"You have a poor sense of timing when it cos to jokes. It only makes communication between us more difficult."
After clearing her throat to ease the awkwardness, Kal'tsit maintained a serious expression as she locked eyes with Steven.
"I have already explained my purpose to you. In return, could you tell —what exactly are you here for?"
Her gaze carried an unmistakable wariness.
Perhaps, at first, Kal'tsit had co solely for Gladiia.
But from the mont she laid eyes on Steven, that objective had shifted.
Even Dario from the Inquisition had noticed the overwhelming killing intent lingering around Steven—so thick it felt as if he had slaughtered an entire world.
And Kal'tsit, who had lived even longer and experienced far more, could hardly miss it.
But what she saw in Steven was even more terrifying than that.
—It was a mark, the kind only left behind when one had slain creatures akin to a Feranmuts or even gods.
This ant that the man standing in front of her, who appeared so carefree, so playful, was possibly more dangerous than the horrors lurking beneath the ocean's depths.
From their interactions so far, Kal'tsit had already deduced sothing crucial—
Steven's actions and decisions often defied logic.
And the only thing scarier than a bomb, was a bomb with its fuse removed, yet no one knew when it would explode.
What made her even more uneasy was that she had yet to find a way to prevent this particular bomb from detonating.
Against the Seaborn, she could still rely on Iberia's Inquisition and the Ægir Abyssal Hunters.
Against the ancient monstrosities roaming the land, there were still governnt organizations dedicated to suppressing them.
But this man?
Even without having witnessed his strength firsthand, Kal'tsit could sense the sheer fear radiating from Mon3tr—sothing that could not be faked.
Even when facing the flaming titan of Surtr, or the Feranmut of Operator Mostima, Mon3tr had never reacted this way before.
More importantly, Kal'tsit's instincts scread at her—
Steven was a bomb she must never set off.
Because the consequences would be beyond what this world could handle.
And if things did go south, she certainly couldn't count on that amnesiac Abyssal Hunter beside him to talk so sense into him.
More likely than not, if Steven set the world on fire, Gladiia would probably be right there beside him, helping him throw in more wood.
That was precisely why Kal'tsit had tolerated his nonsense for this long.
"No need to be so formal," Steven grinned.
"If you don't mind, just call Steve."
"As for my purpose? Well, for now, it's just to help this one recover."
"Other than that, I don't have much of a plan. I guess I'll just wander around, see interesting things, and have fun?"
He scratched his head.
Honestly, Kal'tsit had asked a good question.
Because he himself didn't really know what his ultimate goal was.
Maybe he just wanted the world to gradually accept him—so he could turn on 'fun mode' and enjoy himself.
"Oh, by the way—about ten minutes ago, the thing I wanted to do most was rub those cute cat ears of yours."
"Unfortunately…"
Steven clasped his hands together in a monk-like pose, looking genuinely solemn.
"I have since transcended such worldly desires."
If communication should be sincere and open, then surely the girl in front of him would be deeply moved after hearing his heartfelt words, right?
"..."
Kal'tsit, who had just been contemplating what Steven ant by "interesting things," found herself completely speechless at his follow-up statent.
Was this really sothing one could just say out loud?
Even if he truly felt that way, shouldn't he have kept it to himself?
"Should I be thanking you for restraining your desires… rather than experiencing the instinctive disgust a normal woman would feel?"
After a brief silence, Kal'tsit finally chose to respond to Steven in her own way.
Sure, he was dangerous, but judging from their conversation, he wasn't as terrifying as she had initially thought.
He wasn't soone impossible to communicate with, just difficult.
And in so ways, he was actually… fairly reasonable.
At the very least, she had yet to see any of his actions match the overwhelming killing intent she had sensed from him earlier.
If anything, Steven seed more like an eccentric chatterbox with an unpredictable thought process.
"Suit yourself. That's your choice."
Steven raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised at how patient Kal'tsit was.
Since she didn't give much of a reaction, his entertainnt value had gone down significantly.
"Well then, when do you plan on bringing this Abyssal Hunter to Rhodes Island for treatnt? Our aircraft is parked nearby—we can leave anyti."
Kal'tsit took a mont to ponder how to handle Steven—this walking enigma—before making a risky decision.
Under normal circumstances, she never would have allowed soone as dangerous as Steven to board Rhodes Island, even if the goal was to treat Gladiia.
But risks sotis co with rewards.
And Kal'tsit's instincts told her that if she could establish a good relationship with this mysterious individual, the benefits might be equally as great as the risks.
She had already seen proof of this with a certain individual from Yan.
Perhaps, under different circumstances, she wouldn't have gambled like this.
But Rhodes Island's current situation left her no choice.
She had to do everything she could to ensure its survival.
"Eh? When did I say I was going with her? She's the one with the issue, not ."
Steven blinked, taken aback by the invitation.
Sure, he had been thinking about finding a way to hitch a ride with Rhodes Island, but…
Why was she the one actively offering him a spot?
Was she… interested in him?
Did she have so kind of ulterior motive?
Steven's instincts kicked in imdiately—he wasn't going to agree just yet.
"Rhodes Island won't be staying in Iberia for long. I don't believe that you trust us enough to leave her alone with us."
Kal'tsit paused for a mont before adding,
"Besides…"
"I hope that Rhodes Island can earn your goodwill and friendship, Mr. Steve."
Steven's expression beca… odd.
Usually, in stories, wasn't a newcor like him supposed to get mocked, underestimated, or even suppressed?
Wasn't this the perfect setup for so face-slapping mont?
Why was his experience completely different?
The High Inquisitor didn't give him any trouble.
And now, this cryptic doctor was treating him with courtesy?
Does he really look that badass from the outside?
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