New Alliances
Half Hour Ago
Inside Magic Pocket
"Stop acting, I know you are awake," Nutless warned Hanna.
Hanna opened her eyes. She scanned the surroundings. The place was a 2.5 cubic meter sub-dimension with air. The gravity was missing.
But the weirdest fact was Hanna could leave if she wished.
The rules about Magic Pocket were flowing into her head. Zain could only decide who entered the Magic Pocket Dimension, there was no restriction on moving out.
"Why did you attack me?" Hanna asked while secretly conjuring the strengthened skill threads. It was suspicious that she was allowed to leave so easily.
She was wary.
Nutless, who was a hologram created by the spare intercom inside the Magic Pocket, snorted. He pointed to the white mask floating behind Hanna. "Take it."
She didn't move immediately. By now, she realized Nutless was Zain's virtual assistant.
After seeing that Nutless had no intention of continuing, she grabbed the mask.
"This… it's a Genius Tech," Hanna muttered.
"Bond with it," Nutless said rudely.
Hanna didn't bond immediately. She let her mana flow into the mask. The information about the mask came back. Not every Genius Tech gave information about itself, it depended on the creator's intention.
"Huh…?" Hanna was stupefied. The mask was 'Thousand Faces', the Grade 3 Genius Tech that allowed one to shapeshift. "Why are you giving this to me?"
"Right? Even if it's trash, it's still wasted on the likes of you," Nutless spat. "Be happy that my Master is a generous person."
Nutless was not lying. 'Thousand Faces' mask was worse than an inferior version of Mimicry.
Hanna remained silent.
She could escape the planet with the help of the mask.
"What do you want in exchange? Also…" Hanna took a deep breath. She said with some difficulty. "I'm your enemy. Did you forget it?"
Nutless was amused. She was exactly as his master told him.
"Don't misunderstand. Master has no need of someone who is weaker than himself," said Nutless.
"I'm peak Grade 3. How can—"
"You lost to him twice. Surprise attack or not, a battle is a battle. Only the result matters." Nutless circled her condescendingly.
When Hanna couldn't refute, Nutless added.
"Take the mask and leave. It will be a problem if your stay on this planet interferes with Master's plans."
Hanna nodded with difficulty. She was peak Grade 3, so it was possible that she could unknowingly affect Zain's plan.
But she didn't want to leave now. She joined Mythos Cult for a reason. With this mask, she could do what she came for.
"What is your Master doing here? I can't leave immediately. If I know what your Master is planning, I will make sure to not get in his way." She tried to negotiate.
Nutless stared at her for a few moments.
"He is going to destroy Mythos Cult."
"!!!"
Hanna gasped.
Mythos Cult had over two hundred Grade 3 metahumans and thousands of Grade 2 metahuman.
It was an overwhelming force. How could a sane person willingly go against that?
But… what if Zain had a way?
This put Hanna in a predicament.
The Mythos Cult had her family's heirloom. Hanna had to get it back at all costs.
Would Zain give it to her after he conquered Mythos Cult? He wouldn't.
Hanna bit her lips. The choices were tough.
She sighed. She was on Mythos Cult's hit list either way.
"I'll help," She told Nutless. "No, let me help. I'm peak Grade 3, I'm confident that I can help your Master deal with the top forces of Mythos Cult. Besides, I worked for them not long ago, I can provide inside information."
She grew restless when Nutless didn't agree.
"Even if you have a plan, there is no guarantee that everything will go your way. It's best to have backup," She added.
"Why are you so eager to help?" Nutless questioned her.
Hanna didn't want to tell him about the family heirloom. She planned to swap it while Zain wasn't paying attention.
"I'm a Villain right now. If I help you guys take down the Cult, I can clean my name," She gave the prepared excuse.
Nutless pondered for a bit and nodded, "Okay, but you will follow Master tells you to do without question."
"Of course."
Zain seemed like a good guy. He foiled Mythos Cult's plans at the Academy and was planning to bring them down. Hanna felt a little guilty for tricking him.
…
Back to Present
Carl pounced on Zain.
Suddenly, a figure flew out of Zain's pocket. It grew in size and caught Carl's fist.
Hanna kicked Carl before he could retaliate. His figure flew across the room and hit the wall.
"Cough! Cough!" Blood trickled in between Carl's lips. He thought, 'How did someone come inside? The bunker is protected by Anti Teleportation Arrays!'
Noticing Hanna, he forcefully calmed himself.
"I see. You two were in cahoots. That would explain the mess in the Academy. But…"
His injuries healed at a fearsome speed.
The bangles on his arms shone. Four purple rings appeared behind Carl. The gravity inside the room rapidly increased.
"Do you think you are enough to defeat me?"
With a loud boom, the floor beneath Carl exploded. The air in his vicinity distorted due to the intense gravity.
Hanna stood before Carl, covering Zain with her body. Her expressionless face was cloudy.
Carl had the same Power Level as her and had several Genius Techs on him.
She had to fight while protecting Zain in such a tough situation — this was the task Nutless had told her to complete.
Worse, she was exhausted after running from authorities and Cult for weeks.
"Miss Walter, I would appreciate it, if you could end the battle within five minutes," Zain smiled.
He had trouble standing under the increased gravity, but he didn't show it on his face, rather he couldn't.
Hanna flinched when Zain said her family name, which was supposed to be a secret. Before she could question him, Carl attacked.
The crimson fists were heavier than trucks.
It didn't take long for Hanna to be backed into a corner.
"Heh," Carl snorted. "You are just a Mercenary. Outside a portal, your kind is no different from a fish without water!"
His ability to manipulate gravity to increase the force behind his punches, coupled with his Super Healing were fearsome.
It didn't help that Hanna's silk threads were crushed as soon as they entered his Gravity Field.
The situation was growing worse for Hanna.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"I don't have much recollection about you, yet aren't half bad." Zain praised Carl.
However, Carl was astounded. "When did you get behind me!?"
"Did I surprise you?" Zain let out an exaggerated gasp. "But I simply walked. How is it possible that a peak Grade 3 metahuman couldn't detect a mid Grade 2 metahuman like me?"
Hanna frowned. She ignored the burning pain and focused on Carl. Her eyes widened.
Zain snickered, "You overgeared yourself with Genius Techs. Don't you know about Spirit Exhaustion?"
Metahumans could bond with only limited number of Genius Techs. Overcrossing the limit led to Spirit Exhaustion.
Beads of sweat rolled down Carl's forehead. He did best to hide his exhaustion. But Zain seemed to have noticed it.
Carl used five Grade 3 Genius Techs.
One boosted his Gravity Manipulation ability, one for increased healing, two to amplify his Strength and Agility, and the last one allowed him to stand under his own Gravity Field without hindrance.
In exchange for high power, the boost had a time limit. Crossing it could put Carl's spirit in danger.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone