Chapter 114: New Materials Delivered to the Doorstep—Chu Yang vs. Tornado!
With Chu Yang's command, before Fubuki could react, Sonic silently appeared in front of her.
A pair of strange, otherworldly eyes entered Fubuki's line of sight.
Illusion Technique Activated!
Fubuki was alarmed and tried to summon her psychic energy to create a protective shield for defense.
Just as she raised her hand to make a casting gesture, her gaze turned blank and vacant.
"Not bad," Chu Yang nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on his face.
Mastering illusion techniques to this level within just a month was sufficient proof of Sonic's remarkable talent.
However, Sonic also had a significant weakness.
To trap someone like Fubuki, who possessed powerful psychic abilities, in an illusion, Sonic's current mastery of the technique required him to maintain the casting state continuously.
If someone were to attack him during this period, he would be unable to defend himself.
In short, his illusions could only play a supportive role in battle.
After controlling Fubuki, Chu Yang instructed Dr. Genus to take out a syringe as thick as an arm and draw a large vial of blood from her.
Fubuki's originally rosy cheeks turned pale almost instantly. Her limbs weakened, and under Sonic's control, she barely managed to stand, swaying unsteadily.
After the blood was drawn, the armored gorilla assisting Genus took the syringe, preparing to store it in the laboratory.
As he left, the gorilla muttered, "What a ruthless move... drawing this much blood could kill her..."
Dr. Genus grinned at Chu Yang, his smile embodying the essence of a sinister gentleman.
"You're insane! Using a syringe meant for monsters on her—are you trying to kill her?" Chu Yang scolded angrily.
Dr. Genus's grin froze, his embarrassment visible to the naked eye. He meekly replied, "But you didn't tell me to stop earlier."
Chu Yang retorted matter-of-factly, "You drew the blood—it has nothing to do with me."
Genus: "…"
"Forget it, stop joking around. You have no sense of humor," Chu Yang sighed, then instructed Sonic to dispel the illusion.
As Fubuki's consciousness gradually cleared, an overwhelming sense of weakness engulfed her. It felt as though thousands of pounds of weight were pressing on her body.
Her eyelids grew so heavy that she could barely keep them open. Yet, she forced herself to lift her head and asked weakly, "What... did you do to me?"
Chu Yang replied, "You fell on your own. No one touched you. Don't even think about blaming us—this is a society governed by law."
Fubuki, too weak to speak clearly, wanted to curse but could only glare at Chu Yang with all her might. Moments later, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
Sonic and Dr. Genus exchanged glances.
Chu Yang clicked his tongue. "It's just a bit of blood—such a big fuss. Find her a room and start working on a device to suppress psychic energy."
Dr. Genus immediately nodded. "Understood, sir."
---
Meanwhile, the driver waiting outside the building realized something was wrong after not seeing Fubuki return for a long time. He hurriedly called the Hero Association headquarters.
"Hello, please connect me to the second-ranked S-Class hero, Terrifying Tornado."
"I know she's busy, but this is urgent."
"She's not at headquarters? Then please send other heroes for support."
"Her sister… something happened!"
After hanging up, the driver, visibly panicked, drove off without daring to linger.
---
Approximately two hours later, three figures arrived at the scene:
A-Class Rank 3 Hero: Iaian
A-Class Rank 4 Hero: Okamaitachi (Crossdresser Kamaitachi)
A-Class Rank 5 Hero: Bushidrill
Since Chu Yang had recently become A-Class Rank 1, pushing Sweet Mask to Rank 2, the rankings of these three had dropped by one position.
All three were disciples of the S-Class Rank 4 hero, "Atomic Samurai."
It was a coincidence that the trio had been on a mission in a nearby city when they received this rescue assignment.
"Isn't it overkill to send all three of us to rescue a B-Class hero?"
"Hellish Blizzard may be ranked first in B-Class, but her actual strength is definitely at the A-Class level. Don't underestimate her."
"She's just a hero who relies on forming factions to maintain her rank. What's so impressive about that?"
"By the way, we don't even know who the enemy is. According to the driver's description, it doesn't seem to be a monster."
As they conversed, they approached the Evolution House. After traversing a significant portion of the forest, they spotted the building looming in the night.
"Building something in such a desolate place—either they're idiots, or there's something fishy going on."
Okamaitachi cast a disdainful glance at the structure before them.
"Stay alert," Iaian cautioned sternly, taking the lead as the trio cautiously entered the building.
Okamaitachi and Bushidrill followed closely.
The three heroes meticulously searched the empty building but found no signs of activity.
"The building is vacant. The first floor and the exterior show traces of intense battles, but they're not recent."
"Judging from the debris, the combatants were likely at the demon-level or higher."
"This place is suspicious. Should we contact headquarters?"
"Come on, are you afraid of being ridiculed? We're top five A-Class heroes."
Okamaitachi and Bushidrill argued due to differing opinions.
"Given the uncertainty, you two still have the energy to quarrel? Have you forgotten our teacher's teachings?" Iaian scolded them sternly.
The two immediately fell silent, realizing the current situation was too serious for bickering.
"Let's hold off on contacting headquarters for now. We need to investigate further and at least find traces of Fubuki before making a report."
"No matter how strong the enemy is, they can't handle all three of us at once."
The others agreed with Iaian's suggestion and split up to search for clues.
Fubuki had been able to locate the basement entrance due to her psychic powers and Sonic guiding the way.
However, the three warriors clearly lacked such advantages.
Still, their actions alerted Dr. Genus and Chu Yang, who were conducting experiments in the lab.
Chu Yang summoned Sonic and berated him again. "As a ninja, you're riddled with flaws—such a disappointment! You're better suited to being a tour guide."
The harsh words thoroughly provoked Sonic, whose eyes turned bloodshot, exuding murderous intent.
Dr. Genus, after identifying the trio's identities through the computer, hastily advised, "Sonic, don't act impulsively. Those three are top-ranked A-Class heroes."
"Their teacher is also an S-Class hero."
"We've already provoked one S-Class, Tornado. If we offend another, things could get messy..."
Sonic glanced at Chu Yang, concerned about causing trouble for him.
"What are you looking at?" Chu Yang snapped. "Capture all of them—for experiments!"
---
"Found it! There's a door here."
By chance, Iaian's foot struck a raised portion of the floor, revealing a hidden entrance beneath.
Okamaitachi and Bushidrill quickly arrived upon hearing the news.
The three of them, their faces lighting up with excitement, stood at the entrance and began discussing how to proceed.
Okamaitachi, known for his impatience, couldn't wait a moment longer. Seeing the entrance right in front of him, he bent down and opened the basement door without hesitation.
A gust of wind swept past.
From the darkness came a faint trace of murderous intent.
Iaian instinctively drew his katana, holding it defensively in front of him.
Okamaitachi and Bushidrill froze, still caught off guard.
Suddenly, a cold blade appeared before them.
A sharp gleam of steel flashed in the dim light!
"Dodge!"
Iaian stepped forward, narrowly deflecting the surprise attack aimed at the other two.
As the two katanas clashed, Iaian caught a brief glimpse of his attacker's face in the flickering firelight.
It was a young and delicate face.
Not a monster!
"Stop! We're not enemies…"
Before Iaian could finish his sentence, the enemy vanished abruptly.
His pupils shrank in alarm, his instincts flaring as the hairs on his neck stood on end.
The katana that had disappeared was now pressing against the back of his armor, ready to pierce his heart at any moment.
Defeated.
In just one exchange, Iaian found himself utterly outmatched.
His face darkened, growing grim.
It wasn't until they saw Iaian being subdued with a blade to his back that Okamaitachi and Bushidrill belatedly drew their swords.
Iaian let out a muffled groan as the katana behind him easily pierced his armor, cutting into his flesh.
Okamaitachi and Bushidrill froze in place, paralyzed, unsure of what to do next.
Sonic glared at them coldly. "You barged into someone else's territory. Did you think you wouldn't have to pay the price?"
Suppressing the pain in his back, Iaian explained in a deep voice, "We're here looking for someone. You should know where she is…"
"Oh, that foolish woman?" Sonic said indifferently. "She was just as ignorant as you. I gave her a little punishment."
Okamaitachi suddenly recalled something and shouted, "I've seen your file! You're Sonic, the 'Flashy Ninja,' ranked second to last among C-class heroes, right?"
"That's right," Sonic replied, a smug smile creeping onto his face. He even emphasized the word "ninja" with pride.
Bushidrill, puzzled, asked, "But we're all heroes of the Hero Association. Why are you doing this?"
"Hah!" Sonic sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "What are we? Don't lump me in with you lowly riffraff."
"Who said heroes have to get along?"
Bushidrill, stung into silence, gripped his sword in anger, glaring furiously at Sonic. "You insolent scoundrel!"
Still calm despite the life-threatening situation, Iaian took a deep breath and said, "Miss Fubuki came here with no ill intent. She just wanted to recruit you. We also mean no harm; we're only here to bring her back."
"Could you put down your weapon so we can talk this out?"
To their surprise, Sonic actually withdrew his blade.
Iaian's face lit up in relief—until he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head, his vision going black.
Before the stunned eyes of Okamaitachi and Bushidrill, Sonic struck Iaian's head with the hilt of his sword.
Thud!
Iaian collapsed to the ground.
Turning to the two dumbfounded men, Sonic beckoned mockingly.
"You despicable scoundrel!"
Enraged, Okamaitachi charged at him. In his mind, Sonic's victory over Iaian was solely due to a sneak attack.
In a fair fight, there was no way this second-to-last C-class hero could beat him!
"You're full of openings. If this is the level of a top-five A-class hero, I'm deeply disappointed."
Sonic brought his fingers together, forming a single hand seal, and murmured softly, "Shadow Clone Technique."
In an instant, two more Sonics appeared, flanking Okamaitachi in a pincer formation.
Okamaitachi panicked, his eyes darting around as he tried to identify the real Sonic.
Unbeknownst to him, all three clones were real, leaving no telltale signs to differentiate them.
Sonic himself stood still, letting the other two clones engage Okamaitachi while he advanced toward Bushidrill.
"The one leaving must be the real one. These two in front of me are just illusions!"
Okamaitachi turned joyfully to chase after Sonic, only to have a clone's katana pierce his shoulder in the next moment.
This is bad!
He turned back in terror.
How could this one be real?
Seeing Okamaitachi injured, Bushidrill instinctively ignored the Sonic in front of him and rushed to help.
He thought the same as Okamaitachi: if the real Sonic was over there, then this one had to be fake.
As the two passed each other, Bushidrill heard a mocking laugh by his ear.
"How foolish."
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