Pendragon's Infinity Gauntlet

Page 173

The subway passage was actually half the distance shorter than the normal route, and the magician was much faster than her...

Thinking this, Jing Shen stared at the large hole in the floor where the blonde woman had used to escape.

"It seems we still have no choice but to go down from here."

Standing next to her, Kazezan gazed into the enormous void.

It was pitch black, completely dark, so the bottom was invisible. Could you really jump into such a deep hole, where you didn't even know how many meters deep it was? You couldn't even find a moment to prepare for landing and cushion the impact.

"Wait...wait a minute...you really...plan to go down alone...?"

Kazezan believed that even if it meant taking some risks, they should still contact the guards. Having had his body damaged several times, Kazezan was well aware of how terrifying the blond man was.

In any case, they are definitely not an opponent that a high school student could handle without any planning.

Jing Shen must be well aware of this. Their recent victory was entirely due to the help of another superhuman. In a one-on-one fight, even the chariot probably couldn't have defeated that statue. That was a true "monster."

Even so, Jing Shen's determination remained unwavering.

Since the "enemy of Academy City" has been deliberately concealed, whatever the reason, one thing is certain: Pure God will protect that boy no matter what.

Kazezaki was well aware of Jōjin's feelings. For Kazezaki, Index was the first precious friend he had ever made. Just the thought of possibly losing this friend, or that this friend might get hurt, sent chills down his spine.

Although I don't know why she didn't ask the girl who had helped her earlier for help, but...

This does not mean we can sit idly by and watch the girl in front of us try to fight a losing battle.

Jing Shen absolutely did not want to lose the Index of Forbidden Books, while Feng Zhan absolutely did not want the two of them to be forced into a life-or-death separation.

We must protect the Index of Forbidden Books from that monster.

We must not let the Pure God fight that monster.

Is there any way to satisfy these two contradictory things at the same time? Feng Zhan thought for a moment and was stunned.

There is a way.

"...Don't worry...even if you don't go...there's still a way to save him."

Upon hearing this, Jing Shen frowned in surprise.

Feng Zhan continued:

"Let the monsters...fight the monsters..."

Jing Shen gasped. Feng Zhan, on the other hand, smiled.

"Although... I might not be able to defeat that monster... at least I can act as bait... If I'm attacked by the monster, I can create an opportunity for it to escape... because I'm a monster too. That's all I can do to help..."

The Pure Spirit was extremely surprised to hear this.

Then, her expression gradually changed from surprise to anger.

"Why are you still saying such things? Listen, if you insist on being told things outright so you can understand, then I'll tell you everything from the very beginning."

You're not a monster! What do you think we came here for, or for whom? Please think about it, why can't you understand?

Her words were sincere and without any pretense. Feng Zhan was deeply moved to see her so furious at his negative remarks.

"If you do such a thing, do you think I'd be happy? Do I look like that kind of person? Do you think Index Forbidden Books would have run away alone when that monster was beating you up? Don't be ridiculous! Even if you abandon us, we won't just leave you to die! Absolutely not!"

However, the Pure Spirit seemed unaware.

The stone statue that Jing Shen and the guards fought to protect Kazakiri Hyouka was also a monster like Kazakiri Hyouka. The monster was attacked by artillery fire and finally crumbled on the ground, its fragments scattered everywhere.

No one felt any sympathy after seeing the monster's remains.

Chapter 300 The Mirage Capital

Chapter 300

In the end, this is the fate of all "non-human things".

"...But it's okay...just let me be the monster..."

Feng Zhan Binghua stared intently at Jing Shen and said:

"Because I am a monster... I won't die no matter how many times that statue hits me... Because I am a monster, I have the ability to fight against that statue..."

Feng Zhan paused for a moment, then continued:

“I can… use my power to protect the people I care about… so I’m glad I’m a monster.”

With a gentle smile, Kazezaki Hyouka jumped down into the large hole opened by Sheryl Cromwell. Jingshen shouted, hurriedly reaching out to grab Kazezaki, but her hand froze halfway through. Perhaps it was because she didn't have time to think too much; it was Jingshen's dominant right hand.

The Absolute Hand, which will obliterate monsters once touched.

Deep down, Jing Shen had also vaguely thought of this.

Kazezan's body plummeted through the crater due to gravity. Along the way, he smiled gently at Jōjin, as if saying to Jōjin, who was blaming herself for withdrawing her hand: This isn't your fault.

The monster fell into the darkness.

At the edge of the world, finally finding a place to be accepted, one continues to fall into the abyss of darkness.

The moment Kazakiri Hyouka landed in the dark cave, a terrifying sound rang out from her ankle.

This is the subway track passage. The cave is deeper than expected. Moreover, because of the railway tracks, the ground is uneven, making it difficult to cushion the impact of a fall. If Kazezaki were an ordinary human, his ankle bones would probably be shattered.

That's right, if it were an ordinary human being.

Although a terrible sound rang out in Kazezan's ankle, and he felt a heavy pain, the pain subsided in less than five seconds. He tried tapping the ground lightly with his toes, as if trying on new shoes. The injury was completely healed. Like gears that had been spinning aimlessly finally meshing, an inexplicable power surged through his body. Perhaps the gear he had lacked in the past was his true self.

Kazezan ran through the dark passageway.

This place was not originally designed for human pedestrians, so it is even darker and filthy than the underground streets.

A row of concrete pillars in the center of the passageway divided it into two sides, with tram tracks leading up and down respectively. Using the dim light of a few nearly extinguished lamps, he kept moving forward. He knew exactly where to go. There was a clear row of footprints on the concrete floor, like those made while walking in snow. They must have been left by the massive stone statue.

The wind slash seemed to tear through the air as it continued to run forward.

In the darkness, every time he saw a sparsely scattered light, fragmented memories would surface in Feng Zhan's mind.

He is not human.

One day ten years ago.

When Feng Zhanbinghua regained consciousness, she was already standing in the center of the "city".

The so-called "city" does not refer to Academy City. However, geographically, its location is exactly the same as Academy City. It is a city constructed from the AIM diffusion field released by the 2.3 million espers within Academy City. An invisible "mirage city".

The "Mirage City" has no shadows, no weight, no air circulation; it's extremely thin and has no sense of existence. When the wind blows, buildings, roadside trees, and passersby sway like candle flames, emitting gray visual noise. It looks like insects that have mistaken their camouflage.

If someone could properly visualize the AIM diffusion field, they would find that the "Mirage City" and Academy City are completely overlapping.

The things created by the AIM diffusion field are not limited to Kazakiri Hyouka. They include buildings, streets, trees, vehicles, crowds, and everything else. Kazakiri Hyouka is a person created by the AIM diffusion field, residing within the city created by the AIM diffusion field.

—Memories are gradually restored, like fragments peeling away.

—At the same time, the unseen constraints are gradually being loosened.

Even now, he still doesn't understand why he's standing in the "Mirage City".

Sometimes, Feng Zhan Binghua would feel as if she had just woken up from a daydream and found herself standing on the street. Only after looking at the things she carried would she realize her personal information, such as her name, address, and phone number.

There is no other way to understand the current situation.

The passersby around her wouldn't tell him anything.

In fact, these passersby are quite bizarre. Simply put, their appearance changes depending on the scene. For example, when a convenience store clerk wants to clean the windows, the clerk instantly transforms into a cleaning worker in a cleaning uniform. After cleaning the windows, the cleaning worker transforms into a child, taking an ice cream to the counter to pay. At the counter, the child transforms into a housewife taking out her wallet.

—Perhaps it's because my self-perception changed from "human" to "monster".

—It was as if the limiter had been removed, or rather, it was as if he could finally use all his power, and energy surged from his body.

Everyone in the city is like this. People's appearance, personality, and memories will change appropriately according to the needs of each scene. In fact, when Feng Zhan struck up a conversation with the postman on the street, the postman immediately transformed into a policeman in charge of providing urban guidance.

Even working women or high school girls, once stopped by a police officer, will suddenly become middle-aged. And everyone's answers are equally vague.

Seeing these people who "transformed to answer Kazakiri Hyouka's questions," Kazakiri began to feel afraid. It was as if his actions would affect and change their bodies and minds.

"boom!"

With each step, the concrete floor vibrated heavily.

This is no longer the weight a human should have. And the muscular ability to control this weight is also beyond the realm of human capabilities.

At first, Kazezan didn't understand why he was the only one who didn't "change." But soon, he gradually understood. The people in this city would change their appearance to complete "missions," and conversely, if no one gave them "missions," they wouldn't do anything, and the entire city's functions would suddenly come to a standstill.

Kazezaki's identity is like a clockwork mechanism. For example, when she walks into a convenience store to buy a drink, the store clerk will start working, the beverage logistics company will start working, the power plant that supplies electricity to the freezer will start working, the beverage factory will start working, and the PET bottle recycling company will start working.

Urban residents are like "cogs," and they can only be connected bit by bit by the power of the "wind-up" wind, so that the entire city, this huge and intricate machine, can start running.

Chapter 301 Important Friends

Chapter 301

Wind Slash is not the master of this entire system; it is merely a clockwork mechanism. In other words, it is also a part of the system.

Kazan Hyōka was quite frightened.

Because these people are not lifeless puppets, but real human beings with life.

Whether he moves forward or backward, it will completely change other people's lives. Once he understood this, Feng Zhan couldn't move an inch. The responsibility he was given was far too heavy for him.

"boom!"

His head slammed hard against a pillar in the passageway.

But he was unharmed. Instead, the concrete pillar creaked and then collapsed.

Driven by fear, he desperately wanted to escape the "city of mirages."

However, taking any rash action might implicate others. Therefore, Kazezaki could only stand there like a ghost, observing with his eyes another city located at the same coordinates but untouchable—Academy City.

The people of Academy City are unaware of his presence. Even if he stands right in front of the students of Academy City, they cannot see him. If he reaches out to touch him, he will pass right through them. No matter how close he gets to the smiles of these students, Kazezaki cannot join their group.

Kazan understood this perfectly well. However, he still kept trying to communicate with the people of Academy City. As long as he could escape to the "outer side" at the same coordinates, that is, Academy City, he would no longer affect the people of the "Mirage City". So even though he knew it was difficult to achieve, he still kept trying various methods.

Even if we get a response next time, even if no one notices.

Even if the final result only brings sadness.

That's why she was so surprised when she managed to touch the white nun's shoulder at that school.

—Something unseen seems to be gradually overflowing from the originally empty body.

—Now, he's just as fast as the tram running on this track.

Unbeknownst to him, countless coincidences had intersected to bring about this outcome, allowing him to chat and laugh happily with others.

This must be the most important treasure to him, and he is even willing to seal away his memories of being a monster for it.

But now, Feng Zhanbinghua has voluntarily released this treasure.

To protect something more important, something we cannot afford to lose.

Feng Zhan Binghua sped along the road at the speed of a cannonball.

If someone saw him running at that speed, they would probably be terrified.

Of course, fighting that monster was a terrifying experience. This wasn't a prediction, but something I'd personally experienced. The pain of having my limbs torn off. The excruciating agony of my body being twisted like a rag. The humiliation of wanting to die but being unable to, only able to writhe on the filthy ground.

But more importantly,

Kazezan fears that when his best friend sees his monstrous nature, he will feel fear towards himself.

"Even so, it's okay..."

Feng Zhan didn't stop at all, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

The first and last time Kazezaki spent after school with the Pure God and Index No. 1 made him very happy.

I was so happy I almost cried. If I could, I wanted to stay in that world forever. Just thinking about never being able to walk with them again made me feel my body temperature drop from my fingertips. I finally left the "city of mirages," but now it all seems meaningless.

"……I……"

However, precisely because she was afraid of losing it, she wanted to protect her most precious possession.

Even knowing she would never see her best friend's smile again, Kazakiri Hyouka still wanted to protect their world.

"I must...!"

He abandoned his human identity, transforming into a monster, and raced through the darkness. Something unseen seemed to be gradually overflowing from his once empty body.