Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 38
“Do you want to freeze to death? It’s not just refreshing, it’s deadly.”
Despite the murderous glare, Johann was unfazed.
Enrique, looking like he wanted to die from disgust, pulled his hand away and wiped it with a handkerchief.
“And it’s best not to mess around.”
No sooner had Johann spoken than an ear-shattering explosion rang out nearby.
Startled, I looked toward the sound and saw a high column of water rising and quickly falling back down.
“A underwater bomb?”
“Yes, if it’s a bomb, and it’s underwater, that’s it.”
Enrique agreed with my muttering.
Beyond the buoy with the red flag, I saw a spreading red stain on the dark blue water, like ink. My fingertips went cold.
Did a person end up like that?
The collar of a prisoner who tried to swim off the island had exploded.
It seems the device is set to detonate if you go beyond a certain limit.
A piece of clothing with a prisoner number was floating toward the shore.
“Number 10…”
I muttered absentmindedly as I stared at the horizon.
They must have been a powerful superhuman. Does it mean they’re useless if they don’t listen?
These bastards, they find so many ways to kill.
“Johann, what should we have for lunch?”
“I don’t know. I was going to take a nap, but it’s too hot. Lend me your body for a bit.”
Unlike me, who was in shock, Johann and Enrique seemed accustomed to this kind of thing, just talking about whatever they wanted.
“What are you two in here for?” I asked, suddenly curious.
Enrique lowered his eyes with a bitter expression.
“Desertion during war.”
He seemed to have a sad backstory… Did he run away because he couldn’t stand the horrors of war and military life?
No matter how badly they were treated in the military… they’re still royalty and high-ranking nobles.
“We snuck out to buy donuts and got court-martialed,” Enrique added.
They got dragged in here for something trivial, just like me.
Either way, it seems like a sad story.
I lowered my voice and asked, “With your abilities, couldn’t you escape?”
“Sure, we could get out. But the problem is what comes after,” Johann said, brushing his bangs aside.
Enrique shook off Johann’s hand and looked at me.
“Lady 49, you’ve never been reformed, have you?”
I nodded.
“You know that if you don’t undergo reformation, you’ll die from a rampage?”
The abilities we inherited are a curse. The more we use them, the more we get corrupted, our minds and bodies consumed by the demon’s power, leading to a rampage.
“Yes, I know.”
“We’ve been on the battlefield for a long time, so we need periodic reformation. It’s already taken its toll.”
The Order has branches across the continent, so there should be priests or clergy who can purify curses in other countries too.
They might not do it willingly, but they might for a hefty sum.
“Isn’t it possible to leave for another country and find someone with holy power?”
“Only Saint Justina’s holy power can purify my and Johann’s magic. It’s something the Order planned.”
So these two planned to escape and capture Saint Justina.
It’s not just obsession; she’s basically their lifeline.
In the distance, I could see the prisoners setting up their shelter and gathering food. They seemed well-coordinated.
Meanwhile, Johann and Enrique were lounging under the shade of a large tree, doing nothing.
“Shouldn’t we be doing something?” I finally asked, unable to hold back.
Johann, lying down with a large leaf covering his face, shook his head.
“There’s nothing to do right now.”
Though I felt uneasy, I figured I should trust these veterans who had been prisoners much longer than I had.
While the two of them played chess on a flat stone, I took the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep beside them.
It had been so long since I had slept so soundly.
I was jolted awake by a sudden chill.
When I looked up, the sky was already darkening.
“Oh, my God.”
The weather had abruptly shifted from a hot summer day to late autumn chill.
Despite the cold wind, the two men were still engrossed in their chess game.
“Hey, admit it, I almost won this time,” Johann said.
“You’ll never beat me,” Enrique replied, shaking his head as if Johann had lost to him many times before.
As Johann got up, he said, “I guess it’s time to find a place to stay.”
Now they decide to look for a place to sleep, after the sun has completely set?
I stared at Johann and Enrique in disbelief.
Their lack of planning and spontaneity screamed P.
(T/N: If you’re not familiar with this fact, modern South Korea often refers to MBTI when talking about a person’s personality. In this case, it’s P, Perceiving, which means they’re not planners, and adapt to change more.)
Shivering, I wrapped my arms around myself.
“I’m really cold,” I said, my voice trembling pitifully.
Johann glanced at me indifferently and nodded.
“Just bear with it.”
There’s a reason they say traveling with Ps is bound to end in disaster.
It seemed more likely I’d die from dealing with these reckless idiots than from encountering any demons.
