In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 58

After we finish this, I'll buy some to take back to Index. Kittens will scratch their owners if they aren't comforted regularly.

Upon hearing Higashino's question, Kofumi's expression turned serious. She put down the milk bottle in her hand and said, "Yes. Actually, I've been investigating the 'Giant Spider' organization recently. There have been a noticeable increase in attacks on espers in Academy City lately, and the methods are very similar. After my investigation and analysis, the clues all point to this resurgent 'Giant Spider'."

"Oh? What specific findings did you make?" Higashino asked casually.

“Their activities are quite frequent, and quite a few Level 3 and above ability users have been attacked.” Kofumi frowned slightly. “Initially, the victims were mostly ability users below Level 3. I suspected that they might have a device that could reduce the power of ability users, and I only confirmed this after meeting you.”

After the equipment those guys used this morning was taken away, it has been confirmed that it was indeed equipment that could affect their abilities and reduce them.

"Furthermore, based on the interrogation of those guys this morning and the recent investigation results, I have roughly located their hideout."

Without changing his expression, Higashino took out his phone to check the message that Chuchun had just sent: "Let me guess... Abandoned Warehouse No. 3 in the Seventh School District?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Kofumi Miwa's eyes: "You found it too? Yes, it's there, not far from here." She confirmed Higashino's statement, and their information corroborated each other.

"Looks like you didn't come here entirely just for a date with me." I hadn't looked closely at the location Chu Chun gave me earlier; it turns out it was nearby.

"A date?! Who wants to go on a date with you?! We're talking serious business here, so get serious!" Kofumi slammed her hand on the table, exuding an imposing aura. Her slightly flushed neck only amplified her imposing presence.

Higashino nodded: "Okay, shall I be serious? Then let's go and take care of them!"

Kofumi took a deep breath: "Although as a disciplinary committee member I shouldn't let you take such a risk, but..." She looked at Higashino, her eyes filled with a light that was a mixture of trust and determination.

"I believe in you, and it would be too weak not to seek justice for that shot myself! Let me be willful this time!"

Seeing her serious expression, Dongye smiled and said, "Then let's go and cause a ruckus together!"

As expected, she trusts herself even more than she does as a disciplinary committee member. Meiwei, you can't escape now.

"Let's go then, it's about time." Kofumi stood up.

The red motorcycle roared into the night once more. This time, Kofumi rode even faster, almost scraping the ground as she turned. Higashino held her tightly around the waist, feeling her taut muscles and her racing heartbeat.

The motorcycle finally stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse. Gu Famei took off his helmet; his black hair, soaked with sweat, clung to his cheeks.

"This is it..."

"Hmm, it should be correct." Higashino said softly, taking out his phone to check the message sent by Chuchun.

Just then, the warehouse door creaked open.

"Oh, so you actually found this place." A man with a scarred face and a pompadour stepped out. "No wonder you're the eighth member of the Discipline Inspection Commission, Branch Chief Gu Fameiwei!"

"Snake Valley Tsuyoshi!"

Kofumi recognized the newcomer as the new leader of Kuroki Nishiki-ryu after his death, and one of the very few people who knew that she had joined the 'Great Spider'.

I suddenly felt like writing a ghost side story, a story about the protagonist's ability affecting the past timeline.

The dissipated power creates a ghost-like protagonist at each point in time, and only one person can see him at each point in time, leading to the unfolding story.

Of course, the result is that the protagonist changed something, but it was forgotten, although the main story continues.

I don't know if this idea is okay. But if I were to actually write, I'd probably update sporadically. The main text only has so little content; it would probably be a million words before I actually start writing.

Chapter 73: Battle Against the 'Giant Spider'?

As soon as the words were spoken, a large number of people rushed out of the warehouse's iron gate.

"Wow... quite a show of force." Higashino Yu chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the dark muzzles of the guns.

A dozen or so fully armed thugs were nervously holding their guns, their fingers trembling. It was clear they were also quite nervous. There were also about twenty unarmed thugs carrying baseball bats, machetes, and other similar equipment.

Their equipment was clearly much better than that of ordinary street thugs, with walkie-talkies and spare magazines strapped to their waists.

Hebi Tsuyoshi laughed heartily, patting the device at his waist: "Level 5, this is a gift specially prepared for espers like you." The device looked like a modified radio.

However, it felt similar to the ability suppressors or ability reduction devices that Higashino had encountered before. It must be said that there are quite a few different types of these things, like headphones, cell phones, recorders, speakers, and all sorts of other devices.

However, the effects are all similar; the only difference is the power consumption.

Seeing multiple gun barrels pointed at them, Kofumi, though somewhat nervous, calmly said, "Snake Valley, it's not too late to give up now. You've gone further and further down the wrong path, and now..."

Snake Valley's expression changed instantly, and he angrily interrupted Kofune Yoshimi, saying, "Shut up! Times have changed, Kofune Yoshimi!"

Snake Valley pointed at her, then at Higashino: "You're a high and mighty ability user now, you can't possibly understand us. Besides, a bastard like you who joined the organization and ran away after only a few days has no right to lecture me!"

As he spoke, he took the device from his waist and shouted, "This is a great tool for you espers! We've already defeated several Level 4s! Today, I'll take care of this eighth one and show the guys in Academy City that even espers can defeat superpowered individuals!"

Snake Valley pressed the button, and several of his underlings behind him pulled out similar equipment and pressed it as well.

Higashino Yu casually flexed his wrist. He did feel a slight disturbance, like Mikoto secretly giving him a shock. A slight tingling sensation, but not intense.

This didn't really affect him much; all that equipment felt about a third of what it did during the previous ability test, so the interference was negligible.

However... he glanced at Kofumi, who was breathing rapidly with tension beside him. What was ineffective against him was still useful to her, and her ability wasn't the type that directly increased combat power.

Higashino quietly added a layer of protection to the space around her skin to avoid being shot again like last time. After all, it would be too embarrassing if this happened twice in a row.

Now that we have no more concerns, let's play along with them for a bit.

"So," Higashino said slowly, deliberately making his voice sound a little weak, "this is how you 'Big Spider' are now? Hiding behind the device and taking sniper shots?" He staggered slightly, his left hand gripping the shelf next to him.

A smug glint flashed in Snake Valley's eyes: "What? Even Level 5s get weak in the knees?" He laughed exaggeratedly, the sound echoing in the empty warehouse. "Charge! Let them see what ordinary people can do!"

The thugs, armed with ordinary weapons, charged forward, shouting. Higashino Yu "barely" managed to sidestep, his movements slightly slow, and he almost had his sleeve torn when he dodged the first man's attack. He then gave the man a push from behind, controlling the force perfectly, causing him to stumble and knock over two of his accomplices.

"Too slow." Higashino Yu shook his head, his voice weak but his tone still relaxed. He "struggled" to dodge another dagger that came at him. His movements looked extremely dangerous, but in reality, he didn't let the other party touch him at all.

Kofumi had already taken down five people, her movements as clean and swift as before. With a spinning kick, she sent the attacker flying several meters.

But Higashino noticed that her breathing had become erratic, and fine beads of sweat were seeping from her forehead. Due to the device, her physical strength was being consumed more intensely than usual.

If I remember correctly, this thing is ineffective on oneself, but it is more effective on people with higher abilities.

"Boring." Higashino Yu yawned, when suddenly two thugs appeared behind the door. "Oh? What's that?" He deliberately raised his voice, pretending to have just noticed.

Two thugs emerged from behind the door, pushing a cart with a device resembling a large speaker on it.

"Is there a fixed monster spawn point behind your door?"

But this thing looks like the ability suppressor from the last ability test. Wasn't it supposed to be the latest model? It seems like this guy either has the support of the Academy City's higher-ups or some strange scientist helping him. Ordinary thugs can't get their hands on this thing, right?

Snake Valley grinned maliciously, pulling out a remote control: "Finally noticed?" He slammed down the remote, "This is the main course I prepared for you!"

The device on the cart suddenly started, emitting a piercing buzzing sound, like countless bees flapping their wings at the same time.

Higashino Yu felt that the interference had indeed increased, roughly equivalent to Mikoto's electric shocks going from Level 1 to Level 2.

Although this was far from affecting his abilities, he still pretended to be severely affected, clutching his temples in pain and kneeling on one knee.

"Higashino!" Kofumi Miwa's exclamation was filled with unprecedented panic. Although she was also affected, her low level allowed her to hold on for a while. She tried to rush over, but was blocked by two armed thugs.

"I...I'm fine..." Higashino Yu raised his head with difficulty, giving her a weak smile, but secretly blinked. "I'm just...a little dizzy..."

Kofumi seemed to have figured something out, and her tension lessened considerably. She then confronted the armed thugs.

Snake Valley laughed triumphantly, his voice hoarse like sandpaper scraping: "How about that? Level 5 is nothing special!" He slowly drew a silver pistol from his waist. "Now, kneel down and beg for mercy! Maybe I'll consider giving you a quick death."

Higashino feigned difficulty as he raised his hand: "What...did you do..."

Gu Famei seized the opportunity and suddenly rushed forward to attack the two thugs. The two men were about to fire back when they suddenly found that they couldn't press the trigger of their pistols.

After casually knocking down two people, Kofumi immediately rushed to Snake Valley's front, but just as she was about to hit him, her movements suddenly froze. The device on the cart emitted a higher frequency sound wave, making her unable to move as if she were bound by invisible ropes.

"Meiwei!" Dongye didn't expect her to be so bold, actually seizing the opportunity and attacking directly.

However, he wasn't too worried. The device would at most slightly affect her mobility. As for the gun not firing, it was no different from a fire poker; it wouldn't even be convenient to use as a stone to hit someone.

Snake Valley sneered as he raised his gun, the dark muzzle pointed at Kofuku Miwei's forehead: "Haha, aren't those who can't use their abilities no different from trash? How about this, Level 5, you kneel down and beg me, and I'll let Kofuku go, how about that?"

Higashino was speechless. If a person with superpowers becomes useless without them, then isn't someone like you who never had any power to begin with also useless? The group's mockery has dragged him and his underlings into it, and his underlings seem quite excited about it?

He originally planned to continue this charade to see what other tricks Snake Valley had up its sleeve, but it seems there's no need to play along. He'll investigate later; the high-powered ability suppressor is already making my Meiwei very uncomfortable.

"Do you know, Snake Valley?" Higashino slowly stood up, his earlier weakness gone. "You made a fatal mistake."

Snake Valley's pupils suddenly contracted: "Impossible! The device clearly—"

"It worked?" Higashino Yu chuckled. "Wouldn't it be too unfair of me to go all out against a nobody like you?"

"Quick, shoot him!"

The moment Hebi Valley pulled the trigger, the others also moved, but before they could even aim, Higashino had already vanished from his spot. The next second, he appeared in front of Hebi Valley.

"Why don't you take a nap first?"

A punch landed squarely on Snake Valley's face, sending him flying and embedding himself in the wall. He collapsed unconscious.

Seeing this, the other thugs opened fire, but like the previous two, they couldn't pull the trigger. The carefully prepared device let out a mournful cry and exploded into a ball of sparks.

Other smaller ones also exploded, and the thugs who were holding them screamed in agony from the blasts.

"It's getting a bit noisy, please be quiet!"

With a snap of his fingers, the thugs swayed and then collapsed one by one.

Kofumi staggered, and the force binding her suddenly vanished. She stared at Higashino in shock: "You...what...what just happened?"

"Sorry, didn't you say you were going to personally seek justice?" Higashino smiled apologetically. "If I just wiped them out in a flash, wouldn't you feel like you weren't involved?" He walked towards the fallen device. "But this thing is quite interesting."

Kofumi caught up, her expression indescribably complex: "If you hadn't winked at me just now, I would never have imagined that this device had no effect on you."

"Well, I can't say it has no effect," Higashino said, crouching down to examine the still-smoking device. "It's just that the power might not be enough to work well for me. But this kind of technology isn't something street thugs can get their hands on."

Just then, a strange noise came from deep inside the warehouse.

"It seems..." Higashino Yu sighed, but his eyes lit up with excitement, "There looks like there's more to come."

Chapter 74 Who wants to go on a date with you, you lecherous doctor!

Eight fully armed powered armored figures jumped down from the roof. These two-meter-tall humanoid armored figures were covered with military composite armor and had machine gun-like firing ports installed on their arms.

What's most eye-catching is the thing mounted on their backs, which is very similar to the "ability reduction" device we just saw.

"This is... powered armor? I've never seen this style before!" Gu Famei was confused but greatly shocked that a mere powerless armed group could obtain such controlled equipment. "And what's behind it should be a power-degrading device..."

Higashino narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze catching the spider pattern painted on each of the drive armor chest plates: "Oh my, it's a custom-made one."

He also noticed that there was no one inside these armors, clearly indicating that they were remotely controlled.

No, it should be called the automatic version.

Hebi Tsuyoshi, who had already fallen off the wall, suddenly opened his eyes and let out a weak laugh: "Hahaha... Didn't expect that, did you? This is the real killing move!"

“Each of these machines is equipped with the latest ‘ability reduction’ system, specifically designed for Level 5!”

Eight powered armors activated simultaneously, their sonic emitters emitting a piercing buzz. Gu Famei immediately covered her ears, her face turning pale.

"This feeling, Higashino, are you okay...?" The intensity is much stronger than before. Now, let alone using his abilities, just standing is already a struggle.

"Don't worry." Higashino turned to give her a reassuring look. When he turned to Snake Valley, she looked at him with a half-smile: "You think this kind of toy can hurt me?"

Snake Valley struggled to his feet: "Stop bluffing! I know you're a mental ability user! You need to concentrate for it to work!"

He hysterically pulled out a black controller and pressed one of the buttons. "Activate the interference mode of all eight Drive Armor units. Let's see how you concentrate!"

The sonic transmitter of the Drive Armor suddenly increased to maximum power, and invisible ripples swept towards the two of them.

"It's no use. I've already modified their logic for identifying enemies. If they attack me, they'll self-destruct."

In an instant, the mechanical joints of the drive armor began to tremble unnaturally, as if being manipulated by an invisible force to perform ballet. Their movements became increasingly uncoordinated, eventually colliding with each other and emitting a piercing, metallic clanging sound.

Snake Valley's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "No... impossible! This is simply impossible. Drive armor doesn't have anything like spirit, how could it be affected!"

Higashino walked slowly toward him and shook his finger: "Your understanding of my abilities is like an ant trying to measure the ocean."

Drive armor would definitely be troublesome if his abilities were affected, since ability users are still just mortals. But for him right now, it's just a toy.

Once he has accepted a reality as his own, there is nothing he cannot change.

If he hadn't already lost interest in playing, he would have actually wanted to try putting on a Kamen Rider skin and having a hand-to-hand combat with these powered armors.

Higashino stopped three steps away from Snake Valley.

"No...don't come any closer!" Snake Valley staggered backward, frantically rummaging in his pockets. "I have a backup plan!" He pulled out a detonator. "The entire warehouse is planted with explosives!"

“(???；), you've got quite a lot of stuff…”

It's like the bottom of a four-dimensional skirt, with things constantly being pulled out, right?