As one of the most well known commercial districts in Academy City, District 22 has an underground street that serves as a natural cover. Hidden beneath it are numerous research facilities unknown to the public. After all, being underground, no one can truly tell how many exist.
The mysterious eleventh level is also the hiding place of one of Academy City's twelve Board Directors.
Why do most of the Board Directors conceal themselves so thoroughly?
Because as rulers of Academy City, their immense authority attracts countless assassination attempts and conspiracies. Over time, this fosters a mentality of constant paranoia, as if "there are always people trying to kill me."
However…
There was still a score to settle.
That man named Shundou Toshizou had previously issued an assassination attempt against him. Since he was already here, he might as well have a proper talk with him.
A faint glimmer flickered deep within Arata's eyes, and at the same time, he intended to take control of him.
"Really? Really? There really is a mysterious eleventh level in the underground city? And a train that never stops?" Saten Ruiko asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Does the eleventh level really exist? I couldn't find any information about it," Uiharu Kazari asked, blinking in confusion.
After all, ninety percent of urban legends are just ordinary events exaggerated over time.
"Of course it exists. The eleventh level is the secret base of a Board Director, something like a classified nuclear launch facility," Arata said with a shrug.
"So that's how it is! A secret base for the Board of Directors. The kind of hidden facility only big shots would build. What do they use it for? Human experiments? Secret weapon development? Something like the bamboo copter you have, senpai?" Saten Ruiko asked excitedly.
"No idea. It's all pretty mysterious," Arata replied casually. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "My mentor mentioned that the bathhouse here is extremely comfortable. Want to try it?"
Komoe-sensei had mentioned more than once how comfortable the underground bathhouse was. She even bought her cigarettes and alcohol there.
"Let's go to the bathhouse!"
Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari froze for a moment, exchanged glances, their cheeks slightly red, then nodded.
Naturally, the bathhouse here was not mixed bathing. Even if someone wanted that, it would never be allowed in Academy City.
The four quickly arrived at one of the most famous bathhouses in Academy City.
The facility was enormous, resembling a massive hot spring complex. Everything was separated into sections, and the warm lighting combined with thick steam greatly reduced visibility.
"Well then, we're going first, Arata-senpai," Saten Ruiko said with a blush, pulling Uiharu Kazari and Index along as they hurried inside.
"Hmm. They'll probably take a while," Arata narrowed his eyes slightly. "In that case, it's time to handle my own business."
Controlling one Board Director meant controlling one twelfth of the visible authority in Academy City.
Using coordinate movement, his figure appeared above the underground district.
Under the influence of the Void Star: Tai suu, his coordinate movement had already reached Level 5. His range exceeded one kilometer, and the mass he could transfer surpassed ten tons.
After a few short movements, he arrived at the tenth level.
The lighting here was dim. This level had not been fully put into operation and remained in a semi closed state.
Although the entrance to the eleventh level was unknown, his telekinetic perception allowed him to sense the underground structure directly, including moving objects.
In the next instant, his figure appeared on the eleventh level.
It was a vast open space, at least ten meters high. Numerous humanoid combat machines, models never seen before, were stationed along the walls.
There were also massive spider shaped armed units.
"Heh. Armed units everywhere. Hidden passages. Surveillance systems," Arata chuckled, hands in his pockets.
Beep
A sharp alarm suddenly rang out, accompanied by flashing red warning lights.
"Unidentified target detected. Unidentified target detected. Initiating Level One alert."
The indicator lights on all armed machines instantly turned red. They activated and began advancing toward Arata, raising their heavy firearms and locking onto him.
Da da da da
A barrage of bullets poured forward.
Yet every single bullet stopped within one meter of Arata, as if all kinetic energy had been erased. They fell harmlessly to the ground, producing a crisp metallic sound.
Before a second volley could even be fired, every machine had already been sliced cleanly into countless cubes by an invisible force.
Boom
A massive explosion echoed throughout the facility.
Plumes of smoke erupted one after another.
The disturbance was immediately detected by everyone inside.
"Report! An unidentified intruder has triggered the alarm!" A researcher in a white coat shouted into a communicator aboard the endless train.
"Coordinates are located at"
"Pull up the surveillance feed!"
"No one can leave this place alive. This facility is protected by fortress level defenses" a research supervisor began sternly, but was cut off.
"This is bad! The intruder has already breached the second defense layer!" the white coat researcher shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
"What?! Bring up the surveillance footage!" the supervisor roared, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
On the display screen, sections of the defensive network were already marked in red.
How long had it been? How could so many systems be destroyed so quickly?
Aside from armed machines, the facility contained hidden compartments, laser weapons, biochemical agents, even electrical grids. Even a fully equipped military force should not have been able to break through the first defensive layer.
The footage appeared.
Smoke filled the air. Muzzle flashes lit the darkness. At the center of it all, a single figure walked forward calmly, ignoring every attack.
With a casual wave of his hand, invisible force shattered every weapon in his path.
"The intruder's identity has been confirmed."
"Arata. The eighth Level 5. Telekinetic user. Multi ability esper. High school student. The one responsible for obstructing the Level 6 Shift Project… Has previously been targeted by the Dark Side, but elimination attempts failed."
"Level 5…" the supervisor's expression darkened.
Inside one of the train carriages, Shundou Toshizoustared coldly at the surveillance screen.
"The eighth…"
…
Static crackled through the speakers.
"The eighth. Telekinetic user, Arata. State your purpose for infiltrating this facility."
Arata kept his hands in his pockets, narrowing his eyes slightly as he smiled toward the source of the broadcast.
"No particular reason," he said calmly. "Just returning the favor from last time."
"I'd like to have a talk with you, Shundou Toshizou."
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.