The Broken System Chose the Antagonist
Chapter 12: What to do with you...

Chapter 12: What to do with you...

"Huh?" Nadia quirked an eyebrow in confusion, "Because of... competition? What do you mean by that?"

Hilda stood up from the ground and immediately dusted herself off.

She then began to explain.

"Like us and most creatures, Predicaments like an easy meal that they can get without using too much energy. And though they work together, these Scoundrels wouldn’t let go of a free meal. So, right now, I predict they’re outside waiting on each other to pounce first so they can swoop in and eat us.

"But given how much Vitality we displayed, I doubt one of them will give in to temptation to jump first anytime soon. Either that or they wait on each other to leave, but I doubt that for the same reason, hehe."

She then looked over towards Ben, whose breathing was now harsh and ragged; his face even more deathly pale compared to before.

Hilda narrowed her eyes before smiling amiably at Nadia.

"Meine Dame, why don’t you look for some medical supplies in the neighbouring rooms? It’ll be rather troublesome for the man to remain in his condition without having his wounds disinfected und patched up properly, right~?"

Nadia narrowed her eyes at Hilda, her pupils darting over the woman’s face. She eventually nodded and got off the ground as well.

"You’re right... I’ll be back soon. Take care of him in the meantime." She said before exiting the room, leaving Hilda to watch over Ben alone.

"Of course~ of course~" Hilda cooed as she waved at her. Then, she slowly dropped her hand as she turned to face the young man, who was already a foot in death’s door.

The gentle and friendly smile she had previously had completely vanished, replaced with a serious face and a gaze filled with cold indifference.

"Now what to do with you..." Hilda muttered as she stood over the bathtub, staring down at the young man, who was barely clinging onto consciousness.

Then, after a moment or two, she pulled out a piece of paper from inside her coat, along with a pen.

After that, she spoke.

...

Nadia had a grim expression when she returned to the bathroom empty-handed, having scoured the entire second floor and above for medical supplies. There were no bandages nor disinfectant that she could find; this place had been cleared out dry, either recently or during The Fall.

"Damnit..." She cursed out loud.

"No luck, hm?" Hilda asked, glancing back at the woman, who stood in the doorway. And having just judged the negative expression Nadia had on her face, Hilda sighed, "Thought so..."

The German woman then walked over towards the smashed window in the bathroom, which was large enough for an adult to climb out of.

She gazed at it curiously, staring at the sharp edges of what remained of the glass window before making a decision.

Hilda opened the window gently, carefully making sure it would not cause a loud commotion.

She then said:

"Since I doubt the Scoundrels outside would let us switch buildings without a fight, it looks like we gotta make a run for it out the back. Staying here any longer would only cause more suffering for him."

"But where to?" Nadia whispered loudly, "We don’t even know where we are."

"I looked at the map while you were looking for supplies." Hilda glanced back, "We’re somewhere around Calais Nord. I plan that we should go around South to an open area called Place d’Armes, which is roughly 2-10 minutes away from here."

"Alright, fine... but what about him!?" Hilda shouted, gesturing towards Ben before instantly shrinking when she discovered she was too loud.

She then repeated:

"What about him? I mean, look at him. He’s barely hanging on to a thread of consciousness, right now. He’s in absolutely no condition to move."

Hilda stared at her before smiling comfortingly at her.

"You leave him to me. I’ll figure something out. But before that..." Hilda reached for the ground beside the bathtub, picking up one of the satchels she took off Ben, "I’m going to need you to carry one of these, it’ll get in the way."

Nadia’s face contorted into a complicated expression as she grabbed the satchel, unable to shake off an awful feeling in her stomach. Why did she feel like something bad was about to happen?

She shook her head and stared into Hilda’s red eyes.

"Alright, then I’ll head on first."

Hilda gently clapped her hands together, pleased.

"Brilliant~ now chop, chop!" Hilda nudged Nadia towards the open window, "Remember, south from here, open area—"

Nadia gave an exasperated sigh as she climbed into the open window, "I got it, I got it..."

With one leg pushed out of the window, dangling, she looked back at Hilda—unease still visible in her eyes before dissipating after a shake of her head.

"I’m trusting in you, Hilda Hertel."

After that, she leapt out of the window and immediately ran.

Hilda looked out of the window, watching as Nadia got farther and farther away from them. And once she was far enough away, Hilda walked over to the bathtub that Ben laid in.

She then pulled out the gun given to her by the System.

"Give your Heart for the Good of Humanity..."

BANG!