bayedsolid Chapter 107 The Great Advance: Luring the Warriors into the Game
Chapter 107 The Great Advance: Luring the Warriors into the Game
After Mikie was knocked unconscious~
"You're already aware of the plan, so let's work together happily. Since we'll be carrying out the plan soon, I won't see you off."
"No problem, it's a pleasure to work with you."
At the entrance of the SSS girls' base, Ming shook hands with Sai Xier, who was already dressed in her display device and ready to go, and said goodbye.
Afterwards, Ming glanced at Mikie, who was still unconscious inside the base, and simply turned and left with Hyakume without saying anything.
Undoubtedly, Uncle Ming didn't want Mikie to be hurt in the slightest, but he also had to help her obtain the true key to Ashcroft, the authorization of the "Red Cat," which was very important. However... during this time, Mikie would also have to endure a lot of hardships.
'I'm sorry, Mikie, you'll understand your uncle, right...'
Ming walked side by side with Bai Muzhong on the street, pondering to himself. Although he was somewhat conflicted, he did not show it on his face.
As the two walked down the street, Ming suddenly spoke to Bai Muzhong:
"That's enough for today. Here's the money. Go find a hotel to stay in. I have something to do next that might not be convenient for you to be there."
Bai Mu finally took the money, turned and left without asking any further questions. Ming watched his departing figure, his eyes hardening.
Meanwhile, Ming arrived alone at the front of Itsuka's house and looked at Shido's room on the second floor. He noticed that, at some point, a black cross symbol had appeared in the red and blue beast eyes behind his contact lenses.
Through the window, I saw Shido concentrating on his homework, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were completely immersed in his studies.
Suddenly, specks of black substance appeared beneath Shido, who was sitting in the chair. These black specks spread rapidly like ink and continued to expand in all directions.
In the blink of an eye, the black area had already occupied a considerable portion of the area.
"what?!"
Shido's pupils widened, and then he felt a sense of weightlessness coming from below, along with the chair.
He then plummeted downwards along with the chair beneath him. Shido felt a sudden heave, and his vision blurred instantly.
The whistling wind and my own terrified screams mingled together, as if the whole world had turned upside down.
"Ah! Kotori! Did you do this?! Don't scare your brother, come out quickly! It's so high, ahh ...
Shido continued to fall, the surrounding scenery rushing past. Just when he thought he was about to crash hard to the ground, he landed in a soft sea of flowers.
"I'm still alive?"
Shido stood up, still shaken, and looked around. He noticed a church not far away.
Shido slowly walked towards the church, pushed open the door, and found it empty except for the melodious sound of a violin.
"Who is it?!" Shido looked around.
Just as Shido was wondering what was going on, the violin music stopped abruptly. A figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
He was dressed in a crisp military uniform, looking dashing and spirited. The uniform was impeccably tailored, with smooth lines that seemed to blend seamlessly with his body. However, what was most striking were the two ram's horns growing from his forehead.
His eyes were exceptionally unique, one a fiery red pupil, the other a deep blue like the ocean. These two-tone eyes were like two dazzling gems set in his face, captivating all who beheld them.
Then look at his long hair, cascading down like a waterfall, almost touching the ground. The strands sway in the wind, shimmering with a faint luster, giving one a dreamlike feeling.
Strangely, despite being so close, Shido's face remained blurry, as if shrouded in a thick fog, with only a vague outline visible.
"Are you... Mr. Flame Beast..." Shido asked uncertainly, taking a slight step back with his right foot.
"Long time no see, but this is probably the first time you've seen me in this form... Itsuka Shido."
Ming's voice was actually a combination of two completely different voices, one male and one female!
The two voices, sometimes gentle like a woman's and sometimes deep and powerful like a man's, blended together to form an extremely eerie and chilling harmony that sounded incredibly strange.
Sunlight streamed into the church, illuminating the two people inside. In Shido's eyes, the figure of the Flame Beast seemed to overlap with someone else.
Shido stared wide-eyed, trying hard to see whose shadow the person in front of him was.
"What is your purpose in bringing me here? And I also need a reason for trapping Tohka before!" Shido mustered his courage and questioned loudly.
Ming chuckled softly, and the strange harmony rang out again:
“Itsuka Shido, there’s no need to be so tense. I’ve invited you here today for only one thing…” He slowly approached Shido as he spoke. Shido cautiously stepped back.
"It's just an invitation to a 'banquet' that I'll be hosting soon. As for what happened to Miss [Princess] not long ago, I sincerely apologize."
Shido frowned, his face full of suspicion. "A banquet? What banquet? Why did they invite me?"
"I don't need a reason to invite you. It's just about the changes that [the gods] will undergo in the future. Of course, you can refuse, but... I believe you won't do that, right?"
As Ming casually spoke, a phantom of Kotori Itsuka, resembling her, was constructed by the Phantom Library and instantly ignited.
As Shido watched Kotori's illusion being ignited, a surge of anger welled up within him.
"Flame Beast! If you have a problem, come at me! Don't touch my family!" Shido roared as he charged toward Ming.
Ming remained motionless until Shido rushed up to him. With a simple raise of his arm and a light swipe, Shido was slammed to the ground by an unseen, casual gesture, while Ming simply looked down at him.
"Hmph, although he currently possesses three streams of spiritual energy, he clearly doesn't know how to use them at all. He can't even control them? It's truly pathetic," Ming said expressionlessly. Shido gritted his teeth, but was unable to move.
"What...what are you saying?! God...banquet...stopping Tohka, what on earth is Flame Beast thinking right now?!"
Upon hearing this, Ming remained remarkably calm. He slowly bent down and half-squatted, looking at Shido, who was pinned to the ground by the Random Domain, and said with a mocking expression:
"Shido, have you ever seen a god? A god who lives in this world, almost omnipotent, who could destroy Tengu City in an instant if he wanted to..."
"Huh?!" Shido listened to Ming's mutterings, his face full of confusion.
"Thank you for trusting me from the very first time we met, so let me tell you something, Itsuka Shido. I once witnessed the legendary 'Goddess,' who seemed to have descended to earth as a god, pure and holy, as if she were taking pity on all living beings. However, little did she know that the Goddess was nothing but a corrupt monster. In my eyes, she was ugly and hateful, like a real demon, who took everything from me and forced me to become a monster like her. It was utterly absurd."
As Ming spoke, he clenched his fists, but then pretended to relax them as if he didn't care at all. Shido watched him, and although he couldn't understand what he was saying, he could read the extremely painful anger in Ming's eyes.
"I don't understand what you mean, but hurting others is definitely wrong. If you can, come to Ratatosk. I will do everything in my power to save the elves!" Shido shouted with all his might as he struggled.
“Oh? Ratatosk? Salvation? Haha, how ridiculous, hahahahaha!” Ming laughed loudly, but his eyes were somewhat cold.
Ming stopped laughing, his eyes filled with disdain. "Ratatosk is nothing but a self-deceiving being. Shido, you sealed their power, but you have no power to protect them. You're useless. It's like if the Spirits are targeted by others in the future, but their spiritual power is sealed, do you think you can protect them?"
Shido was stung by Mei's words, yet he couldn't refute them. He bit his lower lip, his gaze resolute, and said:
"I will find a way to become stronger."
"Yes, then why don't you give it a try? I'll invite you to this 'banquet,' a banquet just for the two of us. Would you like to try it in the near future?"
Shido remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with determination.
"I will go. I will show you my resolve to save Tohka and the other spirits that will appear in the future!"
"Very good, I hope you won't disappoint me then."
After saying this, Ming slowly turned around, his slender figure moving slowly towards the depths of the church like a ghost.
As he walked further and further away, his figure gradually became blurred and eventually disappeared completely into the endless darkness and shadows.
Just then, the world around them seemed to be suddenly propelled by an invisible hand, beginning to spin rapidly at an astonishing speed. Everything became distorted and deformed, with colorful lights intertwining and flashing in the air, dazzling the eyes.
When the frantic spinning finally stopped, the scene had completely changed. The once eerie and mysterious church had vanished in an instant, replaced by a bright and cozy room.
Shido sat at his desk, lost in thought for a long time. "Was it a dream? No... the pain just now felt too real, and..."
Just then, Shido subconsciously reached into his pocket and suddenly felt that there was something extra inside. Curious, he reached in to investigate and discovered that a note had appeared in his pocket sometime during the night.
Shido carefully pinched the note and slowly pulled it out.
The note was folded neatly, as if someone had carefully prepared it and placed it in his pocket.
Filled with doubt, Shido gently unfolded the note. When he saw what was written on it, his eyes widened in surprise.
The note clearly read: "See you at Tengu City Amusement Park on Saturday, June 3rd." These simple words stirred an indescribable feeling within Shido.
"Mr. Flame Beast, what are you thinking..." Shido muttered to himself, tilting his head back.
For some reason, I always subconsciously extend kindness to the Flame Beast. Even though I know he is an utterly wicked villain, my intuition always tells me that he is more complicated than I think. These thoughts echo in my mind.
It is difficult to define whether Ming is good or evil, and Shido is well aware of this. His help could not possibly be without reason. However, Shido always feels that he can never see through Ming's true intentions. When he looks at Ming, it is as if he is looking at an empty, cursed soul.