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Meanwhile, back at the Green Leaf hospital, Michelle still stared back at Emilia blankly, as if her words didn't even register in her mind.
Of course, with the girl laying 'paralyzed' on the hospital bed, there had been no lack of people who tried to do something similar. Why would she respond to Emilia any differently?
And Emilia knew this very well, having already seen her completely ignore Crystal's passionate attempts at comforting and assuring her that she was there to help.
She didn't know exactly what happened with the girl, and only had a rough idea that she had been more or less bullied to the point of attempting suicide, based on Noelle's investigation.
Emilia had never gone through such circumstances herself, and could not relate to the girl completely. What she knew, however, was that the girl had certainly lost all hope, and didn't believe in anyone who proposed to help her.
However, Emilia wouldn't let something like this get in her way. After all, she had to make Crystal shine and believe in her own talent. Now that the girl had done her part in finding out a way ahead, it was her job to 'take care' of any obstacles that blocked their path.
'What do you think, Cynthia?'
Her partner wasn't too optimistic about her plan, but felt like it could go either way. "It depends on the individual, I think. Some people won't be convinced in any case, and will continue to wallow in their despair, while others can get motivated if you give them some way to exact vengeance. If it fails though, wouldn't it be too humiliating? Are you sure you want to do something so cringe?"
Emilia hummed in thought as she grabbed the girl's hand, making sure that the girl's gaze was focused on her. "Watch carefully, little girl. If you dare to blink, I'll kill you."
Michelle thought this had to be the weirdest thing anyone ever said to her so far while attempting to check whether she could move anything but her eyes, or talk, but it wasn't enough for her to even chuckle. All joy had long since left her life, after all.
Ding!
—Ability Shapeshift Activated!
After making sure that the girl's eyes were focused on her face, Emilia opened her mouth and pulled the girl's palm till her fingers were touching her left canine, while the right one remained clear in her line of sight.
Michelle's eyes couldn't help but shrink as she watched, and felt, the girl's teeth elongate like those of a vampire from a horror show. For a moment, she even wondered if she was dreaming, but the pain in her now pierced finger made it clear that this was no dream.
As this was a world where the supernatural did not exist out of TV shows and movies, Emilia decided that doing such a thing would not shock the girl enough to make her pay attention, but also be able to convince her that she could perhaps do 'something' about her situation.
After all, her existence itself was supposed to be impossible, so what could she possibly not do?
Emilia didn't give the girl the time to think through things too much, and let go of her hand nonchalantly, not caring of the tiny amount of blood. "I'm offering you a deal, mortal, do you dare to refuse?"
A few moments later, the girl finally opened her mouth, her voice hoarse from a long time of inactivity. "A-Are you really a vampire?"
Emilia chuckled. Since she was going to bamboozle her, she would of course give her the full course. "I am what you can never comprehend, mortal. Do you believe I can make all your dreams come true?"
The girl sighed. "My dreams… I don't have any… not anymore…."
Emilia smiled. "Perhaps you don't want to achieve anything great anymore, little one, but are you alright with letting those who hurt you go, just like that?"
Michelle jolted as her eyes finally regained a little bit of light, but her expression quickly filled with hate. "No, of course not! I hate them, I want them to suffer! Suffer as much as me, no more than me, even! B-But… can you really do it?"
Emilia smiled mysteriously. "I can do so much more than you think, but only if you're willing to pay the price."
The girl nodded. If it had been someone from the staff, the police, or even some detective, she would never believe them. After all, the most they could ever do was to 'punish' the culprits under law, which wouldn't really be punishing them much at all.
Not enough to quench the fires of hatred and injustice in her heart, at least.
However, if it was an unscientific existence like a vampire…
Michelle knew she was being absurd.
How could she believe such a thing?
Such a thought did occur to her, but she immediately dismissed it. In her depths of despair, she would rather believe this than keep believing that there was no hope at all to get back at those bastards.
As long as she could grind their bones to dust, there was no price she was unwilling to pay.
Emilia smiled. Of course, there was no real need for her to make the girl pay any price, but this was a necessary step in convincing her. She would be far more skeptical if Emilia simply wanted to help her at no cost at all. Even if she explained that it was for Crystal's sake, it would still be 'suspicious'.
And since she was a 'vampire' now, she of course had to play the part. "What if… the price was your soul?"
Michelle had expected just as much from a dark creature, though she didn't know if those 'stories' really fit the 'girl' in front of her at all, or to what extent. "Then… I will gladly offer it to you."
As she watched Emilia's absurd plan actually work out, Cynthia couldn't help but sigh wistfully. 'Why does this remind me of the time I scammed Emilia? Oh shit, glad she didn't hear that.'
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~ To be continued ~
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DustyDream: Bonus chapter for 750 powerstones! :>
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