of the boys stay silent this time.

[CHE5TER]-No? I just warmed up. You won't dare fight me now?

Again, LUK3 and C0NNER stay silent. It's probably the only thing they ever agreed on actually. C0NNER got traumatised by His training techniques from the past, and LUK3 knows very well what CHE5TER thinks "training" is. Innocent N04H just saw it for the first time, hoping to not get a victim of His in the meantime.

[CHE5TER]-Why are you both so silent? Speak up!

[LUK3]-W-Well, you see, Boss... This is suppose to be a training f-for... for N04H! Yeah! I-I've came here to help him train, not to exercise myself!

[CHE5TER]-Oh? Then what do you think, N04H? Want to give it a try?

As the ruler looks back at the recruit, LUK3 is giving him thumbs up to encourage him, yet even C0NNER is disappointed in this action of putting the whole problem on the newcomer's shoulders. N04H seems a bit scared too.

[N04H]-W-Well...

[CHE5TER]-Just a try? Come on.

[N04H]-I-I mean, I would like to, b-but...

Yet, he is saved in the end by the door opening as they speak. KYR4 enters the room and N04H sighs with such relief as a consequence.

[KYR4]-Master, Officer RY4N wants to see you in the office. He said tha--

Yet, even KYR4 is a bit confused at what's happening here, as she notices the boys being terrified from a reason she doesn't understand.

[KYR4]-Umm... Might I ask what's happening here? Why are the others so scared?

[CHE5TER]-Oh? So they are scared? ...Never mind. What did he say again?

[KYR4]-Uhh... something about a problem he wants to discuss with you in private.

[CHE5TER]-Alright. I will go and check on him right away. Thank you, KYR4.

[KYR4]-Um... Yeah, no problem...

CHE5TER then finally leaves, so everyone starts exhaling in relief like they never did before, as if the greatest danger of all times just walked past them. KYR4 is so confused just seeing them.

[N04H]-KYR4, you don't know how much I owe you...

[KYR4]-Why? What happened? You and C0NNER look like you just saw a ghost, and LUK3 seems ready to piss his pants at any point too. What's up?

[LUK3]-Oh, come on!! That's not true!!!

[C0NNER]-*sigh* Master just wanted to help us train, that's all.

[KYR4]-Auchh... I'm surprised you all survived. He didn't want to spare you this time either, huh, Green Head?

[N04H]-Yeah, something like that...

[LUK3]-Damn, C0NNER, my spine hurts as much as if I was thrown from the highest building in the City of Above all the way into our city!! How the fuck did you even endure Him during your training!??

[C0NNER]-...Lots and lots of money lost on relaxation sessions to get rid of the pain every day...

[KYR4]-Well, I mean, you chose Him, so none of us is at fault. We did tell you to make a different decision, but you didn't want to listen to us.

[C0NNER]-Well, how was I suppose to know what kind of training He had with His master, hm? At least He made me a man this way, so I didn't end up like LUK3 here.

[KYR4]-Eh, you are right on that point of view.

[LUK3]-HEYY!!

17:11

Now, CHE5TER seems to enter His office where RY4N was waiting for Him on the couch, reading one of his books. The ruler looks at him a bit confused since He thought they will argue about something again, yet RY4N seems pretty calm this time.

[CHE5TER]-RY4N? What is it? Officer KYR4 told me that you want to discuss something with me.

[RY4N]-Good day. Right... come here. No, I won't argue with you, don't worry. I just want to show you something. I see that worry in your eyes so easily at this point.

[CHE5TER]-Okay... then what is it?

He then sits down next to His brother, while RY4N takes his communication device and opens it to a conversation.

[RY4N]-Here.

[CHE5TER]-What? Mr. M1SH4M?

[RY4N]-Yeah, he contacted me a few minutes ago saying that he might have a track of a possible new information regarding what's happening around the M soldiers, but he said to keep it a secret from the Council for a while 'cause he doesn't know if it's for sure or just a speculation.

[CHE5TER]-So what's all about?

[RY4N]-Something about the soldiers who seem to have sent a small document regarding that weapon we heard about when we went in the City of Above. It's possible we might find it around one of the bases he has written here, but he's not so sure of any.

[CHE5TER]-How did he find out though? Did M4EK0 tell him something?

[RY4N]-Actually, no. Mrs. M4EK0 doesn't know anything about this information yet apparently. One of his people was just wandering around the city when he heard a conversation between some of the M soldiers. From what he said, the guy even got caught and was chased down before he finally lost trace of them and managed to return to the Underground City without anybody following him.

[CHE5TER]-So he still has people that walk around the city to know more about the situation of the slaves...

[RY4N]-So? What do you think? He asked me to give it a thought and say an answer until 32:00. Are you ready to get into action once again? That would mean Seven Two will not be dead anymore though.

He thinks about it for a while as RY4N looks at Him, but He gets to a conclusion pretty quickly this time.

[CHE5TER]-...No. Seven Two won't return just yet. I want to abuse this advantage for a longer period of time.

[RY4N]-Okay... then should I call M1SH4M and tell him it won't be possible?

[CHE5TER]-Hold on there, RY4N. I didn't say we won't do the mission.

[RY4N]-Yeah... but you are the only Investigator we have now. Are you going to put a Striker to fulfil the mission this time or what?

[CHE5TER]-Actually, no. You said N04H did well in his first mission, right? Well, until you put him into the Suicide Building.

[RY4N]-So you are going to let him do it?

[CHE5TER]-Just at one building. The other ones are a bit more dangerous. I'm going to leave some equipment for him so you can give it to him before you guys leave. Instruct him how it works and what he needs to know, so you won't have to worry that he might get injured. If he still wishes, he can work with Mr. N4THAN again until he chooses his own Defender. Just promise me you won't leave him alone, okay? He is still not ready for a real danger.

[RY4N]-Okay. Don't worry, you can count on me.

They stand for a bit on the couch even though they kind of ended everything they wanted to talk about. So RY4N tries to start another conversation again.

[RY4N]-...Hey, CHE5TER?

[CHE5TER]-Yeah?

[RY4N]-...Do you really consider yourself only a weapon rather than a simple being?

[CHE5TER]-So I guess N04H is a snitch and couldn't keep his mouth shut around you, hm?

[RY4N]-I'm just... asking... So that's why you've done it? That's why you've changed...?

[CHE5TER]-...

Yet He doesn't look at him when He hears these words, just looking away and avoiding the subject once more.

[RY4N]-You know you are not just a weapon... right?

He doesn't seem as He even wants to respond to that question. He just looks down so He won't start arguing again with His brother. Yet RY4N sees this in His empty eyes, so he gives up in the end and gets up from the couch to leave.

[RY4N]-*sigh* Alright... I won't stress you anymore. I just wanted to tell you about M1SH4M's information but I just got a bit carried away. Sorry.

RY4N then leaves the room, while CHE5TER remains on the couch, lost in His thoughts again. Then, He takes a deep breath and puts His head on His own legs while His arms cover it to calm down, with His left hand touching the back of His neck.