Chapter 97 - 98: Tool Man
His other subordinates flinched upon seeing such a brutal act. They wanted to run away, but the branding would kill them the moment they betrayed him. They felt resigned to their fate. They had regretted countless times why they joined this organization.
The leader looked at them. His face bore a crazed smile. "What are you guys looking at? Chickening out? Too bad you can’t."
He found an office chair on the side and sat on it. He turned on his phone and called someone. This time, his voice was no longer cocky... just filled with respect and reverence. "Lord, although there were some mishaps, it’s fine now. I managed to find a way to temporarily use the artifact... Yes, Lord. I’ll do as you say."
After finishing the call, he looked at the dazed men beside him and clapped his hands. "Go, go, go! What are you guys standing there like statues for?!" This time, his voice reverted back to cockiness.
Respect and dignity need to be earned, yes. But being human, everyone should have a shred of respect and dignity towards one another, even if they didn’t earn it... because they are still human. Unfortunately, for a person like the leader, he didn’t view anyone as human except himself.
That is not a rare trait, but encountering people like that is a disaster.
...
"Brother?" Veyr pulled on the trousers of the man.
The man looked down. He was wearing a black goblin’s mask. It was a strange look considering that he was wearing a black formal suit. He put down his phone and carried Veyr onto his lap.
"Why are you still not asleep?" his voice gentle as he cradled Veyr in his arms.
Veyr hugged his suit. "I kept having nightmares, Brother..." He kept having dreams about bleeding dry in front of an underground altar.