Chapter 108

Stop talking...

Yukina finally understood that Naoko could be mischievous at times.

"Master, person, ~"

She emphasized those two words, and Efnir's fingers traced across Yukina's chin, then slid down her shoulders and neck, effortlessly stripping Yukina completely naked and returning her to her soft body.

The familiar touch made Yukina unconsciously shrink her shoulders slightly.

Yukina closed her eyes consciously, tilted her head back slightly and leaned against Efnir, letting Efnir tease her.

It must be admitted that Efnir's fingers are long, flexible, and strong; no wonder she's a gun wielder.

These hands—the ones that made Yukina fall into their trap countless times, easily plucking her flower bud, the chilling touch brought by Naoko's body temperature, the tingling sensation that shattered her reason—still lingers in Yukina's body to this day.

The lingering sensation of Efnir hadn't faded, and her body still seemed to be recovering. Just a couple of teases from Naoko had made her feel hot, and that intoxicating pleasure was almost awakened again by Naoko. Yukina tilted her chin up, her pink lips swaying towards the person behind her, like a flower waving in a breeze, waiting to be picked.

Efnir naturally lowered her head as well.

The pressure from her knuckles increased with her breathing, and Yukina's hands could no longer hold onto the person behind her. Her hands, which had nowhere to go, unconsciously went back to her feverish body, and she let herself go limp step by step, sinking into Efnir's arms.

By the time the two sisters finished breakfast and arrived at the hospital, it was almost noon.

The hospital wasn't as busy as it had been a few days ago. The nurse who had been taking care of Efnir in the past few days wasn't there, so Efnir found the doctor on her own, quickly changed her dressing, and then completed her follow-up appointment.

"Your recovery seems to be going very well, Miss Efnir. At this rate, you may be fully recovered in less than a week. Starting today, your medication will be slightly adjusted. Here is the medication list..."

See? I told you nothing was wrong.

Efnir winked at Yukina, sticking out her tongue and chuckling, the meaning clear. "No excuses for today's date."

Yukina pinched Efnir's thigh lightly, sounding annoyed.

Even if the recovery is going well, you still need to be careful and not get carried away!

"Indeed, Miss Efnir, you should pay close attention to your health to avoid any unexpected situations."

The doctor nodded in agreement and continued:

"In short, there are no problems with your current health. We will send the detailed follow-up report to your phone later, please check it."

The doctor made a few moves on the computer.

Since there were no problems with her health, Efnir had no other worries. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, the hospital seems much quieter today. Have those soldiers been discharged and left?"

"You're asking about those soldiers... It's true that they've been discharged from the hospital, but their treatment isn't over yet; they've just moved to a different location."

"Huh? How are they doing now?"

One reason why Efnir cared about those soldiers was that they were all wounded in the battle against the Erosion Entity and Angel, and most of them had been Corruption to varying degrees. Those who were affected by the Angel's beams showed very serious signs of Mutation.

Like Efnir, they were all immediately taken to the operating table for tissue removal surgery to stop the spread of Corruption Energy within their bodies. It could be said that if they hadn't been brought here in time, their fate would have been almost certain—once the Corruption Energy spread from the wounds, the infection rate would have been inevitable, and they would have quickly turned into "Dregs" in endless pain, eventually attacking their former teammates and the other humans in the city.

The doctor noticed the worry and concern in Efnir's eyes, sighed softly, and said, "This isn't a designated quarantine site. Many of them have been transferred after their conditions stabilized, and those who remained have been gradually sent to other hospitals for further treatment. They are warriors who protect the city, and they will certainly receive the best arrangements. Miss Efnir, you don't need to worry too much."

"Um... thank you for telling me all this."

Efnir nodded and then asked, "So, has Nishizaki Yuki been discharged from the hospital too? When I passed by her room just now, I saw that it seemed to be empty."

"Miss Nishiki... she was discharged from the hospital this morning."

"Is she alright?"

"Her recovery is going well, but that's not why she left the hospital."

The doctor's expression became somewhat subtle, as if he had recalled something difficult to say.

"She said lying in bed all the time made her look unlike a doctor, and she left this morning after her dressing was changed..."

"It's... quite her style..."

Efnir gave a wry smile.

Looks like I should call and have a chat with this easygoing friend.

I was in a rush when I came to the hospital today, so I didn't prepare any gifts for the visit. But the person I was visiting had already left. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not.

Shortly after, a nurse brought over several boxes of medicine. The doctor handed the medicine to Efnir and said, "During your recovery period, be careful not to drink alcohol, eat spicy or other irritating foods..."

Efnir the doctor explained the medication and precautions for the recovery period, Evnir left with Yukina.

Efnir did not leave the hospital directly, but instead took Yukina to the special care area. Compared to other areas, the wards here were particularly quiet, and there were soldiers on duty.

This is a ward area specifically for special cases and those requiring isolation, open only to agents.

This is where Shiina Rin and Fengling Shiyin's hospital room is located.

Visiting Fengling Shiyin and Shiina Rin is something Efnir does every time she comes to the hospital.

154. Silence

The air in the ward was heavy. The special ward was a dedicated area set up to deal with the special circumstances of the agents. Walking here, the air filled with the smell of medicine was depressing. The figures of the soldiers patrolling and guarding this place reminded visitors that this was a place completely isolated from daily life.

The hospital rooms for Fengling Shiyin and Shiina Rin are located in this area. As the two who are placed here, they are facing particularly special cases.

Leaving aside the sleeping Fengling Shiyin, Shiina Rin was sent here for care due to her increased Corruption rate, is a rare case where she did not lose her human form and turn into Dregs even after her Corruption rate exceeded 60%. After three weeks of recuperation, Shiina Rin's Corruption rate has finally gradually decreased.

31.7% -- For ordinary people, this level of Corruption is already a dangerous state that requires careful attention and would be classified as a "Numbered Subjects," but for the agents who communicate with the Order Force, it is a relatively safe range.

Inside the hospital room, Shiina Rin sat quietly by the window, holding her favorite doll in her arms.

Her gaze peered out through the thick glass.

Looking out the window here, half of Xijing City is visible, with pedestrians and vehicles bustling about on the streets, but this place, isolated from the outside world, is quiet as if it has been cut off from it.

Because of the special nature of the patients housed in the wards, all the wards here are equipped with fiberglass. Once an agent transforms into Dregs, the area will be immediately and strictly sealed off, and other agents will be dispatched to Exile the Dregs.

The presence of the soldiers stationed here is not merely to guard against external dangers, but more as a safety net.

"I'm sorry, senior, I won't quit..."

Shiina Rin spoke quietly, her gaze still fixed on the window, Efnir couldn't see her expression.

But her answer did not surprise Efnir at all.

"I appreciate your kindness, senior, but as I always have to... I need this power to protect the people I care about."

Her tone conveyed a firm and unwavering determination.

"You and Saori look a lot alike..."

Two days ago, as promised to Uzuki Saori, Efnir went to find Shiina Rin alone and asked her, "Retire or continue fighting as a proxy?" -- That was the second time Efnir had asked her that question.

Back then, Shiina Rin gave the same answer without hesitation, "I will never quit, no matter what."

A week ago, when Uzuki Saori sought help from Efnir at the sports stadium, Efnir had asked Shiina Rin and received the same answer, but today's and two days ago's answers were more resolute than before.

If Shiina Rin's choice back then was driven by her still-hot-blooded passion, then her decision now is one made after careful consideration.

Efnir paused for a moment, not immediately responding to Shiina Rin's answer, but slowly said, "The organization has decided to strip Saori of her agent privileges and identity. Once the investigation into Saori here is completely finished, her Beacon will be retrieved, and she will continue to live as an ordinary person."

Mentioning Uzuki Saori, Shiina Rin's hands, which were holding the doll, tensed slightly.

"There will be some changes to your team composition. After you return to your post, you may have to act alone for a while, pending the arrival of additional personnel..."

Yukina stood behind Efnir, silently watching the conversation between the two in front of her.

There was no room for her to say anything; what Efnir and Shiina Rin had said was too heavy a burden for her. She understood, but there was nothing she could do.

She roughly knew the story between the black-haired girl in front of her and the girl named Uzuki Saori. Their story hadn't ended yet, but it had already come to a close. Yukina was afraid that she and Naoko would also face such a day.

Therefore, she really disliked this atmosphere.

"Although there are some things I shouldn't be saying, but... Uzuki Saori wants you to quit. Your safe and happy life is the only reason she's fought all this time. If your decision will dash Saori's only wish, will you still move forward without hesitation?"

"I have no idea..."

Shiina Rin's voice lowered as she hugged the doll tightly, burying her face gently in it.

"She is her, and I am me. If Saori can bravely take a step for me, then I can do the same... If it's for Saori, no matter what fate awaits me, I will definitely go."

Efnir had an indescribable feeling towards Uzuki Saori and Shiina Rin. It wasn't just her affection for her juniors; it was more like a sudden realization that she had seen another version of herself in them.

However, Efnir followed a different path than them, and ultimately, their fates differed as well.

Or, to put it another way, if Efnir hadn't obtained this power, everything up to this day would have been different.

"You and Saori really do look alike..."

Efnir sighed.

"They're different."

Shiina Rin suddenly chuckled softly and turned around.

"Senior, don't worry, I won't leave the organization. What I hope for is a blessed ending, like a shooting star in the sky... a brilliant finale."

"Don't say things like 'the end' so easily. For Saori's sake, you have to live on."

Efnir looked at the doll the girl was holding.

She repeatedly inquired to confirm Shiina Rin's true thoughts, which also reflected her concerns—just as Shiina Rin had said, if Shiina Rin betrayed the organization because of Saori, things wouldn't be so simple.

Moreover, what will happen to Shiina Rin after Saori steps down, leaving her without the pillar who has always supported her? This is also something that Efnir is worried about.

But now it seems that Shiina Rin had already made up her mind.

"Senior..."

Shiina Rin remained silent for a long time before asking again, "Will I ever see her again?"

"Of course, headquarters won't be too unreasonable."

"That's good... So, when can I see her again?"

"I'll make arrangements for you once you've recovered and been discharged from the hospital."

"Thank you, senior..."

After leaving Shiina Rin's hospital room, Efnir went to visit Fengling Shiyin.

Shiina Rin's condition is becoming increasingly stable, and if all goes well, she will be able to leave the isolation ward and return to her post in the next few days.

But Fengling Shiyin still showed no signs of waking up.

"I'll come see you again next time, please get well soon..."

Efnir gazed at the sleeping girl on the hospital bed, then gently released her hands that were still in her grasp.

She pursed her lips, turned around, and took Yukina's hand.

"Let's go..."

Yukina glanced back at the peacefully sleeping girl on the hospital bed, silently prayed in her heart, and then left with Efnir.

The door to the ward closed gently, and the two left.

The girl lying on the hospital bed had her fingers, still warm from Efnir's palm, tremble slightly for a moment, unnoticed by anyone, before falling silent again.

155. Silence

"Call..."

Leaving the hospital, Yukina took a deep breath, as if that would release all the gloom that had accumulated in her chest.

She really disliked such oppressive places, and if it weren't for Naoko, Yukina would never have come to a place like a hospital by herself.

She had hated hospitals since she was a child. When she was in a hospital, fleeting images would occasionally flash through her mind—white walls, syringes, glaring lights, like photographs tossed into the air, giving Yukina a kind of repulsive déjà vu hidden in her subconscious. But when Yukina tried to recall them in detail, it was as if she had plunged into a fog, unable to remember anything, as if she had just woken up from a dream that lasted all night.

Yukina didn't know if this meant anything, and she didn't remember much about her childhood, but her instinctive dislike was deeply rooted in her heart.