Chapter 260: Chapter 131: Wouldn’t It Be Better to Choose a Dignified Death?
"I’m going to activate the Array!"
Deputy Director Balats commanded in a low, cold voice, "Everyone, spread out! Keep your distance!"
With that, he transformed into a streak of light, shooting straight from the Detention Area toward the administration building behind them.
After Director Nifa finished giving her orders, the flesh between her brows slowly squirmed. A pitch-black eye snapped open, a single point of white in its pupil giving it an incredibly dark and eerie appearance.
Then, she rose into the air, hovering with her eyes shut tight, leaving only the one between her brows wide open. Its pinpoint white pupil rapidly scanned the surrounding Investigators.
"Department Heads and above, watch your surroundings!"
"Albert, one o’clock!"
Albert, having just destroyed a Shadow Transformer, heard the call and, without missing a beat, unleashed a punch in the direction Nifa indicated.
"Yegor, seven o’clock!"
"Dorff..."
Each command signaled the appearance of a Shadow Killer.
Under Director Nifa’s guidance, Yegor and the other Department Head-level Extraordinaries quickly eliminated the Shadow Killers.
But upon death, the Secret Technique within each Shadow Killer would erupt, killing many Investigators who couldn’t get out of the way in time.
"Heh heh heh... Not bad at all, for the new Director."
The chilling laughter echoed in everyone’s ears, prompting every Investigator to nervously scan their surroundings, terrified another Shadow Killer would spring up from beneath their feet.
"I know you," the eye between Nifa’s brows stopped darting around as she turned to face the direction of the Property Management Department. "Aiko Golden."
"The honor is all mine."
"To sacrifice your Extraordinary Bloodline and turn yourself into a Shadow Killer... what a fool." Nifa’s voice grew calm, as if he wasn’t even worth her attention.
"Oh?"
As a questioning note entered his voice, the shadows untouched by sunlight near the resplendent Property Management Department began to stir. They slowly rose, gradually coalescing into a Shadow Giant.
"And now, Lady Nifa?" The Shadow Giant’s body was ethereal. Its round head split open from the lower half, revealing two rows of sharp teeth through which one could still see the sun in the sky.
"Still just trash," Nifa said coolly.
"Hah! You’ve succeeded in angering me, Lady Nifa!"
The Shadow Giant laughed in fury, spreading one hand toward the Detention Area. "Is, Lola’el, Ied."
[You are targeted by Aiko Golden’s killing intent. Evaluation: A Shadow Transformer—trash that possesses only the contaminating properties of its Shadow Origin. Reward: Survival Points +20.]
[You have been attacked by Aiko Golden’s Secret Technique, Shadow Dark Realm. As your Origin Power exceeds 40, you are immune to the Shadow Dark Realm. Evaluation: Oh? An Origin Secret Skill. This could be... Special Reward: Survival Points +30, Origin +1, Resilience Level +5, Spirit Level +5.]
’A Director-Level Extraordinary?’
Before Wei’en could give it much thought, he saw the Investigators’ shadows around him begin to twist and stretch, gradually entangling with one another.
In a few moments, all their shadows merged into one, rising up along with the shadows of the Detention Area to form a massive curtain of shadow.
Like Aiko’s Shadow Giant, it blocked out the sun, and the area beneath the curtain was plunged into dimness.
However, even as the Secret Technique fully formed, Wei’en didn’t see Nifa or the others make a move. He was puzzled. ’I haven’t seen many battles between Extraordinaries, and I don’t know much about these so-called Shadow Killers.’
’But judging by Director Nifa’s tone earlier, she should have been prepared for the Shadow Giant’s attack. She should have been able to block it outright...’
’So why aren’t they doing anything now?’
Wei’en held Tina’s hand tightly, ready to flee at the first sign of trouble.
"Tsk. All show, no substance."
’Old Jack’ chuckled, keeping Wei’en and Tina in his peripheral vision.
[You are targeted by Jack Kim Adros’s killing intent. Evaluation... Reward: Survival Points +30.]
’Damn it!’
Wei’en cursed inwardly. ’This bastard is relentless.’
But he could only force down his inner turmoil, daring not to let anything show on his face. ’Can’t get anxious. Can’t...’
"Combat Department, everyone stay put and keep quiet!"
At that moment, Albert roared.
Yegor had also returned to the Investigation Department’s position. He stood between the First and Second Departments, holding a long, black blade, his cigar puffing out endless plumes of smoke.
"All Investigation Department personnel: stay silent. Absolutely no light sources!"
Under the influence of the Shadow Dark Realm, Yegor looked like an eerie figure rising from black smoke, radiating a chilling aura.
"Property Management Department..."
’No light?’
It only took a moment for Wei’en to understand. ’Light may dispel darkness, but it also casts larger shadows.’
’So it really is a shadow-based Secret Technique...’
Lisi had already dropped his shield. Gripping his Two-Handed Axe, he warily scanned his surroundings, then nodded to Marco beside him. "Boost!"
"Zack, Broo, Zack."
Marco waved his Lamp Staff, casting the Light Spirit Wind Spell on the Investigators around him.
At the same time, he activated his Chaos Body transformation. His body swelled, and in doing so, elongated the shadow at his feet.
It wasn’t just him. The other Investigators also activated their Extraordinary Bloodlines, their bodies each undergoing different, grotesque transformations. The most unsettling of all was the captain of Investigation Department Two, Ariana, whose writhing tentacles were especially outlandish.
"Now—"
The Shadow Giant spread its arms wide, gazing down upon the members of the Secret Investigation Department.
Its eyes were a shade darker than its body, but anyone could see the amusement in those human-sized eyes, as if it were preparing to watch a play.
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