Chapter 21: Blame It on Being Too Smart
Looking at the scattered photos on the ground, Amane Moko’s expression instantly darkened.
She recognized these people—without exception, they were all cybersecurity personnel from the Destiny Organization.
“It seems Miss Amane Moko knows them. That makes our conversation much simpler.”
Jonas smiled and continued on his own:
“Including firewall maintenance and repairs, they’ve cost the Arte Branch nearly three million Credit Points…”
“Though it’s harsh, this is a value none of them could earn in their entire lifetimes combined.”
“How does Miss Amane think they could compensate for this loss?”
Hearing this, Amane Moko grew tense. She took a deep breath and said:
“What do you want? We’ll do our best to compensate for the losses. Just don’t—”
Jonas scoffed, his gaze toward Amane Moko devoid of warmth:
“Miss Amane, are you negotiating with me?”
He stood up, looking down at the chained girl before him, who appeared utterly disheveled.
“Do you think you’re in any position to negotiate?”
Amane Moko swallowed her words, staring at the man before her, unable to muster a response for a long moment.
She knew full well she currently had no bargaining chips against him—but that didn’t mean there was no hope at all.
The girl took a deep breath and spoke:
“But since you came here specifically to tell me this, it means I must have something you want, don’t I?”
Hearing this, Jonas paused, then couldn’t help but laugh. Still chuckling, he said:
“Yes, Miss Amane Moko, you’re clever…”
He paused, then continued:
“But your cleverness seems misplaced.”
Hearing these words, Amane Moko felt a bad premonition rise in her heart, and then she heard Jonas continue speaking:
“There is nothing about you that interests me. Your existence is merely to amuse me.”
He paced slowly, then suddenly stopped and turned his head to say:
“Do you remember what I said at the very beginning?”
“The debt of the Arte District must be repaid by someone.”
“I will return it all, a hundredfold.”
His boots stepped on the scattered photographs as he bent down, locking eyes with Amane Moko:
“And then, I will bring their corpses before you.”
—So you know that these people died because of you.
Amane Moko’s body trembled, her eyes reflecting Jonas’s image as she forced the words through gritted teeth:
“You devil…”
Hearing this, Jonas smiled and replied:
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Straightening up, as if struck by a thought, he added:
“By the way, Miss Amane, don’t bother thinking about how to save these people. Before I came here, they had already been executed by firing squad.”
“But the next ones won’t be so fortunate.”
He spoke with eerie calm, as if discussing the most mundane matter:
“I will break their bones one by one, sever their tendons, rip off their nails, and kill their loved ones before their eyes…”
“And remember—every bit of their suffering will be the result of your foolish decision, Miss Amane.”
“You…!”
Jonas’s words sent the girl’s body into violent tremors. Her teeth clenched, her fingers dug deep into her palms, drawing blood that dripped from her knuckles.
Her eyes burned into Jonas, her hatred and fury now beyond restraint:
“I swear… I swear I will kill you, Jonas!”
As if deaf to her words, the door of the confinement cell slowly closed.
Jonas’s composed voice reached her ears just before it sealed shut—
A farewell, and a death knell.
“Until next time, Miss Amane.”
…………………………….
Walking down the corridor of the Witting Building, Jonas felt his mood lift considerably.
His actions weren’t merely about “revenge” against Amane Moko… that was only one aspect. The other was to drown her in hatred, clouding her judgment so she couldn’t discern his true intentions.
She was clever, and clever people, even when trapped, would find a way out once they realized it.
Physical and psychological torment alone couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t uncover his real motives.
In that case, all Jonas could do was stoke the flames again the moment she regained her composure.
Hatred was the best distraction.
His goal was to ensure that Amane Moko, once calm, would despise him utterly.
“The more you think, the deeper the trap ensnares you.”
Jonas shook his head, muttering to himself with a hint of resignation:
“In a way, ignorance is the greatest blessing.”
If Miss Amane Moko weren’t so sharp, she wouldn’t have to endure so much suffering.
After all, when dealing with the intelligent, caution was paramount…
………………………………
[Corporate Confidential Files]:
Elise was already quite knowledgeable about hacking, but due to her extremely isolated environment, she didn’t have a clear understanding of her own capabilities.
She had never demonstrated her hacking skills in front of others—or rather, she never had the opportunity to. Even her adoptive father was unaware of her expertise in this field, which was why the Vetting Conglomerate’s personnel system had no records of Elise whatsoever.
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