A wave of psychic energy spread out.
Everyone present, including Metal Bat, froze as though time had stopped.
The two centipede monsters tore into each other, and within seconds both lay dead.
"So this is a tiger-class monster? Truly weak. Still, to avoid unnecessary trouble, I'll let the credit go to you..."
Helen smiled faintly at Metal Bat, preparing to alter part of his memory.
The Mind Stone.
As long as the target's mind was shaken by the stone, their thoughts could be rewritten. That was the true terror of the gem.
In front of Helen, the two tiger-class monsters had no resistance, subdued instantly. Metal Bat, too, could not escape—the gem directly struck his mind.
"But it seems reinforcements are coming already. Fast."
Helen halted. The petrified Metal Bat and the others returned to motion as if time resumed.
"What... what happened? They're dead?!"
Metal Bat gawked at the corpses. Tiger-class monsters weren't beyond him, but... did he actually fight them? Or was it this woman?
"Metal Bat, take the civilians and leave. I'll handle this," Helen said calmly.
She had transcended humanity since gaining the Vision body. She'd already died once—now only her soul lived within a new form.
"Let a man retreat? I hate that tone!"
Metal Bat carried the father and son to safety. But his brows furrowed as he felt two powerful presences approach.
Rumble!
The ground burst open. A massive figure smashed into him, hurling him back.
"Reinforcements? Tch, monsters are getting worse..."
Metal Bat rolled to a stop, bloodied but sharp-eyed. Before him towered a ten-meter armored centipede—Elder Centipede's offspring.
A demon-class monster.
Centipede Senior.
"So much bigger than the last one..." Metal Bat braced himself.
Behind him, Narinki and his son fainted from the stench.
From the sewers rose another monster—green-skinned, crowned with red petals.
Carnivorous Plant Father. Another demon-class.
"Impressive, for an S-Class. No wonder my juniors died," Centipede Senior sneered.
"What do you want? Why target this family?" Metal Bat barked.
"Heh. Beat us, and maybe we'll tell you." Plant Father cackled.
Finally, opponents worth fighting.
"Metal Bat, leave them to me," came a gentle voice.
Helen floated into view, robed in white, serene yet terrifyingly beautiful.
"A woman? Association's file has nothing on her," Plant Father muttered.
"Whatever. Humans die the same," Centipede Senior said.
"Hey, woman. Time to run. Demon-class monsters aren't for weaklings," Metal Bat snarled, stepping forward—
But dizziness hit him. His body weakened.
"The spores worked. Even S-Class can't resist my hypnosis gas," Plant Father smirked.
Centipede Senior pounced, tearing into him. Blood sprayed. Helpless, Metal Bat was brutalized.
"Die, human! I'll make your head an ornament!" Centipede Senior thrust a leg at his throat—
"Ah."
A soft sigh.
Everyone froze.
Centipede Senior blinked. "I... I don't want to kill him. He's a hero. A good man."
A monster refusing to kill a hero? Madness.
"You idiot! Then I'll finish him!" Plant Father raged, lashing his tendrils.
Clang!
Blood splattered—but it was Metal Bat, smashing his own forehead with his bat.
"Thanks... for stalling. The rest is mine."
Covered in blood, Metal Bat rose like a beast unleashed. His aura surged. The longer he fought, the stronger he grew.
"That trait... remarkable. But these two are useful to me," Helen said lightly, her eyes gleaming.
Metal Bat's gaze locked with hers. His steps faltered.
"Why fight? Better take them somewhere safe. My sister's waiting for snacks."
He sighed, turned around... and walked away.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]