Chapter 213: Self-Awareness

"Are you alright, Kai?! I saw some clips online, how’s your hand?!" Exclaimed Aria, as she rushed over and grabbed my arm, lifting it up and staring at my palm with a look of concern on her face."Hey, relax, I’m fine. I got healed up after I got here, I’m all good," I assured her with a smile.

That said, I do appreciate her concern for me, it feels nice.

"I saw the footage too, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. What in the world happened to him? Based on the footage I saw, he seemed much faster than he was before," Frowned Isla warily.

"Oh, yeah, he definitely was. He was about fifty percent stronger and faster than he used to be, and he was able to fire those Negative Energy blasts that Demons can," I informed her.

It was a little over half an hour later, and I was currently in Charlotte’s office. Rex, Ciel and I got here about ten minutes ago, and Aria and Isla had just arrived, having both been at the Guild when I messaged them.

After I got here, I handed off the body to the Union’s research department in the basement, before heading for Charlotte’s office to make an official report of the incident.

"Wow, that fight is all people are talking about online. Clips of you bringing that guy back as a ghost or whatever are especially going viral," Remarked Ciel, scrolling through her display as Aria and Isla took a seat.

Crap, I’d have really preferred it if I could’ve kept that ability from the general public. But it couldn’t be helped, there was no way I wasn’t going to use Subjugate when I had the chance. I definitely would’ve regretted it if I hadn’t.

"Uh, what exactly are the reactions like to that?" I asked her warily.

"A bit mixed, but mostly positive or neutral," She informed me.

Okay, that’s good, I would’ve thought there’d be a fair amount of outrage, all things considered.

Subjugate is effectively necromancy, and that isn’t exactly the kind of power most people would view in a favorable light.

"Ahem, now that everyone’s here, let’s get started, shall we? I’ll be recording this meeting and sharing the footage with the HUC, as well as with the Guildmaster of the Paragon Guild, which Trent Folling belonged to. Speaking of whom...," Charlotte prompted me.

"Right...<Emerge, Apostle of Envy: Invidia>."

A burst of energy erupted in front of me as I summoned him, his head bowed as he appeared, down on one knee.

"<What can I do for you, Boss>?"

"I have to admit, I’m not sure how to feel about this. This Subjugate Skill of yours, using it on another Hunter, I can’t help but feel conflicted," Remarked Charlotte, as she stared at Invidia.

"I get where you’re coming from, but the fact was, killing him was the best option...his mind was broken beyond repair, I’m sure you’ll be able to confirm as much with an autopsy.

He’d also been bestowed with a few Demonic abilities and physical characteristics...whatever was done to him couldn’t have been reversed.

And as for this, well, I just happened to meet the conditions to use Subjugate on him after I killed him, and I figured, why not?" I explained sheepishly.

"Well, I suppose what’s done is done, so there’s no point in dwelling on it.

And since you fought in self-defense, this obviously wasn’t premeditated, the footage recorded by the civilians who’d been in the vicinity confirms that.

But, uh, are you sure this is safe for you? He did have a strong grudge against you, after all," She pointed out warily.

"<There’s no need to worry about that, Chairwoman. The Boss saved me, so there’s no way I’d ever betray him>," Invidia spoke up.

My passive lie detection isn’t going off, so he’s telling the truth.

"So, like, what exactly is this? Did you turn him into a ghost?" Inquired Ciel curiously.

"Honestly, I don’t know...I know very little about how this ability works, it’s something I can only activate when I meet some pretty specific conditions," I replied uncertainly.

"If nothing else, using Subjugate on him seems to have mellowed him out. He isn’t being all creepy," Chimed in Aria.

"<I wouldn’t do anything to upset the Boss...I was jealous of him before, and that drove me to hate him, especially after he defeated me in that duel.

While I do still feel some envy, the hatred I had is gone, I now feel a sense of gratitude and respect towards him>."

Huh, he sure has become a lot more self-aware than he was when he was alive. He doesn’t seem nearly as insecure as he used to be.

Maybe becoming an Apostle gave him more clarity of mind or something?

"By the way, why are you calling him Boss? Luxuria calls him Master," Responded Aria curiously.

"<I don’t know who that is, but...I just instinctively felt like I had to call him Boss, that’s all>," Invidia shrugged in response.

Oh, right, not a lot of people know about Luxuria, that kinda slipped my mind.

Guess I’ll introduce them to each other later. It is pretty insane how much he’s changed, though.

Ai, got an explanation for me?

<Well, it’ll be mostly conjecture, but yes>

<It seems those turned into your Apostles of Sin gain a new, broader perspective, in addition to the sense of deep loyalty and devotion towards you>

<They seem to perceive things more objectively and with more clarity, and as you already surmised, they have a greater sense of self-awareness>

<This is just a guess, but maybe they’re more in-tune with themselves when they turn into these energy-based beings, compared to when they were alive>

<Unfortunately, I don’t have enough information for a more accurate assessment>

It’s fine, knowing how it works wouldn’t really change anything, I suppose, so it doesn’t make too big a difference either way.

Now, then...

"Alright, let’s jump right into it, shall we? This may well be the best opportunity we have to find out more about the Archdemon in question, so let’s get started."