Chapter 218 - Questions

Behind Teren, Trisha was walking with a focused face. However, her every step wobbles as if she's about to fall.

'So her strength does not make her immune to illness. That's valuable information.'

Upon reaching the kitchen, Trisha placed her hand onto the counter as if it was natural. However, the truth was that she's supporting herself while deeply breathing through her nose since she got tired from that walking.

'How big is this house!? I want to beat its owner!'

At some place, Jomar sneezed, thinking that he turned his car's air-conditioning too cold.

"Also, what are you going to cook?"

Trisha asked to hide her fatigue. Teren noticed this but just ignored it as he showed her his phone.

"Wow... that looks delicious." Trisha wiped the drool off her lips before realizing, "Wait! That's not what you should be feeding the sick!"

"Eh?" Teren raised an eyebrow, "So you're admitting you're sick?"

"No! I just mean that you think that I'm sick so you're cooking for the hypothetical sick person, right? So why the hell are you planning to cook such a complicated dish?"

"You're so stubborn..." Teren sighed then asked, "So, what should I feed the hypothetical sick person?"

"Should you really be asking that question? It's easy, it's either fruits or a porridge."

Trisha tried to point her fingers up but if she removed her supporting hand, she may get out of balance.

"A porridge... okay, if that's what you want."

"No, I'm just teaching you. Tsk!"

"You're getting on my nerves." Teren glanced at her but she retaliated.

"Wow, you have such thick skin. Have you already forgotten what you've done to me these last few days? Maybe you have such a thick skin to hide the demon behind it."

Teren just shook his shoulders since he couldn't retort to that. But when he was about to start cooking, Trisha continued-

"I will never forget about it."

"...." Teren glanced at Trisha and found her eyes filled with hatred towards him, "Is that so?"

"What's with that disinterested reply? But anyway, why are you even doing this?"

Trisha sat on the counter to have higher ground and also because she can't keep supporting herself.

"Didn't I already answer that? I said that I want strength."

Teren began his cooking as he replied. Trisha watched how he progressed while she continues the conversation.

"Do you really think that I will aid you after all these?"

"That's up to you afterward."

"..." Trisha felt a little dizzy but she was still straight in the mind as she asked another question, "Why do you even want strength?"

"Why should I answer that?"

"And you expect me to aid you?"

"So if I told you, will you come to my side after I'm finished torturing you?"

Teren looked at her with a serious expression. Trisha paused for a while before shaking her head.

"Impossible. Whatever reason that may be."

"See."

"But there's my answer already. You think I will change my mind?"

"Do I have the obligation to answer all your questions?"

"Ugh, so what should I say, the weather's fine today?" Trisha irritatedly said, "I will not even mention how I haven't seen the weather since you kidnapped me, we're not friends. I'm a captive and you're my cold-blooded torturer, of course, I'm going to need answers!"

"I don't know the answers too."

Teren then replied which made Trisha tilt her head.

"What did you just say? Did you get hit on the head when you were a child?"

"Maybe..."

"No, I'm speaking seriously here. You don't know why you need strength!?"

"That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about your nature. I don't know what you will do after all this. Then let me ask you this; do you even know why you're gifted?"

"That's easy, it's because I..."

Trisha smiled and began to explain only to realize that she doesn't know. After a while, she could only say-

"Because that's just how the world works. There are some who born gifted and some born without one. I'm just one of the lucky few."

She said without shame.

"Well, that's where you're wrong."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"No one is born as spiritually strong as you who naturally attracts other Spirits."

Trisha scratched her head, not understanding what Teren is saying.

"In this world, Trisha, the strong attracts. Since you're spiritually gifted, the other Spirits will think that you'll live a great life, a life that they never have."

"Sorry, but I don't really understand this fantasy world of yours... also, you're talking as if you really know my case, huh?"

"Well, that's because you're not the only one who has a strong Spirit."

Teren replied as he stirred the small pot.

"Hm?" this rubbed Trisha the wrong way. Even though her mind's a little hazy, she was able to find what exactly rubbed her the wrong way, "Are you saying, you're just like me?"

"... not exactly."

"Not exactly how?"

Teren turned off the stove and while he took some porridge from the pot to a bowl, he answered.

"I wasn't spiritually strong when I was born. I developed it."

"Oh, okay..."

Trisha was impressed but at the same time, she doesn't understand the reality and depth of Teren's answer. She's unaware of its difficulty.

"I've finished it. Let's go back."

"Ugh... let's just eat here. I got tired of always being in the basement."

Trisha said to avoid walking back.

"Since you're sick..."

"You're talking as if you're actually concerned."

Towards this, Teren just remembered that showing kindness to his captive would make them bite back. But oddly, he doesn't seem to see that 'biting back' any longer. Therefore, he got a little lenient and said what he really thinks.

"That's because I'm actually concerned."

"Huh? You are what now?"

"Just sit there. You can feed yourself, right?"

"This is insulting. You just kept underestimating me. Of course, I can feed myself."

Trisha took a spoon of porridge and dropped it after holding it with her trembling hand.