Lucian didn't have any extra greetings. He just tilted his head towards them and motioned to follow them.
He turned around and walked into the hotel with a matter-of-fact look, as if he was not a mysterious person hiding in the dark, but just an ordinary student who had made an appointment with a friend.
Hughie glanced at Kimiko, who was tense all over next to him, swallowed, and followed quickly.
Lucian pushed open a door and let them in.
The room is not big, only a bed, a table, and a chair.
"Sit." Lucian pointed to the only chair.
Kimiko did not move. She stood by the door like a statue, scanning the small space, looking for any possible threats and escape routes.
Hughie stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, not knowing where to put his hands.
Lucian didn't care, he leaned on the edge of the table and got straight to the point.
"I do know where your brother is now."
These words were like a pebble thrown into water. Kimiko's tense body reacted instantly. She turned to Lucian suddenly, and for the first time, something burning burned in her silent eyes.
"It's okay if you want me to tell you," Lucian continued, completely ignoring the sense of oppression she brought, "I saw on Vought's information that you were once killed by Black Noir."
He paused and watched Kimiko's reaction calmly.
"But now, stand here properly."
"I'm very interested in your... ability to bring the dead back to life."
Lucian threw out his terms.
"I need you to cooperate with me in doing some research, probably for a day or two. Don't worry, it won't be some research that you can't accept."
"If you want, you can stay. If you don't, you can leave now."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hughie became anxious.
"Wait! What research?"
After all, he was the one who brought Kimiko. If this "research" was some kind of human experiment or something like that, he would never be able to forgive himself.
Lucian looked at Hughie, his nervous look made him feel a little funny, but his face remained calm.
"It's probably a blood test, recording some physical data, etc." He explained lightly, "I need to analyze the sample, which takes time."
Hearing "blood test", Hughie was obviously relieved.
This sounds... much more normal. At least it's not the horrific image he imagined of being tied to an experimental table and covered with tubes.
He looked at Kimiko and found that the other party was also staring at Lucian, seemingly weighing the deal. Those eyes were full of struggle, with news about his younger brother on one side and fear of the unknown on the other.
Hughie knows that this is an irresistible temptation for Kimiko.
Although he felt in his heart that it was bad to use such suspicion to speculate on someone who had helped them many times, he couldn't help but speak. This is what Butcher taught him, never trust anyone 100%.
"You need... to show some evidence first." Hughie's voice was low but firm, "Prove that you really know something."
Lucian's eyes moved away from Kimiko and fell on Hughie's face.
This rookie, after experiencing so many big events, finally learned something. This is good, he can live longer.
He was not impatient or sarcastic, he just said one word.
"Shining Light Liberation Army."
Hughie was confused when he heard this name. It sounded like the name of a third-rate band, and he couldn't understand the meaning of these six words at all.
But Kimiko beside him, the moment he heard this name, his whole person changed.
It was a violent tremor that came from her bones. In her eyes, overwhelming hatred, pain, and... a faint hope surged instantly.
That was the name of the terrorist organization that kidnapped her and her brother and turned them from ordinary people into monsters!
Kimiko rushed in front of Lucian, gesticulating wildly with her hands in the air, and making a rapid "ho ho" sound in her throat. Her movements were full of anxiety and questioning, like a drowning person grabbing the last piece of driftwood.
Lucian didn't guess her complicated sign language. He just took out his phone again, typed two words on the screen, and handed it to her.
[YES or NO]
Kimiko's fingers were trembling due to exertion. She stared at the screen, then stabbed "YES" heavily with her fingertips.
Seeing this scene, Hughie understood everything.
The information is true.
"I... can I stay?" Hughie looked at Lucian and asked worriedly, "I can watch from the side."
Lucian shook his head.
"I need quiet."
He took back his cell phone and said to Hughie, "You can rent a room next door to stay, or go shopping anywhere. Come pick her up again at this time tomorrow."
Hughie wanted to say something more, but after seeing Lucian's intransigent attitude and looking at Kimiko who had already made a decision and was full of hope, he finally swallowed his words.
He walked to Kimiko and whispered.
"I live next door. If... if it hurts too much, or if anything happens, just make a big noise."
He emphasized his tone.
"I promise, I will rush over right away."
Kimiko glanced at him and nodded almost invisible.
Hughie took one last deep look at Lucian, exited the room, and gently closed the door.
In the room, only Lucian and Kimiko were left in the room.
Outside the door, Hughie was leaning against the wall and did not leave immediately. He could hear faint voices coming from the room, but he couldn't hear them clearly. He finally sighed and walked to the service desk at the end of the corridor.
inside the room.
After Hughie went out, the pretended peaceful atmosphere disappeared.
Lucian turned around and faced Kimiko.
"Come here."
His instructions are simple and direct.
Kimiko hesitated for a moment, but for the news about her brother, she walked over obediently and stood in front of Lucian. She was ready to draw blood.
However, Lucian did not take out any needles or medical equipment.
He just raised one hand and gently placed it on her forehead.
The warmth of her palms spread through her skin, and Kimiko froze. Her body's instinct made her want to retreat immediately and attack, but her reason told her to be patient.
At this moment, an irresistible and deep sleepiness flooded into my mind.
[Mind Control LV3, activate]
Kimiko's will to resist was completely shattered at the moment of contact, and her eyes burning with hope and hatred instantly became empty and blank.
In front of Lucian, a translucent panel that only he could see jumped out.
[Copy capable target detected...]
[1. LV5 Super Healing]
[2. LV2 Super Physique]
Coming.
He did not hesitate to choose the ability that he had coveted for a long time.
[LV5 ability selected: Super Healing]
[Copy time required: 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds]
The mechanical sound sounded in his mind, and a weak but continuous flow of energy began to slowly flow into his body from the point of contact between his palm and Kimiko's forehead.
Lucian maintained the position of placing his palms against the opponent's forehead, while the hypnotized Kimiko was like a doll, motionless.
The reason why he left Hughie next door instead of telling him to get out completely or delete his memory was just because he found it troublesome.
Letting Hughie and Kimiko disappear out of thin air for a day and a night will inevitably arouse the vigilance and frantic search of Mother's Milk and Frenchie. But now, with the "witness" of Hughie, he can perfectly explain this matter as a "cooperation agreed by both parties."
Let the rookie deal with his difficult teammates.
I just need to stay here and wait quietly for this transformation to be completed.