LIGHTNOVELONLINE Arc 3: Unknown Discovery – Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.
Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.
The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.
"Speech"
Arc 3: Unknown Discovery - Chapter 5
I rub my neck, feeling uncomfortable as I stare at the bloodstained walls. I realize that I am much, much physically stronger than I expected, with just a little use of Ren and with just one slap. I accidentally killed a mugger, causing his body to explode and splatter his remains all over the wall.
On the other hand, my cheat version of Nen is non-stop growth. It's no surprise that using less than 1% of aura to use Ren is completely different now than it was the first day of obtaining Nen.
But what was more important was the person screaming in front of me.
"You know, screaming after I help you is kind of rude." I said to the random woman who I'd used Invasion on. And nope, she was neither Cape nor a canon character—just a bystander.
I snap my fingers and use Boundary Manipulation to switch her from conscious to unconscious. After that, another snap of my fingers tidied everything up to prevent anyone from finding evidence that I was here, and I walked away, having the key to my new home in Brockton Bay, thanks to the dead mugger who lives alone with no relatives or friends.
Lucky me, right?
Not! It's a good thing I used Invasion on both of them before I did anything. To think that after leaving the areas claimed by The Merchants. I would have my new home smack right in the Azn Bad Boys' territory.
And damn, the mugger had just triggered recently and can strike deep fear into anyone they stare at. But that's about it, and they haven't discovered anything else with the power due to being killed after an hour of gaining power. It's a shame because it could be a useful power if adequately trained.
Too bad the mugger was too desperate for money, and the first thing they did when they found out they had power was to mug someone for some quick cash. Instead of just finding one of the local gangs to join, which would bring them more benefits. Then again, this mugger wasn't too bright to begin with.
Nevertheless, with a simple use of Boundary Manipulation, he cleaned up the inside of his new home during his stay here for the big task. He was careful not to change anything on the outside, not for fear of unwanted visitors, but for fear of unwanted deaths, which would cause more problems in the long run.
The people of Worm are sometimes more perceived about anything out of the ordinary and Cape-related. One of the characters on the "hero" side has a hatred of the Cape in general due to her past. So the best thing for me to do is figure out which character to target and influence to make sure they survive when the Endbringer gets here.
With everything done for now, I can take this opportunity to find out the date and make a plan for who to choose once I know how long it will be until Leviathan arrives.
"Ghost, what is today's date in this world?" I smack Ghost with the back of my knuckles as I spot it through En, hovering and spinning to my right, making it visible again.
"It's exactly April 10th." Ghost reported before disappearing as soon as it had finished informing me.
"I'm not done yet." I smack Ghost again. "How long until Leviathan's arrival to Brockton Bay."
"According to the canon timeline: Next month, May 15th." Ghost didn't turn invisible this time, waiting for new orders.
"And if we're not in the canon timeline?" I raise an eyebrow, wondering why Ghost would tell me by the canon timeline. When the moment my existence came into this world. It's no longer canon anymore, as anything is possible now.
"You're in the canon timeline, Caretaker." Ghost insisted.
"It shouldn't be canon timeline anymore with my existence here." I insisted.
"It's still canon timeline until you cause a major incident and have chosen the target to influence." Ghost continued.
I sweatdrop upon hearing this. I didn't think that was why this world was still following the canon timeline, even though I'd already made some things happen, most notably the potentially dangerous Cape. Although maybe it wouldn't be so dangerous if the dead mugger wasn't known to be a canon character.
It is possible that the dead mugger died before he could do anything significant. Maybe by some kind of self-harm. I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.
"Alright, tell me what canon event happened today or if there will be one close in the future." I order Ghost.
"Taylor finishes her costume and heads out tonight. She finds a group of gangsters from the Azn Bad Boys, as well as their boss, Lung, and attacks them. This leads to Taylor joining the Undersiders tomorrow. In addition to tomorrow, it would be the time when Bakuda starts recruiting civilians, sticking bombs inside their heads." Ghost reported.
I'm leaning on my new couch, which I'd replaced because the old one was just too moldy and smelly.
"That's tonight?" I'm stunned that I would show up on one of the most important nights and the beginning of Taylor's destiny to become someone more than anyone could ever imagine.
"Yes, Caretaker. So, if you want, you could just choose Taylor as your influence target. I would say that would make your life a lot easier. After all, she survived the aftermath." Ghost floats towards my face, which I knock away in annoyance.
"That's a trap I can see in a mile away." I scoff at Ghost for recommending the number one person who is stubborn and so subconsciously suicidal with all the actions she has taken in the canon timeline. "I already have someone in mind who will easily be influenced, and I can ensure they survive to the end after I leave this world."
"You wouldn't mind telling me, Caretaker?" Ghost spins around as it hovers above my head.
"I do mind; I think I will keep it to myself for now." I replied, then had Ghost turn invisible and made sure not to think about who I had in mind. After all, you crazy voices are listening to my thoughts, right? So, I better keep you guys waiting until then.
Instead of passively tracking everyone's movements to limit the information flowing into my brain, I now focus more on En. And it looks like the fight between Taylor and Lung is already over, which wasn't really much of a fight, honestly. The Undersiders had already escaped while Taylor and Armsmaster were talking, with the former tricking the latter into taking credit for capturing Lung.
I raised an eyebrow as I was about to take action. Out of the blue, Perfect Timing informs me that it's time to get a new cheat.
Huh, Life Zero. A skill from the Medaka Box series, owned by Ajimu, that can nullify any skill she wishes, even Medaka's The End. This includes a lot more, but in an overall situation. It's a powerful cheat, that's for sure.
I can understand why Perfect Timing wants me to get this cheat, but technically, I can already do that with the other cheats. Still, there must be a good reason why I need a specific cheat that is designed to negate pretty much everything.
Anyway, as I was leaving the house, I took a moment and paused to see if Perfect Timing would trigger again for some reason. Nope, nothing now. So, it looks like I can take action tonight.
With the help of Delayed Effect and Boundary Manipulation, in no time flat, I appeared right in front of the Undersiders before they could enter their hideout.
"Greetings." I use Ren to project a massive bloodlust directly onto everyone, stopping them in their tracks. They can't move a muscle as they stare at me in terror. Even the monstrous dogs are terrified, not daring to utter a whimper.
I walk toward them, giving everyone a cheerful smile as I grab Tattletale from the monstrous dog and carry her over my shoulder. Then I start whistling as I walk away, continuing to use Ren on everyone to prevent anyone from trying to act like a hero to save their friend, comrade, etc., as I've kidnapped Tattletale in plain sight and out in the open.
That's why I didn't bother wearing a mask to hide my identity; there's no point. I don't exist in this world, so no one would know who I am, nor could they find out anything about my background. Furthermore, Ghost continues to prevent anyone from mentioning me online, so many think I'm a Thinker specializing in computer programming.
Also, it would make people either underestimate or overestimate me for revealing myself, thinking that I'm arrogant and can't be touched, which, in a way, they can't. Not with all the cheats and godlike items I have.
Once I had a good distance, I created a new gap and returned to my newly acquired home, then threw Tattletale, or Lisa Wilbourn as she calls herself, to a couch. I used my new cheat: Life Zero to shut down her power for the time being. I can tell by her pale face and deeply horrified eyes that she didn't expect to meet someone who would kidnap her like this and suppress her power. Moreover, there is absolutely nothing she can do to protect herself from me.
I stopped using Ren but kept En on since I wanted to keep everyone's movement monitored.
"Hello, Sarah. Ah, wait. You like to be called Lisa, don't you?" I gave her a warm smile, but all I got in return was Lisa starting to hyperventilate.
I snap my fingers and use Boundary Manipulation to change her mental state from near panic attack to calm, for now.
"There you go, calm down?" I nod, not caring if she remains silent. "So—"
Suddenly, Ghost appears in front of Lisa and me, "Caretaker, is she your chosen target to influence?"
"No." I grab Ghost and toss it behind me, then turn my attention back to Lisa, only for Ghost to use its body to slam against the back of my head, which would have been successful if I hadn't easily kept track of its movement through En and simply tilted my head to the side, causing Ghost to fly past me and crash into Lisa's face instead.
"OW!" Lisa screamed as she grabbed Ghost, then threw it hard to the ground, covering her face as she rolled on the couch in pain.
I snap my fingers again, using Boundary Manipulation to make the injury disappear instantly.
"All right, let's get back to business. Shall we?" I take out the Newtonian Apple, then bite into it to regain its temporary power over gravity, and apply the right amount of gravity to Ghost, preventing it from flying and moving.
Lisa looks at me. Her eyes are filled with fear and despair.
"Caretaker—" Ghost begins.
"Shut it. I'm talking to Lisa right now." I cut Ghost off, and it finally stops talking now. "Now, I bet you're wondering why in the world I would kidnap you from your friends, right? Even thinking about your boss might save you, even though you loathe the guy. You would rather deal with someone you know than with someone like me, with whom you have no idea what kind of a person I am. Especially for someone who can read your mind."
And there are the eyes of acceptance. I wanted to see them in Lisa's eyes.