Chapitre 91: Nacht's Quest: Unveiling the Flux Shift Device
Nacht's journey through the sewers was a cautious and calculated one. He moved silently, his steps barely making a sound on the wet and slimy ground. His enhanced senses were on high alert, scanning for any signs of danger. The last thing he needed was to run into another hero while he was still injured and vulnerable.
As he navigated the labyrinthine tunnels, Nacht's thoughts raced. He needed to find out more about the mysterious artifact that Yuen had used to survive their battle. It was clear that the artifact was a game-changer, and if it fell into the wrong hands, it could tip the balance of power in a battle easily.
Reaching his hideout, a concealed entrance hidden beneath a pile of rubble, Nacht carefully slipped inside. The underground lair was dimly lit, with various screens displaying data from the recent battle. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the outside world, a place where Nacht could think and plan in peace.
Shortly after, the healing potions that Carl had arranged for arrived. Nacht wasted no time in consuming them, feeling the rejuvenating effects take hold. He could sense his injuries healing, and his energy returning. It was a welcome relief, but he knew that he still had a long way to go before he was back at full strength.
While he recuperated, Nacht couldn't help but replay the events of the battle in his mind. Yuen's ability coupled with the artifact had been a revelation. He had faced many powerful opponents in the past, but this was on a different level. It was a power that could save someone's life multiple times during a battle.
As he pondered his next move, Nacht decided to contact Blorg. The eccentric inventor had been a valuable asset in the past, and Nacht had a feeling that he might have some insights into dealing with the artifact.
Since the operation to assassinate Silver Strike, he and Blorg had become acquaintances, and Nacht had learned that Carl lied to him, Blorg wasn't angry at him at all, hell, the guy actually couldn't even remember back when Nacht said no to talking to him and getting to know him in the past.
Blorg's face appeared on one of the screens, and he greeted Nacht with his usual enthusiasm. "Nacht, my man! How's the healing coming along?"
Nacht nodded. "Better, thanks to the healing potions Carl arranged. But we've got a problem, Blorg. Yuen used an artifact in the battle. It allowed her to manipulate space, changing her body into a wooden sculpture and allowing her to suddenly spawn at a different location, surviving my attacks. We need to figure out how to counter it."
Blorg scratched his chin thoughtfully. "A troublesome artifact, huh? That's some high-level stuff. I've heard rumors about artifacts like that, but they're rare and highly sought after. To counter it, we'll need something equally extraordinary."
Nacht leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Do you have any ideas, Blorg?"
Blorg grinned. "Of course, my friend! I've been working on a little project that might just do the trick. It's a prototype device that can disrupt the energy signatures of artifacts temporarily. I call it the 'Artifact Nullifier.'"
Nacht raised an eyebrow. "An Artifact Nullifier? How does it work?"
Blorg explained, "It emits a targeted energy pulse that interferes with the resonance of the artifact, effectively disabling its powers for a short period. It won't destroy the artifact, but it should give you a window of opportunity to take down your opponent."
Nacht was impressed by Blorg's ingenuity. "That sounds promising, Blorg. Can you have it ready for me?"
Blorg nodded. "Absolutely. I'll need a bit of time to make some final adjustments, but I'll have it ready within a week or so. In the meantime, keep a low profile and stay hidden. We don't want the heroes to catch wind of our plans."
"Oh, and do you want me to get that ready first, or the glove that Carl ordered for you?"
"The glove, oh right, it got destroyed, dammit, how much will those two things cost?"
"The glove will be 1.2 million, and the nullifier is half a mil, that's because it's a consumable, after you use it, it's gone forever and I'll need to make another one."
"Dammit, why don't you just rob me, the glove is double the price of what it was before!"
"That's because it's better than before, you're ability evolved, I need to make sure it can still be useful to you, as well as more durable, which means I need to use higher quality materials for it."
Nacht agreed, knowing that Blorg's words were true, but it still didn't help his wallet, which would soon be nearly empty. "Thanks, Blorg. I'll be in touch."
With the promise of the Artifact Nullifier on the horizon, Nacht turned his attention to honing his own abilities. He knew that he couldn't rely solely on technology to defeat Yuen and the other heroes. He needed to become even more formidable, both in combat and strategy.
In the following days, Nacht threw himself into rigorous training and meditation within the confines of his underground hideout. He pushed his powers to their limits, experimenting with new ways to manipulate reality and create objects. He needed to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
As Nacht trained, Carl continued to analyze the data from the battle and research Yuen's mysterious artifact. He reached out to contacts within the VSA, trying to gather any information about similar artifacts that might exist in their world. The more they knew about these artifacts, the better their chances of countering them.
He also contacted Vincent, the spy that they had let go in hopes of him becoming a good double agent for them. Vincent was not that high up in the HA, but he was still an official member, and thanks to Carla, he had an encrypted communicator that he could use to contact Carl without being noticed by the HA.
Meanwhile, Blorg worked tirelessly on both the new glove and the Artifact Nullifier. He understood the urgency of the situation and put all his expertise into crafting these essential tools for Nacht's arsenal.
A week passed, and Nacht received a message from Blorg, notifying him that both the glove and the Artifact Nullifier were ready for pickup. Nacht wasted no time retrieving the items. The new glove felt more comfortable and durable than its predecessor, and he couldn't wait to test its capabilities.
With the Artifact Nullifier in his possession, Nacht knew that he had a better chance of dealing with Yuen's newfound power. He practiced using the device, familiarizing himself with its operation and range. It was a crucial addition to his arsenal.
But Nacht wasn't satisfied with just technological solutions. He continued his physical and mental training, pushing himself harder each day. He honed his combat skills, practiced stealth, and refined his strategies. He knew that when the time came to face Yuen and the other heroes again, he needed to be at the peak of his abilities.
As the days turned into weeks, Nacht received a message from Carl. "We've gathered some information about Yuen's artifact. It's a highly classified piece of technology known as 'The Flux Shift Device.' It was originally developed by a secret organization with ties to the VSA. The device allows the user to temporarily alter their physical state, changing their body into wood and teleporting to a nearby location."
"The HA managed to find and destroy the organization before they had a chance to send the artifact to us, and it seems a higher-up of the HA is close to Yuen, thus giving her the artifact."
Nacht absorbed the information, his mind racing with possibilities. "So, it's not a naturally occurring artifact, but a man-made one. That's good to know. It means there might be a way to counter it more effectively."
Carl continued, "Exactly. We believe that the Flux Shift Device has a limited number of uses before it needs to recharge, and it's vulnerable to disruption if we can pinpoint its energy signature. With the Artifact Nullifier and our combined efforts, we can neutralize its effectiveness."
Nacht nodded in agreement. "Alright, Carl. Keep gathering information about this device. We need to know its limitations and vulnerabilities inside out. And keep an eye on the heroes, I have a feeling Yuen is not done with me yet."
"Oh, and Carl, what about the ability Yuen used at the end, was that also from the artifact?"
"Negative, I still have no idea if that was another artifact or an ability she was keeping a secret, I'm waiting on Vincent to try and get info on that."
"In the meanwhile, train and heal, don't try any crazy stunts like before, alright?"
Nacht acknowledged the order and signed off before taking a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He was ready to face Yuen and the other heroes once more, armed with new technology and a deeper understanding of his own abilities.
With the new glove and the nullifier, as well as his improved ability, he was certain that if he met Yuen again, even if there were 2 A-grade heroes with her, he would be able to kill her.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone