Page 192 of Light Leech

I’ve faced his past.

“You never explored the lead that took his life.”

I will. In time. Don’t tell me my time is running out. Subject change. How did you become a Gui? Is that like, your afterlife?”

“Oh, you have so much to learn. Think of it as a limbo for now.”

I assume not everyone becomes one?

“Yes.”

Only warriors like you.

“It is more related to ascendancy.”

Will I become one when I die?

“I do not know.”

Ralia? Is Ralia alive as one?

He didn’t answer. Part of me wanted to hope he was thinking, but I knew certain truths were better left unspoken when the point had been made.

I don’t understand why we’re still connected. Why didn’t they take my Bite as well?

“That should be my worry.”

I don’t want to end up like Ralia.

“At least you would not be weaponized against your will. I fear their intentions.”

Didn’t know you were capable of fear.

“I did not know I could be deceived by one of my closest friends.”

The door opened and the neurowashing came to an abrupt stop.

“PetNeb? Mister Petya Nebokov? Ah, there you are. I’m sorry I didn’t get to focus on you too much. Ralia and her whole Gui endeavor was a little more important to me. Nice to meet you formally, my name is Mister Kim.”

“I know.”

He smirked, adjusting his glasses as he approached me with hands behind his back. “A strong voice from such a strong boy.”

“I know your body’s fake so why bother with glasses?”

He scoffed. “You’re asking that before anything else? Not even going to address the–”

“I don’t want to hear you justify any of what you’ve done.”

“Very well. I respect that.”

“I don’t respect you.”

“Big surprise.”

“Whose identity did you steal?”

“Pardon?”