The Broken System Chose the Antagonist

"There are many ways to dispel someone’s Heart of negative emotions, but only two proved to be the most effective solution," Ross stated, situated on top of Roxy with his knee on her back, keeping a firm hold on her chained hands.

He then raised two fingers to represent the solutions. "First is to restrain the corrupted individual or render them unable to do anything, besides gradually calming down.

"The second is to tell them something more shocking than what originally stimulated them; this would forcefully cause their Heart to relax, and in turn, their corruption.

"The latter option is the most effective, if you need to break them out of their state quick. But it is also incredibly unreliable as it could likely worsen their Heart Corruption."

Ross then blinked, as if he had come up with a discovery. "You are aware what Heart Corruption is, right? I know these type of informations aren’t well-known among public space."

Nadia nodded lightly. "I do. Hilda told me about them. But I thought Heart Corruption only makes you more sensitive and less competent in things. Like, she isn’t meant to be like this, right?"

Watching as Nadia gestured towards Roxy when she said this, Ross shrugged. "I’ve only known her for half a day. But she did feel more reasonable than what she’s currently acting as of now. Though you can chalk that up to Heart Corruption."

"How does... that affect it? It affects intelligence too?" Nadia quirked an eyebrow, then mentally facepalmed at what she said. ’Obviously, it’s going to affect her intelligence...’

If Hilda really did steal their eyes, it was only natural that Roxy had fallen into a blind rage. Coupled with Heart Corruption, it was no wonder she had become unreasonable.

Although there was surprisingly more to it than just a blind rage.

"Heart Corruption can indeed affect your intelligence." Ross gently tapped the side of his head. "Since it dulls the things you’re competent in, it naturally includes using your brain.

"Because of that, Vitalist researchers that work for the government are legally required to be stoic to all things and all times, so as to not cause any mishaps or false data."

"..." Nadia blinked in surprise, then thought in amazement, ’There’s still so much about being a Vitalists that I still don’t know about...’

As she was about to open her mouth to say something, a petite and feminine voice called out to them:

"Hey! Get off of her!"

A petite woman in a black dress walked over to them with a pompous attitude, then pointed at them angrily, as if they had committed some great sin.

"Get off of her this instant! You already bound her wrists together, so stop pinning her down like you’re the police!" It was Beatrice. Unlike the rest of Roxy’s group and the woman herself, who were restrained, she was free.

The two stared up at the petite woman, confusedly.

Right before Ross could answer, Nadia had already spoken in a blunt tone of voice:

"Who are you?"

"Agh—!" Beatrice flinched, slightly taken aback. "Y-you don’t know who I am!?"

"..." Nadia blinked at her silently before instinctively turning to Ross and asking, "Am I meant to know who she is?"

"She’s... she’s the daughter of a CEO, who owns a company in charge of suppling the military with weapons."

Nadia widened her eyes for a brief second before turning back to Beatrice. "Oh. Nice to meet you, then."

Despite how she was carrying herself, the Heroine was being completely genuine in the way she spoke. Unfortunately, Beatrice didn’t seem to pick up on her inept social skills and got the wrong impression of her.

This led the woman to turn red with anger, feeling humiliated.

Just when she was about to burst, Roxy spoke from underneath Ross, this time evidently cool-headed and reserved. "Her name’s Beatrice. She’s something like my second-in-command in our group."

She then twisted her head to look up at Ross and sneered at him. "Heya, Psycho. How’ve you been? And could you get off me already?"

Ross snorted at her and checked how she looked. "I’ve been well. And to give me a nickname like that is rather inappropriate, especially with how little acquainted we are."

Once he was sure that Roxy was free of Heart Corruption, he untied her hands and got off her back — allowing her to get up.

Roxy, upon getting up to her feet, immediately felt a knot in her back from where Ross was previously kneeling on. With a low moan, she stretched her back, and when she finished, she looked over at Nadia with an apologetic expression.

She stretched out her hand.

"Sorry about all of that. I hope you could forgive me and uh forget all of what I said about... beating you up earlier." Roxy rubbed the back of her head, sheepishly.

Nadia nodded nonchalantly and shook her hand. "No problem. But in exchange for that, could you explain to us what actually happened? Hilda didn’t just... suddenly come by and rob you all, did she?"

Roxy shook her head and explained what happened with Beatrice also giving her input occasionally, as well. From when she first arrived to right before she left. Everything.

Both Nadia and Ross immediately fell into thought after the two finished recounting. They didn’t believe Hilda would do this, or rather, they didn’t make much sense of it, considering how she had acted thus far.

Ross narrowed his eyes. ’She didn’t steal anything from our inventory, but went out of her way to steal Roxy’s? Could it be because of the deal she forced me into yesterday?’ He wasn’t sure what was going on, and Nadia was evidently sharing this sentiment.

Nadia stroked her chin in deep thought. ’Strange... why did Hilda say she was coming here? If this really happened an hour ago, then Hilda should’ve been by now. Or even long ago...’

If she had to guess what Hilda was trying to achieve, it was that the woman wanted to group both camps into one location.

With the way she allowed the unconscious to live, and how she had intentionally given out information on where she was headed, and even made a reason for Roxy’s group to chase her... It was obvious that she wanted something like this to happen.

’But for what reason...’

Once Nadia got what she wanted about Hilda, she left to rejoin Seraphine back in the corner, leaving Ross alone with the two ladies, though not for long, as Elias soon joined him. Ross then filled him in on what happened.

Roxy, with a troubled expression, looked towards Ross and asked:

"Look, I know I kicked your group out of mine, but could you let our group stay here until we find where that woman is located?"

Ross eyed her intensely before snorting.

He then gave his answer.

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