The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 77: The deed was done

Buji’s mind raced as he stared at the red screen hovering above Deborah’s head. The words were stark and flickered unrelenting.

[Enemy Detected!]

[Immediate Quest: Kill the Enemy!]

[Reason: She is a Spy!]

His stomach churned as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Deborah, had more or else, if nothing but helpful to him since the day before. She even kissed him just moments ago, and they had made love, but she’s marked as his enemy.

The system’s words echoed in his mind, but he couldn’t bring himself to act on them immediately—not yet.

He needed to be sure.

Deborah moved about the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared coffee. She seemed oblivious to the red screen above her head, unaware of the danger she was in. Buji watched her carefully, his mind working overtime to piece together the puzzle that just materialized in his mind.

Was she really a spy? If so, who was she working for? Or, is that the reason she had suddenly gotten closer to him?

His thoughts drifted to Kira’s message, her accusations that he had been hiding things from her, but nonetheless asked him to be careful this days.

Could she have known about what was happening? Maybe, Deborah’s presence was connected with his absence in school? She might have been sent to keep an eye on him, to gather information?

Buji clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He couldn’t jump to conclusions. He needed proof.

"Deborah," he called out, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

She turned, putting on a warm smile on her face. "Yes?"

"Can we talk for a minute?"

"Of course," she said, setting the coffee pot aside. She walked over to the couch, sitting down beside him. "What’s on your mind?"

Buji hesitated, thinking of the best way to relay what was troubling him. He also had his time counting down, so, he needed to be sure what the system was asking if him.

But so far, he doesn’t think the system was going to lie to him. He just wanted to fulfill all righteousness, and follow formalities.

Choosing his words carefully, he said. "I’ve been thinking… about everything that’s happened between us since we met," he paused and looked at her face, then continued. "You’ve been so helpful...and I’m grateful for that. For everything. But I can’t help but wonder… why?"

Deborah’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "What do you mean why? Is there anything wrong with what I’m doing?"

"I mean, you’ve gone out of your way to help me, even when you didn’t have to. Most people wouldn’t do that. So, I guess...I’m just curious… I love to understand my occurrences, so, what’s your reason?"

Deborah’s eyes flickered for a moment showing that uneasiness had creeped into whatsoever her expression will be. "I told you before, Buji. I like helping people. And there’s something about you… I can’t explain it, but I feel drawn to you."

"You feel drawn to me?" Buji asked, not satisfied. ’How can she feel drawn to someone as young as I am,’ he thought.

"Your physique, your confidence, many things about you Buji," Deborah stated. "Plus, the fact that you’re one among the handsome guys I’ve met."

Buji studied her face, searching for any sign of deception. Her words sounded foolish but genuine, but the red screen above her head told a whole different story.

"Is that all?" he pressed. "You’re not… hiding anything from me?"

Deborah’s smile faded completely, replaced by a look of concern. "Buji, what’s this about? Did something happen?"

Buji leaned back, his gaze not wanting to leave hers. "I just need to know if I can trust you."

Deborah reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You can trust me, Buji. I promise."

But her touch felt cold, her words hollow. Buji’s instincts screamed at him to be cautious. He needed to push further, to see if he could uncover the truth.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"What about Mr. Zin?" he asked abruptly, watching her reaction closely.

Deborah’s eyes widened, her hand tightening on his arm. "What about him?"

"You mentioned him before," Buji said with a casual tone, still keeping his eyes sharp. "I was just wondering… what’s your relationship with him?"

"Okay, let me say he should be popular because of his affluents, but, how did you know him?"

Deborah hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "He’s… my employer. I work for him."

A wide but brief grin spread across Buji’s lips. He didn’t know when he mentioned Mr. Zin, but it had worked for him. He decided to press on further, to know if she would spill more milk for him.

"And what does that entail?" he asked, with a joking tone, even though it didn’t show in his face.

At that point, the system’s voice echoed in his mind. You can purchase a ’truth gaze’.

Without wasting time, Buji unknowingly agreed.

"Purchase."

Deborah looked at him with shock. "Purchase?"

"Uhm...sorry, I meant to ask. You’re not talking, what does being his employee entail?" Buji asked, piercingly looking into her eyes with all intensity.

Deborah’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she looked conflicted. Then, she sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Alright, Buji. I’ll be honest with you. Mr. Zin asked me to keep an eye on you. He wanted to know what you were up to, why you had to leave the school."

"And how did he know that, how did he find out about—"

"I swear, I never meant to hurt you. I just… I got caught up in everything," she begged. "But, he doesn’t know you stay here yet."

Buji’s heart sank, the confirmation of his suspicions hitting him like a punch to the gut. Deborah had been lying to him all along. She was a spy, just as the system had said. Only trying to be closer to him so she could get something Mr. Zin could feed on as information. If possible, his daughter too.

But even as the truth settled in, Buji couldn’t bring himself to feel anger. Instead, he felt a deep, aching sadness. He had trusted her, allowed himself to get close to her, and now he had to do the unthinkable.

"Thank you for being honest," he said quietly with his voice, barely above a whisper and smiled.

Deborah looked up, her eyes filled with regret. "Buji, I’m sorry. I never wanted to deceive you. But I had no choice. Mr. Zin… he’s not someone you can say no to."

Buji nodded, his mind already working on a plan. He couldn’t kill her in cold blood, not like this. He needed a way to do it smoothly, without violence, without drawing attention.

"It’s okay," he said, forcing a smile. "I understand."

Deborah’s shoulders relaxed, a look of relief crossing her face. "Thank you, Buji. I was so afraid you’d hate me."

"I don’t hate you," Buji said, his voice soft. "But there’s something I need to do."

Deborah tilted her head, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing really. I’m just going to serve you for the last time, since today will be the last time we will be seeing each other," he said, sensing Deborah might get what he meant. "You can keep the rent money, I will find another place that will suit me better."

Buji stood, walking over to the kitchen. On his way, he sampled the items in his system’s shop and picked up the most expensive poison potion.

While in the kitchen, he picked up the coffee pot, pouring two cups. As he did, he discreetly reached into his pocket, pulling out a small vial of the potion and poured them into Deborah’s cup.

"Here," he said, handing her the coffee. "Let’s talk some more."

Deborah took the cup, her fingers brushing against his. "Thank you," she said, taking a sip. "But, please, can you forgive me."

"Why not, as far as he doesn’t know this location yet."

Buji watched as she drank, his heart heavy with guilt. He didn’t want to do this, but he had no choice. The system had given him a task, and failure wasn’t an option.

As the minutes passed, Deborah’s movements grew sluggish, her eyelids drooping. She set the cup down, her hand trembling.

"Buji… I don’t feel so good," she murmured, her voice slurred.

"It’s okay," Buji said, catching her as she slumped forward. "Just rest."

He carried her to the couch, laying her down gently. Her breathing slowed, her body going limp as the potion took effect.

Buji stood over her, his chest tight with emotion. He had done what he had to do, but it didn’t make it any easier.

The red screen above her head flickered, the words changing, and the screen color changing also to green.

[Quest Complete: Enemy Eliminated.]

[Reward: System Upgrade:

Stats increment!]

Buji closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He didn’t care about the reward. All he felt was the weight of what he had done.

As he turned away, his phone buzzed again. It was another message from Kira.

"I’m outside your gate."

Buji’s heart sank. He glanced at the body laying on his couch, and imagined what Kira’s expression would be.

"The deed was done already."

’She will have to keep the peace, if she doesn’t want to be branded by the system too.’ Buji thought before walking out of the door.