Chapter 289: So-called Power
“Thank you, Master.”
Looking at the familiar doll in her hand, completely stained with weird purple energy, Kazumi thanked the young boy before her.
Regarding the spoil of war from last time, the [Substitute Doll], Kazumi had deliberated for a long time. After all, it was a life-saving item that could be used at critical moments, and it felt like a waste to casually sacrifice it. Furthermore, at that time, there were enough sacrificial items, so Kazumi kept it.
However, perhaps due to incompatible systems, even Lei, the Lich Governor with long experience, had no good way to deal with this small doll. He was also afraid that his random use of Death Aura might damage its internal structure. In the end, Kazumi voluntarily sought Masashi Sakuraba for his help.
“No need, this also counts as fulfilling your request.”
Shaking his hand, Masashi Sakuraba continued.
“As for how to use it, just communicate with it using your abilities. However, its internal structure has been damaged, so it can probably be used one more time.”
“That mass of black energy is Kirie’s ability. Crush it when you reach the designated location.”
“Yes.”
Kazumi nodded, quietly digesting the information given by Masashi Sakuraba.
The usage count of the [Substitute Doll] was within Kazumi’s expectations. After all, she had directly made a hole in the original owner. Being able to repair it and still use it could only be attributed to the power of Masashi Sakuraba’s ability.
Another mass of black mist, however, gave the young girl a strange sense of familiarity. After the other party mentioned the name of the executive codenamed [Cloud Mist] within the organization, the mass of energy in her hand finally corresponded precisely to the gray sky curtain in her memory.
[Can the effective range be this large?]
A hint of surprise appeared on Kazumi’s cold face, and she stared fixedly at the mass of black mist constantly swirling in her hand.
Although part of the reason for the attack on the academy was that multiple examination rooms were conducting tests simultaneously, preventing the Principal, the Sticky Hetuan, from accurately observing every examination room.
However, the misty space constructed by [Cloud Mist]’s ability to deceive the perception of the Association’s ceiling-class Heroes to a certain extent was enough to explain the power of this ability.
What shocked Kazumi the most now was that it could extend to such an exaggerated range.
It must be known that a forest in the school’s training ground and a district in a capital city were incomparable. And judging by Masashi Sakuraba’s current posture, he seemed to want to cover this entire district.
This action by [Shadow] was no small matter!
“If you need to contact me about anything, use this to report to me. Under this ability, all communication methods will be invalid.”
With a light snap of his fingers, the small snake that was originally on the girl’s palm scurried away towards her wrist, eventually forming a snake-shaped bracelet around her wrist.
“Mhm.”
[It can even block communication methods.]
Kazumi nodded gently, but silently noted down this executive named [Cloud Mist] in her heart.
Based on the abilities revealed by the few executives that the young girl currently understood, she could understand why the Heroes Association and the police department, despite having such powerful Heroes, were still unable to completely eliminate [Shadow].
“Alright, I’ve said pretty much all I need to. Coffins, you go directly to the television station. The little fellow will help you find the person to guide you.”
Clapping his hands, Masashi Sakuraba sat up from the edge of the rooftop. His dark green long hair swayed gently in the slight breeze on the roof. His mismatched eyes each emitted their own color. His enchanting face seemed to have acquired a touch of eerie allure as he spoke to the cloaked girl before him.
A huge snake head emerged from the void, and within its massive mouth, twisted energy seemed to flow.
As if remembering something, Masashi Sakuraba, who was originally walking towards the snake’s mouth, stopped his steps, placing a hand on the snake’s head. He slowly turned around, his words, filled with coldness and a hint of playfulness, drifting through the silent rooftop.
“Lastly, remember not to die!”
…
In a dark alley, a large mass of dark shadow emerged silently from underground and blended into the surrounding silent darkness. Not long after, a thin young girl wearing a hoodie walked out from the alley entrance and merged into the stream of people constantly moving through the night.
Looking up at the uniquely shaped TV tower right before her eyes, Kazumi pulled at the collar of her hoodie, her gaze constantly scanning her surroundings.
With the aerial vision of the Corpse Crow, the young girl could easily find hidden corners in the surveillance blind spots to conceal herself. And the small snake coiled around her wrist had not yet given the designated signal, so Kazumi could only wait in this small corner.
But what was bothering Kazumi even more was the last sentence Masashi Sakuraba had said to her with a smile.
“I’m not that important!”
This was the message the young girl had extracted from Masashi Sakuraba’s playful gaze at that moment, and it caused Kazumi’s previously elated state of mind to plummet back to the bottom.
Originally, in the young girl’s eyes, since the other party had a request, her safety would definitely be guaranteed, and the extent of her harvest would depend on her own handling.
But now, this situation was no longer an ordinary mission. An entire operation at the level of [Shadow] had been launched, and even the battlefield she was on was merely a cover for the main objective.
In such a large-scale situation, an individual’s will or even power might truly be insufficient.
Masashi Sakuraba indeed had a motive, or as he said, most people in this organization were only looking out for themselves and wanting to survive.
However, from the other party’s words and gaze just now, Kazumi could still discern a few points.
Her mission might be dangerous, and…
Masashi Sakuraba didn’t actually care about her life or death!
Perhaps to him, she was just a slightly special subordinate who might be able to help him, but compared to the entire organization’s mission, or the pressure from the person at the very top, she was just a pawn that could be discarded at any time.
The verbal protection was more like an empty promise, and the [Substitute Doll] in her hand was far more reassuring. The other party had likely agreed to her request more because of her superior, [Shell].
“It’s still power…”
Letting out a long sigh, Kazumi’s slender fingers tightly gripped the doll in her pocket. Her indifferent gaze turned sharp for a moment, and then quickly returned to normal.
Sensing a subtle outbreak of energy from the small snake coiled around her wrist, the young girl stopped her actions, raised her head, and walked forward.
