Chapter 650: Enforcer (7)
CRASH!
The clock tower’s hollow interior shook as if exploding, and an Enforcer, slammed into the wall, slumped down. The Enforcer’s knees buckled in a convulsion, trembling, and they collapsed, losing all strength.
But the Enforcer’s body, as it fell, didn’t hit the hard marble floor of the clock tower lobby. It merely collided with the bodies of other Enforcers who had already fallen, unconscious and collapsed.
The Iron Mask, who had piled up a small hill of Enforcer bodies, casually tilted their head.
[Next.]
“……”
Swoosh!
As an invisible shockwave exploded, several Enforcers rapidly approached and charged. Flashes of light, accelerating without a hint of warning, charging at barely visible speeds.
SHIIIING!
Slashes of sharp magical light glinted, tearing through the air. Blades, spears, and other sharp weapons rapidly gained speed, their after-effects scarring the building walls and floor.
A supreme technique of a physical power user, sharpening the nature of their magic to the extreme to maximize cutting power. But the opponent’s reactions had already long surpassed their offensive.
[Too slow.]
Evading a curving sword strike by stepping back, batting away a spear thrust aimed at the shoulder with the back of a hand. Crushing a curved blade aimed at the back beneath a foot, then seizing a fist targeting the temple, bringing it to a halt.
“……!!”
Barely two seconds elapsed from the moment the Enforcers’ coordinated attack surged in from all sides, to the Iron Mask catching it head-on and dismantling it.
Considering that lightning-fast reaction speed, it was ample time to, conversely, strike vital points and cut off their breath.
But the Iron Mask shattered the Enforcers’ weapons, halted their fists, and blocked their movements, yet did not kill them.
[And that was merely a compromise, adjusting your speed to force coordination.]
Merely lifting a foot from the crushed blade, releasing the seized fist, and slowly stepping back, mocking them.
A peculiar mental projection emanated from beyond the mask.
[If you lack the skill for combined attacks, there’s no reason to force a formation. Even if inefficient, it’s crucial to rely on individual judgment and forcibly twist the combat dynamics.]
“What nonsense are you……!!”
SWISH!
Catching a blade that grazed a neck with one hand. With a slight squeeze, fingers dug into the sword’s body.
CRAAAAACK!
Dropping fragments of the shattered sword that had broken apart on the spot, the Iron Mask spoke.
[Contrary to your limited experience, once you grow accustomed to actual combat, you begin to blindly trust your own judgment. That’s why you’re intoxicated by the obvious choice of targeting a pause in my speech.]
“……Who are you?”
[When your choices become obvious, they become easy to read. Once you’re easily read, your experience itself becomes a weakness.]
BANG!
Without even turning their head, the Iron Mask caught a bullet fired at their temple and chuckled.
[That’s also why the Enforcer Agency has consistently rotated out field personnel, leaving only a handful of true geniuses.]
WHAM!
There was no reply. Because as the hand clutching the bullet lightly swung, the temples of four Enforcers instantly caved in.
The Enforcers, unable to even properly react and leaving their vital points exposed, lost their balance and collapsed on the spot. They hadn’t lost consciousness due to their superhuman mental fortitude, but it was a fatal blow that made it impossible to continue combat head-on.
Kicking the fallen Enforcers with an expression of disbelief, the Iron Mask slammed them into the clock tower wall as if taxidermying them.
CRASHHHH!!!
Without even looking back at those who had fainted and fallen, the Iron Mask slowly moved forward.
WHIRRRR…!!
Isabella, appearing from between the collapsed clock tower buildings, moved behind the Iron Mask, raising her magic amplification device.
From the rear, Pylo, holding his harpoon and channeling magic, concentrated and refined his Mind Imprint. The remaining Enforcers also raised their respective Mind Imprints, moving to surround the Iron Mask from all sides.
Through the series of exchanges, it had become clear that their opponent was a monster capable of facing the entire Enforcer Agency alone and still having strength to spare.
But the Iron Mask paid no mind to the storm of magic boiling up around them. They merely cast their gaze towards the interior of the collapsed clock tower building from which they had emerged, and lowered their head.
Watching from behind, Lennok couldn’t help but inwardly admire, shaking his head.
“Perfect.”
All Enforcers of the Machine City were superhumans, perfected through dozens of real combat scenarios and grueling training. The excellence of the Enforcer training curriculum was so high that other cities would send their own superhumans to complete it.
Furthermore, the Enforcers dispatched to rescue the Ex Machina committee members were all considered aces within the agency, formidable strongmen. Even Lennok would find it difficult to guarantee such an overwhelming victory against them without deploying his Domain.
Yet, the being in the Iron Mask was overwhelming the Enforcers, who charged with a willingness to die, without suffering a single hit.
Outstanding reaction speed, immense magical output, a Mind Imprint that transcended Hierarchy, and a body perfectly synchronized with it. But the result of this battle couldn’t be explained by mere statistical superiority.
It was a display of power that predicted every move—how the Enforcers would initiate attacks, how they would set up their movements, and how they would react—and then utterly crushed any chance of counter-attack. Was this the kind of performance one could achieve after hundreds of trials and errors, armed with a game strategy guide?
It was a feat that went beyond simply knowing in advance how the opponent would act and responding; it was incomprehensible unless the Iron Mask had personally created and trained those reactions themselves.
And that must be because she had personally designed and implemented the Enforcers’ training curriculum.
Lennok quietly tapped his pocket.
“Davi, from now on, don’t miss a single movement or path from that person. Record it all.”
[I’ve been running the recording device since three hours ago.]
Davi replied as if stating the obvious.
[However, ever since that eccentric organic entity started fighting, the storage capacity has been skyrocketing, so I think we’ll need a separate storage device?]
“You can clear out everything else and only keep the essential data.”
Lennok said, moving to a position where he could better observe the battle at the clock tower.
“The combat records of an 8-level Peak of Extremes individual. Even the Enforcer’s combat curriculum. I plan to transfer it all to the database and use it as a sample for Touin.”
KRA-BOOOOOMM!!!
A blinding light illuminating the entire Core District streets, accompanied by a scorching heatwave, swept through the area, melting the ground. Amidst the surging magical storms and flashes of light, Enforcers charged and clashed with the solitary Iron Mask.
RAT-A-TAT-TAT!!!
Isabella’s magic amplification device spat fire relentlessly, and Pylo’s harpoons rained down from the sky. Slashes, wielded with swords, curved circularly, exploding into shapes like a full moon. Explosions, conjured and detonated in mid-air, chained together, forming rings of flame.
A chaotic barrage of firepower, making it impossible to face even an inch ahead. But the Iron Mask, in the heart of the battlefield, didn’t evade for a single moment, taking all attacks head-on without reservation.
[You’re using the bare-knuckle combat techniques from the curriculum. Easy to read.]
WHAM!
[Did you mix variations into the 47th Sword Style? If it’s meant to support innate abilities, you should have paid more attention to its perfection.]
CLANG!
[A Miniature Universe with a Mind Imprint of fusion, then. But the form of the heatwave is undesirable. It’s weak.]
Firepower or physical force below a certain level was taken bare-bodied, while attacks mixed with Property Transformation were deflected. Miniature Universes mixed with Mind Imprints were dodged, and spells or bombardments equivalent to high-Hierarchy firepower were repelled.
And yet, their peculiar attitude didn’t hold back words regarding noticeable attacks or movements. They saw through all the martial arts and abilities used by the Enforcers at a glance, counter-penetrating and suppressing them while also pointing out flaws.
Their attitude showed no intention of hiding the fact that they knew the Enforcers intimately. Dominating the battlefield with overwhelming performance, yet their methods were to mercilessly trample and beat down the Enforcers.
The balance was strangely maintained due to their attitude of winning every exchange, dozens of times a moment, without killing their opponents.
“Isabella.”
Pylo gestured to Isabella with a wry smile.
“Pylo, what is it?”
“I think I’m starting to figure out who that person is. You too, right?”
Isabella didn’t answer, turning her gaze away.
Pylo chuckled at her reaction.
“Of course. Considering the equipment you use, there’s no way you wouldn’t react.”
“……”
“They’re giving us leeway. It seems clear they’re trying to buy time… but if we don’t address this here and now, things won’t be resolved.”
CLACK!
Pylo, gripping his harpoon in a reverse grip, muttered.
“I’ll go first, follow me. Antman, Gronis, Zygoon. All other branch managers, respond in kind.”
“Who do you think you are……!!”
Pylo didn’t wait for a reply, charging towards the Iron Mask like the wind. He slid his harpoon, gripped beneath his forearm, deeply from below the chin. The moment the rusted tip of the harpoon swung, aiming for beneath the mask, the Iron Mask seized the harpoon’s blade with a bare hand and pushed it away.
GRINDING!
The overwhelming grip that seized and crushed the harpoon protruding between their fingers. Pylo and the Iron Mask’s gazes met almost simultaneously.
[Your power control is awkward. You haven’t been in combat for a while.]
“I have been active. There just hasn’t been any reason to fight.”
CLACK!
Pylo, pushing the crushed harpoon even closer to the Iron Mask, chuckled.
“How long will you keep pretending you don’t know?”
[…….]
“Your uncanny familiarity with the Upper Workshop District’s terrain. Your knowledge that dismantles the Enforcer Agency’s curriculum and combat techniques. Even the skill with which you infiltrated the Seafloor Barrier and half-destroyed the Heart-Star Vault.”
Pylo whispered.
“All of it was only possible because it was you. Now I understand.”
CRUNCH!
Immediately after, a heavy gauntlet appeared from behind, clawing down the mask as if to seize the face. The moment the mask was scratched away, threatening to reveal the face beneath, the Iron Mask swiftly twisted their waist and kicked another charging Enforcer in the side.
CRACK!
“Guhagh……!!”
[Your target is too obvious.]
The Iron Mask muttered in a chilling voice, looking at the martial artist whose waist had bent in half.
[Is this all you’ve got?]
At that moment, Isabella, who had appeared sliding from behind Pylo, swung her amplification device.
WHOOSH!
Barely an arm’s length below Pylo’s forearm. The magical light concentrated at the tip of the amplification device rapidly expanded with magic and exploded right in front of the Iron Mask’s nose. Rather than just stripping the mask, was the intention to detonate firepower at point-blank range and utterly shatter it?
Simultaneously, three streams of magic surged from between the Iron Mask’s forearms, rotating and piercing through space itself. They directly pierced and split apart the magic from the amplification device exploding right in front of them.
SLICE!
The Mind Imprint, piercing space, surged forth relentlessly, piercing Isabella’s magic, and was about to slice through the amplification device beyond it in one go.
At that moment, the amplification device and the broken harpoon crossed paths right in front of the mask and collided. They scratched the Iron Mask, intensifying the vibrations and shattering the mask completely.
CRUNCH!!!
FLASH!
Fragments of the shattered mask scattered amidst flowing hair. Looking at the face revealed beyond, Isabella slowly lowered the amplification device she was holding.
“A supreme technique that forcibly collides three streams of magic, twisting space into a piercing strike.”
Pylo, looking at that face, retreated with an exhausted expression and spoke.
“There are still many within the Enforcer Agency who try to replicate your techniques. If they were to face the original in front of their eyes, there’s no way they wouldn’t recognize it.”
“……”
She, who had been looking down at the shattered mask, slowly pushed back her hair and raised her gaze.
The Enforcers, who confirmed the face revealed beyond, flinched with signs of agitation.
Pylo, his face pale, asked. “Maiya Lonsdale. Why have you, exiled from the Enforcer Agency, returned to Machina at this time?”
“……You’ve already drawn your own conclusions. Do you really need to hear it from my lips?”
A cold sneer played on Maiya’s lips.
“I entered the Seafloor Barrier’s Heart-Star Vault, killed the Meister, and destroyed the Ascension Gate. I intended to track down the fleeing Hermes and finish him off.”
“……”
“Seizing control of the district, killing the Sidesquad agents, facing off against the commander of the Mechanized Troops. All of it was my doing.”
What Maiya had proposed to Lennok as a condition for this deal held no other meaning. It was, quite literally, an intuitive alternative: to cover up and nullify all of Lennok’s actions in this incident by claiming them as her own.
The Machine City’s finest Enforcer. A person connected to the Ascension Gate project. And now, an exile, stripped of all authority and banished. But precisely because of this, all suspicions surrounding Lennok’s disruption of the city’s depths could be attributed to the single existence of Maiya.
A being who, despite having been directly involved in all the Machine City’s past secrets, now harbored animosity towards the city and dreamed of its overthrow. There could be no more perfect fit for the accusations than the fact that it was Maiya Lonsdale herself.
From the very beginning, Maiya had intended to take responsibility for all of Lennok’s actions and all accusations, deceiving the entire Machine City.
Amidst the chilling silence, Maiya scattered killing intent and tilted her head.
“Move.”
Maiya moved to exit the Core District, striding unhindered between the groaning, fallen Enforcers.
Isabella gritted her teeth and blocked her path.
“……I won’t allow that, Enforcer.”
A cold smile formed on Maiya’s lips.
“You’ve grown so much, Isabella. I never thought you’d join the Enforcer Agency.”
“……”
“Are you going to thrust Clark’s memento at me?”
Isabella gritted her teeth, unable to utter a word. So strong was her force that blood trickled from her lips.
But the magic flowing from Isabella’s body didn’t waver in the slightest.
“Enforcer Lonsdale. After everything is over, I will take responsibility for my mistakes and overreach.” Isabella said.
“But that will be after I apprehend you and secure your person.”
“Indeed.”
Maiya chuckled.
“However, neither beginning nor ending this matter is ours to decide.”
PING!
Before anyone could react, a small light sprang from Maiya’s fingertips as if flicked. It was the form of a jewel mirror, pulsating and vibrating regularly, like a beating heart.
Maiya looked up at the mirror’s radiance and brought a small sword’s blade to her wrist.
“I can only set the stage.”
SPLASH!
An unknown energy swirled from within the jewel mirror, and blood flowing from Maiya’s wrist surged up, following the mirror, and began to spin.
[Blood Magic: Hexa-Array Activation]
[One Child Arrives, Others Project (一子到來 他子投影)]
[Stop-Reversal Celestial Palace (止回仙穹)]
[Auxiliary Computation Initiated.]
The moment the stream of blood, which Maiya had flung as if casting a spell, touched the jewel mirror, the Doctor’s voice echoed from beyond the void. Her magic and bloodstains, reflected beyond the mirror, split into thousands of strands, beginning to cover the entire space-time of the area.
KAAAA-RACK!!!
This wasn’t merely the level of overwriting reality using Mind Imprints. Beyond that concept, Pylo, realizing that the reality Maiya had reflected in the jewel mirror was being entirely warped, began to sweat profusely.
“This is impossible……!! How can you achieve this level of reality alteration……!!!!”
“It’s not me. I’m merely borrowing it.”
Sweat also trickled down Maiya’s forehead as she gave a twisted smile.
“But that alone is enough.”
A material catalyst created by extracting a portion of the previous Lighthouse Keeper’s Will-thought. But if that data were reverse-calculated to aid Maiya’s Mind Imprint in manifestation, and computational assistance provided by the Doctor.
For just a moment, she could re-draw the original form of that miracle. The Mind Imprint of a Transcendent who had already died and vanished. A gamble on Maiya’s part, projecting even a faint portion of it, staking her own life.
A reckless idea, impossible to attempt without the Doctor’s aid. But if she could mimic it even briefly, it was enough. The single winning move to draw the attention of the entire Machine City, locate Hermes, and bring Lennok before him.
The reality around the clock tower was completely inverted, misaligning as if a lens had shattered. As Lennok channeled his magic and moved, Maiya too projected the mirror’s other side into reality.
A simplified deployment of the Thought Domain by the 9-level Ascendant, the previous Lighthouse Keeper Madria Falcia.
[Will-thought Fusion: The Previous Lighthouse Keeper]
[Thought Domain: All Reflections, One True Pupil (萬映一的瞳孔)]