The three men were shouted at so ferociously that their minds buzzed and went blank. They felt as if several voices had suddenly appeared in their heads, controlling their thoughts and actions.
One voice belonged to them. It was hazy and drowsy, like the feeling of almost waking up but not quite.
Another voice continued to control them, tempt them, and guide their every word and action, making them like obedient puppets on strings.
The new voice belonged to the squad leader. His sharp rebuke had rattled them, gradually bringing some clarity back to their muddled minds.
The squad leader's expression changed abruptly when he saw this.
He was clearly a mental-type Awakened. Judging by the three men's condition, he sensed that something was wrong—and it was especially similar to what he'd suspected.
The squad leader took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Blackie, we're in trouble."
Black Skin had a vague sense that something was wrong too, though he hadn't figured out exactly what.
"What is it?"
"These three must have been controlled by someone! There's a powerful mind-controller Awakened here. They were bewitched and controlled, and lured us here!" The squad leader's voice was grim.
Black Skin flew into a rage, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife at his waist. These turncoats had actually dared to betray their brothers and Black Tiger Camp!
"Blackie, keep your temper. They just fell for the enemy's trick. Betraying us was never their intention! Killing them now will only destroy morale and throw us into disarray," the squad leader pleaded.
Black Skin managed to suppress his anger. "We'll spare their heads for now. They can redeem themselves by earning merit. Then we'll talk. If they don't... Heh."
There was no need to finish. Anyone with a brain could guess what he