Chapter 272: Chapter 134: Brother, take me away...
No one regretted this more than Nicole Vazquez. Her face was still frozen in an expression of smug pride—the look of someone certain of victory, proud to be leading the Vazquez Race to its former glory.
But now, she wanted nothing more than to slap herself across the face.
If they had just arrived half an hour later—no, even if they had just delayed their attack by ten minutes—she and her people wouldn’t be trapped under the influence of the out-of-control forbidden item.
’But what now?’
This was likely the question on everyone’s mind. Unless some outside force intervened, it seemed there was no escaping their fate today.
Just then, Director Nifa, the only person present who could still move, collected herself. She did her best to keep her voice steady. "Attention, everyone. It will prioritize killing anyone whose expression changes. Also, when it activates its ability, you will be forced to participate in a performance with it, similar to an old-fashioned circus act."
This was the knowledge the Secret Investigation Department had gained from the battle seventeen years ago—information that was almost identical to what Wei’en was seeing on his panel.
For most of the Extraordinaries, who knew nothing about the effects of the Demon Clown going out of control, Nifa’s warning was a lifeline. Even their enemies, the Vasquez People, made a mental note of this kind Director of the Secret Investigation Department.
But that was easier said than done.
If it were really that simple, the Secret Investigation Department wouldn’t have lost so many people the last time the clown lost control.
As Director Nifa spoke, the Demon Clown didn’t interrupt. It only glared viciously at her and the figurehead in her hand, as if wary of something.
After a long moment, it tore its eyes away and scanned its "audience," a cruel, wicked smile spreading across its lips once more.
TAP, TAP-TAP-TAP...
The clown’s leather shoes tapped against the stone-paved road. It swung its cane, humming an unfamiliar tune as it gracefully sidestepped Wei’en and the others, as if searching for a suitable spot for its final stage.
’Thank goodness, thank goodness...’
Wei’en breathed a sigh of relief as it moved out of his immediate line of sight. He had been terrified that the damn clown would prioritize picking its "guest performers" from those closest to it.
Lisi and Marco, who weren’t far from him, felt the same way.
The two of them hadn’t experienced the last crisis firsthand, but they had heard enough stories from their seniors to know just how terrifying the clown was when it lost control.
Before long, the footsteps stopped. The clown had walked to a wide, open space in front of the Secret Investigation Department headquarters. It nodded in satisfaction. "This will do. Alright, look over here. All of you, look at me."
With that, the clown snapped its fingers.
SNAP.
Everyone’s bodies moved uncontrollably, their gazes locking onto the clown. Even people like Wei’en, who had his back to it, were spun around to face it, to say nothing of those still frozen in combat stances.
At this, everyone’s hearts sank. Most had only ever heard of the terror of an out-of-control forbidden item, but what they had just witnessed completely shattered their understanding.
This bizarre ability was beyond what a simple word like "terror" could describe!
"Now, let’s welcome today’s first lucky winner! Hmm, who should I pick..."
The clown’s sinister, eerie gaze swept over each person. Its lips would occasionally curl into a grin, as if indicating its level of satisfaction with a potential choice.
"You? Or you? Oh, this gentleman seems far too calm. No, no, that won’t do..."
"Whoa! I see fear in your eyes. A look like that is no good; it will frighten the other lovely members of the audience~"
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the clown, but besides the person it was looking at, no one else knew who it was talking to.
But they soon found out. The clown drew a short blade from its cane. The hilt was part of the cane itself, and the blade was dull and dark. A line of Gonzalez script was faintly visible, etched into its surface.
The clown, holding the blade, then walked over to one of the Vasquez People. It bowed and leaned in close, its red nose nearly touching the man’s face. It giggled, looking him over from side to side. "Are you afraid?"
The flat of the blade in its hand danced before the Vasquez man’s eyes, as if it were choosing the perfect spot to make its cut.
"Hmm? Why don’t you say something?"
The Vasquez Warrior’s eyes were wide with terror. His body was completely paralyzed; he couldn’t even blink or move his eyeballs, let alone speak. Only the stark fear in his eyes betrayed his inner state.
After a moment, the clown seemed to grow impatient. It leaned in even closer, its blood-red eyes boring into the man’s, its red nose pressing against his face.
"Why won’t you speak?"
"How dare you be so rude to a gentleman! Huh?"
It practically roared the last word. As the sound drew out, the short blade swiped across the Vasquez man’s neck.
THUD.
A head hit the ground.
HISS... Blood sprayed out like a fountain.
Droplets of blood spattered the clown’s face and clothes. It looked down at itself, its expression suddenly wistful and lonely. Gazing at the corpse, it said regretfully, "A spectacular performance. It’s a shame you couldn’t see it."
With that, it turned and returned to its original spot, as if everything it had just done was part of the show, all for the sake of letting the audience witness the human fountain.
"Applause."
A wicked smile spread across the clown’s face as it casually snapped its fingers.
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP...
Everyone’s hands began to clap uncontrollably. Though their movements were stiff and grotesque, the clown seemed to relish the applause, even bowing to its surroundings in thanks.
Now, no one dared to let their guard down for even a second, each person struggling to keep their emotions in check.
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