Chapter 716: Karen's Funeral! (4/4)

Chapter 716: Karen's Funeral! (4/4)

...

Karen stepped behind the wheelchair. The bandaged figure pointed forward, and Karen began to push him along.

After they had traveled a short distance, the bandaged man snapped his fingers, unfurling an isolating barrier.

"Damn it, I knew you couldn't die!"

It was Neo’s voice.

"Heh." Karen let out a soft laugh.

"The moment I saw that man standing next to Eisen, I knew it was you. Hahaha!"

Memphis had died deep within the burrow, yet here "Memphis" was again. Who else could that stranger beside him possibly be?

"Let's go up first. I'll tell you and the dog what happened down there afterward."

"Oh, to listen alongside His Eminence the Dog, what a profound honor."

Karen shifted their direction.

But Neo raised a hand to stop him. "Don't. Before I hear your story, take a look at the gift I prepared for you first."

"A gift?"

"I believe you will absolutely love this gift. It'll be quite the surprise."

"What kind of gift?"

Neo reached up and unraveled the bandages from his face, lifting his gaze to meet Karen, who stood behind the wheelchair.

What Karen saw was a gruesome, bloody visage entirely devoid of skin.

"Were you corrupted? Richard seemed perfectly fine."

"When I emerged from the burrow, I took off my mask to reveal my true face. You know I didn't have one to begin with.

And while I was at it, I tore every last inch of skin off my body.

I even deliberately rubbed a bit of minor corruption into it to make the wounds fester. You have no idea how fucking miserable I looked."

Perplexed, Karen asked, "Was it worth it? Just to score some extra sympathy points?"

"Hehehe."

Neo chuckled.

Then, he pressed a finger to where his lips should be, signaling for silence.

"Hush. Listen."

Just then, the amplification arrays throughout the headquarters building began to broadcast:

"Will all relevant guests please proceed to the grand auditorium on the lower first floor. The memorial service is about to begin.

Today,

Let us gather to deeply mourn the one who heroically sacrificed his life for the sake of Order...

Director Neo."