"What's the point of pretending now? It's not as if I don't know you have the Bloodthirsty Otherworldly Demon bloodline. I've even treated you myself."
"You treated me?"
It would have been better not to mention it. The moment he did, it stirred those unbearable memories in Neo. In any case, York City's streets had been much cleaner than usual that day.
That fellow named Immoreles had mocked him for a long time over his stint as a street cleaner.
Bernie spread his hands and asked, "Can't you be a little more honest?"
"But I really don't know you."
Bernie froze for a moment, then understood. He nodded and said, "Oh, so you disdain knowing me."
They had once had a relationship as superior and subordinate, even something that could be called friendship. After all, they were "comrades" who had engaged in political opportunism together.
But all of that had fallen apart when Bernie betrayed Kallen.
Although Kallen had won the last round of struggle and taken Bernie's position, while Bernie had been transferred away, that was merely the outcome of the struggle. It did not mean their grudges had disappeared.
Another meaning of keeping public and private matters separate was that winning in public did not prevent continued retaliation in private.
Their brief exchange was only the slightest prelude. In fact, neither side had stopped moving.
The blood rain filling their surroundings surged madly toward Bernie, carrying extremely potent corrosive power. But after his initial panic passed, a gray sheen appeared on Bernie's skin, actually neutralizing the blood rain's negative effects.
Moreover, a gray sapling emerged from Bernie's chest, spreading a special environment around him. It did not defend against the attack, but dissolved it.
This immediately disrupted Neo's rhythm. He had intended to follow through with Proper Burial