Black Witch had indeed been stunned by Alvin's words, but his speech had also revealed part of his fear that the Plague Flies might get out of control. That gave Black Witch an opportunity.
Black Witch, standing before Alvin, suddenly smiled at him. "Before those Plague Flies mature, I really can't control them completely. All I can do is use the nutrients from their growth to lure them into the Sewers.
"Only after they mature can I truly control them...
"If you kill me, those flies will fly out on their own to look for food."
Then Black Witch said mockingly, "Isn't the situation ironic? Not only can you not kill me, you have to protect me.
"If I die, whether in the dream or in the real world, those Plague Flies will carry out my wishes out of hatred for me.
"You breed like rats, building filthy nests where you can eke out a miserable existence!
"This world belongs to the Witches, to my God!
"My 'Plague' will be God's whip. It will lash your souls from time to time, making you understand who the true master of this world is..."
Alvin rubbed his temples with a headache. He glanced back at Steve and Bucky, who were slowly approaching him, then gave a bitter smile and pointed at Black Witch, whose clothes were in tatters. "This thing actually dares to look down on us!
"She lives in a Cesspool, the disgusting thing, and she dares to look down on decent people like us, who live in peace and work hard!"
Alvin looked at Black Witch, who was hunched over and cocking her head as she studied him like a curious stray dog. Growing impatient, he said, "Look at the gear I'm wearing, then look at yourself...
"Even one of