[Lobotomy Corporation] I'm an Abnormality...

It won't go over.. EP.24

"What are you hesitating for, when I am performing miracles right here?"

As I stood still by the quarantine room door, the "Plague Doctor" urged me to come in quickly.

Fine, let's see how good this cult leader's preaching skills are, shall we?

I shrugged and walked deep into the "Plague Doctor's" quarantine room.

Then, I stood before the "Plague Doctor," facing him.

Well, saying "facing" might be a stretch, since this guy was two or three times my height, and I had to look up at him.

Looking up like this hurt my neck, so I tried standing on my tiptoes...

But even then, my height didn't even reach the "Plague Doctor's" belly button.

Ugh. This is so unfair.

Maybe it was from standing on my tiptoes for too long, but my body was trembling slightly when—

"Child. What are you so afraid of?"

This cult leader seems to think I'm scared.

Then, the Plague Doctor wrapped me warmly with the wings on his back.

What? Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?

"Tender child. Do not be afraid. I am your savior. I will be with you forever."

A bright light descended from behind the "Plague Doctor."

This must be the "blessing" the staff were talking about.

"Ah..."

What should I say... it's a soft, warm light.

I'd been calling him a cultist and all, but after receiving the blessing directly, it doesn't seem so bad.

"Give me your faith. Only I can help you."

His gentle voice tickled my ears.

His wings were so soft that my eyes started to close.

"I promise you. So promise me too. That you won't leave me until the end."

It was a soft, mysterious voice that instilled trust.

I smiled faintly and nodded.

His wings felt like a stable bed, more comforting than I imagined.

"I heard your cries. Your sincerity reached me. You called for me. From now on, you are an 'apostle'..."

...?

In that moment, the "Plague Doctor's" words cut off, and my consciousness surfaced.

"...What is this? Why is the blessing not descending?"

"...What the."

Damn it.

Did I almost fall for a cult just now?

- Slap.

I slapped my cheeks hard.

I kept stretching my cheek, pulling it like cheese.

This guy is the cunning bastard who drove Louis to suicide. Get a grip!

"Huu..."

I won't be fooled anymore!

"...Your cheek seems to hurt. I will heal all your illnesses and make you well..."

"Quiet!"

As I cut off the "Plague Doctor's" words, his face filled with bewilderment.

He looked as if he never expected me to interrupt him here.

Hmph, I won't fall for a cult!

...I quietly erased what just happened from my mind. Pretend it never happened.

"I won't fall for a cult!"

I placed my hands on my hips and pushed my chest forward.

The so-called "confident pose."

The "Plague Doctor" seemed stunned by my confident pose, unable to say anything...

"So it was you. The one spreading rumors that my 'blessing' is a cult."

...Or so I thought, but his voice suddenly turned ominous, and I shrank back.

The warm light that had been spreading until now was gone, replaced by a sharp, murderous aura filling the quarantine room.

Did I anger him too much...? But it's okay. I have a great solution for this.

"Cults are bad, mister! Stop harassing poor people and do something more productive!"

"Wha—what did you..."

-Beep.

I rattled off my words quickly and left the quarantine room.

...If it felt like I was running away, it's just your imagination.

"Hello, little one."

And from behind me, as I escaped, I heard a voice that was both very familiar and long unheard.

...Along with the sound of a large greatsword being dragged.

Oh no.