Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 52: Beneath the Surface

As they drove to the Gattioni family's cafe, there was no sound as nobody talked.The tension in the car was so thick that it could be cut with a knife.

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Leo fidgeted in his seat while Lily was gritting her teeth. Luna was silent as she drove but he could tell that she was agitated by how she gripped the steering wheel.

"Lily... I know you are angry but let's follow whatever Horo has planned. He put his life on the line for me and made a plan that lured what I can only assume is a disgusting piece of garbage disguised as a human"

"Hah. Don't insult garbage..."

Lily's face scrunched up even more, her knuckles turning white.

Leo's heavy sigh filled the car as he turned to his sister, hoping she would help him calm Lily. Luna raised an eyebrow at him before glancing in the rearview mirror to check Lily's expression.

"Lily. I know how much you want vengeance but... it is not ours to claim. You have to think of Uncle Tony. Anna was his daughter. You need to let him decide how he wants to proceed."

Lily flinched before she bit her lip, gripping her legs.

"....You're right Luna..."

"Besides, I am pretty sure that cunning bastard who gave us this 'present' probably has a twisted plan that will be far worse than any physical pain~"

Leo pondered that statement for a brief moment before he nodded his head.

"I can see that happening. Whatever he has to say for himself will most definitely be interesting."

"That's right. Or he will piss off Lily's guys and they might be beating his ass as we speak"

Leo chuckled while Luna acted like she was offended

"Without me?! How could they?! My feelings are so hurt I am gonna need a tub of ice cream!"

"Hahahaha"

Lily's bright cheerful laughter echoed from the backseat, the siblings had succeeded in brightening her mood.

Leo had a small smile on his face hearing it, a smile suited her far better.

"Alright. We're here. Hop out while I go find a parking space...huh?"

The car came crawling to a stop as Luna rolled down the window. Standing there was a man wearing a suit who looked really uncomfortable for some reason.

"Danny? What's the matter?"

"Ms. Luna. How about I park the car for you. Can you please go in and deal with that lunatic? Pardon my french but that guy is fucking crazy!"

Luna scowled in response. Did something happened to Horo?

"That thing is testing blades on his skin. Is he even human?"

"What do you mean by that Danny?"

Lily interjected as she opened the door abruptly and stepped out of the car.

"Y-Young Miss. I-I mean he has scales for skin...and his blood is purple. Are you friends with an alien?"

"Don't be silly. I don't know any aliens. You guys must be getting pranked. Who is the practical joker?"

Lily was dismissive of the story but her expression flickered with doubt when Leo too got out of the car.

'What if it wasn't a joke...'

"Lily. Could this 'thing' be Horo? He never really told us what his mutation was."

"...You're right"

Luna got out of the car and tossed Danny the keys.

"Go park it, we will go in."

Her voice carried a voice of authority while her calm poise gave everyone in the surroundings a sense of calm. Leo tilted his head in surprise at her behaviour.

The behavior his sister showed in the game world was that of a savage berserker. How was she acting so suave?

His curious gaze was noticed by Luna who inwardly felt some indignation. She had an image to maintain, she would punish him later.

The group of 3 stood outside the cafe doors with Luna in the lead. She took a deep breath to stabilize herself before she threw the door open, ready to fight whatever it was that had freaked out Danny.

However, to her surprise, the only person inside was a young man sitting at a table alone with a pot of coffee on the table in front of him.

With slicked back black hair, Luna saw that he had beautiful amber eyes. Luna forgot to breathe for a second as his calm attitude made him look like some sort of beautiful statue.

She could feel her heartbeat skip for a second.

'Is this what they call love at first si—'

"Oh hey guys! You finally showed up. I was getting bored waiting for you."

The calm, almost serene expression of the man instantly shifted into a mischievous smirk. Luna would never forget the man who constantly had a smirk like that when he hung around them.

"Horo! I am glad to see you safe"

Luna trembled subtly in place, her head lowered in shame.

'Did I really just think that bastard was kinda hot....?! After this I am going to go see a doctor' 

She felt like her face would melt from the embarrassment but she could do nothing but shoot him a resentful glare.

Horo felt cold sweat dripping down his back as Luna glared at him.

'I haven't done anything...yet. Why does it look like she wants to kill me?'

Thankfully for him, Lily spoke up. "I thought your transformation was only your skin. Danny said your blood is purple? What was he talking about?"

Horo flashed Lily a complicated smile

"Well I was just testing the strength of the scales and doing some simple experiments about my blood..."

Leo perked up an eyebrow. He noticed that Horo was hesitant to explain

"And what were the results?"

"The answer is complicated...My blood has become just as if not more corrosive than battery acid..."

Luna shook her head upon hearing the somber explanation.

"How did you test that? I don't see any cuts on you"

That remark caused Horo to flinch before he sighed.

"Yeah it appears my mutation is more than just blood and skin... I have one of my skills from the game"

A chilling silence descended upon the group.

"H-How do you know?"

Lily was afraid to know how he found out.

"Cause of this!"

He placed his palm on the table before quickly grabbing a steak knife and stabbing it directly into the middle of his palm. Everyone else leapt to their feet.

"Horo. WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Leo was shocked and angry, how could he stab himself like that?!

"Wait a second."

Horo didn't even flinch, his expression didn't change as he slowly pulled the knife out.

"Oh..my...god"

Lily was horrified as the sturdy knife was coated in violet blood and it looked like it was dissolving in real time. His blood was indeed extremely corrosive!

"No, it's not my blood, look at my hand"

Luna felt a wave of nausea threaten to overtake her as her gaze never left his palm. She was the only one to see that the moment he pulled the knife out, his wound began to bubble and mend itself.

Luna stared into Horo's eyes who was clearly conflicted about the changes to his body. Was the game stripping him of his humanity? All he knew now was that he had yet another mutation to deal with

"I seem to have Regeneration"