Chapter 194: A Newcomer and a Hacker
Just then, "Blade, stop." Purple threads appeared out of thin air, instantly entangling the sword. Kafka had appeared between the two of them.
The man called "Blade" stopped, but his eyes remained madly fixed on Orion. "Kafka... don't block me! He... is the man who can kill everything!"
Orion frowned. "No, who is this beast-like guy?"
Firefly immediately stepped in front of Orion. "Orion, be careful! He is our companion... Blade. It's just... I'm not sure if he's suffering from Mara-struck again."
"Mara-struck..." Orion repeated thoughtfully.
Blade's breathing grew heavier. "Why are you stopping me?" He stared intently at Orion, his eyes full of longing. "My wish... is about to be fulfilled! Those eyes that can see through death... will surely kill me!"
Orion finally understood. This man... is seeking death?
"No. It's not time yet," Kafka walked up to Blade, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. "Listen to me... Calm down."
Blade's body trembled, and the madness in his eyes gradually receded. He slowly lowered the cracked sword, but his gaze remained fixed on Orion, filled with a nearly pathological obsession.
"The time is not right, Blade," Kafka continued.
Blade was silent for a long time. "...Is the time not right."
Firefly quietly explained to Orion, "Blade... is immortal. No matter how severe the injury, it will heal instantly. He cannot die. So he has always been looking for a way to truly kill him."
Orion looked at Blade. Am I like him? Indeed... though he wasn't truly immortal, his recovery was exceptionally strong. The loneliness and pain of being the sole survivor... he suddenly understood Blade a little.
Blade seemed to read Orion's thoughts. "You... also bear something, don't you? I saw it in your eyes. That pain of wanting to protect something but being unable to."
Orion did not deny it. The two looked at each other, two souls suffering from the same affliction.
A moment later, Blade gave Orion a deep look, then turned to leave. At the doorway, he stopped. "Orion. Live well. Before that moment comes, you must live well. After all..." He turned his head, a strange smile on his lips. "You are my future executioner. I will protect you. No one can kill you before I die."
With that, he left.
"Did he just say... he wants to protect me?" Orion was a little confused.
"Yes," Kafka said. "In a sense, you are now one of the most important people to him. The one who can end his suffering."
The restaurant became quiet again, but not for long. "Come, have some more of this," Firefly placed a piece of grilled fish on Orion's plate.
"This one's good too," Kafka elegantly pushed a dessert in front of him.
Under the continuous feeding of the two women, Orion's plate quickly piled up into a small mountain. "Wait, are you trying to stuff me to death?"
Finally, after finishing the last piece of meat, Orion leaned back in his chair. This meal was more tiring than completing a mission.
"Get some good rest," Kafka stood up. "In a couple of days, we'll have a new mission."
"New mission?" Orion looked up in surprise.
"How come the Stellaron Hunters feel a bit like workhorses..."
Kafka smiled. "That's quite an apt description. But don't worry, this mission will be very easy. We're going to welcome a new companion."
"Another new person?"
"A top-tier hacker," Kafka said. "Throughout the entire universe, those who can contend with her in the cyber world can be counted on one hand."
"But why do we need to welcome her?"
"Because her current situation... is a bit special," Kafka shrugged. "After all, she just hacked into the Interstellar Peace Corporation's main server and conveniently deleted their customer database."
"..." Orion and Firefly both fell silent. This hacker was truly audacious.
"For now, get some good rest," Kafka said, turning to leave. At the doorway, she turned back. "Oh, and remember to prepare a game console. That child's hobby. If you want to get along with her, it's best to cater to her preferences."
[Inorin Note:
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