Chapter 68: 065, Confused girl, have you heard of our lord and savior the emperor?
The last blood-red rays of the setting sun gradually disappeared beyond the horizon. Countless brilliant neon lights illuminated every corner of City. The delicious restaurants, even after closing their doors to new customers, remained open. Aunt, dressed in her white chef's uniform, leaned against the kitchen doorframe, her gaze occasionally drifting toward a table near the entrance.
At this moment, the neon light from outside the door cast a glow on a black-haired girl in a black leather jacket. A glance revealed her tired, disheveled appearance, her hair greasy and unkempt, as though it hadn't been washed or groomed in days. She stared blankly at the cold plate of fried rice in front of her, as if her mind was wandering far away.
Just then, Carl, who had just finished cleaning the kitchen, came up beside Aunt. He first poked his head out, his rimless glasses glinting as he glanced a few times at the black-haired girl. Then, turning to Aunt, he asked, "Boss, she still hasn't left?"
"Mm..." Aunt nodded solemnly, her expression serious. Lowering her voice, she complained, "She's been sitting there all day after ordering just a plate of fried rice... If she hadn't said she was an old classmate of Zaire, I'd have kicked her out by now."
Aunt frowned and continued, "Do you think that scruffy-looking girl could be a junkie? My Zaire's always been well-behaved, never one to get into trouble in school... Besides, he hasn't been to school for so long, he wouldn't have time to attract girls, right?"
Before Aunt could finish, Carl gave a helpless smile. He stuck his head out again, scanning the black-haired girl once more, before confidently saying, "That girl doesn't look like she's on illegal drugs... more like she's suffering from some sort of post-traumatic stress disorder."
"Huh? What disorder? Is that a mental illness?" Aunt was slightly taken aback, her eyes filled with confusion as she looked at Carl.
Sighing, Carl pushed his rimless glasses up his nose and shrugged, his tone flat, "Simply put, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental condition that arises after someone has unintentionally experienced, witnessed, or been subjected to severe injury or the threat of death..."
"Oh... I see." Aunt nodded vaguely, still looking a bit puzzled. However, her gaze toward the black-haired girl now held a hint of sympathy.
A little later, just as Aunt, always kind-hearted, was about to change clothes and maybe sit down to talk with the girl, offering some advice, Zaire's tall, muscular figure appeared at the restaurant's entrance. He hadn't even walked in yet, but he instantly spotted the dazed black-haired girl — Jessica Jones.
Smiling, Zaire greeted Aunt and Carl before sitting across from the girl. His face now expressionless, Zaire locked eyes with the disheveled Jessica. After a brief silence, he sighed, "Jessica, do you really have no fear of death?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Jessica, who had been lost in her own world, finally seemed to snap back to reality. She stared blankly at Zaire, hesitated, and said, "Sorry, if I had another choice, I wouldn't have dared to bother you..."
Before she could finish, Zaire raised his chin slightly, looking into her eyes. "When did you recognize me?"
Jessica, looking weary, took a deep breath and managed a faint smile. She blinked and said, "At the time, you just looked familiar. But when I got home and dug out the old school yearbook, I could barely confirm it was you..."
"I expected that," Zaire said, still expressionless. "But since we were just classmates and not exactly friends, I won't beat around the bush with you."
"You... need something from me?"
"I... I want you to save me!"
As if she had finally found an outlet, Jessica took a deep breath, her fists clenching tightly on the table, making a creaking sound. "I naively thought that once the demon was gone, I would be saved. But I realized I was wrong!"
"When he controlled me, I was still conscious. I unintentionally helped him commit many terrible deeds! Murder and robbery were just small things during that time!"
"I even... Sorry, I got a bit carried away."
Trembling as she recalled her painful memories, Jessica took several deep breaths to barely suppress the turmoil inside her. With a bitter smile, she looked at Zaire and continued, "I haven't been able to sleep properly for days and nights. Every time I close my eyes, I'm haunted by those terrifying experiences."
"Since you saved me, I came to you again... I beg you, help me find a reason to keep living! Even if... even if you choose to kill me, that's fine!"
At that moment, Jessica's eyes were filled with despair. Zaire, sitting across from her, raised an eyebrow, studying her expression carefully. After a pause, he suddenly chuckled. Taking a deep breath, he asked solemnly, "Jessica... Are you really not afraid of death?"
"I'm not!"
"No regrets?"
"I feel like there's nothing left in my life to regret."
"Then, are you willing to contribute to the future of humanity?"
"The future of humanity? I... I don't quite understand..."
"Do you think you're the only one who's experienced such suffering? Do you believe you're the most miserable girl in the world?"
"At this very moment, while we're talking, countless people are enduring hardships they should never have to face."
"Reckless superpowered beings..."
"Chaotic and evil organizations..."
"Predatory alien life forms..."
"And even the monsters from ancient myths and legends..."
"Jessica, we are standing on the brink of humanity's extinction..."
"So, are you willing to join my cause and give everything for the future of humanity?"
"I... I am, but Zaire, you're not trying to recruit me into some kind of religion, are you?"
"Religion?"
"No, your perspective is too shallow, too narrow..."
"This is a long-standing human spirit, a belief that humanity must uphold to survive!"
"Now, let me tell you the story of an immortal being, passed down from ancient times..."
"He has been known by countless names throughout history... But the most famous of all is..."
"Emperor!"
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