Chapter 28: Charlotte
"Oh, how rude of me," the round-glasses guy said, placing a hand on his chest as he gave a slight bow. "I know everything about you, but I haven't even introduced myself. Please... address this nobody as Charlotte."
Lucas narrowed his eyes, quickly pulling up his point tracker device and scanning him.
"Charlotte," he read out, "The creator of artificial entities. A man with inhuman intelligence in science."
Leon blinked in confusion. "Wait—how'd it scan him? I thought this thing only worked on hunters, beasts, or entities."
"You didn't know?" Lucas said, showing him the screen. "This device also tracks anyone related to the EHO or EHHS."
"Ohhh..." Leon leaned in, trying to touch the screen—
—but Lucas immediately slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch it, you filthy brat!"
"What did you say?!" Leon snapped.
And just like that, they were back at it—grabbing, pushing, bickering like kids in a playground.
Charlotte chuckled into his palm, a sly grin forming. "Kuakua... I feel pity for you, Alexia."
Alexia stared at him nonchalantly. "I don't need your pity. We're here—"
"You damn bastard!" Leon suddenly yelled, breaking her words. "Don't bite my leg again!"
Lucas was on the floor, pulling Leon away from his leg.
Alexia sighed and switched her tone without missing a beat. "I'm here to capture you... for your crimes."
"Kuakuakuakua!" Charlotte laughed, spreading his arms wide like a mad conductor.
"First, you'll have to deal with my minions! Go, Black Bitches!" he yelled, dramatically pointing at Alexia.
"Ha?" Lucas stopped struggling against Leon's bite and just stared at Charlotte with a deadpan expression.
"Kali kutti?" Leon paused, his teeth still on Lucas's leg.
"...What?"
"No, nothing," Leon mumbled, letting go.
Suddenly, all the people behind Charlotte rushed at them.
Leon jumped back, blocking attacks with quick reflexes.
Lucas drew his sword, eyes sharp now.
Alexia handling every enemy that charged at her with calm precision.
Charlotte stood back, smirking like a lunatic.
"Why the disgusted looks?" he said, tilting his head. "It's a great name!" His grin widened. "Good enough to kill you all with... kuakuakua!"
"Lucas, Leon—don't kill anyone. We're here to capture them," Alexia shouted, slamming a long-faced guy into the lab wall like tossing a bag of trash.
Another attacker rushed her, throwing a high kick at her head. She ducked—but before she could counter, another guy came charging from the side.
Tch... It's school. I can't use my power, she thought, blocking with her forearm. Guess it's raw strength only.
She grabbed the attacker's wrist mid-punch, twisted his arm behind his back, and flipped him over her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Leon dodged two punches, ducked under a swing, and kneed one guy in the stomach.
"WHY is everyone so tall in this damn lab?!" he yelled, headbutting the dude in the chin.
One of the minions tried to grab him from behind, but Leon kicked backward "That's my spine, not a handle!"
Lucas parried a metal rod with his sword. Sparks flew. He spun and elbowed another enemy in the ribs.
"These guys seriously lack formation."
One of the enemies tried sneaking behind Alexia—but she already sensed it. She kicked backward.
"Don't even try it," she said calmly, brushing her hair back.
Another guy tried swinging a chair at Leon.
"WHAT AM I, A MOSQUITO?!" Leon yelled, grabbing the chair mid-swing and smashing it over the guy's head instead.
Charlotte watched his minions get overpowered. With a grin, he pulled out a small button from his coat.
"Now you're gonna really have fun," he smirked. "Fighting your own comrades. Kuakuakua!"
He pressed the button without hesitation.
All the test tubes lining the walls hissed open. All the liquid inside spilled on floor, the missing students began to twitch... then distort—twisting into grotesque, unnatural shapes.
Lucas clenched his teeth, fury and horror flashing in his eyes.
"What the hell did you do to them?!"
Charlotte shrugged,
"Nothing much... just used them as my lab rats."
He pointed toward one of the now-transformed students—its body no longer human, a corrupted entity pulsing with dark energy.
"I used their bodies to create my artificial entities. I experiment on them, break them down, and rebuild them into something better. I'm trying to create a monster that transcends all other-kinds. Kuakuakua!"
"SHUT UP!" Leon yelled at him.
"You... you're just like him!" Leon growled, his eyes low, shadowed. His fists trembled.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Kuakuakua! Mad, are we? Who the hell are you even talking about?"
"Killing innocent kids just for some shitty experiment!" Leon snapped, still staring at the ground. His voice shook with rage.
"Leon" Alexia called out, trying to calm Leon down, but it was too late.
"I'LL KILL YOU, MOTHERFUCKER!!"
Leon roared as he burst forward, a sword forming in his hand mid-leap, aimed straight at Charlotte's throat.
"Leon, no—!" Lucas shouted, trying to hold him back. But Leon was already there.
Just before his blade could touch Charlotte, a corrupted student intercepted, slamming a fist into Leon's chest. The impact sent him flying—straight into a test tube.