Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1464: Chapter 1462 Artificial Existence Core (32)

”...Good tactics.”

This time, Master Grimshaw finally stopped his leisurely steps and turned around in admiration.

”Even very honest, you had already told me before... that you are an arsonist who can ignite everything.”

While speaking, Fu Qian looked down at his chest. This time the marked spot on the clothes couldn’t be saved, torn open into a large hole.

Meanwhile, exposed beneath was no longer skin crystallized after being shot.

Bright and transparent, like cold spikes illuminated by moonlight, they were forming from that center, surging outward, unleashing terrifying power in their shattering.

”How could this be...”

Yet, even with such a dramatic appearance, Lady Thirteen seemed dissatisfied, unable to believe the other could still move freely.

”Could it be a strategy thought of from the start? The exploding bullets only work when they hit the target, so why not just explode the person? Shooting is just to attract attention.”

Unfortunately, the opponent didn’t cater to her mood, and instead approached with exploding ice crystals, casually analyzing as he went.

”I guess this kind of direct detonation on the target requires some preparation time, it’s not easy to lock on. Luckily, I already had a ’wound’ on me, left by Brother Leland with all his might.”

Slightly shaking his head, Fu Qian unabashedly appreciated the professional technique.

Meanwhile, what flashed through his mind was using the Calamity Authority himself.

The power levels might be greatly different, but the feeling of activation was similar.

Meticulous planning, determined execution, regardless of criticism — indeed, Los’s Night Watchmen weren’t just getting by.

”My only question now is, what made you decide to launch a real attack suddenly? I always thought we were having a pleasant conversation.”

Praising as he pressed a hand to his chest, the surging ice crystals were forcibly halted.

...

”How are you doing this? Even a Demigod specializing in Flesh Power couldn’t achieve this level.”

Seeing the hard-won victory instantly controlled, even poking fingers into it casually, a sense of absurdity uncontrollably surged in Lady Thirteen’s heart.

Yet, as a chief, she wasn’t one to shy away from reality.

”I already told you, I’m not to be compared to Him, neither are you before His grace.”

With a swindler’s smile, Fu Qian finally let go of his hand.

However, in these few steps, the ice-crystal-covered, startlingly exposed chest had seven holes poked through it.

Lady Thirteen was so certain she was facing a Demigod partly because wild Second Phases are indeed rare, and largely because she intentionally cooperated.

For instance, the shot from Leland earlier, and the chest explosion just now.

After all, for an identity, a Demigod was just enough, the Second Phase was overly sensational.

Just as he reminded Su Gao before, from the beginning of this mission, Fu Qian had kept the Blaze Frost Effect activated, intentionally restraining excessively distinctive techniques.

Given he might need to be more active outside later, Fu Qian prepared to use this Pontiff-given identity to officially deploy a new guise.

Even the warehouse cooperated greatly.

Appearance, character setup, disguise — the complete package was ready at the first moment.

Shortly after, Fu Qian seemingly realized the warehouse’s purpose — to increase some resistance to contamination?

There were indeed oddities about what Lek carried; some abstract concepts, like names, might not be absolutely safe when exposed.

The warehouse didn’t arrange a completely new identity directly but copied a character setup from the last mission — it was hard not to see it as a hint to stay hidden as much as possible for the mission.

Though it could directly include that in the mission briefing, it would be even better.

...

”Him?”

Not minding being belittled, Thirteen’s emotions oddly calmed down.

Or rather, the previous unrest was mostly a necessary disguise, and now she was weighing the need to continue.

”But unfortunately, time is pressing. Rather than asking what you mean, I’m more curious about what you intend to do next. Clearly, my stealth attack didn’t cause you much harm.”

The question directly hit the core, with a clear line of thought.

”But it seems to have placed significant stress on yourself — you can’t repeat such a maneuver again shortly, right?”

Slightly nodding, Fu Qian didn’t deny the light casualty, even counter-commenting.

”Yes.”

The remark was truly full of mockery, yet Lady Thirteen didn’t even blink, quickly acknowledging.

”If you want to act, every second from now is the best opportunity.”

”And you should know, whether you act or not, after today you will become a target for the Night Watchmen’s pursuit.”

”It seems I’ve been classified as an extremely dangerous individual.”

From above, the smile on Fu Qian’s face finally withdrew somewhat.

”But you’re still not ready to act.”

Lady Thirteen remained vastly composed.

”Nor are you prepared to run... what are you waiting for?”

”...Didn’t I already say? Waiting for fate.”

Fu Qian’s answer hesitated for a moment.

”Fate isn’t coming.”

At a certain point, the conservation of smiles seemed perfectly demonstrated, with even a slight grin appearing on Lady Thirteen’s face.

”From the start, I wondered why you went roundabout given your strength, making it so complicated.”

”With Lek as a clear target, you could perform any action on his family without us noticing.”

”Yet even his alert wife caught your small moves.”

”Perhaps she indeed is an alert lady?”

Fu Qian’s expression completely cooled down.

”Or perhaps you wanted to be found?”

In contrast, Lady Thirteen let out a low chuckle.

”Then the police, the Night Watchmen... all along, you not only showed extraordinary power, but also continuous action.”

”We were forced to use increasing manpower to get to your target before you.”

”Do you think we haven’t noticed that Lek is exerting some special influence on those around him? That female doctor in the hospital is still with us.”

”And one thing you might not have considered, otherwise, you wouldn’t so arrogantly reference fate... since not long ago, something special has been happening to Lek, especially after contacting the new Night Watchmen.”

”Destined fate will arrive... what you truly desire is the changes in Lek, correct? You’ve been driving him to interact with the Night Watchmen, cultivating that material.”

”You even deliberately left and returned, prompting us to bring the material to you to dispel doubts and test your reaction.”

”Compared to power, such planning is far more admirable... though unfortunately, Lek won’t be coming over anymore.”

...

”Oh? You finally want to leave? Sorry, even if you kill your way to our meeting room, you won’t find him anymore.”

”Because the order I just gave wasn’t for capturing him, but to execute on the spot.”