"Damn it, who are you?"
Upon awakening, Yellen, who had undergone professional training, instantly understood his predicament.
However, the tough ropes bound around him and his unclothed body made him frown involuntarily.
Even though I don't remember how I got here, it doesn't stop me from immediately planning an escape route in my mind.
After scanning his surroundings, his mind raced as he rapidly formulated thoughts, but he kept a placid expression as he stared intently at the figures in front of him, cloaked in black robes and wearing white masks.
"Mr. Yellen, we have a few matters we'd like you to answer," one of the robed figures said, striding forward, his voice low.
Yellen was silent for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "Please, ask away!"
I know my situation is grave. After weighing my options, I'd better cooperate. Working in this special department, I'm well aware that I couldn't possibly hold out under torture. It's better to cooperate from the start and at least temporarily avoid physical pain. As for the truthfulness of the information I reveal, well, that remains to be seen.
Seemingly surprised that the middle-aged man was so accommodating, the robed figures exchanged glances before suddenly bursting into laughter.
Not understanding why they were laughing, Yellen found the sound grating, and his heart tightened. Their reaction is completely different from what I anticipated!
"What... what are you laughing at?" Yellen asked.
The robed figure ignored Yellen's question, instead taking out a photo and holding it in front of him.
The moment Yellen saw the photo's contents, his pupils contracted.
"You... you're Exorcists from the Exorcism Agency?" he cried out, his previous calm completely shattered. Shouldn't it be some terrorist organization? I never imagined people from a legitimate company would kidnap a federal government official. This should be the work of terrorists!
The robed figure didn't respond to Yellen's guess, instead reaching out and slapping him across the face.
SLAP!
Yellen's other cheek instantly turned bright red and visibly began to swell.
"Take a good look. Do you recognize anything in here?" the robed figure's voice was cold, as ruthless as his actions.
Looking at the robed figure's emotionless, cold eyes, I don't dare blurt out the lie I'd prepared. Yellen's lips trembled, and the throbbing pain on his cheek made the corner of his eye twitch.
Seeing Yellen remain silent, the robed figure let out a derisive snort. "It seems our Director Yellen needs a little help!"
With that, the robed figure reached out and pressed two fingers against the sides of Yellen's head.
"You're quite lucky. This is a technique I learned from someone else and then modified extensively. Originally, it could only be used against Exorcists, but now..."
The robed figure didn't continue, but in the next second, Yellen understood his meaning.
I don't know what it is, but something is continuously flowing into my body from his fingertips. Itchy! So incredibly itchy! It feels as if countless ants have suddenly appeared in my head, gnawing ceaselessly at my brain. As time passes, the ants multiply, as if the space in my brain is no longer enough for them. The ants are crawling downwards—my neck, chest, abdomen... In moments, not an inch of my skin can escape this unbearable itch. Moreover, the ants are gnawing inwards. Soon, my internal organs are overrun. From top to bottom, inside and out, itching is the only sensation I can feel.
"UGH... HUH... HUH..."
Yellen's entire body turned crimson, veins bulging as he convulsed uncontrollably. Even passing out became an impossible wish, because that power was constantly stimulating his brain, forcing him to remain conscious.
Time passed, second by second. Finally, just a moment before Yellen reached his physical limit, the robed figure abruptly retracted his fingers.
"Don't worry, I won't let you die just yet!"
Looking down at the pool of fluids that had formed beneath Yellen, the robed figure sneered and shook his head. "So many Exorcists have died. How could we let you die so easily?"
By now, I finally understand why these people kidnapped me. If I don't handle this right, I'm probably going to die here!
"I... I was just following orders! And... that Bizarre really had nothing to do with me!" Yellen stammered.
Seeing Yellen try to shift all the blame, the robed figure grabbed his throat.
"Mr. Yellen, surely you don't think we're some kind of righteous heroes who care about not involving the innocent, do you?"
"Besides, you're hardly an innocent party yourself!"
The iron-like fingers gradually tightened. Yellen struggled to breathe, and his face, which had just regained some color, flushed crimson once more.
Fortunately, the robed figure was merely teaching Yellen a lesson and released his grip after about ten seconds.
"COUGH... COUGH COUGH..."
"Oct... Oct Drakelous! He's the one you're looking for! Everything I did was under his orders!" Yellen gasped for air. The repeated near-death experiences left him unable to think straight, so he blurted out the name of the person who had been pulling the strings.
All this suffering today... it's all because of that man's orders. My chances of getting out of this alive are slim. I can't let him get away scot-free. If I die, you're coming with me!
"He's..." Yellen began to explain the man's identity, but the robed figure cut him off with a dismissive wave.
"Oct Drakelous. Deputy Director of the FBI. Your direct superior. Did you think we wouldn't know?"
Abducting Yellen was clearly not a spur-of-the-moment decision; his connections had naturally been investigated. Especially since his place of work was such a unique agency.
"However, it was merely a suspicion before. Now, thanks to you, we've confirmed it!"
Pleased, the robed figure patted Yellen's shoulder. Just as he was about to ask more questions, a figure suddenly rushed into the warehouse from outside.
"The FBI's hounds have tracked us here!"
Hearing this, the lead robed figure frowned and placed his hand back on Yellen's neck.
"In your next life, remember one thing: ordinary people should stay far away from the supernatural world. It's not something you can touch."
With that, a sharp CRACK! echoed, and Yellen's head slumped heavily.
"Let's go! Now's not the time to get tangled up with them!"
"These hounds aren't very strong, but their noses sure are sharp!"
The lead robed figure didn't speak, just gave a scornful chuckle.
Next target: Oct Drakelous.