“Not… not moving anymore?”
The chopper paused mid-air, as if it were firmly clamped by iron pliers, unable to move.
Not only that, under Mu’en’s horrified gaze, the rusted blade of the chopper began to melt, as if it had been thrust into a furnace and reforged.
The melted metal liquid even playfully twisted, much like a slime from a fairy tale.
But this is room temperature, my friend, still millions of miles away from its melting point.
Have some science, will you?
“Could it be…”
Mu’en suddenly looked up, realizing it wasn’t just the chopper in his hand that was melting, but also the cabinet door that had been brutally battered, and even the cabinet he had hidden in earlier.
All metal was liquefying.
The liquid metal twisted and floated in the air, then converged towards a certain point.
That point was… An’s palm.
“The power of law… a Divine Chosen!”
Mu’en’s vision darkened.
This slap from fate almost sent his blood pressure skyrocketing.
A darling of the gods, a Divine Chosen who enforces the law.
Just like Celicia, who wielded the mighty power of ice and snow, the An before him seemed to have also found favor with a deity, gaining the power to control metal.
With such unreasonable power of law, not only could metal melt at room temperature, but it could also be shaped into a square, a circle, or even a chibi Doraemon with no problem at all!
“But…”
Why would An be a Divine Chosen?
The original book never mentioned it, nor did it ever speak of a blessing to control metal.
Moreover, if An truly is a Divine Chosen, why would she lower herself to be a mere maid?
“Of course… it’s because of love.”
Seeing the confusion in Mu’en’s eyes, An smiled, condensing the metal into a sharp blade.
“Fame, power, wealth—they are all like dirt to me. The only thing I desire is you, young master.”
“So, come here, young master. I’ll make sure you return to my embrace. This time, I’ll chop off your limbs, making sure you can never… leave me again!”
An pointed her finger.
The condensed blade sliced through the air, like leaves caught in an autumn breeze, enveloping Mu’en.
“Shadow Step!”
In this critical moment, Mu’en utilized the Shadow Step, which currently had severe side effects, turning into a fleeting shadow and disappearing from his original spot in an instant.
Reappearing several meters away, his face was contorted in pain, and he staggered slightly, but he narrowly avoided the blade’s attack.
“Damn.”
Mu’en felt the intense pain in his legs searing through his brain and couldn’t help but curse.
A yandere is scary enough, but to add such terrifying powers on top of that? Are you kidding me!
If you’ve got a problem with me, heavens, just strike me down with lightning. Why torment me like this?
“Huh?”
An frowned beautifully:
“Another unseen move. Just how much have you been hiding from me, young master?”
“Well, a man’s secrets are as mysterious as a woman’s age. They’re not meant to be casually revealed.” Mu’en forced a smile.
“Is that so? But I will still diligently seek them out—not as a man, but as… my possession.”
An spread her arms, as if embracing the world.
Then Mu’en heard the sharp, grating sound of metal scraping from the depths of the corridor behind her.
Under the dim lighting, a massive entity reflecting cold glints of light was scraping against the walls, slithering its way towards him.
Its body was seemingly forged from countless steel bars twisted together by external forces. On its grotesque body, the familiar distorted shapes of shackles and iron doors that Mu’en recognized could vaguely be seen; they had now become the monstrous tentacles that crushed the fragile walls and floor as it advanced.
Ah, I almost forgot.
The cage I was in just now was entirely made of metal.
“Must you be this ruthless?”
Without hesitation, Mu’en turned and ran.
People often exhibit extraordinary potential in moments of crisis, and Mu’en was no exception.
Though the searing pain was still pressing his nerves, in this moment, he ran the fastest he had ever ran in his life.
The light symbolizing the exit rapidly enlarged, eventually dominating his vision, even his entire world.
After a brief moment of blurred sight, a world bathed in warm daylight reappeared in his vision. The familiar scene nearly brought tears to Mu’en’s eyes.
“As expected, this is… the back door of the Duke’s Mansion.”
No time for joy.
An enormous crash resounded from behind.
The monstrous steel centipede smashed through the pathetic basement exit and lunged at Mu’en.
Mu’en hesitated for a moment.
Then he abandoned the idea of running toward the Duke’s Mansion and sprinted toward the exterior.
Outside the back door of the Duke’s Mansion, there’s a river, shimmering under the light.
“Young master, why are you running? If something precious were to be damaged, I’d be heartbroken.”
An spread her arms towards Mu’en, as if to embrace him tenderly, emanating an elder sister’s comforting aura.
—That is, if she didn’t have a monstrous metallic beast with countless jagged spikes beneath her.
“So, my limbs aren’t precious parts to you?”
Of course, Mu’en didn’t escape. Instead, he frantically pushed his body to its limits.
But An’s intention in creating this colossal monster was also evident; in open spaces, its speed surpassed Mu’en’s!
Mu’en felt the bright daylight fading, and he was gradually overtaken by shadows.
The pressure from behind was growing intense.
Mu’en could no longer afford to hold back.
“Shadow Step!”
“Shadow Step!”
“Shadow Step!”
Originally a special step meant for evasion and assassination, it was now being used for a marathon.
Not to mention the severe side effects resulting from his limited capabilities.
Every time he used it, Mu’en felt as if every cell in his legs screamed in agony.
But he couldn’t stop.
If he stopped, he would completely lose his freedom.
“I want… to live.
Even in this not so beautiful world… live normally.
Better still, live happily…”
So…
Run!
“Shadow Step!”
The excruciating pain frayed his nerves, and his consciousness began to blur.
Yet, amidst this chaos of agony and conviction, when all strength seemed to be drained away, a unique kind of burning sensation emerged.
Arise from the dantian, flowing down to his feet.
“This is…”
A spark of ecstasy flitted across Mu’en’s eyes.
Battle Aura!
Had he just broken through at this very moment?
His feet enveloped by the scorching airflow, the pain faded significantly.
And in the records of the black book, Shadow Step LV2 immediately elevated to LV5!
No, it’s still rising!
LV6!
“Shadow Step!”
The threat from behind was still present, so Mu’en triggered the Shadow Step once more.
This time, he crossed over ten meters.
Moreover, empowered by Battle Aura, activating Shadow Step no longer brought any side effects.
That is to say, he could use it without limits, as long as his stamina holds up!
“Young master!”
Seeing Mu’en’s sudden surge in speed, nearly escaping her pursuit, An’s delicate face contorted with unprecedented ferocity.
Abandoning the massive steel beast, An leaped from its head, lunging towards Mu’en.
“Please don’t run away!”
“Sorry, An.”
Mu’en turned his head back abruptly, smiling.
Behind him, the river’s waters reflected the distant sunset, as though they flowed with blood.
Mu’en raised his hand towards the stunned An.
Another power he had never used before—magic—converged in the palm of his hand and was recklessly unleashed.
“Illumination! Maximum power!”
In this instant, the world gained another sun.
Even brighter than the sunset.
