HI3: Previous Civilization

Fan greeted them with a strange smile, inviting them into the house.

Both stood outside the house, cold sweat continuously dripping down their faces. They now deeply regretted their actions, regretting impulsively following him without thinking things through.

At this moment of clarity, both felt a surge of fear.

The person before them, dressed in a white lab coat, had just dispatched that peculiar creature. Was he a product of some genetic laboratory experiment?

This person had come out to handle the situation.

Fearful that once inside, the other party would emit that strange laugh, he said, "You two came just at the right time today. There are no more experimental subjects available."

After witnessing him pull out a large syringe, with his expression and tone resembling that of a mad scientist, both of them were left with a lasting impression.

Fan took the first step into the house. Looking back, he saw the two standing at the doorway, unable to move, cold sweat still streaming down their faces.

Observing their expressions, as if understanding what they were thinking, the corners of his mouth lifted into two pixel-like points, finding it quite amusing.

He waved to them.

"You two, what are you still waiting for? Come in. Don't worry, I won't conduct genetic experiments on either of you," Fan's voice was magnetic and gentle, as inviting as gravity itself.

After hearing this, both of them felt a slight sense of relief and began to lift their legs to step forward. However, halfway through lifting their legs, something felt off. They recalled his previous words, and cold sweat immediately began to bead on their bodies.

They glanced back at Fan, who was smiling broadly and gesturing towards them.

Sakagami Tomoyo and Miyazawa Kazuto, with terror in their expressions, lifted their legs hesitantly.

'This is like leaving the thieves' den only to board their ship,' they thought, turning and running towards the courtyard.

After taking only a few steps, they stopped. Fan appeared at the doorway, blocking the entrance. They saw his smiling face and heard a sharp sound from his throat.

"Heh heh heh, little friends, where are you off to? Are you here to ask me something?"

Sakagami Tomoyo and Miyazawa Kazuto recognized that laugh—they had heard villains in movies laugh like that.

Both shook their heads vigorously.

Fan raised an eyebrow, sporting a malicious grin. "What's the meaning of all that head-shaking? Just say something."

They didn't dare speak, not even to take a breath, fearing that if they said the wrong thing, he might find a reason to capture them.

He bound them to an experimental table—nowhere for them to cry out.

Fan waved his hand, pinched his chin, and pondered.

"You guys aren't saying anything. Let me guess, what exactly do you want to do?"

As Fan was thinking, he lifted his forefoot repeatedly, causing contact sounds with the ground.

"Dah..."

"Dah..."

"Dah..."

These sounds were like a judge's gavel striking in a courtroom, hammering down on their hearts.

Time seemed to drag on as Fan pondered, making it feel like a form of torture for the two.

As for taking a desperate gamble, it was akin to sending themselves to death.

Would the fate of that big worm-like creature be the same as theirs? Their end could be even worse than the creature's.

After all, Fan had told them he wouldn't use them as genetic test subjects, possibly waiting for them to make a move.

But where were the experimental materials?

…

"Dah!" With the final strike, the sound was like a judge's gavel echoing in a courtroom.

At that moment, the two remained still, as if awaiting their trial.

"We just want to go home and rest."

Both nodded frantically, indicating that was all they wanted.

Fan first furrowed his brows, then nodded, and began to speak.

"That's true. As students, you should rest at home and attend school properly tomorrow. Since that's the case, please go ahead." He then turned his body slightly, extending a hand towards the doorway with a light gesture.

Seeing Fan's gesture, both were struck with shock, their brains momentarily unable to process.

"(☉_☉)??? What's happening? He's letting us go? It can't be real, right?"

They both swallowed hard, exchanged a glance, and then looked back at Fan.

Fan maintained his gesture, then raised his hand, saying, "Please, you can leave now."

Thus, Sakagami Tomoyo and Miyazawa Kazuto bravely took step by step towards the outside.

With each step, they glanced back at Fan, sometimes looking multiple times. The distance from the doorway to the courtyard was only about ten steps.

After walking for five minutes, once outside the courtyard, a gentle breeze blew, causing both to shiver.

They then looked back at the courtyard.

Unexpectedly, both of them managed to walk out alive.

It all felt like a dream, somewhat unreal.

Pinching their own faces,

"It hurts so much."

"There's pain, it's real."

Just as the two were overjoyed, a pair of hands appeared, gripping their shoulders. Those hands felt like mountains pressing down on them, making it impossibly heavy to move.

A soft yet magnetic voice sounded from behind them once again.

"Such a coincidence, we meet again."

Sakagami Tomoyo turned around and immediately cursed loudly, "You bastard, don't you keep your word? Won't you spare us?"

Fan tilted his head, "Oh, didn't I already spare you? You both left the courtyard and came onto the street. Doesn't that count as sparing you?"

Sakagami Tomoyo frowned, biting her silver teeth, showing extreme anger, and stared fiercely at Fan behind her.

A sigh sounded from nearby.

"Sakagami, just give up."

"You remember what he said earlier about sparing us? He never actually mentioned sparing us at all."

Miyazawa Kazuto raised an eyebrow and spoke behind them.

"Right? This unknown gentleman."

Fan, with a full smile, said, "Exactly. Didn't expect such a clever little guy. But when you came after me, who would have thought you'd end up like this?"

"Two little friends, this place isn't where you can just walk in and out as you please. Moreover, someone has already paid, so I can't disappoint the boss."

"Someone paid... the boss." Sakagami Tomoyo and Miyazawa Kazuto sensed something was off.

"Wait a minute, what do you mean..." they repeated twice.

Soon after, they heard a sizzling sound, their vision went black, and they collapsed onto the street.

Fan watched as the two lay on the ground, snapped his fingers producing a flash of lightning, and shook his head.

"Young people are great, just lie down and sleep."