Chapter 23: Shanghai? Magic Metropolis?

 

"Don't rush yet. We still need to coordinate preparations," the Doctor said while adjusting his monocle. 

"I also need to prepare procedures for you to go out. This process will take one day."

Lu Xiao curled his lip and sat back on the bed.

"I will arrange for someone to pick you up tomorrow. Just cooperate with them to complete the mission. Remember! You absolutely must not kill anyone." After speaking, the Doctor turned and left.

After the Doctor left, Lu Xiao took out the bone spike to examine it carefully. The bone spike was like a vibrator in his hand and Lu Xiao found it utterly captivating.

In the Doctor's office, he handed Dart a document. "Dart! This is the document authorizing S292 to assist in the operation."

Dart took the document and asked in a deep voice, "Will S292 be assisting our containment operation?"

The Doctor nodded. He showed Dart the video footage. 

"This is one of his abilities. I have calculated the effective range is three kilometers. When this ability activates, all humans within three kilometers experience dizziness for half an hour."

Hearing this, Dart sucked in a cold breath. "Is there no way to avoid this ability?"

The Doctor adjusted his monocle. "I suspect only those with strong mental fortitude can resist the sudden dizziness." 

Dart looked at the video where S292 also appeared dizzy for just a moment, and instantly formulated a plan. With this ability, the previously impenetrable villa would become easily accessible.

The Doctor seemed to read his thoughts. "It's not that simple." Hearing this, Dart paused and looked at the Doctor.

The Doctor said softly, "The target has omniscient properties. Relying on this method for containment is unlikely to work."

Dart immediately understood. The target's omniscient nature had been a major headache, otherwise their squad could have completed containment with a single raid. 

"Then what's the point of bringing S292 along?" Dart asked, puzzled.

"S292 possesses high-rank entity characteristics. He might slightly interfere with the target's predictive outcomes." 

The Doctor wasn't entirely sure about this either. They had too little information on the mirror, and many things could only be guessed.

"Additionally! This mission has another objective besides containing the target! Wardens from other countries have infiltrated and want to hijack this anomaly! If you cannot contain the target, sabotage their containment operations!" 

As he spoke, the Doctor adjusted his monocle. 

"If necessary, direct S292 to use this ability against other Wardens! Keeping the target within China's borders will also mean a successful mission!"

This was the real reason for bringing S292. Dart did not question the order and immediately left to prepare.

…………

In the manor villa, Boss Liu wiped sweat from his forehead with a forced smile. "Magic Mirror, oh Magic Mirror! How can I bankrupt Times Real Estate?"

A human face appeared on the mirror's surface, looking at Boss Liu with disdain. "The cost of this question is beyond what you can pay!"

Hearing this, Boss Liu was stunned, this was the first time he had received such an answer. '

"Can you tell me what is the reason?" 

Taking down Times Real Estate would make him the hidden ruler of Magic Metropolis.

The Magic Mirror sneered. "I will give you this answer for free! The principle of transactions is equivalent exchange! The cost varies based on the transaction's outcome on the world!" 

Its mouth split open to its ears, a crimson tongue licking along the edges. "Your sacrifices are far from enough to pay for this question!"

Boss Liu wiped sweat from his forehead. "But I can sacrifice more flesh and blood! Hundreds of people? Thousands?"

Hearing this, the Magic Mirror smacked its lips, its disdain becoming more evident. "You still don't understand. Your capabilities cannot pay the cost of this question!"

Hearing this, Boss Liu deflated like a balloon and slumped to the ground.

The Magic Mirror continued. "Instead of bankrupting Times Real Estate, worry about something else now!"

"What's the matter?" Boss Liu's heart sank as a terrible premonition washed over him.

An image appeared on the mirror's surface, a headless and obese corpse. 

The Magic Mirror's voice echoed. "This answer is also free!" 

After speaking, the Magic Mirror fell completely silent. No matter how Boss Liu called out, the mirror remained unresponsive.

Boss Liu began to panic. He instantly recognized the headless corpse in the image, it was himself.

…………

The next day, an ambulance drove out of The No. 1 Psychiatric Hospital in Magic Metropolis. 

The City Fire Squad members in the vehicle seemed tense while Lu Xiao looked out the window, taking in the sights. 

No one dared to breathe too loudly around this heavyweight presence they feared accidentally upsetting.

The atmosphere was heavy, though Lu Xiao seemed completely unaware, captivated by the scenery outside the window. 

After a long while, Lu Xiao finally spoke. "Which city is this?"

The squad members exchanged glances, their eyes eventually settling on Slick. 

Slick pointed at his own nose and, seeing everyone nod, took a deep breath. 

"Mr. Lu Xiao, this is Magic Metropolis - a first-tier city in China."

Lu Xiao's eyes lit up. "Magic Metropolis? Oh! I know this place!" 

This matched a nickname of a city from before his fall into the Dark Prison, even the country's alternative name was the same. "As a child, Magic Metropolis was my dream destination. I never thought I would get the chance in this lifetime."

Hearing this, the squad members were stunned. Slick gathered his courage and asked, "Mr. Lu Xiao, you know Magic Metropolis?"

Lu Xiao nodded with a warm smile. "Of course I know it! Shanghai, right? A major city!"

"Shanghai? What's that?" Slick looked completely bewildered as other squad members wore confused expressions.

Seeing their reactions, Lu Xiao sensed something was off. "Isn't Magic Metropolis just Shanghai?"

Slick quickly shook his head. "Magic Metropolis is Magic Metropolis! We have never heard of any place called Shanghai!"

Glimmer interjected, "I think I have heard the name Shanghai before!" He thought for a moment before continuing. "My elders mentioned this name! I think it was a supercity from the near-ancient era!"

Hearing Glimmer's words, Lu Xiao's pupils constricted sharply.

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