Beyond M-Eclipse: Easy Mode LIVE

———Wiina———

“I have quite a good memory, you know.” I remarked, seeing the man who seemed quite on edge.

“...So how did you know about… all of that? Did the story leak early?” He asked, trying to remain composed.

“There’s a bunch of videos on it on social media, you know? That kind of story just goes up the moment it happens nowadays.” I remarked. “What is important is that it looks like you ran into something grander in scope that you were hoping for.”

“You could say that again. Maybe if we have actual law enforcers here they would’ve played their hands with less risk, and then I won’t have to be involved.” He replied. He probably meant that since he’s not the type to get into trouble, then if they keep their heads low only those who really want to seek them out would’ve exposed them, but they get cocky and do more reckless things in a place with no one to enforce the law or patrol the area, so he got involved unwittingly.

“Certainly not the best place to live in due to that. Still…” I said, but then realizing something. “Where is that woman anyway?”

“Lerim? She said she’s busy with a photoshoot today.” A photoshoot? Didn’t realize she actually had a job. Karra always said she mostly just procrastinates and does nothing an entire day.

“I see. Well then, here’s a warning for you and that woman.” I said, recalling everything I learned about this particular operation. For us it doesn’t really matter since Rico has already busted the facility in our town. “This isn’t the only one of its kind. There are many still out there, and whoever the mastermind is, they probably have a lot of authority.”

“Hmm… Do you think they will come for us?” He asked, trying to think ahead.

“Perhaps. The fact that the law enforcements here were wiped out could be to your advantage in that regard, those guys don’t care who they got their orders from as long as they get to keep their power and paycheck.” From what Rico uncovered, those guys definitely let these things slide because they would’ve come into conflict with more trouble than they can deal with. “They probably would’ve sent those as lackeys first, then started using more forces later on. Without them as the ‘middle man’ they might opt to just ignore you for the time being. They probably have more to prioritize over a ruined basement.”

“That’s… a bit of assurance. I supposed.” He said, not really sure what to make of…

Oh wow, that’s a high kill game. I should look up that match later on. Anyway, this is a bit more important, so let’s keep our cool here.

“Rather unfortunate that lady isn’t here to learn this. I hope you can convey what you learned here to her as well.” I said, and he simply nodded in return.

“Say. If there is one thing you can say, just to indulge me. Are there any more underground organizations I should be aware of?” He asked, certainly trying to be thorough.

“There are many, some newer than others. I’m pretty sure many have imploded due to power struggles following the Eclipse, so the remaining ones are rather dangerous with both good organization and those new powers under control.” I don’t really know the specific groups, however. I don’t really want to mention that wetwork organization as well, they’re more on the grey side of things. “I don’t have all the details myself, so just be aware that you should take any threat from those kinds of gangs seriously.”

*BOOM*

“Huh. What is it now?” I asked as I noticed a building not too far from here getting demolished. Was it a freak accident or… “Perhaps one of those has just come to ruin the mood.”

“Are they seriously already here!?” He asked, justifiably startled. It could be them, but I find that rather unlikely.

“We shall see.” I said, casually walking towards the commotion. From what I’m sensing right now, it seems that there is a magic user of some kind…

———Lerim———

“Phew…” Thankfully I managed to block it. “You got a lot to explain, Director.”

He looks pale as he lays down on the ground, as if trying to play dead, or maybe just try to not make any movements so he wouldn’t alert anyone.

Now then. What the hell is up with these three in front of me? They are all armed with weapons and armors, and it’s pretty damn clear they want to split my head open. Do they not think of how much ire they’ll get if they ruin this beautiful face of mine? Or do they not think at all?

*Swing* *Grab* *Evade*

The giant guy swung his large sword towards me, but it’s pretty easy to dodge since it’s a bit sluggish. I also make sure to bring the Director with me. Can’t have the guy with connections die now, and in case none of them are willing to talk he is the only one that can give me some context.

Too bad I don’t have any weapon on me, not to mention this luggage. Seems like I will be fighting with a handicap.

*Shine*

I open my right palm and let a sword of light appear out of it. Can’t say I like having to use a weapon that constantly drains me just so it can keep existing.

*Thrust* *Parry* *Swing* *Block* *Bang* *Evade*

First is a spear being thrust towards me that I parried with the sword of light, which was quickly followed up by a sword swing to my left that I managed to turn around and block in time, and finally a gunshot that I barely dodged. I might be able to tank a few, but I’d rather not be hit by it at all. All of that was happening in about three seconds, and they are definitely not gonna stop now.

*Leap* *Bang* *Bang* *Block*

“Ugh!” I quickly jumped towards the rooftop of another building, having to block a gunshot with my own body in the process, while the other shot just missed completely. This guy on my shoulder definitely can’t survive even one shot, so I need to be extra careful.

Actually, let’s drop this guy here then go on offense, having a deadweight like him wouldn’t do me any good. They wouldn’t expect such a quick shift in approach, I bet.

*Leap* *Clash* *Parry*

I quickly jumped back down and rushed them with a flurry of sword swings that kept them on the edge. Their expressions go from confident to worried in a flash as I increase the intensity of my counterattack.

*Shine* *Swing* *Leap*

I increased the size of the blade of light, making it so big that it would crush them if it came into contact. With a horizontal swing that would cover almost everything in front of me, they were forced to jump back a great distance to not get hit.

*Bang* *Evade*

They all start shooting at me with their pistols, but my movement is a bit too quick for them to track and hit their shots. The bad part on my end is that I don’t have a lot of space to work with. It’s not like we’re in the middle of nowhere and I’d rather them stop shooting before someone got hit by a stray bullet. Many have already run off due to the initial ambush, but there’s always a chance.

“[Arc Release]!” I shouted out as I let go of the sword, throwing it at them with all my might, turning it into a giant spinning projectile.

*Boom*

They didn’t get hit by it directly since they had the sense to run away, the recoil from the explosion caused them to stagger and one even tripped.

“[Flaming Vortex]!” Using this opportunity I quickly conjured a storm of flames to trapped them in, a whirlwind that is igniting constantly, cooking them from within.

They can’t even break through it, or are they just too much of a coward to do so? What happened to all that bravado earlier? What happened to the explosive attack they used? Can’t they try something like that again? What about other magic?

Maybe I expected a bit too much out of them. I should feel disappointment… but not really, they’re trying to kill an innocent woman like myself, they don’t deserve anything.

“Phew…” Of course, I can’t maintain a spell of that scale for more than half a minute. If I do that then I’d probably collapse and be easy pickings.

The three of them look like they are on the verge of a heatstroke. This should be good enough…

*Dash* *Smash* *Strike* *Slam*

I ran in and struck them all down, incapacitating them with one hit each. All too easy. Though I don’t like how the area is now filled with bullets on the ground, kind of a mess. Hopefully none of those actually hit anyone.

*Clap* *Clap*

“Very impressive.” Suddenly a voice rang out that sent chills down my spine. It’s a voice that I recognized all too well, even though I haven’t heard it in person for a long time now.

I slowly turned around to look, knowing full well who it was that was slowly clapping, congratulating me with a slightly dull tone.

Why is she here? She shouldn’t be here. Isn’t she occupied with something right now!? She should be in an entirely different state!

“You look like you are seeing ghosts. Care to share your point of view?” She casually asked before her eyes met the three assailants on the ground, struggling to move. What is going on here!?

“Shouldn’t you be doing something else right now?” I asked, wondering why she is even here. Surely she’s not allowed to leave the stadium while the tournament is still ongoing.

“That doesn’t matter.” She said before pulling out three collars. I get goosebumps just from seeing it. Those are probably one of the few things in this world right now that could actually nullify someone’s magic. The world at large still has no idea how to confine dangerous individuals without extremely inhumane treatment or flat out killing them. Those things in her hands are very valuable, and she seems to have them for any moment.

*Throw* *Grip*

She threw them towards the three unceremoniously, and yet they all fell on their necks and locked tight.

“Now then. I should probably bring them to… Oh, would you look at that.” Wiina was about to say something, but suddenly looked up at a building, what is she… Who is that?

The figure in black cloak jumped down from the ceiling and walked over to the three on the ground, making me move away. I don’t really know what is up with this person, but just off vibes alone I can tell just how extremely dangerous this person is.

“It seems like I came here a bit late.” The voice that comes out of the figure cloaked in shadow is hard to discern. “I suppose I can take them, if you don’t have any plans.”

“I’m not interested in learning what their deal is, but I can tell your side might want some details out of them. I’m no expert in extracting information anyhow. I doubt I can do it as well as you do.” …Did they really allude to torture just now?

“You flatter me. Very well.” The cloaked one then levitates the three without so much as a gesture.

*Leap*

Jumping out of the scene with the three figures in tow. What the hell? It was more like they completely vanished, teleporting to who-knows-where.

It felt like too much just happened in such a short span of time.

“I shouldn’t keep you occupied any longer. I’m sure you want to relax and recuperate. So I shall be taking my leave as well.” She said, not willing to explain anything to me.

*Leap*

And there she goes. Jumping away with so much force it looks more like she is flying at high speed… Wait, maybe they are both flying? I’m pretty sure there are records of people flying around already. Was it from that school tournament with a few videos recording it posted on many sites? I think that was it?

I need to look into that again to double check… Ah. Right. I need to go check up on the Director as well. He has some explaining to do.