Suddenly, a voice appeared inside Ririko's mind.
It didn't come through her ears, but appeared directly in her mind, like an auditory hallucination, yet utterly real-as though someone had pressed a loudspeaker against the inside of her skull.
Deathstroke's voice was low, with a metallic echo:
"Save your strength. I have the same abilities as you, and I'm far stronger. Those little mind-control tricks of yours won't work on me."
"Hiss-" Ririko's temple suddenly throbbed.
The sensation of someone invading her brain felt like a red-hot needle piercing her temple and stirring around inside her skull.
She instinctively squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lower lip to keep from crying out.
She sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. "The person who perfectly merged with the 'Tomie Organization'-that was you?"
She knew he was the person Hugo had mentioned, the one who had injected the last dose.
"So you're not completely brainless." Deathstroke's voice continued echoing inside her mind. "Since you've figured it out, I'll get straight to the point. I want the power inside you."
Ririko's stomach sank.
She remembered the battle against Bane alongside Edward several months ago.
Back then, Edward had only been infected with a tiny amount of the "Tomie Organization's" power. By mixing their blood together, she had summoned a gigantic severed limb that pinned Bane firmly to the ground.
If Deathstroke drained all her blood now...
"Why are you so greedy?" Ririko forced the words through her teeth.
Deathstroke's rough laughter rang directly inside her head, vibrating with pleasure. "In the face of absolute power, no one would turn down the chance to become stronger."
Suddenly, "Doomsday Superman's" roar came from the distance.
Deathstroke abruptly accelerated. Ririko felt wind screaming past her ears as the outlines of the trees blurred into green streaks.