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This will be my first time fighting people—regular people who were just like me before my reincarnation.
Calling it fighting feels wrong. I've spent years fighting with cold weapons while the men before me fought with modern weaponry.
And, unlike a spar with Uncle Michel, these men were oozing with killing intent.
Simply put, I feel anything but excitement.
Nevertheless, I have my reasons to follow through. This was not something I should rush.
The moment I exited the barrier, three of the gunmen fired. Three bullets crossed the distance in a flash. It seems they were only trigger-happy when firing against the barrier. Just one of those exploding bullets would be enough to kill a normal person, so three isn't too wasteful for certainty.
A thought escaped me, and the bullets transformed into flower petals that brushed harmlessly against my face. Unfortunately for them, I had plenty of ways to protect myself.
"...what the hell?"
My sharp ears picked up a confused little murmur from one of them. I took a step forward, then a few more. They remained frozen in place, stunned into inaction.
"What are you waiting for?! Do not hesitate! Fire!"
An authoritative voice rang out from the gunman furthest away. The same three people snapped out of it and let loose, keeping their fingers curled tightly around the trigger.
Numerous bullets headed my way.
It's so easy now.
Their bullets exploded into colorful bouquets. My magic altered them mid-flight, a sight that even I found mesmerizing.
I could see them clearly—not just the bullets but the transformation itself. It was like watching a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis in real-time.
With so much time to react, their chances of hitting me was practically nil.
They were only a stone's throw away. When I walked even closer, they began retreating at a steady pace. None showed their backs.
Not panicking yet? They're good soldiers, alright.
I broke into a run, and not a normal one either. I flailed my arms around like a madman and screamed like, well, a madman.
Psychological warfare.
"Prepare to engage!"
The gunmen braced themselves by pulling out knives and batons. With a glance, I enchanted all their weapons and ammunition with anti-gravity. As if possessed, whatever items they had were yanked away and clung to the ceiling.
My first target was the gunman nearest to me. I was now close enough to see my reflection in his pupils. I subtly cast another enchantment that hung in the air and entered all their military attires. They were going to need it.
Dremjaar—Refuge/Protection
The enemy responded quickly. I evaded a punch to my face and blocked a knee to my groin. That's dirty.
I spun around and kicked him right in the neck. The gunman became a blur as he smashed into the tunnel wall, embedded deep within it.
I was holding back as best as I could.
"..."
If there had been uncertainty before, they were feeling outright terror now.
Scared shitless, it was easier to kick a second guy into the opposite wall.
"Retreat!" The same man from earlier gave another command. He must be their leader.
"Don't. Leave. Yet."
A third gunman received a kick to his waist as he ran. I sent him flying to two of his compatriots. Three birds with one stone.
A brave one headed straight for me, and for his heroism, I created thick vines that wrapped and threw him at a teammate.
By then, those still standing had only fled a few measly meters.
"What is he?!"
"Head for the Level Doors!"
I couldn't allow that. I appeared before the man furthest from me, the one I assumed to be their leader. He choked on his words as he came to a screeching stop. I didn't teleport. I had just gotten that speedy.
"How is this possible?!"
I replied with a single word.
"Fus."
The Thu'um washed over them. All of them staggered. The leader fell on his ass and tried to crawl away.
"Fus Ro."
The gunmen were pushed by a stronger force, tumbling a few meters back as they skidded on the floor.
Then, I shouted.
"Fus Ro Dah!" (Unrelenting Force)
By adding more power to the Thu'um, the gunmen were thrown like ragdolls and slammed into the barrier of the UBSS camp.
That brings back memories from the game.
With the enchantment I added to their uniforms, they were physically unharmed. It's extremely disorienting to get tossed around though.
The auras of all but one man remained sharp. The rest were on the floor, groaning. A handful vomited to no one's surprise.
The leader, slumped against the barrier, mumbled.
"What the #### are you..."
After mumbling those words, he too threw up. Ew.
"Michael, tell me that I'm dreaming..."
"You are very much awake."
Everyone in the camp witnessed everything that had just occurred. I wasn't done yet. I've only dealt with the people on one side of the camp.
With a snap of my fingers, a mass teleportation ensued. The gunmen guarding the other side of the camp appeared around me.
After enchanting their attires with protection as well, I fired off elemental magic one after the other.
You get a fireball, and you get a waterball, and you get a kick to the stomach, and you get an energy blast...
Now, why was I doing this? Why was I deliberately drawing it out when I could have finished it all with a simple burst of Conqueror's Haki? After all, I was dealing with pests all the same.
The answer: Fame. Well, more so infamy.
The ones who will spread the word will be the gunmen I've decided to treat like punching bags and the hundred or so UBSS camp members losing their shit as we speak.
I'm right here. Please come and find me.
This whole thing is a call for attention for those who could use mana. It wasn't an intimidation tactic or something like my enemies will suffer. I'm just... I'm grasping at straws here, okay?
The Backrooms was infinitely large. By now, the person or people I'm looking for could be a billion miles away.
After that trip to Level 39, I became ever more curious. I'm lucky to have found another distraction.
I'll make it a bit easier to find me.
Apart from fame, I had another strategy that I cooked up just now.
"Bex!" (Open—Improvised Shout)
The Thu'um echoed throughout the tunnels. A booming click resounded.
Then, the sound of creaking followed. It was high-pitched, a deep rumble, and everything in between, making the stale tunnel air buzz with energy.
The Level Doors all around, now unlocked, simultaneously opened.
"Did he just...?!"
"That's absurd! He opened all of them without a Level Key!"
That's a nice reaction. 10/10.
From my spatial storage, I retrieved an amulet. It was the same one I used to brute force into this world. Holding it regenerated my mana constantly at an accelerated rate.
One of the first things Grandpa Merlin taught Shin and me was how to contain our magic power and to always do so. Now was not the time for that.
Come and find me, somebody.
I let go completely. No commands. No thoughts. Nothing to sway what has always obeyed me.
Unrestrained magic power escaped me and surged through the tunnels. The lights above shattered from the spike in magic pressure. In the ensuing darkness, only the area within the barrier remained unaffected and illuminated.
Like a torrential flood, the mana swept through the open Level Doors. There was no mistaking it. Whoever was on the other side who could feel it, definitely would.
I stood there, emanating mana. There was nothing else to do other than that.
"Thomas?"
Michael called out from behind the barrier. He couldn't see me. He doesn't have night vision magic like a certain someone (me).
My magic power formed orbs of light that gravitated to the ceiling. Instead of the usual warm, yellow glow, my magic LEDS cast cool, white light. It was a much better replacement, in my opinion.
Michael seemingly sighed in relief. To his side, old man Rupert was being tended to by camp members on the floor...? Did he have a heart attack while watching me? I'm sure he'll be alright.
"Stay. In." I warned. "Get. Hurt. If. You. Leave."
Since I allowed my magic power to run amok, it flowed through the tunnels like a mighty river. One toe out, and the rest will get dragged away. It's not like I'll let it escalate to that point, but still.
"Alright. You do you."
"Wait."
I waved my hand, and supplies appeared inside the barrier. Butchered meat and almond water. For variety, I filled ten crates worth of produce and seasonings.
I created a bunch of pans, utensils, and multiple campfires.
The crowd gasped at the sudden appearance of what could be considered the rarest goods in this world. I should know. All we've had were moth jelly most days.
"Have. This. Too."
My magic gathered the weapons and ammo from the gunmen into a sizeable pile in a corner. Don't forget the armor enchanted with protection either, and that meant stripping our enemies clean. I made sure to clean up the vomit too.
After making an image for myself as a powerful magician, it wouldn't do if everyone thought I was only capable of violence. No, I'd like to consider myself as magnanimous.
At the very least, someone that can be approached.
"Have. Fun."
"...Let's party?"
I made a beach chair and settled in, closing my eyes in relaxation as the smell of sizzling meat spread around. It's nice to have enough magic power to create whatever I want. It helps with everything except something language-related. I guess magic isn't completely omnipotent for some reason. (A/N: -_-)
"Let's cook the duck as well!"
"No way! Daffy is off limits!"
My companions were fighting tooth and nail to keep Daffy alive. Maybe everyone was getting too excited, but I see it as a good thing. It's like they weren't under attack just a minute ago.
"What is this, a picnic?" I hear someone ask.
I responded leisurely. "Pretty much. Although, maybe it's more correct to call it a cookout."
"A 'cookout,' you say? This is my first time hearing of such a word."
Allow me to explain then. "It's when you cook and eat outdoors with friends or family. For a picnic, you cook the food ahead of time and then eat it outside."
"How interesting. But the tunnels can be considered as indoors as well."
"I'd say the barrier determines what's in and what's out."
"But the human defects are in the barrier."
"Uhh, yeah, that's true."
A brief period of silence ensued. It was afterward that I realized something amiss.
...Who am I talking to?
My eyes snapped open.
A man I had never seen before loomed over me, staring with mild amusement.
I didn't sense him. Not once.
Not when he arrived. Not even when he was talking to me. Only now have I begun perceiving his presence.
And now that I see him, I refused to believe he was real. Those eyes...
My thoughts raced, and in my turmoil, I forgot to breathe.