Chapter 777 Retaliation (3)
<Master, > Alexander said through his telepathic link to Erik. <I've found one of the Blackguards. What would you like me to do? >
<Where? >
<On the blockade in Harmony Square. The police and mercenary are basically beating everyone there. There is a lot of chaos you can take advantage of. >
<Good. I will manage things from here. You contact the others and tell them to disperse. We will meet at the park around 21. If I'm not there by that hour, disperse and come again the following day. However, tell the others to buy or steal phones. We need to stay in contact without me being acting as a proxy. I think it won't take much for me to sort this out. >
<Understood, sir. >
With that, Erik turned on his heels. Harmony square wasn't far from his position, so he didn't think it would take much for him to reach the place.
With his face still turned into that of a random person, Erik walked through the streets. He was being careful of not attracting anyone's attention.
The problem was that, to reach his target, he needed to approach the police block. However, if he did so by taking the identity of a civilian, he would be for sure stopped.
Erik could either lure the man, but prompting a massive manhunt, with his target calling for reinforce, or take someone else identity and back stab him.
However, in that case, he would find himself amidst enemies. Though, the latter seemed like the best option, as it was hard for average people to pose a threat to him.
The major problem was if more Blackguards reached him. With his decision taken, Erik increased his pace.
Erik navigated through the bustling streets, his steps measured and discreet as he approached Harmony Square. Melded into the crowd, he was just another face among many, his appearance altered by the power of his brain crystal power.
He had chosen the guise of an unremarkable man, one easily overlooked in the sea of diverse faces.
Erik moved with the flow of pedestrians. Many were fleeing the scene, going in the opposite direction of Harmony Square and heading home. His eyes scanned the surroundings without lingering on anyone point for too long.
Mercenaries and police officers were a common sight, their presence heavy and foreboding.
They moved in pairs, scrutinizing each passerby with keen, suspicious eyes. Their fingers rested near their holstered weapons, ready to act at a moment's notice. Erik kept his gaze averted, his posture relaxed yet alert.
Erik stepped into Harmony Square, engulfed by a scene of tumult and disorder. The expansive area had transformed into a zone of chaos.
Dense crowds of people jostled and pushed against one another, their faces etched with anxiety and fear.
Police officers and mercenaries swarmed the area, their presence not just heavy but oppressive.
Temporary police outposts, erected and manned, dotted the perimeter of the square. Officers barked orders and herded the civilians like cattle.
Mercenaries patrolled the area, their eyes scanning the crowd with a predatory gaze.
They stopped individuals at random, roughly handling them as they conducted their searches.
Erik witnessed a young man being pushed against a wall, his arms wrenched behind his back as an officer frisked him.
The young man, maintaining his disguised appearance, navigated through the throng. He kept his head down, avoiding direct eye contact with the officers and mercenaries.
He witnessed a group of officers converge around a small cluster of people. They were checking IDs, their faces stern and unyielding.
A mercenary kicked a boy who was trying to crawl away from the turmoil, his boot connecting with a sickening thud.
Amidst the bedlam, Erik plotted his path. He needed to cross the square, but every step seemed fraught with danger.
He watched as a mercenary grabbed a man by the collar, shoving him against the temporary outpost with brute force. Erik tensed, ready to react if confronted.
As he edged closer to the other side of the square, the shouts and cries of the crowd mixed with the stern commands of the police increased.
<I need to find someone suited for me to approach. But I can't take a random person. > He thought. <A police officer, maybe? > He scanned the crowd to see if there was someone worth taking. <But who? >
There were some people that would be suitable for the task, a captain and some others. However, they were too far into the cluster of officers.
It was then that the young man noticed an older police officer overseeing the blockade but from a distance. The officer, bearing the insignia of a Chief Inspector, exuded an air of authority and experience.
His uniform, though slightly worn, was neat and well-maintained, adorned with various badges and commendations that spoke of a long career in law enforcement.
His hair, peppered with gray, was cut short and neat, matching his groomed mustache.
Despite his age, his posture was erect and commanding, his gaze sharp as he scanned the area.
The Chief Inspector's eyes moved with vigilance, missing nothing as they swept over the crowd.
In his hand, he held a walkie-talkie, occasionally barking orders into it, his voice firm and decisive.
He seemed to be the one orchestrating the operation, directing officers and mercenaries.
<System. Connect to the police servers and search for information about that guy. >
[UNDERSTOOD. CONNECTING TO THE POLICE SERVERS THROUGH THE PUBLIC INTERNET CONNECTION. CONNECTION COMPLETE. SEARCHING FOR DATA. DATA FOUND. THE MAN IS SAMUEL HAWTHORNE. HE'S BEEN IN THE FORCE FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND CURRENTLY HOLDS THE POSITION OF CHIEF INSPECTOR. THIS HIGH RANK MEANS HE HAS SIGNIFICANT AUTHORITY AND ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. HAWTHORNE IS AN EXPERT IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND COUNTER-TERRORISM. HE'S KNOWN AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES FOR HIS CALMNESS UNDER PRESSURE AND STRATEGIC THINKING. EMULATING THESE TRAITS WILL HELP MAINTAIN A CONVINCING DEMEANOR. HE'S HIGHLY RESPECTED AND SEEN AS A MENTOR BY MANY IN THE FORCE. LEVERAGING HIS REPUTATION COULD OPEN DOORS AND REDUCE SUSPICION. AS CHIEF INSPECTOR, HE OVERSEES MAJOR OPERATIONS AND COORDINATES WITH OTHER AGENCIES, OFFERING STRATEGIC INSIGHTS INTO POLICE MOVEMENTS AND PROTOCOLS. HE'S KNOWN FOR A FIRM BUT FAIR ATTITUDE IN HIS INTERACTIONS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO MIMIC THIS TO ALIGN WITH HIS KNOWN BEHAVIOR.]
However, Erik also got more information through injection.
<Well. This is certainly good information. >
Erik walked toward the man, who was still giving orders. He observed him, trying to absorb as much information as possible to give a convincing performance when he stole his identity.
The officer pointed in a direction as he gave orders to some people. Then Erik got close enough to talk to the man. However, his face morphed from one of stoicism to that of desperation and fear.
His heart started beating faster as the young man tried to appear as distressed as possible. Tears started coming down his face, adding more spice to his performance.
"Officer! Officer! Please, I need your help!"
The man turned. "What?! What happened?!"
"My son! I can't find my son! It was with me a moment ago, but now…" Erik was putting on a show.
Knowing the man had a weak spot for kids, he created that story. Based on the man's reaction, and the sudden shift in his demeanor. Erik was right about his decision.
"Where have you seen your son for the last time?"
Erik almost smirked and blew his cover. "It was here! Follow me, please!"
The two ran. For all the police officers knew, a kid's life was on a thread. He could have been kidnapped. It took little for Erik to bring the officer into an alley.
"It's here you last saw him?"
Erik turned, his disguise nowhere to be seen, a calm face instead of the distraught one.
"No. But it will be the last place where I see you."
As soon as the man saw Erik, he recognized him. After all, it was him they were searching for. He made no effort whatsoever to contact the others, opting instead to escape. However, Erik was already on him.
For a moment, the young man's mind wandered to the idea of ending the guy's life. However, he was moved by the sincere compassion the officer exhibited towards the fake disappearing child. All in all, this guy was a good one. So Erik dropped him unconscious.
In a swift motion, Erik lifted him up, mimicking the action of picking up a potato sack.
He forced an alley's door and placed the man there. After removing his clothes, he left the man unconscious on the ground in his underwear only before putting them on himself.
<All done. Now the last part. >
Erik stared into the man's eyes, using his newfound brain crystal power to mirror his facial and physical features. In a matter of seconds, the mana transformed Erik into an older individual with almost completely white hair.
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