Common Sense Hijack System-Chapter 84

Karl stared daggers at her. "What the hell is this, Valencia? Who are these people? And what do they have to do with you?"

Valencia sighed, the kind of long, drawn-out exhale that screamed ugh, can’t believe I have to explain this. "Alright, I guess you deserve a bit of the truth... but just a fraction." She stepped forward, her sharp gaze cutting like a queen addressing her court. "Listen closely. I’m not repeating myself."

Zoey froze, caught between fear and curiosity. Layla stood straighter, bracing for whatever bombshell was coming next. Karl, though? His fists clenched, ready to snap if Valencia pushed too far.

"That name you heard—Glowsphere? It’s not just some buzzword," Valencia began, her voice carrying a challenge. "It’s a massive shadow organization. And it’s leagues bigger than some small-time streamer playing puppet master in this mess."

Layla narrowed her eyes. "So, the streamer’s just... bait?"

"Correct," Valencia replied with a small, cutting smile. "A disposable pawn being used by a far greater force. And that force? It comes straight out of Neosia—a tiny country most people think doesn’t matter. But trust me, that’s where Glowsphere began."

Karl stepped forward, his fury barely contained. "And you know all this how? Don’t tell me you’re one of them."

Valencia chuckled coldly, her tone making the room feel ten degrees colder. "One of them? No, Karl. If anything, I was almost one of their victims."

Layla’s expression turned serious. "What do you mean?"

Valencia scanned their faces, her gaze chilling. "Years ago, Glowsphere reached out to me. They knew who I was—the last Noctis—and they wanted my power for their little project. They invited me to Neosia, promising some mutually beneficial deal. I knew it was a trap, but I went anyway. I wanted to see what they were really up to."

Zoey, her voice soft but braver now, asked, "And what happened?"

"When I got there, they showed their true colors," Valencia said, her voice sharp with disdain. "They didn’t want cooperation. They wanted to harvest me—use my blood for their experiments. Glowsphere dreams of creating an army of superpowered people, like you guys, by tapping into Noctis blood."

Karl and Layla listened, tension building as Valencia’s words sank in.

"But they underestimated me," Valencia said, her smile icy. "They locked me up in a secret facility, heavily guarded by their armed forces and their freakish Homo Obscura soldiers. I fought back. Alone, I took down dozens of them—including their so-called strongest Obscura. Sure, they can fake power with their experiments, but pure Noctis blood? That’s untouchable."

Layla hesitated before asking, "So... you escaped?"

"’Escaped’?" Valencia let out a dry laugh. "No. I destroyed half their facility before walking out. That’s why they’ve stayed away from me ever since. They know I’m not someone they can control."

Karl’s anger shifted, mixing with a grudging respect and doubt. "Is that why those two Homo Obscura that came after us didn’t try anything violent? They’re scared of you?"

Valencia nodded. "Not scared, Karl. Smart. They know picking a fight with me is suicide. But this isn’t about me." She turned to face him and Layla, her expression intense. "This is about you, Karl."

Without another word, Valencia pivoted and walked toward the shop door. "Survive and get ready. I won’t always be here to save you." With that, she was gone, heading for the campervan.

---

After Valencia left, the room plunged into an awkward silence. Karl exhaled heavily, trying to calm the storm inside. His eyes shifted to Zoey, who looked like she wanted to sink into the floor.

"Zoey," Karl said softly, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. "Are there any other secrets you’re keeping from us?"

Zoey bit her lip, her gaze dropping. Layla crossed her arms, trying not to lose her temper. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Zoey," Layla said sharply, "if you keep quiet, we’re never getting out of this mess."

"I... I don’t even know where to start," Zoey finally whispered. "It all feels like a nightmare."

"Start at the beginning," Karl said, firmer this time. "Why did you frame Layla back then?"

Tears welled in Zoey’s eyes as she looked up at Layla. "I... I was scared. And greedy." Her voice cracked. "I stole something. From that jewelry shop near school. I was just a stupid teenager who didn’t think about consequences. I thought I could get away with it."

Layla frowned. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Angeline," Zoey spat the name like poison. "She saw me take the necklace. I figured she’d tell my parents or the cops, but no. She had a different plan."

Karl leaned in. "What plan?"

"She brought me to some sketchy warehouse," Zoey said, her voice trembling. "Inside were these men. They said they worked for someone who wanted to ruin Layla. They offered me money—lots of it—if I helped them. They gave me a script, told me to start rumors..."

"And you just did it?" Layla cut in, her voice sharp. Her soft eyes were now blazing with anger. "We were friends, Zoey. How could you?"

Zoey broke down, tears streaming. "I know! I know I messed up, Layla! But they threatened me. They said they’d turn me in for stealing—or worse."

"And the money?" Karl asked coldly.

Zoey nodded, ashamed. "I took it. I thought I could forget it all afterward. But the story blew up, Glowsphere twisted it into something huge, and I couldn’t stop it. I wanted to confess, but it was too late."

Layla shook her head, her face a mix of hurt and exhaustion. "Do you have any idea how much I suffered, Zoey? How many people hated me because of your lies?"

"I know!" Zoey sobbed. "I know I can’t take it back. I just... I’m sorry, Layla. I’m so, so sorry."

Layla took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "You can’t fix this, Zoey. But... I get it. You didn’t have a choice."

Zoey nodded, still crying. "I... I just wanted to survive."

---

Outside, Valencia tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, her gaze fixed on the darkening sky. A storm was brewing, literally and figuratively.

Inside the campervan, Valencia tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, the rhythmic sound filling the silence. She glanced slightly at the rearview mirror, making sure the store was still within sight. Her exhale was long, laced with dwindling patience.

"This kind of drama is pretty entertaining," she muttered to herself, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But we don’t have time to wallow in guilt or reheated reconciliation."

Karl and Layla walked away from Zoey. Layla let out a small sigh of relief after hearing Zoey’s apology.

"Layla, don’t you feel like doing something about Zoey?" Karl asked.

"There’s no need. I don’t know how you see Zoey, but to me, she was the only person who ever really cared for me back then. Even though she slandered me, she did it because she had no choice," Layla replied.

Karl nodded slowly, his gaze unreadable as he looked at her. "You’ve got a big heart, Layla. I’m not sure I’d be as forgiving if I were in your shoes."

Layla gave him a faint smile, though the exhaustion on her face was obvious. "I just want to settle the score with the right people."

As they climbed into the campervan, Valencia was already in the driver’s seat, arms crossed. She glanced at them with a blank expression, as if trying to gauge the outcome of their conversation at the store.

"Done sharing feelings?" Valencia asked sarcastically.

Karl smirked at her, but before he could respond, a system notification popped up.

[DING]

[Uncommon Creature Detected]

Karl’s eyes widened as he scanned the area. He quickly noticed the three men in black suits who had approached them earlier.

One of the suited men greeted them with a friendly tone.

"Good evening," he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. His voice was calm, but the underlying chill made Karl and Layla instantly alert. Valencia, meanwhile, remained seated, her face unreadable as she stared at the man.

"Are you following us?" Karl asked sharply, narrowing his eyes.

The man shook his head slightly. "I wouldn’t call it that. But we have a solid reason to be here."

"And that reason is?" Valencia interjected, her tone biting as she stepped out of the campervan to stand beside Karl.

The man gave a small smile and reached into his suit pocket, pulling out a black envelope with an ornate seal. "An invitation," he said, extending it toward Karl.

Karl eyed it suspiciously, not taking it immediately. "What’s this for?"

"Glowsphere has requested a meeting. They consider this... diplomacy, to discuss an inevitable future," the man explained calmly. "Of course, you’re free to decline. But delaying will only make things worse. We’re offering you a chance to understand what’s really happening, Karl."

"Tsk... not interested," Karl grumbled.

The man merely smiled, stepping closer and holding the envelope out again.

Karl brushed it away. "I’ve got no reason to accept this invitation."

The man’s smile widened, his demeanor still calm. "Isn’t your family enough to be a reason?" he asked, his grin turning into something more sinister.