fynovel Chapter 1063: Harder than usual mission (1)
Chapter 1063: Harder than usual mission (1)
Chapter 1063: Harder than usual mission (1)
Erik and June crouched behind the foliage. The secret entrance was in front of them. June, having taken the form of a tiny fly, perched on a nearby twig to observe the situation and give Erik feedback about the surroundings and to inform him of whatever was going on and that he couldn't see.
Erik activated his Phantom Veil brain crystal power and turned invisible. Despite the system's reassurance about the fact he wouldn't be seen, he wasn't taking any chances and used the bushes and shadows as additional cover.
As he approached the entrance, there were two major concerns on his mind. The first was how to open the door.
If guards were stationed directly in front of it, his options would be limited unless he made something about it. He could kill them, but that would defeat the whole point of staying hidden. It was highly improbable no one found out about the kill, especially because the guards had to head back to the base for reports, changes of shift, and so on.
That also meant there was no way to replace the guards with a Chimaeric Demon. Not that Erik had them available. The second issue was more complex and far-reaching. Erik knew the Blackguards thought he had a skilled hacker on his side, one good enough that he could enter most systems.
Though they didn't know how good it was and how fast it could act, and for sure, based on what the enemy shared on their networks, they didn't know Erik already planted spy viruses on them and that they were under surveillance. Of course, they weren't so stupid as to think that couldn't happen, and that was exactly what worried Erik.
This likely prompted them to adapt their communication methods. They did it in the past already, and if they suspected he was already on Hin, they might have reverted to more primitive, analogical forms of information sharing—verbal orders, handwritten notes, or other methods that would be impossible to intercept with the biological supercomputer.
This would complicate his mission, because it might force him to stay within the base for an extended period. An hour, a day, a week... Erik told June that, and he expected the clone to report it to the others. Which was another problem itself.
Since things didn't usually go like Erik wanted, and those problems loved to pile at his feet, there was another one he had to consider. If they really reverted to this kind of information sharing, he would have no way to extract information with his Instability brain crystal power because he would not be able to interact with the others unless he showed himself or if he shapeshifted into humans.
However, his Beastwalker brain crystal power was limited to animal transformations, and he couldn't even use it because of the Veritas Lenses. Not that it would make sense to turn into a beast.
This meant he would need to be creative to make his targets think about the information he needed without arousing suspicion, and that further required time.
Small pebbles and dust came out of the cracks where the roots went through, making some noise. But the guard didn't seem to notice.
At some point, he felt the roots break through to the other side of the wall. There was no resistance anymore, so they had to be on the other side.
But the guard was still a problem. Erik needed to get rid of him somehow. Then he had an idea.
Erik channeled more mana and started affecting the minds of the guards around. What he wanted to do was to make the guard leave, but he couldn't make only him do it.
He started with the closest guard, making him feel bored.
At first, the effects were minor—guards moved a little, yawned, or checked the time.
As more time passed, Erik's power had a stronger effect. The guard right in front of him moved around more, looking all over the tunnel restlessly. At some point, the guard became unable to stay still and silent anymore.
"This is crazy," the guard said, his voice echoing a bit in the tunnel, but no one heard it because of the distance. "How long do I have to keep staring at this wall?"
Erik smiled wider.
At the same time, he sensed the other guards were thinking similar things. The guard started complaining more and more, clearly frustrated. His voice echoed in the tunnel as he paced back and forth. He couldn't stay still, moving back and forth and then suddenly stopping. His body was showing how much he wanted to leave his post, and it was great for Erik, at least. The guard looked like he was about to make a big decision—a stupid one. He seemed less and less sure about staying at his post as time went on.
"I can't take this anymore," he said to no one in particular. "Surely a few minutes away won't hurt. It's not like anyone ever comes down here, anyway."