It’s almost sunset, Minoru thought, hidden in the shadows of the trees overlooking the former Lab Nine.
His surroundings had grown completely dark, but the sun would just be setting if the sky had been clear. In fact, without the thick clouds, it would be twilight—a time when humans encounter the supernatural, the power of monsters strengthens, and calamity strikes.
Minoru sent a mental signal to the followers he had gathered.
They were not the ancient magic practitioners from Kyoto or Nara. Instead, they were defectors from the continent that Gongjin’s spirit had temporarily bound by magic. Since they lacked their own will, they were no match for Tatsuya or Katsuto. But Minoru figured they could at least buy some time until the Parasidolls awakened. Using the incantations he had gained from Gongjin’s knowledge, he activated a magic ritual.
One of the defectors charged straight at the main gate of the lab and proceeded to self-destruct with a fire-based magic spell. This didn’t mean his body actually exploded. He wouldn’t die instantly. What he was doing was pushing his magic power beyond his limits and unleashing a spell at hyper-close range. The result was a powerful blast that shattered the gate and left the defector with lethal wounds if they remained untreated.
✦ ✦ ✦
Retsu, Ayako, and Fumiya had just finished their soup when the explosion went off. All three of them whipped their heads toward the main entrance of the research institute. Neither Retsu nor Ayako reprimanded Fumiya, who jumped out of his chair.
“Why didn’t the border alarm go off?” Retsu murmured, seemingly more concerned about the lack of a warning than the act of suspicious trespassing.
Before anyone could respond, he reached his own conclusion: “…A barrier, perhaps?”
The barrier in question had been so cleverly designed that even Retsu—once known as the World’s Most Skilled Magician—failed to notice it. It effectively masked magic waves rather than blocking psion waves, creating a disruption field over a wide area in front of the research institute and extending halfway into the premises. It was only after the explosion that Retsu realized this.
“Yes.” He nodded thoughtfully, convinced. “It is a concealment barrier typical of practitioners from the southwestern region of the continent.”
The continent he referred to was not Eurasia or Asia in general, but specifically an area overlapping with the Great Asian Alliance territory that included regions such as Sichuan and Yunnan.
“General!” Fumiya exclaimed, realizing a continent barrier could be connected to Retsu’s grandson. “Does that mean Minoru is here?”
“If he is, he must be after the Parasidolls,” Retsu said.
“Are you referring to the humanoid weapon tested at the Steeplechase venue last year?” Ayako clarified.
“I am. You know about it?”
“Yes, I was somewhat involved in the process,” Ayako replied.
“I see,” Retsu murmured. “Then, he really must be targeting the Parasidolls.”
He added almost inaudibly, “I thought only Tatsuya Shiba was active at that time… Anyway, the Parasidolls are sealed in the northern warehouse. If it’s not too much trouble, could you go assist the personnel there? I will head over as soon as I have checked on the situation inside the lab proper.”
“Got it!” Fumiya replied.
There was no inherent reason for the Kuroba twins to obey Retsu’s orders. But Minoru Kudou was an enemy to the Yotsuba family as well. If he was attacking the former Lab Nine in search of Parasidolls, he was undoubtedly trying to strengthen his forces and use the humanoid weapons as his pawns. It was thus the Kuroba family’s duty, as a Yotsuba branch family, to obstruct the enemy from trying to procure additional backup.
“Let’s go, Ayako!” Fumiya yelled at his sister.
“Right behind you.” Ayako nodded.
✦ ✦ ✦
Although Minoru had grown stronger, the former Lab Nine security was nothing to sneeze at.
But they’re not nearly as powerful as Mayumi and Juumonji, he thought.
Before long, he arrived at the warehouse where the sealed Parasidolls were stored. It had been only a few days since he had infiltrated the facility to become a parasite, yet the electronic lock on the door was still the same. Minoru thought this was pretty careless.
Hold on, he hesitated.
He paused to take precautions by reinforcing his defenses with Parade and Qimen Dunjia. Then, he unleashed Electron Goldworm from a safe distance. As soon as this last spell infiltrated the electronic lock, the console spewed a violent shock.
That was close.
The voltage of the shock looked to be at lethal levels. Even Minoru would have been rendered incapacitated for a while if he had carelessly touched the lock.
The moment a magician casts a spell, he becomes defenseless against that same type of magic, Minoru mused. Was that a trap that takes advantage of that principle?
He figured it was his grandfather, Retsu Kudou, who had set the trap. Only the “World’s Greatest” could have thought of something like it.
Luckily, Minoru had developed a technique to create a pathway in the air, so he could cast Electron Goldworm from a distance. Leaving the electrical pathway open still put him at a risk of electrocution. But by closing the line at the same time Electron Goldworm passed through, he avoided harm from the console’s electric shock.
Minoru unleashed Electron Goldworm once more. By now, the console’s electronic circuits were already burned out. The electronic lock activated not via the console but by Electron Goldworm’s signal. Minoru was now free to enter the warehouse.
As he stepped through the door, his illusion was attacked. Unlike last time, it seemed security personnel had been stationed both outside and inside the warehouse. Minoru sensed the presence of more than five magicians ready to strike.
I commend their ability to remain undetected until now. Minoru smirked. But it’s still not enough to beat me.
Minoru’s human consciousness lamented the loss of the skilled magicians who confronted him. But the battle was over in less than a minute. In the end, six magicians lay defeated on the warehouse floor.
✦ ✦ ✦
Fumiya and Ayako didn’t head directly to the warehouse as Retsu had instructed. Instead, they made their way to the parking lot. Fumiya had left a CAD specifically for Direct Pain in the Kuroba family car.
A black-suited attendant next to the vehicle turned to Fumiya. “What is going on, sir?”
“Minoru Kudou is attacking!” Fumiya exclaimed. “Contact the main family and my father. Then stay here and secure our escape route!”
“Yes, sir.” The attendant nodded.
He wasted no time with unnecessary questions and promptly turned on his communication device to carry out Fumiya’s instructions.
Fumiya retrieved his black Knuckle Duster from a small compartment in the back seat. He then slipped it onto his right hand, and he powered up the specialized CAD with a squeeze of his fist.
“After you, sis,” he said.
“All right.” Ayako nodded.
She glanced in the direction of the northern side of the research facility.
“Is that the place?” Fumiya asked, spotting the warehouse through the gaps between buildings.
“Yes,” Ayako responded. “I can fly you up to the rooftop just in case.”
“Got it.”
Fumiya paused before continuing, “You don’t have to come with me, you know.”
“I won’t let my guard down.” Ayako smiled to ease her brother’s concern.
Fumiya felt his body tingle as his sister activated Pseudo-Teleportation. Before he knew it, he was on the warehouse rooftop about eighty meters away.