The Incubus System Chapter 720. Hard Bargain I (Patreon)

The Incubus System Chapter 720. Hard Bargain I

Mrs. Clea’s PoV

Mrs. Clea stood in the heart of the high official room, the air crackling with a sense of anticipation. Monitors, sleek and modern, surrounded her, displaying flickering images of shadowy figures perched high above. Their intense gazes bore into her, their eyes penetrating, as if they could see into her very soul. It was an intimidating sight, no doubt, but somehow Mrs. Clea had grown accustomed to it over time.

Dressed in her demon hunter uniform that accentuated her confidence, Mrs. Clea exuded an air of authority. Her silver-streaked hair framed a face that bore the wisdom of experience, and her eyes sparkled with a mixture of determination and caution.

The room fell silent as one of the shadowy figures spoke up, their voice cutting through the tension like a sharp blade. "I must admit, I was taken aback when I heard you had a change of heart and decided to lend your support to the Angel Creation Project," they said, their tone laced with a mix of surprise and skepticism. The project itself had been given the code name "Angel Creation Project" by the senators, a rather grandiose title for what essentially boiled down to transforming a demon hunter named Renart into an angelic being capable of eradicating all demons. However, since Renart's untimely demise, their attention had shifted to a new candidate— his son, Ethan.

Mrs. Clea plastered a smile on her face, but her words conveyed a different sentiment altogether. "Oh, trust me, I'm just as shocked as you are that I've come to this decision," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Unlike Nathan, who maintained a polite demeanor when dealing with the senators, Mrs. Clea had reached her breaking point. She had grown tired of their antics and games. Fortunately, she held a few trump cards of her own, which allowed her to maintain her position and wield some influence despite the countless clashes she had endured with them.

The room seemed to bristle with tension as another silhouette, clearly annoyed by Mrs. Clea's response, chimed in, their voice dripping with disdain. "Always rude, aren't you? It's quite apparent that you have no idea where you stand," they retorted, their words laced with irritation.

A third figure joined the conversation, their voice tinged with a touch of condescension. "You could learn a thing or two from that young Nathan boy. Despite his tender age, he knows how to play his part and control his emotions, even when he finds the situation distasteful," they remarked, their words carrying a hint of admiration for Nathan's composure.

Mrs. Clea maintained her friendly smile, but her response held a touch of biting sarcasm. "Oh, please, spare me the comparison to that inexperienced newbie," she shot back, her tone infused with a mixture of mockery and amusement. "While he may excel at uttering 'Yes, sir' to you, I happen to have a few more cards up my sleeve."

Mrs. Clea's sarcasm was met with an eruption of laughter that reverberated throughout the room. The mocking sound echoed off the walls, filling the space with a sense of intimidation as if everyone present suddenly felt small in comparison. But despite the overwhelming atmosphere, Mrs. Clea remained unperturbed. She had grown accustomed to such reactions over time. After all, ascending to the position of chairwoman in this demon hunter association required a resilient and unwavering mental fortitude.

The laughter subsided, giving way to a tense silence. It was in this quiet moment that one of the silhouettes spoke up, their voice dripping with discontent. "Let's not beat around the bush, Clea. We all know that whatever knowledge or influence you possess is inconsequential to us. It is only by our mercy that you still retain your position," they stated, their words laced with bitterness and a touch of superiority.

Mrs. Clea tilted her head, her gaze fixed on the figure that had dared to challenge her. With a hint of cynicism in her voice, she replied, "Is that so? You truly believe that, do you?" Her tone suggested a mixture of disbelief and amusement as if she found their assertions both preposterous and predictable.

The room seemed to tremble with tension as another silhouette interjected, their voice laced with irritation. "How dare you address us in such a tone!" they exclaimed, their words dripping with displeasure. The displeasure in their voice was palpable, a testament to their belief in their own superiority and authority.

” Should we do a thing or two to teach you a lesson? So, you'll remember that you shouldn't talk like that!” another added.

Mrs. Clea let out a chuckle, a sound that held a touch of amusement, almost as if she found their empty threats comical. But as quickly as the laughter escaped her lips, her expression hardened once more, her eyes glinting with a steely resolve.

A defiant sneer curved her lips as she retorted, her voice laced with a mix of mockery and defiance. "You guys always talk about teaching me a lesson, but when push comes to shove, you never follow through," she shot back, her words a sharp retort aimed directly at her adversaries.

One of the silhouettes, consumed by anger, was ready to unleash his fury upon Mrs. Clea, but their fellow companion swiftly intervened, urging them to cease their pointless quarrel. "Enough of this nonsense! I have no time nor interest in indulging in useless bickering," she declared, her tone exasperated and impatient.

A sense of momentary calm settled over the room as the wiser voice prevailed, reminding everyone of the purpose that had brought them together. The figure, now sounding more composed, flicked her gaze toward Mrs. Clea, her eyes searching for answers. "Let's get back to our discussion and exercise some restraint," she suggested, their words carrying a semblance of wisdom. "And what about you, Clea? What do you have to say? I highly doubt you would readily agree to our proposal just like that," she inquired, their tone a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.