The Mysteries of Agent Scythe

Kabanata 6: Core And Hope

[Zin's POV]

Sa nakalipas na dalawang araw ko rito sa kulungan ay marami akong narinig na mga kwento tungkol kay FCA Cofflin mula sa mga enforcers, scientists, at kahit sa mga tao na nakakulong.

Hindi raw masyado makikita si Cofflin sa mga laban dahil dito siya sa kulungan lumalagi specifically sa laboratory. Ang trabaho na nakaatas sa kanya ay pinapatay niya ang mga Elvesmiths na nawawalan ng kontrol kapag ineeksperimentuhan.

It's a huge task that only she can do. Not a single scratch can be seen in her even if she fights the most deadliest monster of an experiment.

They said, she's terrifying that even the Head Commander fears her but I know it's just a myth. I've seen the Head Commander once and I think he's the most deadliest. His skill is unique and his talent is amazing that no one can match. FCA Cofflin is just an easter bunny compared to the Head Commander.

Ngayong araw ay pumasok muli siya sa laboratory at kakatapos ko lang maglampaso ng sahig... ulit. Sa bawat oras na lumilipas ay naiirita ako sa kanya. The floor is shining so neatly and the moment she comes out of the laboratory, the blood of an Elvesmith that drips from her hand is ruining my precious masterpiece.

Kailangan ko nang umalis bago ko pa makita ang pagdungis niya sa magandang sahig. Baka kasi uminit lang ulo ko. Kinuha ko na ang mop at aalis na sana pero natigilan ako nung marinig ang pagbukas ng laboratoryo.

No, don't look back. Umalis ka na.

Rinig ko ang mga yapak niya kaya automatiko na napalingon ako. Nanlumo ako nung makita ang dugo na pumapatak sa sahig. Sobrang dumi na at wala akong choice kundi ay linisin.

Tumingin ako sa kanya at nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko nung makita na wala siyang pake sa dumi na ginagawa niya. She was about to leave but I called her out.

"Aren't you going to apologize for the mess you caused?" Tumigil siya sa paglalakad at agad na napalingon. Our gaze met and she stared intently into my eyes.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I need you to apologize for your mess. You don't know how hard it is for me just to get this floor cleaned."

She looked at the floor and she scoffed after realizing the mess that I was talking about.

"Apologize? Will my apologies give you strength to clean this floor again?" Natahimik ako.

"Maybe not," agad niya akong tinalikuran at napakuyom ako ng aking palad dahil sa inasta niya.

"Then act as if you feel sorry that I have to clean this floor again and again every time you'll pass by."

"Oh, so you want pity? Never thought that a janitor will ask pity of me."

"I'm not a janitor. I'm a Cadet."

Hinarap niya ako muli at pinanliitan ng mga mata na ikinalunok ko.

What the fuck is she thinking?

Her silence is making me uncomfortable. She walks slowly towards me and I can't move my feet. I want to step back but I can't.

"Really? I don't think you are worthy to be called a Cadet. A real soldier acts the way he's told without any grouch."

"I'm not a puppet nor a slave. Besides, I didn't ask your opinion nor care of what you think." Napakurap siya dahil sa sinabi ko. Hindi siya nagsalita at nanatili siyang nakatayo sa harapan ko kaya ako na mismo ang tumalikod at sinimulan ang paglinis ng kalat niya.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa kanyang kinatatayuan para tingnan kung naroroon pa siya pero sa pagkagulat ko ay wala na siya roon. Tumingin ako sa paligid ko at umalis na talaga siya. She left without any sound like the wind and it's horrifying.

"I think that's just a myth. If she's really strong, then why can't she help the soldiers expand our territory?" Tanong ko.

Narinig ko ang dalawang enforcers na nag-uusap tungkol kay FCA Cofflin. They praise her and they tell stories about her as if she's a legend. Kung nagbabasa lang sila ng libro ay magkikilala nila sina Xander Reaper, Louise IV, Chantal Mills, at iba pang mga Head Commander na namatay pagtatanggol ng mga tao mula sa Elvesmiths.

"Hey, kid, we both know that it's disrespectful to interrupt someone else's conversation."

"Sorry for interrupting but i'm just curious to know if what you said really makes a point." Ngumisi sila na parang nanunuya dahil sa sinabi ko.

"You're a Cadet, right? From S-108?"

"Yeah, that's right." Tango ko.

"Have you fought in the battle field?"

"No."

"But did your Corporal introduced you to the Assassins?"

"Yes, he did." Nagkatinginan silang tatlo at napailing. I bet they're insulting me inside their head.

"I bet he told you that First Class Assassin Elene Cofflin is the hope and core of humanity's salvation." I tried to recall the night when Corporal Amphrite introduced us to the Assassin and I think I remember what he said.

"Yes, he did."

"We are working here in this jail for almost half of our lives and we got to see what FCA is capable of. There's a huge reason why she's called the core and hope of our salvation."

"You don't learn everything from the book, kid. Deepest and unexplainable things can't be wrote by any writers. Sometimes, you just need to open your eyes."

Nung matapos silang kumain ay umalis na sila ng cafeteria para bumalik sa kani-kanilang mga trabaho. I was left wordless, things they have said is so hard to comprehend.

Tahimik ako sa pagkain habang pinoproseso ng utak ko ang lahat ng kanilang mga sinabi pero hindi ko pa rin maintindihan. What is so good about that assassin? Why does everyone praise her like some sort of goddess?

Napa-angat ako ng tingin nung marinig ang tawanan ng mga ka-squad ko pero ang mga ngiti sa kanilang mga labi ay agad na naglaho. Ang buong cafeteria ay napuno ng katahimikan na parang may anghel na dumaan.

Nakita ko na nakatitig sina Vyre at ang mga empleyado ng cafeteria sa entrance. Napatingin din ako roon para tingnan kung sino ang pumasok.

And there she is again. Making everyone zip their lips using her deadly and piercing eyes.