As Selena led Shinon towards the Phoenixes’ eting room, she tried to engage him in small talk, but he remained silent, his face etched with an emotionless expression.
Selena knew that Shinon despised her and the Phoenixes, but she hoped he would hear them out at least. It wasn’t like he had any other choice, but if possible, Selena wanted them to handle it civilly.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t say the sa for the Phoenixes. They were cruel in handling things, and now that they had the upper hand in the situation, they would try to exploit Shinon and blackmail him into working for them or sothing worse.
Forcing Shinon to work for them was possibly the stupidest thing they could do, but she knew that’s what the Phoenixes would do, or should she say that’s what they always did.
"Shinon, I know you’re angry with us for what happened, but please understand we had no choice. The Phoenixes must do what’s best for the settlent, even if it ans making tough decisions."
Shinon remained silent, his eyes fixed in front as they walked. Selena continued to speak, hoping she could sohow break through to him.
"I know I ssed up, Shinon. But I’m willing to make it up to you. Please, just hear us out."
Shinon finally looked up, his eyes eting Selena’s. "We both know I wouldn’t be here if not for the circumstances. So if it’s not much trouble, can you stop talking to as if we’re friends and be professional, alright?"
Selena flinched at his words, but she tried to hide her hurt. But before she could say anything else, they arrived at their destination.
"The Phoenixes are inside. I’m not allowed to accompany you there, so you’ll have to go alone." Selena inford him before taking a step back.
Shinon remained silent, his arms crossed over his chest as he entered the eting room. The Phoenixes were waiting for him; most of them couldn’t hide the smug look on their faces.
Their smug faces irked Shinon to no end, but he knew he was in a disadvantageous position, so there wasn’t much he could’ve said or done to wipe the smiles off their faces.
Now that he thought about it, it was the first ti Shinon saw their faces. Moreover, there were more of them than the two he t the last ti. Apart from one man, most of the group consisted of females.
’Superhuman harem in post-apocalypse,’ Shinon rolled his eyes. ’Sounds like a title from a cheap novel.’
"Well, well, look who decided to co crawling back. I thought you didn’t need us, Shinon. What happened? Did you finally realise that you can’t survive on your own?" Marcus smirked before pouring himself a drink.
Shinon clenched his fists, feeling the anger bubbling inside him. He had expected the Phoenixes to be less than welcoming, but their taunts still stung.
"Marcus, please be kind to the kid. You know how hot-blooded they can be," Sable intervened before turning her gaze towards Shinon. "So, kiddo, what do you want from us?"
Shinon took a deep breath before saying anything. "My friend got injured while fighting a zombified beast. He needs help-"
The Phoenixes erupted in laughter, and Shinon could feel his face turning red. He was being mocked and shad, but he had no choice and had to swallow his pride if he wanted Rico to live.
"And why should we help you?" Marcus asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You made it quite clear that you didn’t need us, and if I rember correctly, you said you could take care of yourself."
Shinon took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady. "I was wrong. I was young and foolish. I didn’t realise how hard it was to survive out here alone. But I’ve learned my lesson. And now I’m asking for your help."
The Phoenixes continued to mock him, hurling insults and laughing at his predicant. But Shinon refused to back down. He knew that Rico’s life was on the line, and he would do anything to save him... even if it ant making a deal with the devil, who in this case were the Phoenixes.
Finally, after having their fill of laughter, Marcus leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily.
"Fine, we’ll help you. But as you know, everything in this world has a price. So how are you willing to pay us for saving your friend?"
"I don’t have anything-"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Sable shook her head. "There has to be sothing. Sothing you could spare for us."
"Oh, I know what I want," Marcus clapped, his eyes leaking the evil thoughts inside his head. "I heard you brought a girl with you. Why don’t you leave her here and go your rry way-"
Shinon looked at Marcus with a mixture of anger and disgust. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. After everything that had happened, Marcus had the nerve to ask for Kira in exchange for saving Rico’s life.
Shinon’s fists were clenched tightly as he glared at Marcus with rage burning in his eyes.
"How dare you even suggest such a thing? Kira has nothing to do with this," he snarled.
"Oh, co now, Shinon. Don’t act like you wouldn’t do anything for your dear friend’s life." He leaned back in his chair, a smug expression on his face. "Besides, your companion is quite a beauty, and I’d like to add her to my collection if possible."
"Did soone hit you on the head while I was gone?" Shinon growled, his eyes blazing with fury. "You expect to give up one of my friends to you? Kira is not so pawn for you to use as you please!"
Marcus didn’t even flinch at Shinon’s outburst. He simply looked at him with cold, calculating eyes.
"The world is not black and white. For you to gain sothing, soone must sacrifice sothing else. That’s how the new world works." Marcus scoffed. "That said, if you want us to save your friend, you’d need to sacrifice sothing as well. It’s for you to decide what you’ll give up."
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