Chapter 302:The Seal [3]
Mulling over Ren's words, Kazuki hesitated for a moment before replying.
"There's no point in trying to grasp his intention. His behavior is clearly erratic and unlogical, so his intentions would be practically impossible to read."
"Let's focus on our original mission of protecting the vault."
Shaking his head, Ren immediately replied.
"What more can we do to protect the vault? We're here...there's nothing to protect. All we can do is just stand here and wait for the intruder to make a move."
Not allowing anyone the opportunity to respond, Liam nodded his head before promptly interjecting.
"He's right. Lily told us the seal is powered by those artifacts on the shelves, right?"
Pointing at all the shelves in the room, Liam continued.
"What if we just take them ourselves? If the artifacts are on us, then the voice had to come and get them from us."
"If we gather all the artifacts together and guard them, then we're no longer waiting for him. He has to come to us."
Pinching Raven and Zeng, Ren gestured for the two boys to nod their heads before looking at the expressions of the others.
As Raven and Zeng awkwardly nodded their heads, so did the other three main cast members: Irene, Ruby, and Zach.
The two recruiters seemed to think for a moment before the one with the katana finally said.
"If that's what everyone agrees to do, then I have no reason to disagree."
Kazuki, already calculating the logistics of Liam's plan, pointed at one of the shelves before saying.
"We won't be able to hold all the magic artifacts with only twelve people."
Pointing up the ceiling, Kazuki sighed before continuing.
"Also...it's clear that the owner of this voice can see us. Or us, he wouldn't be able to tell when we're talking or not."
"Hiding them on our bodies is useless, then, because he'll just know exactly where they are."
Taking Kazuki's words into mind, Ren sighed before asking an important question.
"What if he can hear us all this time, even now, not just see us?"
Nodding his head in agreement, Kazuki continued.
"If he can see us, then I'm sure he can definitely hear us. So, let's continue with the assumption that all our actions can be seen and heard by our enemies."
"Putting all the artifacts in one spot is stupid as though they make it easier to defend; it also makes it much easier to destroy."
"So... instead, let's just take them out."
Kazuki said, pointing at the hole that led to the underground space.
"Let's take all of these artifacts out."
As silence descended amongst the group, Kevin glanced at Lily before saying.
"How do distance...affect how these tools power up the seal? Like, if we get farther away with the tools, doesn't the seal also get weaker?"
Coming to the same conclusion, Kaneki nodded his head and turned to face Kazuki.
"You want us to purposely weaken the seal...and give the robber an easier time?"
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With a clear smile on his face, Kazuki said.
"Yes."
Ren, honestly dumbfounded at the idea of this recruiter, started to shake his head.
Was he trying to fool the owner of the unknown voice?
You know, say one thing, then do the other thing.
It would be a good idea...if not for how obvious it was.
Not only a second ago, this same person had said that they knew that they were being both watched and heard by the intruder.
Even a baby would be able to comprehend this stupid trick.
So, Ren was befuddled as to why the spear-using and spear-riding recruiter was doing something so... basic.
However...at the same time, Ren couldn't ask.
There was a possibility...very slight that the intruder could also fall for this trick.
So, if Ren exposed the trick to the intruder who was listening, the plan and trick would be over.
Looking around at the other main cast members, Ren was able to tell, based on their wide-open mouths and confused expressions, that they had also come to the same conclusion as him.
Turning around, Ren was going to make sure that Zeng didn't say anything...however, Zeng was nowhere to be found.
Immediately glancing around, Ren found Raven before quickly asking.
"Where is he...that idiot!?"
With an exasperated expression, Raven simply sighed before pointing to the other side of the huddle.
Following Raven's finger, Ren saw Zeng...but not only Zeng.
Standing right next to Zeng with a smile on his face was Zach.
Zach and Zeng.
"...quite the combo, don't you think, boss."
"Raven...are you being ser-"
Shaking his head, Raven copied Ruby's gesture from earlier and placed a single finger over his lips, signifying that Ren was quiet.
Smiling, Raven shrugged his shoulders and said.
"Haven't you heard...two negatives make a positive. Well...those two are more like positives and optimists, though."
"Wait...two positives make a positive, right?"
Staring at Raven with a deadpan expression, Ren ignored his clear lack of basic math skills before looking at the amazing duo.
"...wait what?"
Within the few seconds that Ren had looked away from them and back at Raven...their progress had already started.
Zach now had his arm wrapped around Zeng's shoulder, and they were already engaged in what could only be the stupidest and most nonsensical discussion of all time.
Unable to quite articulate words, Ren peered around the room again, hoping to find any signs of the intruder.
He did not find the intruder as expected, but Ren did spot Lily and the other two girls walking away from the wall and towards them.
Just as Kaneki was about to open his mouth to say something, Lily suddenly entered the huddle and interrupted.
"The seal is perfectly intact...whatever the intruder is planning, it seems he's taking it slow."
Ren, about to open his mouth to respond, suddenly shut it as Zach's voice spoke from beside Zeng.
"Hey, Lily, let me catch you up on what we've been discussing. First, after a very long and semi-violent debate, the reinforcements from the principal decided to join us."
"Next, we heard the voice and decided that he was definitely listening in o-"