Yandere Levelling in Her World Chapter 209 210: Hostage

Misa offered a slow nod as her gaze lingered on the imposing metal cylinder. Turning to the Italian woman, she inquired in a composed tone, "Why exactly did you summon me here so abruptly?"

The Italian woman observed Misa for a few moments, remaining silent. Her eyes held a serious intensity, and her facial expression was noticeably tense. Finally, she stated, "There is a matter that requires our attention."

Misa's heart began to pound with increased urgency. She moved a step closer, asking, "What sort of issue are we facing?"

With a sigh, the Italian woman crossed her arms. "Judith seems to have developed a sudden disinterest in our endeavors."

Misa's eyes widened in disbelief. The statement was difficult to process. "What do you truly mean by that?" she questioned swiftly. "Miss Judith has consistently backed all our initiatives here. She provides the funding for the medicine needed by the sick individuals upstairs, as well as for the critical work conducted down here."

The Italian woman murmured, almost to herself, "It appears she is shifting her focus elsewhere. I cannot pinpoint the exact direction, but she no longer harbors the same animosity towards the traitors that we do. Had she felt the same intensity of hatred, she would never have dismissed my request for increased funding for this project."

Misa pondered this statement carefully. She replied, "Perhaps she is merely being cautious. She might be concerned about attracting unwanted attention. Regardless of the reason, if the public or the traitors discover the true nature of our operations, it could place us in grave danger. Our entire base could face an attack, and all that we have built might be lost."

The Italian woman nodded emphatically. "That is indeed a valid point," she conceded. Then, her gaze fixed directly on Misa, she declared, "And that is precisely why you must become my new liaison with her."

Misa's eyes widened further. She immediately shook her head, protesting, "But why me? Surely there are many others who interact with her more frequently. My role is primarily that of a doctor, engrossed in mixing herbs most days."

The Italian woman let out a low chuckle, her Italian accent distinct. "Because the previous liaison attempted to betray us. To be precise, she tried to sell sensitive information to the opposing faction. It appears something significant is unfolding, something perhaps even beyond Judith's complete control."

Misa softly responded, "Yet, I possess no experience whatsoever in acting as an agent. I have no idea how to conduct clandestine conversations or transport messages without being detected."

A faint smile touched the Italian woman's lips as she murmured, "Well, there is always a first time for everything."

With those parting words, she turned and departed without a backward glance. Misa was left standing alone, feeling adrift and bewildered amidst the bustling activity of the laboratory.

Misa remained motionless for a significant duration. She whispered to herself, "Me, as an agent? How am I expected to manage this? I have my daughter awaiting me at home, and my patients upstairs require my attention daily."

Seeking to clear her thoughts, she began to walk through the laboratory. Her eyes scanned the individuals diligently working at their glowing computer screens. A young scientist noticed her and called out, "Miss Tachibana, the new herbal mixture you provided us with yesterday proved remarkably effective for the patients with fevers. They are experiencing much more restful sleep now."

Misa managed a hesitant smile and responded, "I am glad to hear that. Continue to monitor their temperatures hourly. We must prevent any possibility of infection spreading."

Another worker nearby looked up from his console and inquired, "The power readings have remained stable today. Do you believe we might be able to conduct a small test on the core soon, Miss Misa?"

Misa nodded in agreement and replied, "Perhaps. However, instruct the team to meticulously re-examine all the wiring first. We absolutely want to avoid any accidents, unlike what happened last month."

The worker gave her an affirmative thumbs-up and stated, "Understood. You consistently prioritize safety."

Misa continued her slow progress past the workstations. She murmured again, "Everyone is so deeply engrossed. If only I could feel that same focus right now."

Suddenly, a heavy sensation began to develop in her head. The surrounding world started to blur and spin. The vibrant lights emanating from the screens appeared indistinct, and the persistent beeping sounds intensified in her ears. "What is happening to me?" she whispered, halting her movement and clutching her head with both hands.

The sensation of spinning worsened, accompanied by a strange heat spreading throughout her body. Instinctively, she reached down, her fingers brushing against her intimate area through her clothing. She felt a warm, viscous liquid secreting, continuously flowing.

Pulling her hand back, she examined it. "This is not normal perspiration or any other bodily fluid," she stated softly. It soon became apparent that it was not some unusual discharge. She was experiencing a particularly intense ovulation, more potent than ever before. The overwhelming sensation caused her knees to tremble.

Misa glanced around the laboratory. Her senses detected a new aroma in the air – sweet and strangely familiar, it tugged at her like an invisible tether. She began to move in the direction from which the scent originated. "Where is this coming from?" she muttered, continuing her progress.

Without drawing anyone's attention, she exited the laboratory. She followed the path leading to a secluded alleyway nestled between two aged structures. The alluring scent intensified with each step. Her heart pounded, and a heightened warmth coursed through her body.

Finally, she located the source of the scent. It was a piece of underwear discarded in the dirt, nestled in the corner of the alley. Misa instantly recognized the aroma. It was the exact fragrance she held so vividly in her memory.

She snatched the undergarment quickly, bringing it close to her nose. Inhaling deeply, she whispered a single name, "Ren."

Suddenly, a hand seized her face from behind. A powerful grip clamped over her mouth, securing her tightly. Misa attempted to break free immediately. She intended to unleash her power, which should have dispatched any attacker in a mere second. However, nothing occurred. Her abilities were completely nullified due to the black band still secured around her wrist.

She continued to thrash against the restraining hand. Twisting her body and attempting to push back, she found the grip unyielding. At last, she ceased her struggle, utterly drained of energy. Slowly, she peeked back, her eyes widening at a familiar visage.

Misa stumbled backward. The sight before her seemed unbelievable. Standing there was the man she had yearned for since the day he disappeared. The man she had desired day and night. The sole focus of her life. The only man who mattered.

With a sudden cry, she exclaimed, "Ren!" Rushing forward to embrace him, her advance was met with a firm push from his hand. He uttered in a low tone, "You fell for the trick."

An intense dizziness overwhelmed Misa. The alley dissolved into darkness, and her surroundings faded into nothingness as she collapsed unconscious.

The man resembling Ren peeled away his face like a mask, revealing a red-haired woman. She grinned broadly and murmured, "A long time, friend. If Ren won't listen to me, I will make him. So, you will accompany me."

Her words were accompanied by a wide smile as she scooped up the unconscious Misa and vanished into the shadows.

***

Ren gazed at the illuminated screens hovering before him. Two Plain Wings of Light unfolded as before, yet only a few lines of text scrolled across their surfaces, the rest remaining in darkness.

"Why isn't this showing me the correct destination?" he grumbled in frustration. "It only activates when they are near. That's utterly useless right now! They could be anywhere within this vast complex. Come on, system, function properly for once!"

He paused, as if expecting a response from the screens. Nothing changed. The words remained static. Ren blinked rapidly, surveying the deserted corridor.

A realization dawned: he was vocally addressing himself like a fool. Abruptly sealing his lips, he muttered under his breath, "I must be losing my mind. First, the power emerges, and now I'm arguing with floating displays. Get a grip, Ren."

Shaking his head, he resumed his trek. The somber corridor stretched onward, illuminated by sparse wall lights. The distant, irregular dripping of water from broken pipes echoed faintly. Ren kept a hand loosely at his side, prepared for any contingency.

"I am on my way to meet Anna," he stated softly to himself as he walked. "I know she's alive. After that attack the other day, I couldn't find any trace of her. She simply vanished. But I can sense it. She's still alive."

He ventured deeper into the gloom. The atmosphere grew increasingly frigid. His footsteps resonated gently. Then, a sound reached his ears. A faint, scraping noise emanated from behind him, akin to nails dragging across metal.

Ren halted, straining to listen. "What was that?" he whispered. "Is someone following me?"

The sound ceased the moment he stopped. He took a single step forward. The scraping resumed, this time closer. Ren whirled around swiftly but perceived nothing but shadows.

"Alright, stay composed," he coached himself in a low voice. "It's likely just rats or faulty pipes. Nothing to fret about. Anna needs me. Keep moving."

He quickened his pace. The scraping persisted, escalating with each step he took away from its source. It now sounded like multiple limbs moving in unison, a cacophony of clicking and scraping.

Ren muttered, "This isn't right. Why does it get closer the further I move away? Come out already if you want a fight!"

He broke into a light jog. The sound matched his acceleration, morphing into wet slapping noises and ragged breaths mingling together. The hallway seemed to constrict, and the dim lights flickered as if in fear.

"What in the blazes is chasing me?" Ren exclaimed aloud. His voice echoed back. "Anna, if you can hear this, remain concealed! I'll handle this menace first!"

The sound was directly behind him now. He felt a blast of hot breath on his neck. Then, a piercing screech ripped through the air. A grotesque, zombie-like entity dropped from the ceiling, aiming directly for him. Its form was decayed and distorted, but its head was the most horrifying aspect: eight arachnid-crab legs protruded from a fractured skull, clicking and snapping with razor-sharp pincers.

Ren spun with lightning speed. "Not today!" he roared. Raising a hand, he unleashed his power. "Imperial Qi!"

A radiant surge of Qi erupted from his palm, striking the creature suspended in mid-air. The zombie-like entity shrieked as the power seared through its torso. Its legs spasmed erratically before the crab-like head detonated in a shower of dark ichor. The entire carcass then plummeted to the ground, its movements ceasing.

Ren stood, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He gazed down at the fallen monstrosity, wisps of smoke still curling from the gaping wound in its chest. The spider-crab limbs gave a final few twitches before becoming undeniably still.

"What in the world is this?" he mumbled, his eyes fixed on the grotesque being. "It resembles something pulled from the darkest of nightmares. Since when have places like this harbored such abominations? This is far from ordinary."

A single kick was delivered to the corpse, a final confirmation of its demise. There was no response. Ren let out a sigh, shaking his head, and turned his attention back to the luminescent screens that floated before him. They remained stubbornly dark, as if the preceding event had never occurred.