Chapter 182
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 182: Helpless and Unprepared
As dusk transitioned into night, the temperature dropped, bringing a sharp chill to the air.
Bai Yan was acutely aware that the limited hours ahead were critical. If he failed to stop the enemy in this narrow window, the consequences could be unimaginable.
Determined, he called upon Nightsaber through the Babel Tower game. Meanwhile, Alan had already arrived in the Dawn District. Bai Yan wasted no time and messaged Maryse via the private forum built by “Cybertyrant.”
Maryse quickly arrived at the deserted park, wrapped up in a white fluffy autumn coat, hands tucked in her pockets, looking like a little rabbit.
She saw “Profligate” and flashed a sweet smile.
“Senior Profligate, how exactly do we locate the enemy you mentioned? The Dawn District has a population of over a million people…”
Her confusion was evident, but Bai Yan nodded, understanding her concerns. “The Balanced Saint, also known as the Saint of Life and Death, is not an easy opponent… He can assimilate others’ minds, and his influence grows with each person he controls.”
Maryse blinked, processing the information. “Assimilate… people’s minds?”
Bai Yan continued, his tone firm. “Yes. He can control their thoughts, and that control deepens over time. What I need you to do is use your psychic powers to detect those who are like him—others who have been assimilated.”
Maryse was taken aback. “People with completely identical thoughts?”
Bai Yan nodded slightly. “Exactly. If you find someone who seems to be thinking in perfect harmony with the enemy, they’ve likely already been controlled. Don’t engage them directly—alert others immediately.”
Maryse frowned, unsure. “But… are you saying the enemy’s powers are similar to mine?”
Bai Yan affirmed. “Yes, both of you wield psychic abilities, but his are stronger. He controls minds, while you guide them. Right now, he’s probably more powerful than you, with Crown-level power.”
Maryse fell silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of Bai Yan’s words. “I understand. I’ll start searching right away.”
With that, she left the park in haste, hands still in her pockets.
To be honest, Bai Yan wasn’t optimistic about her chances of finding the enemy in such a vast area. His hope was simple—when the battle began, Maryse could rush to the scene and support them.
Meanwhile, Bai Yan sent details of the enemy’s abilities to Alan and Mu Ling. Then, he stepped to the center of the park, the autumn breeze ruffling his hair as he glanced up at the camera mounted on a nearby tree.
Babel Tower had its own set of surveillance tools. Through his Cybertyrant abilities, Bai Yan had access to a wide network of surveillance cameras.
He quickly infiltrated the city’s surveillance system, beginning his search for any unusual activity.
After several rounds of scanning, Bai Yan finally found a lead.
On the edge of a street, the cameras captured a group of Night Watchers exiting a building. Their movements were oddly synchronized, too perfect to be natural.
Bai Yan’s heart sank. He knew immediately—these people had been mentally assimilated.
The Night Watchers swiftly entered their cars and began leaving the Dawn District, headed for unknown territory. Bai Yan recognized the gravity of the situation. If they were controlled, the enemy could escape unnoticed, slipping through the city’s defenses.
He quickly recorded the license plate numbers and sent them to Alan.
“The license plate numbers are CH7680976, CH7807080, CH7788919. These Night Watchers have been controlled and are leaving the Dawn District.”
Alan, standing atop a building, received the message and fell silent, contemplating the weight of the information. It was valuable, but revealing the source too soon could complicate things. How could he explain where he got such detailed intelligence?
With a sigh, Alan muttered, “sigh… I understand.”
Now wasn’t the time for such concerns. A dangerous cult member was on the loose, threatening the city. That threat had to be neutralized before it was too late.
He quickly activated the voice channel, his tone urgent.
“The license plates CH7680976, CH7807080, and CH7788919—whose cars are these? Someone’s informed me that they’ve been controlled by the target. The target has extraordinary powers—telepathy!”
A voice crackled over the channel. It was Lin Bian, immediately raising doubts.
“Who told you that?” Lin Bian asked, clearly skeptical. “The license plates you mentioned belong to us—the first and second groups from the Eighth Team. It’s an exaggeration to say we’ve all been controlled. Alan, where’s your source for this inaccurate information?”
Alan’s heart raced. He hadn’t expected the “controlled” Night Watchers to respond so defiantly. The situation was more complicated than he’d imagined.
His voice was cold, unwavering. “It’s Babel Tower.”
Lin Bian responded with a laugh. “Ah, so it’s Babel Tower. You’re quite close to them, aren’t you?”
Before Alan could respond, a more authoritative voice interrupted the exchange.
“Eighth Team, answer me immediately,” Mr. Trap’s voice commanded, laden with authority. “Why did you deviate from your duties and leave the Dawn District? The technical department has already detected suspicious vehicle movements.”
The leader of the Eighth Team, sounding a little defeated, responded with a tone that seemed to conceal a smile.
“Because… what he said is right. These fools were indeed under my control.”
Alan’s blood ran cold. He realized he had been speaking to the Balanced Saint, the Saint of Life and Death, all along.
“You’re the Saint of Life and Death from the Church of Ruins, aren’t you?” someone on the channel demanded, finally realizing the truth. “What is your goal in Tatsumi City? Are you here to confront Babel Tower and the Demon Hunt Agency?”
Mr. Trap’s voice remained steady. “Now, we’ve set a trap. You’ve walked right into it. Surrender now—it’s your only option.”
A mocking tone followed from the other end. “The Night Watchers in Tatsumi City are nothing but useless. I’m not targeting you specifically; it’s just a fact.”
Tension rose as Mr. Trap tried
to make sense of the situation
. The enemy’s ability to control
minds was proving to be more
than their team could handle
. Even with their expertise, the
Crown-level power of the
enemy was overwhelming.
Despite their best efforts, there
was no solution. Mr. Trap
clenched his fists, frustration
mounting.
Then, another voice entered
the conversation, its tone
mocking yet confident.
“I’ve told you before, the Night
Watchers in Tatsumi City are
all useless. And by the way,
I’m not afraid of confronting
Babel Tower directly.”
With those words, a familiar
figure emerged from the crowd
of Night Watchers. It was
Merete Chambers, calmly
walking toward the controlled
Night Watchers.
She smiled gently, holding up a
book page reflecting a
platinum light. “I am a member
of the ‘Swordbearer,’ as you
wished,” she said with a
knowing glance. “I’ve come
now to deal with you… Mind
control is a powerful force, but
every power has a weakness.”
Her eyes gleamed with
knowledge. “Distance. The
‘Force Release’ ability can only
extend so far. Find the
enemies in the dark and herd
them like sheep.”
The battle was about to begin.
