Chapter 192: Quick Breaking
———Wiina———
<9: 34 am>
“There she is!” Someone yelled out not long after we left that basement, and this guy quickly raised his spear.
“Save your energy, big guy. I don’t think you should waste your energy on these mooks.” I said to him to get him to stop moving around so much when he was only healed recently.
*Dash* *Smack* *Smash* *Smack*
Only a few hits to these four men and they’re all on the floor and barely conscious. Give each of them a collar, and let’s keep moving.
“W-When did you…” He seemed quite confused at how fast I was moving. Seems he didn’t quite realize who is slowing who down. I only let him tag along just so he can get some catharsis, he looks like he needs it considering the hands he had been dealt with.
“Let’s keep moving, I’m sure they’ll soon swarm us like a swarm of bees.” I said before we keep moving towards the main hideout where all the big shots are at. Since they took over the entire town with so much space to themselves, and we are walking at a leisurely pace, we’ll probably get interrupted more than a couple of times. It is how it is. I need to deal with all of them eventually anyway, at least I should have some fun with it.
Speaking of which, more of them are coming. This particular batch is much bigger. Seems like someone is getting more and more alarmed.
Now which method should I use this time? The last one was merely close-quarters combat, and admittedly that alone would be enough even against a large crowd, but using the same method twice in a row is a bit dull, isn’t it? I want them all to recall all sorts of different ways I deal with them. You can never expect what sort of esoteric method I would use next.
“[Waterball].” I lazily chanted as I held my hand forward.
*SPLASH*
A massive waterball appeared above them and fell down and exploded, causing so much force that it blew everyone away. Even if it’s simple water falling on top of them, if the resulting force is big enough, they’ll still get blown away.
Alright, putting collars on them, and let’s keep moving.
“...What the hell are you?” He asked, clearly terrified and confused as to who he is now working with. He really should be more up-to-date on the current state of the world.
“Just someone who has been on the news a few times.” I dismissively said as we kept moving. “The world is quite unpredictable, ain’t it? Suddenly you find yourself accompanied by someone so otherworldly strong.”
I don’t even need to see his expression that he is quite confused and unsure of what to do, say, or think. It is to be expected, a year ago this kind of scenario was unheard of or even thought of as a possibility.
I’m not really obligated to clarify on the matter further, especially as we’ll part ways once we’re done liberating this place. He can just go back to his normal life and stop worrying about all this once it’s done, or perhaps he will become more paranoid of such an event happening afterward. Who’s to say?
Another group of mooks came in. Time to clean this up quickly with…
*Grow* *Grab* *Grapple*
I manipulated the nearby plants, rapidly mutating them into giant trees and flowers that extended their vines and branches out and captured everyone and set them in place. I summoned the collars and placed it on them before they could resist further than break out.
Now let’s keep moving, we’re getting close to the main building and there are a lot of people scrambling and trying to figure out what’s going on. All their hostages are gone so they have nothing to really stop anyone from opposing them.
Anyway, more are running at us and it’s a massive wave. They must’ve been told to stop us at all costs. This is by far the biggest group of enemies we’ve seen, though the power level is still in the dirt and I’m certain even this guy behind me can deal with at least a third of it on his own.
*Blast* *Block*
Of course, while I could’ve just quickly dealt with this group, there’s another thing that unfortunately has to get in my way and complicate things.
“Yeesh. A fun-hater as always.” Kenni said as she descended down while the gang members were all confused as to why they were shielded from the massive ball of darkness aiming their way. Guess even when we didn’t say anything she still shows up at an inconvenient time.
“And you are a nuisance. What are you even doing here? Last I checked, you were snooping around that guy’s house for secrets and getting beaten up to hell and back for it. You sure recovered quickly from that.” That’s an entirely different story that I actually never try to inquire outside of the broad stroke, but she really ought to stay out of trouble for a while regardless.
“What can I say? I do have stronger bones than birds, you know?” She playfully said while the others, be it that guy or the gang members, all seems confused as to what is taking place.
*Zap* *Tumble*
I quickly paralyzed the entire group standing there all scared and confused, then putting collars on them to quickly subdue them before continuing with the conversation. Don’t need them interrupting or trying to run away while I’m distracted.
“Can you just leave? I’d rather the confirmed casualty count be less than double digits.” Having someone who is willing to kill isn’t exactly good for me. I take pride in my ability to subdue others without actually ending them, even including those who are very strong and something the current prison system can’t handle.
“Why would I? Even if I don’t get to fight, I still want to see what you’re doing.” She said as she put her arms behind her back. “So why are you even here anyway? You’re not usually the type to show up around these parts. Usually it’s me who does that.”
“You don’t need to know. All I’ll say is that being so close to our town and daring to be so bold is an insult.” I said, just to muddied the water a little bit. We have an audience as well, so it’s not like we could speak even remotely freely.
“I see… I see…” She muttered with a smug grin and a hand under her chin. “Well, whatever. I didn’t see you get loose for a long while now. Admittedly you still aren’t, but this is as close as it’ll ever get until you eventually snap.”
“What in the world does that mean? I’m not above killing, you already know that. I’d just rather not do it unless it’s absolutely necessary.” I said as we moved along towards the main building. Admittedly there are still the rest of them probably lingering around in other parts of the town, but I can just raise a barrier if I notice anyone trying to leave out of the detection range.
If we beat up the leader, then we could get them to surrender without needing to resort to violence. Admittedly that would be way too practical and boring, but I feel like stringing this guy along when he got a score to settle is a bit insensitive.
“What’s that guy's story, by the way?” Kenni asked as we kept moving.
“No idea, he has been trapped in here fighting the gang for a while now. Doesn’t look like he’ll last more than three days if this keeps going.” I said, never really inquiring about the story because it’s really not something I’m interested in. I kinda wanted to get this over in a quick but flashy fashion. “So, big guy, if you wanna fight that boss solo, you have my blessing. Just want to make sure you know that.”
“I really do wish to cave that man’s head in… I guess I’ll take you up on that offer.” He said, sounding a bit tired, as if from trying to process everything that was said between the two of us.
“Guess that’s settled and locked in. Sorry, but I don’t think you get to fight anyone… No, I guess the lieutenants count. They’re not very strong though, you might end up clawing through them like tissue paper.” I really don’t want to see her complain or try something stupid because she has nothing better to do, so I have to give her something…
“Hey, I’ll take anything at this point. I have the self-control to not rip through them like wet paper.” She said with a grin that doesn’t make her sound all too convincing, but I can just step in if I needed to.
“Hm? There seems to be some fighting going on elsewhere.” I remarked as I felt multiple power readings spiked up and caused contact. I stared in the direction of the fight just so they got some idea.
“Huh. How odd.” Kenni said before showing clear intent of joining the fight.
“Leave them be. If I were to hazard a guess, those who only joined due to the hostage situations are rebelling.” I can’t imagine the majority of the town being so rotten, so some were clearly coerced either by intimidation or blackmail. “Just let them fight, we’re going straight to the figureheads.”
“Oh come on, you can easily subdue them in a second, can’t you?” Kenni said with a smirk.
“Save those fighting words. We’re moving.” I said while we kept moving towards the main building. There are a lot of people here, I can feel the strong ones on the top floor. Rather foolish, in all honesty. Even if it’s just Kenni or the others, they could probably just destroy the whole building and kill most of them in one single swoop.
“Don’t let them in!” Someone yelled out as a big group of people tried to guard the building. They look rather scared. No doubt about it, their morale is going down and down. It hasn’t even been more than an hour and they’re already breaking apart.
“Move.” I commanded as I raised my hand forward.
*Lift*
Suddenly all of them are floating around and matching the movement of my right arm, all of them panicking as they helplessly try to resist the force moving them about.
*Swing* *Slam* *Swing* *Crash* *Swing* *Spin* *Swing* *Sping* *Swing* *Crash*
I swing them around, hitting the ground a couple of times and spinning them in the air as I move my hand in a playful manner. Slamming them around a few more times and then making their faces taste the ground. Seeing that they are unresponsive but still alive, I put collars on them and move into the building itself.
“Ugh, it reeks.” Kenni remarked as she saw the rather dirty floors and many trash on the floor.
“There are still over a hundred people in this place. This seems to be one of those giant office buildings, which is… not very flattering as a base for an organization, outside of it being really big.” I remarked as we walked inside.
“You wouldn’t find me in one of these places. Couldn’t they take over a mall or something?” Kenni playfully said while we walked up to the elevator. “Is this thing still working? I thought they’d trash it or something.”
“Why would they trash something so convenient? Anyway, if it still works, then we might as well use it to go to the top floor. I feel the strongest power signature from up there, probably on the very roof of this building.” That’s the easiest way to move up the building if you can’t fly.
“Can’t really mind an easy way, can we?” Kenni said as we got in the elevator. It’s kinda lame to do this, but it feels kinda dumb to not do it. I already checked the condition of the elevator yesterday, and right now I don’t sense anyone close enough to sabotage it. So we’re just gonna skip the rest of the floors up.