The very moment I stepped into the room, a wave of oppressive heat flared, blowing against my face and my entire body. It seemed like the heat came with a gust of dry, hot air that made my bangs dangle and my coat flutter.
My lips widened, curling into a sick, sinister smirk. I placed my hands inside the pockets of my coat.
Just taking one step forward would have been a miracle. With the oppressive heat, an invisible weight that felt like the amalgamation of the hatred of a thousand men fell upon me, pressing down on my shoulders.
Under the oppressive heat and the soul-crushing weight, I moved my neck, scanning the rugged faces that sat on various rows of metal tables.
They all had drinks on their tables, and they were silent. Their bloodshot eyes were all focused on me, even when some of them didn't obviously turn their neck toward my direction. I could still feel their lingering, hostile gazes.
As expected of the Cyclo Gang, nearly all of them have arms or legs replaced by solid cybernetics.
To their incessant display of hostility, I scoffed. Out loud, and it rang in the sudden silence that engulfed the entirety of the wide room that was illuminated by the faint blue glow of a flickering blue bulb.
The moment they heard my scoff, all their foreheads wrinkled. Their facial expressions twisted into that of pure consternation, like Fero formerly had.
Yet again, I scoffed. Although this time, my scoff was accompanied by my own wave of heat that I emitted.
That heat was my Te. The pressure that came with my anomalous, overwhelming and abundant Te was soul-quivering, causing every dumb Cyclo ruffy to kneel and hold onto their shaking metal tables. Because my Te caused the entire room to quiver. My Te caused the air to boil, the already stale air that carried the mixture of various rancid body odours.
My unusually high Te, which was comparable to that of a high-ranking sparrow, was — along with my anomalous strength — a pride of mine. For although I had no innate ability — Til — that came with the mixture of the Ta energy in the atmosphere and the Te within one's soul, it was still unbelievably high, and I could fool fools into believing that I was a high-ranking sparrow.
With all the dozens of men down on their knees, their jaws trembling and their faces sucked of color, I turned my neck over my shoulder, looking straight at the wide eyes of Fero, who stared calmly at his colleagues. It was obvious from the way his mouth was wide open; he couldn't believe his eyes.
"See? You have nothing to worry about." I told him, my smirk softening into a wide, slightly warmer smile.
His jaw trembled profusely as he slowly brought his hands up to cover his mouth. "H–how?" He asked. I knew it wasn't a question directed to me, but a question that he asked himself. 'How could someone who released Te pressure with such precision exist?' or something similar to that.
Not to brag, but there was probably no one else like me in the backlands. To control the pressure of their Te to weigh down on only those they deemed their victims. Because Fero, who stood behind me, was absolutely unaffected.
"The.. the boss did say that you were strong, and that I should be polite towards you, but this is…" Again, he continued rambling as his body shook with a mixture of both awe and subtle, but obvious fear.
Oh, so that's why he became so polite all of a sudden.
My gaze was still keenly focused on the trembling Fero. Then, I called, "Fero, snap out of it. Take me to meet Mangé. He should be in that room, no?"
There was a door at the opposite side of the room, beyond the rows of metal tables. I suspected that Mangé was behind that door.
Fero's eyes widened, more than they already were, as his blue gaze focused on the direction of that same door.
I tilted my head, my forehead wrinkling.
Why is he getting more shocked? I've already withdrawn my Te.
—"I knew it. The quality of that harsh, yet familiar wave of Te was definitely yours." A deep, mature male voice echoed through the stillness of the room. The voice was a familiar one; its tone radiated a mixture of both joy and excitement.
At that moment, my smile widened. That ugly sounding voice was definitely his.
"I have brought him, boss." Said Fero the moment Mangé spoke.
I slowly turned my neck toward the direction of his voice. And then, my gaze fully met his.
"Been a while since I've seen that ugly mug of yours," I spoke, my tone was soft. Softer than it initially was.
"That was the same line I wanted to say," Mangé replied.
He looked much thinner than he was three years ago. His long, golden blond hair was tied in a bun with a green ribbon. The green of that ribbon complemented his round, crystal green eyes that glowed faintly under the dim blue light of the room that gently outlined that chiseled, oval-shaped face of his that was a tad, tad, tad bit handsome, and also the grey coat he wore that flowed over to his calves.
His lips were curled, a smile that was as warm as my own danced on them as his green gaze calmly surveyed the disheveled sight of his men, some of whom were passed out and the others were sprawled on the cold metal floorboard. As soon as he saw them, he shook his head, and his warm smile emboldened.
"I see you still like to bully those who are weaker than you." He uttered.
"You know I only reciprocate." I responded, "That aside, you didn't even think of contacting me for the past three years? How cold of you."
The moment I said that, a small chuckle broke out of his lips, and he gestured with his head for me to come with him to that room behind the door he walked out of.
"It's as if fate brought you here. Because I swear I was just about to come look for you." He said, walking toward the room.
I turned toward Fero and gave him a small nod. Then I turned and walked toward Mangé.