When Benjamin saw Richard standing at a distance and swinging his sword, he instinctively assumed a crescent-shaped energy blade was coming his way. He tightened his guard, preparing to endure or deflect the expected frontal assault. But almost immediately, he realized something was wrong.
Richard wasn't targeting him.
Standing directly in front of the last Sentinel, Benjamin suddenly felt a sensation he had never experienced before. The space behind him seemed to twist unnaturally, as if reality itself had bent out of shape. A violent suction force formed at his back, not wind, not pressure, but something deeper—like the pull of a collapsing star.
His instincts were correct.
The space behind him had distorted.
But Richard's target was not Benjamin.
It was the Sentinel.
With the machine at the epicenter, the surrounding several meters of space warped visibly. The air bent inward, forming a dark fracture that looked like a tear carved into reality. From within that spatial distortion, crescent-shaped blades of invisible force materialized, each one radiating a terrifying cutting intent.
They struck from different angles.
Chi—chi—chi—chi—chi—chi—
Compared to flesh and bone, Sentinel armor was formidable. It resisted gunfire, endured explosions, and adapted to mutant energy. But in front of Dimensional Slash, that defense meant nothing.
The machine might as well have been made of cake.
In less than a second, the spatial blades carved through it completely. The Sentinel split apart into irregular fragments that clattered to the ground in heavy metallic chunks. Sparks flickered briefly before fading into silence.
Richard lowered his blade slowly, satisfaction flashing across his face.
Among all the abilities he currently possessed, Dimensional Slash was unquestionably the most destructive. Even the upgraded Level 2 Eight Blades Flash fell slightly short in raw cutting power.
Eight Blades Flash was enhanced through magical reinforcement. Its sharpness came from amplification—like a weapon enchanted with an extreme sharpness attribute. It ignored some physical limitations, but it still operated within a relatively understandable framework.
Dimensional Slash was different.
It didn't just enhance the blade. It manipulated space itself.
The attack wasn't merely a projection of force. It introduced spatial distortion into the equation. While that didn't mean it could cut through absolutely anything in existence, it allowed the slash to sever most matter with terrifying efficiency.
The Sentinels were the Mutant Affairs Department's trump card.
But Dimensional Slash was Richard's.
And clearly, his trump card was stronger.
Benjamin hadn't witnessed the precise mechanics of the destruction. He hadn't seen the crescent blades tear through steel. But he heard it—the slicing impact, the heavy crash of broken components hitting concrete.
A cold chill ran down his spine.
His steel body granted him defense superior to the Sentinels. That much he was confident in. But superior did not mean invincible.
Richard had already broken his defense once. Earth-Shaker had carved four long wounds into his torso. They weren't fatal, but they proved something critical.
Richard could hurt him.
If those attacks required close range, Benjamin could accept the risk. Close distance meant counterattack opportunities. He was a trained fighter. He thrived in proximity.
But if Richard could unleash defense-breaking attacks from afar…
That changed everything.
Benjamin didn't play video games, but he understood the concept of being kited. An opponent who could damage you without letting you close the gap was a nightmare scenario.
Trouble.
His already grim expression darkened further.
Reluctantly, he admitted the truth. Alone, he might not be able to take Richard down. Worse—if no reinforcements arrived, he might die here tonight.
He made a decision instantly.
Turning toward a surveillance camera mounted above the square, Benjamin shouted, "Notify all agents in the Operations Department. I don't care where they are or what they're doing—order them back immediately!"
Though he couldn't see the monitoring room, he knew they were watching. Every movement was being tracked. His command would be relayed without delay.
Richard heard him clearly.
But he didn't interfere.
The reason was simple.
After eliminating multiple groups of guards, he had already noticed something unusual. Aside from Benjamin, no other mutant agents had appeared. If the Operations Department had been fully staffed tonight, reinforcements would have arrived after the first clash.
They hadn't.
Which meant most of them were off duty.
As for potential mutant guards in the underground levels, those were currently Sabretooth's concern. Richard had no doubt his ally was handling things below.
He wasn't surprised by the absence.
This was precisely why he and Sabretooth had chosen to strike at night. Agents of the Mutant Affairs Department were government employees. They worked shifts. Unless there was an emergency, overtime was rare. This wasn't some endless grind.
They clocked in. They clocked out.
Many mutants disliked the department. Many opposed the Mutant Restriction Act. But very few had the courage to attack the institution directly. Most expressed dissatisfaction through words, protests, or minor acts of resistance.
Armed assault was another matter entirely.
And that was why the Act had been implemented so smoothly.
Authority was enforced with strength.
If you didn't dare resist, you couldn't complain when others imposed their will.
After issuing his order, Benjamin returned to a guarded stance. His shoulders squared, eyes locked on Richard.
Richard tilted his head slightly. "Are you the head of operations for the Los Angeles branch?"
Benjamin said nothing.
He tightened his guard further.
Seeing no response, Richard lost interest in conversation.
Dimensional Slash.
He raised the authentic blade again and swung decisively.
This time, Benjamin didn't remain stationary.
The moment Richard lifted his weapon, Benjamin's legs exploded with force. Concrete cracked beneath his feet as he launched forward at full speed, closing the distance in an aggressive rush.
His reaction was fast.
His acceleration impressive.
But Dimensional Slash was not an attack one could simply outrun.
If leaving your original position was enough to avoid it, the technique would have an obvious flaw. It had none.
Benjamin had barely covered a few meters when he felt it.
The surrounding space warped violently.
The air bent inward, twisting in impossible geometry. His momentum carried him directly into the epicenter of the distortion.
And he was standing at its center.
.....
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