108 Scar-faced brute (1)

Unfortunately, Lola's calm response did nothing. The scar-faced brute looked at her the instant she woke. Seeing her lie still, he gave an amused smirk but made no attempt to expose her, simply waiting for the others to wake.

About two or three minutes later, the others woke one after another and immediately began shouting and screaming. Some wept and begged for mercy, some threatened to call the police, and others rushed toward the exit, trying to escape.

The scar-faced brute remained unmoved. With a wave of his hand, several men immediately rushed forward and rained punches and kicks on those making a fuss. The effect was instant: they fell silent at once. Then he walked over to Lola, step by step, and snorted. "Miss, since you're awake, stop pretending."

Left with no choice, Lola opened her eyes and stood up. She pressed her lips together and stared at him, without asking idiotic questions like "Who are you?" or "Why did you kidnap me?"

The scar-faced brute held Lola's gaze for a moment, then looked away expressionlessly. His eyes swept over the other seven people before he announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Picano Farm! One lucky person among you will leave ordinary life behind and become Mr. Cristiano's apprentice. This is the mission you were destined for from birth!"

The seven young men and women all brightened at that. Like Tina, they had been subjected to psychological suggestion by the spell on the invitation letters. Whether the Mercenaries had coaxed or forced them into coming here, they had all heard something about the situation and knew that a Necromancer named Cristiano intended to take them as apprentices.

Some were quicker on the uptake, however, and noticed something wrong with the scar-faced brute's words.

A blonde girl with a