บท 39: A New Role (1)

Everyone present felt a chill upon seeing the Marked's smile. It was clear that the young man really hoped that these extremely dangerous people would go after him.

Jonah smiled before chuckling. He would have a full-blown laugh if not for Maximo glaring at him.

He now understood that Malcom really had guts.

"You are an interesting boy!" Jonah blurted out. He was more like saying that to himself than to the rest.

Malcom suddenly looked at Jonah with a frown before he asked with confusion, "You said Marked remaining? What do you mean? Are there more of those kidnapped than the girls in the group?"

Jonah winced but still nodded. "Yes, it seems that in recent months there have been three more kidnappings," He said, tone lace with embarrassment. He was completely unlike any Virtue that Malcom had met.

But that didn't mean that he would not question his credibility.

"Three more kidnappings, and you still couldn't predict this?" Malcom asked. He was trying to question, without taunting, which he really wanted to do at that moment.

He then added, "So this has happened before, and yet it happened again, right at a public concert in the same city where the Virtues tournament takes place. Interesting, don't you think?"

"What do you mean, 'interesting' kid?" Maximo asked suddenly unhappily, participating in the conversation for the first time. However, he did not hide his annoyance for just speaking with Malcom.

"The question was for every amazing Virtue," Said Malcom using that last word as an insult.

"What do you mean, Marked?" Maximo responded in the same tone, even though his expression was dark.

Malcom was bothered by that word, but he continued with his provocation, and this time he was directly addressing Maximo.

"Well, if this can happen under these circumstances, you should ask yourself. Are the Virtues really capable or just stupid?"

Maximo inflated his chest with anger. "How dare―"

"Listen to me well, insolent Tadpole!" Satin suddenly roared, interrupting Maximo.

The Virtue's voice was so strong, that paired with his strong magic. It gave so much impact that one could almost imagine the space vibrating.

Satin advanced towards Malcom before grabbing the young man forcefully by the collar of his shirt.

"I'm tired of you going in circles, you damn Marked!"

Malcom, who tried to control his body's trembling due to the sudden fear that Satin caused him, still spoke with a smile, "Going in circles? Why? Was I indirect, almighty Virtue? Then I will just say bluntly that you are incompetent or stupid directly!"

Satin raised his fist to hit Malcom. Just as he was about to do so, he felt Jonah's handhold his raised arm.

Maximo surprisingly also stopped Satin by placing his staff on his chest.

Everyone was watching Satin, the angry and noisy Virtue, with a reproachful look as two nurses, came to see what the fuss was about.

The image was almost unbelievable—a Virtue threatening a young man in the middle of the hospital.

People began to be interested in the scene, and the fame of Virtue this time was working against him.

Satin felt the gaze of all those present and felt conflicted.

"What are you doing, Beast?" Maximo whispered next to him in a warning.

The leader of the Virtue might not like Malcom. However, Satin knew that he still could not offend Maximo and ruin the Sacred Virtue's reputation.

Satin growled low before releasing Malcom, whose feet were barely touching the floor.

When he was released, he wiped his shirt, Malcom said taunting, "Quiet little bull―"

Malcom was not able to finish his words as Albert's arm was on his shoulder.

"Calm down, dude! Or that man will kill you with one blow," Albert said with unmasked concern.

The beast Virtue gave one last look of hatred to Malcom just before leaving that place under the mocking laugh of Mabel.

Mabel was watching him walk away as if she was really amused with the recent turn of events.

Maximo was about to leave, but before he left, he looked at Jonah and said seriously, "You deal with him. This child does not have any hint of education. If he causes even more trouble, you take responsibility." And with those words, he walked away.

Jonah watched as both Virtues walked towards the exit. He chuckled by just recalling what happened. It was not every day that someone had enough guts to mock any Virtue and the shortest tempered one.

However, when he looked at Malcom, he was all serious. "Do you have a death wish, kid?" Jonah asked while staring at him as if reprimanding the kid.

Malcom cleared his throat before answering, "Sometimes I can't control my temper." He then fixed his clothes while trying to calm down. Satin's pressure was still rubbing on him.

The Virtue snorted. "Yes, already figured it out, kid," Jonah continued talking to Malcom for a long time.

Still, regardless of his limitations, Malcom badly desired to go out, to find those responsible for what had happened. He tried his best to calm down to formulate his own plan, but he was not able to.

"Your friend Violet will be transferred to the residence of virtues tomorrow morning," Jonah said, which immediately got Malcom's attention.

Malcom looked up and nodded reluctantly.

After a few seconds, he asked, "Tonight, she will still be in her own house, right?"

"Yes," The Virtue nodded, then he added with confidence, "But my own team will protect the residence tonight."

"Considering what your team has done so far, is that supposed to assure me?" Malcom asked with slight disdain.

Albert put his hand on Malcolm's shoulder to get his attention when the Marked eyes were fixed on the soldier's.

"We deserve that! It was our job, and we failed, but I give you my word. Next time those guys will regret it," Albert said.

Malcom looked at him carefully and felt the honesty in his promise.

He nodded finally.

Malcom looked at Jonah again, and then he said, "I'll be the bait. And when they come for me, we will catch them. But I don't promise that those guys will be in good condition."

Jonah stared at the young man as he began to walk away. Malcom was accompanied by Benjamin.

"Colonel, that boy doesn't look like a Marked," Albert said after approaching his officer in command.

"That's very true," Mabel responded instead. She had been silent for a long time and did enjoy the turn of events. She then added expressionlessly, "too bad, regardless of how he resists he will always be a Marked."