[Black Valkyrie] Esnie.
The instant the girl appeared, everyone present realized they were in grave danger.
The enclosed space around them heightened their tension, and Nora seemed to be the only one who could still keep her composure.
Even Mr. Ricass, dull-witted as he was, sensed that something was wrong. He shrank back involuntarily, eyeing his surroundings warily.
Not all psionic users were good at fighting. Few were like the retired mercenary from earlier, and since his ability was merely basic physical enhancement, Miss Esnie had naturally disposed of the mercenary-looking psionic user with ease.
Yet Jonas was in no hurry to act. Instead, he slowly began explaining what these people wanted to know.
"I'm sure all of you are eager to know what's happened to you... Ah, please don't worry. This has nothing to do with the Alt Corporation, and these changes won't cause any side effects in your bodies."
He paused, then continued:
"On the contrary, I prefer to call this change evolution, and you are its beneficiaries."
Many in the audience breathed a sigh of relief at that, but a small number remained wary of Jonas, unwilling to take his words entirely at face value.
Until he made his position clear, the truth of everything he revealed remained open to question.
Miss Nora was naturally among those who remained on guard. Having grown up in the Slums, she had always treated other people's words with a measure of skepticism. Besides, judging by the current situation, Jonas did not appear to have their best interests at heart.
Rather than answering their questions, his words seemed more like an attempt to stall for time.
But Nora could not be certain of her suspicions, and her brows furrowed beneath her conical hat.
Then she heard Jonas continue:
"I call this