Chapter 2427: Chapter 2428: Scout

Boom boom boom——

The commotion in the corridor was getting louder and louder, dust and debris falling everywhere, and from time to time there would be a spatial inversion, where even the ceiling could become the passageway.

At first glance, it seemed as if the laboratory was on the verge of collapse.

Angel initially thought there was an external problem with the laboratory, that continued shaking would make the internal structure unable to hold for long before it collapsed. But soon, he dismissed this idea, because he noticed a previously overlooked detail: despite the massive commotion inside the lab, and some energy pipes being shattered, the Magical Energy Array itself actually remained unaffected.

The main part was still functioning well. The mechanism corridors didn’t fail due to the internal vibrations.

Generally speaking, such a commotion should definitely have an impact on the Magical Energy Array. However, since there were no issues with the Magical Energy Array, it could only mean that the current commotion was sanctioned by the Magical Energy Array itself.

Recalling that not long ago the Observer clearly pointed out that 01 was attempting something outside, aiming to kill the seed of Shiz, it may very well be that the current vibrations are related to 01’s actions.

But Angel couldn’t determine exactly what it was at present. Perhaps going to the main control node to check the Magical Energy Array would reveal something, but clearly now was not the time to head there.

Suppressing the speculation in his heart, Angel continued sprinting towards the exit.

If calculating by time, Gemito possessed by the Mist Shadows was likely already awoken, but Angel hadn’t noticed it catching up again. Perhaps it had calmed down slightly, or the anomaly in the lab made it give up the pursuit. Regardless, its failure to catch up was a good thing for Angel.

On his way to the exit, Angel was also reflecting on the events that had transpired earlier.

Encountering the Observer, while unexpected, made sense with Ferro’s groundwork. However, Angel wasn’t sure what the Observer’s presence there signified. Was the role he played purely that of a bystander, or would he become a participant? Although the Observer shouldn’t meddle in matters of the Southern Domain, the pursuit by the Phantom Spirit City shouldn’t be under the Southern Domain, right?

Beyond the confusion about the Observer, what role did Mist Shadows as third-class citizens play in coming to the lab? Was the contents of the bottle the Shiz infant? And what was Reynaud’s scoop of fortune even about?

Unfortunately, the communication time with the Observer was too short, leaving many doubts unasked.

These doubts could only be left for the future, hoping to find answers then.

...

Finally, Angel reached the exit just before another turn of the corridor.

Taking a deep breath, he reached out to touch the silvery white metal wall right in front of him.

The flow of the Magic Pattern beneath his palm was still normal, further confirming Angel’s hypothesis. The external vibrations were within the control scope of the Magical Energy Array.

This was also favorable for Angel, as he didn’t need to worry about the Magic Pattern’s backlash causing the exit to move.

Taking out the external Magic Pattern platform once more, he easily suppressed the surrounding flow of Magic Patterns. After doing all this, Angel directly opened The Gate of Void.

The opened exit did not greet Angel with flat land but a dim gray sea of clouds.

Seeing the scene before him, Angel looked bewildered. Having only been inside the laboratory for half a day, how had the outside changed to such a state?

Just as he was in a daze, the laboratory vibrated again, causing the exit to move from directly in front to directly above.

After a slight hesitation, Angel flew straight out from the exit.

As he flew out, Angel saw a massive steel tentacle sweeping past him, engulfed in astonishing power, cutting through space and stirring a stream of gray cloud mist downwards fiercely.

Instinctively, Angel looked towards the direction the steel tentacle was moving. This look left him stunned.

He had previously thought the gray mist and cloud sea outside were natural phenomena caused by heavy fog, but now he realized he was wrong; the cloud sea was truly a cloud sea.

He was now no longer on a patch of vacant land at the seafloor but hundreds of meters high up in the sky.

The base laboratory was no longer buried underground; it had... flown into the sky!

The previous steel tentacle was an external corridor attached to the base laboratory.

At this moment, the laboratory seemed to have transformed into a fortress-like steel giant, in mid-air, continuously swinging its tentacles to attack a Magical Creature below.

The Magical Creature, covered with purple crystals all over its body, was not unfamiliar to Angel.

It was the seed of Shiz he had encountered earlier.

Angel was perplexed by what had happened outside to cause such dramatic changes when suddenly a voice sounded in his ear: "Who are you?"

Angel looked up to find a tall figure standing atop a steel tentacle, overlooking him.

Though it was against the light, Angel still managed to capture the details of the visitor.

The visitor was a man wearing a half-face mask, looking highly refined. His overall demeanor was like that of a professor from a Divine Academy—calm, composed, solemn, and abstinent. The only exception was his exposed eye expression which contradicted his presented demeanor—repressed, desperate, yearning... and madness.

Due to the half-face mask, his specific appearance was unclear, but on the half of his face without a mask, a "0" identifier was engraved.

From this "0" identifier, along with his maniacal gaze, Angel deduced the man’s identity.

Undoubtedly, he was 01.

01, trapped and pursued by Phantom Spirit City with nowhere to run, deranged and desperate.

Angel hadn’t expected that upon exiting the lab, he would encounter this person. It seemed his previous conjecture was correct; the lab’s grand commotion was likely orchestrated by 01, who seemingly aimed to use the lab to kill the Shiz infant.

Angel was considering whether to say something to 01, but before he could speak, a shadow abruptly rose behind him.

Earl Mi emerged from the shadow.

Earl Mi manipulated the shadow, transforming into a dark shield, repelling an attack shimmering with harsh brilliance, directly blocking it outside.

Angel looked back and found that at some unknown point, another person had appeared behind him.

This was a very thin young man with a pale face and bright red lips.

His appearance seemed somewhat sickly and delicate.

Yet the sudden and unexpected assassination attempt just now was enough to demonstrate the opponent’s formidable prowess.

From the number on his face, Angel deduced his identity: 02.

A Shadow Wizard who had stealthily snuck up behind him. If Earl Mi hadn’t discovered it prematurely, Angel would likely have suffered severe damage.

02, upon realizing his exposure, showed not a hint of fear, licking his tongue, merging entirely into the air, disappearing from sight.

Within seconds, a blurred shadow appeared at Angel’s side.

raised a shadow-crafted dagger high, fiercely aiming at Angel’s temple.

Before the dagger could pierce the skin, Earl Mi intercepted Angel, with a wave of his hand, sent 02 flying.

However, 02 transformed into a shadow while airborne, reassembled with a black sphere in his hand.

No. 02 wore a wicked smile as he threw a black orb toward Angel.

"Shadow Gap!"

As soon as the black orb was thrown, it transformed into a mass of black shadows, which frantically diffused, attempting to entrap Angel.

The shadow teetered between reality and illusion; it was the crack in space, and once the shadow expanded, Angel would be torn apart by the spatial shadows.

No. 02 curled his lips, as if he had already envisioned the scene of victory.

However, before the shadow gap completely encompassed Angel, it was engulfed by a deeper, pitch-black figure, as if pulling the shadow into a seam and directly merging with itself.

It was still Earl Mi.

The powerful Spell Technique of No. 02, capable of tearing space shadows, became just a small entry snack before Earl Mi.

Not only resisted No. 02’s attack, but also countered by manipulating a swarm of black shadows, encircling No. 02 in the center.

This was a suppression by level.

Earl Mi possessed battle strength comparable to True Knowledge, and dealing with No. 02 was basically crushing. Moreover, Earl Mi was a Demon People born in hiding within shadows, superior in shadow manipulation compared to No. 02.

Thus, No. 02 had no resistance against Earl Mi.

Now ensnared within the shadow encirclement, No. 02 came to realize; he had thought Earl Mi blocking him was just an accident, never imagining Earl Mi’s power to be so terrifying.

"This shadow is very powerful, it seems to suppress me!" No. 02 attempted to escape Earl Mi’s encirclement while sending a message to No. 01 in the distance.

No. 01’s gaze at Angel shifted abruptly: "Who are you, and why are you here? Did the City Lord send you?"

No. 02: "He’s from the laboratory; I saw it just now! No matter who he is, let’s kill him first!"

No. 01 squinted, stopped enquiring, and blood energy surged endlessly towards Angel.

But as the blood energy struck Angel, it made no splash. His figure seemed like broken fragments, dissipating into nothing.

"Illusion Technique?" No. 01 wondered as a fluctuation beside him signaled No. 02’s appearance.

"Where’s that shadow?" No. 01 referred to Earl Mi.

"Suddenly disappeared." No. 02 was also puzzled. When constrained by Earl Mi, he couldn’t move at all and thought he might not make it out, yet Earl Mi vanished without warning.

No. 01 didn’t understand why Earl Mi abandoned attacking No. 02, so he advised cautiously:

"The opponent is adept in Illusion Technique, possibly concealed nearby. Let’s be careful."

No. 02 nodded, beginning to be on alert. He couldn’t discern Angel’s strength, but the shadow’s power was extremely formidable, a pressure leaving no chance to retaliate, felt only with No. 01 before.

Faced with such a force, No. 02 had to be vigilant.

Yet, after half a minute passed.

They remained on guard for a while without encountering any assault. No. 02 hesitated, releasing several shadows around, soon returning.

No. 02: "They’re gone; the shadow pattern reflected traces of their departure."

No. 01 frowned, wondering why the sudden departure. The opponent’s strength shouldn’t be weak, and with that shadow, yet chose not to battle and left using Illusion Technique?

"Should we pursue him?"

No. 01 was silent momentarily, shaking his head: "Forget it, the target below is more important. He has left, let’s not bother with him for now."

No. 02 furrowed his brow: "However, I saw him leave the laboratory, might he be an intruder?"

No. 01 couldn’t answer but had some guesses; considering him more likely a scout sent by Phantom Spirit City than an intruder.

These scouts serve as vanguards, usually not directly engaging in battle but gathering intelligence for combat personnel arriving later for easier resolution.

The guess wasn’t baseless; firstly, Angel didn’t show strength, just left, matching a scout’s traits; secondly, Earl Mi visibly inhuman possibly magical, perhaps also from Phantom Spirit City, belonging to lower-tier citizens, commonly paired with scouts.

Despite No. 01 largely guessing their identity, he didn’t divulge it. No. 02 was unaware of being pursued by Phantom Spirit City, revealing it might leave him no chance for a farewell requiem.

Thus facing No. 02’s suspicion, No. 01 simply said: "If he’s an intruder, only No. 03 can tell us. Alas, No. 03 is missing."

"Indeed, where’s No. 03?" No. 02 also found it odd.

"I’ll continue here to complete the final target. You find No. 03 to inquire, Nos. 04 to 10 head back to the laboratory to check for intruders, if any, secure damages to prevent data leaks." No. 01 instructed.

No. 02 considered briefly, agreeing: "Alright."

As No. 02’s figure disappeared completely, No. 01 sighed gently, lamentation tinged with regret and apology.

"Scouts have arrived, do I still have a chance?" No. 01 muttered to himself, unable to see any opportunity... Suddenly, the image of Reynaud flashed in his mind, previously wishing to borrow Reynaud’s luck but realizing it may not work. Reynaud claimed as lucky externally, but gaining Reynaud’s body yielded no lucky signs.

If truly lucky, today’s challenge with Siege Wyrm offspring wouldn’t be so tough. Even with a dissipating item of rule power, Siege Wyrm offspring remained undefeated.

Perhaps, Reynaud’s so-called luck was merely hearsay.

"No chance... It seems I can only do this." From murmurs, No. 01’s hesitation slowly faded, transforming into resolve.

...

Meanwhile, Angel descended.

Uncertain of Ferro, Nis, and Kanter’s current status, he planned to return to the seabed to check.

But before reaching the seabed, a black raindrop fell from the gloomy sky.

The black raindrop landed near Angel, transforming into a tranquil crystal akin to a deep night.

From this black crystal, Angel sensed familiar fluctuations... It was a method from Mr. Night.

Without hesitation, Angel took the black crystal and gently squeezed it.

It instantly erupted with an energy fluctuation transforming into an invisible line, entwining with Angel’s spiritual power.

This was the Mind Ribbon.

Angel didn’t refuse the Mind Ribbon’s connection; once established, Angel heard a familiar voice within.

"Angel, how’s the situation there?"

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