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***
Feeling that familiar presence of thunder, Sol swallowed back the words he was about to say.
In terms of strength, it was about one and a half times the level of Electromagnetic Mastery LV5, precisely matching Baal's passive that grants 50% additional Electric damage.
The method of use—attaching lightning to traditional swordsmanship—also matched Baal's country bumpkin persona of 'someone incapable of comprehending the underlying principles of things.'
Because Electromagnetic Mastery LV5 was not Baal's original ability as an Archon. But was a gift from the system, the same ability given to a girl with an epithet of 'Railgun'.
How to wield it specifically still depended on the individual.
After all, this was someone from Inazuma five hundred years ago, and five hundred years later Inazuma's most advanced technology still seemed to be Yoimiya's fireworks.
Baal not understanding the principle of a railgun or the mechanics of magnetic rotation was entirely reasonable.
Judging by his knowledge of New Eridu, there shouldn't be any electric-type experts with such distinct characteristics. That flash of thunder was undoubtedly from Baal.
And for Baal to respond with such full force… it must be against that newborn Dead End Butcher.
Qingyi looked at Sol with some puzzlement. "What were you about to say? If you don't want to report it to Public Security, we can always make an exchange."
Sol shook his head and returned from his thoughts. "No need to keep running around. Later, let's just bring the residents of Canvas Street straight through."
"Through Dead End Hollow? But the residents of Canvas Street have no Ether Aptitude!"
Belle voiced her doubts through Eous.
"What if the Dead End Butcher is already dead?"
Sol countered.
With Baal going all out, with her power one and a half times that of Railgun Girl, a mere newborn Dead End Butcher wouldn't stand a chance.
Just as Belle was about to refute, Eous's screen was suddenly taken over by Fairy: "Confirmed. According to calculations, if the Dead End Butcher dies, Sol Mercer and the officers will be able to directly evacuate the residents of Canvas Street."
"Reason: Based on the common knowledge [Eliminate Ethereal, Hollow activity decreases]. The death of the Dead End Butcher, equivalent to a thousand Ethereals, would shrink Dead End Hollow, conveniently opening up a passage."
"Commendation: Sol Mercer not only possesses great strength, but also powerful data-analysis abilities."
"Recommendation: Loosen Fairy's electricity usage limit and unleash the full might of the strongest AI in all of New Eridu!"
Belle was blown away by Fairy's barrage of words, and only snapped back at the last line. "Stop stop stop! Five times the electricity bill is already too much. If it goes any higher, we'll starve!"
"Understood." Fairy answered haughtily. "Reminder once more: Master's wealth is limited, but Fairy's potential is limitless!"
Qingyi and Zhu Yuan weren't entirely distracted by Phaethon and his AI bickering. Their attention was focused more on Fairy's calculation of Sol's plan.
Eliminate the Dead End Butcher. Shrink the Hollow. Open up a path. Evacuate Canvas Street's residents.
Truly worthy of Sol Mercer.
His solution was so simple and brutal, yet it maximized the strengths of his raw power.
And judging by his usual actions, Sol wasn't stupid either.
So, was this the perfect example of a super intelligence deciding that super strength is the best option?
Still, it was undeniably effective.
Wipe out the Hollow's greatest threat, drastically reduce its activity, and directly rescue the residents of Canvas Street.
A three-birds-with-one-stone plan—brilliant.
With complicated feelings, Zhu Yuan spoke to Sol. "Let's go. We'll clean up the Dead End Butcher together."
"No need. My Bangboo is already fighting it. It'll be over soon." Sol lightly shook his head, speaking casually. "We'll just wait here."
"Eh! Eh. Eh?!"
In unison, Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Eous let out three startled cries of very different intonations.
A Bangboo fighting the Dead End Butcher? Sol, are you serious?
Zhu Yuan and Qingyi suddenly recalled the most capable officer in Public Security, Officer Cui.
Belle meanwhile, through Eous, lowered her gaze toward herself.
But no matter how she imagined it, with that round and stubby body that couldn't even see past its own belly, and that adorable half-meter height…
They simply couldn't picture Officer Cui and Eous going toe-to-toe with a four-meter-tall, dozens-of-tons-heavy Dead End Butcher.
…
Now, let's go back ten minutes earlier.
With a single Denny coin, Sol Mercer fired off a railgun, sending Berbick straight to hell. And the coin's might did not wane, piercing straight into the Hollow.
Victoria Housekeeping Co. caught sight of a streak of orange light tracing across the sky, heading far into the distance.
"Lord Lycaon, I think I saw an orange aurora." Rina, her eyes narrowing then widening in confusion, said, "If my knowledge isn't wrong, orange auroras shouldn't appear inside a Hollow."
Von Lycaon let out a deep, bubbling tone. "You're not mistaken. I also saw that orange aurora flash by. But I believe it was some kind of new, powerful weapon."
"Speed exceeding Mach 5, compact size smaller than a fist, trajectory steady without deviation."
"Assessment: Portable extreme-danger single-soldier weapon!"
His gaze followed the direction where the orange streak had vanished, his eyes filled with both gravity and awe.
Just what kind of power could silently develop such a dangerous weapon?
Even among all the research programs he knew, this ranked among the top.
"Then, Lord Lycaon, shall we investigate it?"
Rina asked with a smile.
"Of course." Von Lycaon answered firmly. "A new weapon of this caliber—our master must be informed."
"Find it. Record it. See who is testing such a weapon within Dead End Hollow."
Although Victoria Housekeeping Co. accepted multiple commissions, they served a true master behind the scenes—the most, most exalted figure in all of New Eridu.
A mysterious new weapon like this was something that absolutely needed to be reported.
Ellen spotted the loophole. "Boss Lycaon, does this mean we can end that lost-artifact search commission for now?"
"Correct." Von Lycaon nodded lightly. "The commission to find the lost artwork is temporarily canceled."
Ellen couldn't suppress a grin.
Von Lycaon spoke steadily. "The new commission: track the orange aurora's impact site and retrieve research data on the new weapon!"
Ellen's smile vanished—the shark lady was about to break.
And so, Victoria Housekeeping followed the trajectory of the railgun shot.
In that direction, under the Dead End Butcher's very nose, the Cunning Hares and Baal were searching for the missing little girl.