Chapter 33: Interrogation [2.]
Elias suddenly burst into laughter after hearing those words—a real, genuine laugh that caught Veran completely off guard.
Veran stared at him in confusion as Elias wiped a tear from his eye, still smiling.
"You really are a merchant at heart," Elias said, shaking his head. "But sadly for you... this isn’t a market, and you don’t get to bargain here."
For a brief moment, panic flickered in Veran’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with a calm expression.
"Then kill me," Veran said coldly. "You won’t gain anything from it. I know there’s something you want—otherwise I’d already be dead. So go ahead, waste your only chance."
Elias let out a short chuckle again, his eyes gleaming as he leaned back in his chair.
"You really are a true businessman, Veran," he said with a smirk. "Even when backed into a corner, you’re still trying to strike a deal. I respect that."
Then, the smile vanished—gone in a blink, like a mask being ripped away.
"But like I said before," Elias continued, his voice now completely flat, "this isn’t something you can talk your way out of."
His tone was cold and serious, carrying a weight that made Veran’s breath catch.
"You see, yes—I am going to kill you, Veran. That part’s already decided. What hasn’t been decided... is how much you’ll suffer before it happens."