Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 899 - 836: The World-saving Organization Takes Action
"Boss, the launcher has already targeted the approximate area. For the next step to lock it in, which coordinates should we select?"
Underneath the looming, dark, inclined iron tower, connection cables sprawled everywhere. Mr. Electromagnetic and Mr. Laser were tweaking the launcher’s terminal, while the energy generated by Annihilation charged the device. Everyone from the Advanced Magic Research Society—professors and apprentices alike—had gathered here.
Apocalypse gazed at the launcher, the giant device piercing the skies, embodying the same overwhelming power as himself.
"Use the Tracking Mirror’s magic power to lock onto the coordinates where he last disappeared."
"You want us to lock onto an ally?"
"There won’t be any allies near him."
Mr. Electromagnetic pondered Apocalypse’s response for a few seconds. His mind jumped back to the scene he had witnessed earlier in the Advanced Magic Research Society, and his head snapped toward President Apocalypse.
"The Mirror is using us."
Apocalypse’s unchanging expression made Mr. Electromagnetic realize that there was some strange tacit understanding between the two presidents.
"No one can manipulate the Advanced Magic Research Society’s actions. It’s just that he’s acting out an unnecessary farce for fools."
On the other side of things.
Mr. Horror, the Advanced Magic Research Society’s professor of memetic studies, was huddled inside his iron-luggage-box-like contraption. His trembling hands lightly placed on the fingertips of his apprentice Bold, who was relaying the plan.
"Don’t be afraid, professor. President Apocalypse’s plan isn’t that complicated. We’re going to use the railgun launcher to rapidly project Advanced Magic Research Society professors onto the battlefield. The impact of your landings will serve as a devastating weapon against the enemy. After that, you’ll improvise on-site. Professor Stasis will set up the Stasis Barrier in real time, ensuring you can unleash your full power without causing collateral damage to the environment."
Mr. Horror’s body continued to tremble. His hand extended out from the iron box, only to quickly retract again.
"My student, I understand the destructive power of the railgun. But... why professors? Can’t you just use regular shells? How will we land safely? Will Stasis give us protective measures?"
Bold adjusted his hat, flashing a smile.
"Apocalypse Boss probably means..."
"Launch first. Survive the landing however you can."
Advanced Magic Research Society’s apprentices respectfully watched their professors climb into the launcher’s tubes one by one. All except Mr. Horror, who was shoved inside by his own apprentice while wailing.
"I’m going to die!!! I WILL DEFINITELY DIE!!! Bold!! Save me!!!"
"Yes, yes." Bold smiled, even giving an additional shove. "Professor Horror, have fun on the battlefield!"
Most apprentices were confident in their mentors, but Mr. Horror’s heart-wrenching screams still made a few students uneasy.
The newly appointed Death Star VI asked worriedly, "What if all the professors die during the launch process? What if they ignite and burn to ashes from the heat generated by high-speed airflow..."
Bold, who was briskly walking away from the launch pad, high-fived Nameless as he passed. Nameless replied flatly, "Then congrats to us for being newly promoted to Advanced Magic Research Society’s professors in all disciplines. I’d say the odds are pretty good."
Mr. Laser was adjusting the final parameters, counting down to the launch.
The railgun launcher’s interior offered ample space. The professors, separated by the Stasis Force Field, looked at the spherical energy accumulating at the end, chatting and joking all the while. Death Star II, for no particular reason, kicked Mr. Electromagnetic, who bumped into another professor and quickly apologized.
"Gravity, what’s that you’re holding?"
Standing in the corner, Mr. Gravity smiled proudly, pulling out a hundred-sided die to show his curious friend.
"It’s a gift from my apprentice, Nameless. He told me his metaphysical research is finally a success. This is a lucky artifact stripped from a certain Child of Destiny, meant to bless us with smooth sailing during our research mission."
"Wow! Congra—"
"1! LAUNCH!!!"
The ground beneath the launch pad sank suddenly. With a deafening boom, everything inside the railgun was expelled. Pipes ruptured, and the escaping currents jolted indiscriminately toward all personnel present.
"The launcher’s gone rogue! Everyone, RUN!!!"
In a flash, Laser transformed into a beam of light, sprinting a hundred meters away in seconds.
Nameless stood his ground, calm in the face of the surging electrical currents. His composure inspired Death Star VI, who stood beside him.
Nameless said placidly, "Looks like I’m doomed."
A nearby pipe suddenly snapped. The redirected currents veered off course, turning Death Star VI into ash beside Nameless.
"Scary as hell." Bold appeared beside Nameless, smiling. Around them, several plasma clusters crackling with electric sparks faintly emitted screams.
"This experimental mishap cost me a few ’friends.’"
Nameless glanced at the ashes near him and said, "Same here."
Leaving aside the chaos-stricken apprentices for now, the professors had begun their journey. Cutting through the air in self-contained magic force groups, they faithfully performed the task of being flying shells. Some cheered, some screamed, but most Advanced Magic Research Society professors remained silent. Everything was still within plan—hundreds of simulation calculations had already rendered this outcome devoid of novelty. Breaking through the clouds, the acceleration and burning air blurred their surroundings. It was time to prepare for landing, retracting power to avoid interfering with neighboring magic force groups.
The Advanced Magic Research Society professors bombarded the battlefield of the insect swarm.
The Stasis Force Field unfolded as expected.
Mantis Monsters emerged into view.
"Advanced Magic Research Society’s research operation, commence."
"Annihilation!!!"
Maintaining the Stasis Force Field, Professor Stasis could sense the violent tremors from the other side. He sighed, tapped the ground lightly with his toe, and greeted the Mantis Monsters.
"Greetings, enemies of Andrey."
"No need to panic; although I hail from a violent organization, I... have always remained true to my principles. I act reasonably and calmly pursue academic inquiry. Mmm, I prefer to employ gentle methods to minimize casualties. If you cooperate a little, I’ll freeze your time at the moment most comfortable and natural to your bodies."
"For eternity."
The insect swarm charged. Their articulated joints transmitted hydraulic force to their arm blades—an effort that ended in the next instant.
Stasis stood at the center of the barrier, gazing at the Mantis Monsters petrified mid-motion, their poised arm blades frozen in a running stance. He stood dazed for a while.
"Hmm, quite aesthetically pleasing."
"My foolish apprentice has exiled himself outside of time. Perhaps I’ll use your bodies to find a way to bring him back."
"How much longer until the others arrive?"
"Waiting... is such a tedious process."
...
In another section within a barrier, the Mantis Monsters had already completed their encirclement. They emerged unscathed from the bombardment, staring at the huddled human figure in the barrier’s center with a mix of curiosity and unease.
The remains of an iron box had melted away. Mr. Horror lay curled on the ground, stark naked, trembling, and letting out sobbing whimpers.
"They’ve seen me..."
"They’ve noticed me..."
Disregarding Mr. Horror’s deranged muttering, the Mantis Monsters slashed him to pieces, grinding his skull into powder.
The Mantis Monsters exhaled in relief, exchanging pheromone signals as they deliberated on how to breach the surrounding barrier.
A voice resonated within the insect swarm’s network.
The grotesque, hunched figure of a Lich appeared in the network, its ghastly image freezing the Mantis Monsters in sudden trepidation.
"Can’t escape... They’ve seen me..."
The eerie Lich instilled primal fear within the Mantis Monsters. The despair-laden, warped voice of the Queen echoed, trembling.
"What did you bring back!!! It’s undeletable!!"
Mr. Horror cried louder within the swarm network.
"It’s over... Everything’s over..."
"They’re coming..."
