The Client (before battle)
As the futile conversations reached an end, the bus lazily pulled to a stop.
We'd arrived… in front of a building so tall that it would take a while to count the floors.
A few shrank down as if intimidated. (I understood Sinclair being one, but Heathcliff and Ishmael also seemed to be pressured.)
A few looked around with curious eyes…
And some others walked and carried themselves as if they knew they deserved royal treatment.
Fuhu, I guess we've earned some renown. We're finally being invited to places regular people would live.
Lemme make one thing clear… If the request and the reward's a load of tosh like the last time, I'm out.
Heathcliff ground his teeth, whether by Hong Lu's words or due to memories of what we got into last time we were here.
Ah, you're a little late as expected.
<As expected?>
That man is…
It's a pleasure to meet you again. I want you to know that this is my heartfelt sentiment and not a formality.
A familiar face I never expected to see again greeted us.
…I'm out. Already told ya.
<Give it a moment! Let's at least hear what he has to say, okay?>
Let go! Do you even get how it feels to have nightmares about doing the tango with raw chickens? Huh?
To tell you the truth, my last request was a test to measure your competence.
And you passed with flying colors. Congratulations. I mean this one as well.
Who are you to test and grade us?! You -
That's of course -
That's of course at the discretion of Mr. Samjo, my shrewd secretary. So you must be… from Limbus Company.
A pleasure to meet you, I'm Dongrang. I heard a lot about you from Samjo - it almost made me a fan.
Fan??? Didst thou say just now that we have earned thine adoration?
It's just flattery, Don Quixote…
If I'm being quite honest… the test wasn't my idea. I mean, you aren't lab hens or anything, and you deserve better than involuntary tests.
Indeed, it was my suggestion.
I had reason to do so as your "Limbus Company" is a little-known firm that… could or could not be newly established.
We couldn't take the risk of entrusting an unknown organization with a request on Mr. Dongrang's word alone.
Ahem… So, that means you're requesting us…
Ishmael asked for confirmation that this was indeed a direct request, her face seeming rather proud.
Why, of course. Because, you all are…
…….
Ah, why don't I show you to my lab? There are many fun things to see.
<Changing the subject so shamelessly is only gonna bother us more…>
Sorry? Are you really going to take these people to your laboratory?
Why not? They passed your test, didn't they, Mr. Samjo.
And if they've got the skills to take down what they called an "Abnormality" as we saw today…
Aha~ Thou hast heard? My, traces of heroic deeds indeed make themselves known to the masses in no time! Fufu…
Haha, that's a fun way to put it.
Ah, and you must be the manager… it was Dante, yes? May we speak for a moment?
Faust tried to say something to Dongrang, but he and Samjo pulled me far away by the time she stepped forward.