Chapter 528: The Authority's Values and the Iron Fist
Terra Calendar 1591.1.12.
01:00 PM.
Sunlight dappled through the clouds onto the intersection of 47th Street and 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen, where a laundry stood. From the outside, it looked quite old. The pale blue sign had faded slightly in the sun, and the lettering had become blurred by exposure to the elements.
The shop was small, with a handwritten "Open" note taped to the glass door in a sloppy, casual handwriting.
The few potted plants by the door looked a little wilted, as if they hadn't been properly cared for in a while. Inside, the laundry's décor was simple yet functional, with rows of washers and dryers neatly arranged, some of which vibrated gently, emitting a rhythmic hum.
A black sedan sat quietly on the street. Its plain exterior, devoid of any conspicuous markings, blended seamlessly into the urban landscape, a typical characteristic of a Federal Volkswagen.
The car was an old Ford, its black exterior looking somewhat sturdy in the sunlight. Its slightly dimmed windows held four people inside: two in the front and two in the back.
Inside the car, Special Operator Mole and the members of his newly formed 'Mole Science Society' unit were intently observing the crowd outside.
Their gazes darted between the passing pedestrians, searching for the crucial mission target.
"Captain, Moon Rabbit's 'Moon-Watching Intelligence Team' has updated the mission log. The target individual has appeared within the designated area."
In the passenger seat, a core operator from the Science Society, codenamed B-2, reported to Mole, who was resting in the car, holding a tablet.
Mole slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed through the car window on Reiner Shadowstep, a member of the Protean Workshop family, walking outside.
His mind replayed the intelligence he had received yesterday.
——
Reiner Shadowstep.
Ethnicity: Shapeshifter (has fixed on a human male appearance)
Age: 32
Height: 5'7" (approximately 170 cm)
Weight: 130 lbs (approximately 59 kg)
Eye Color: Varies (mostly green)
Hair Color: Dark Brown (prefers silver or black)
Abilities:
Transfiguration: Reiner is proficient in various transfiguration techniques, able to rapidly alter his appearance and physical features to suit various environments and situations.
Invisibility and Stealth: He is able to move almost silently, even in the most sensitive of environments. He can remain undetected even in difficult situations.
Combat Skills: He possesses a short sword and stealth attack techniques to protect himself.
Daily Activity Patterns
Areas of Activity: Reiner's activities are primarily concentrated around Hiding Alley (at the intersection of 47th Street and 9th Avenue) and Phantom Market (10th Avenue, between 48th and 49th Streets) in Hell's Kitchen, occasionally appearing elsewhere in Whispering Square to gather intelligence or meet with allies.
Movement Habits: He prefers to be active during the middle of the day, remaining low-key or invisible for most of the day. Reiner frequently changes his movements and appearance to avoid being tracked.
Social Circle: Reiner maintains contact with the top brass and other key allies of the Protean Workshop family, but he rarely interacts with those outside the family.
Note: At the intersection of 47th Street and 9th Avenue, there is an unassuming service entrance, ostensibly the back door to an old laundry. However, those in the know can unlock it through a hidden mechanism, leading to a tunnel leading to the Protean Workshop family's secret workshop.
——
Recalling the information in his mind, the Mole couldn't help but admire the Moon Rabbit's work ability.
He knew that he Even as a Special Operator, I can hardly compare to Moon Rabbit in espionage. The Moon Watcher unit they've formed has already begun comprehensively building and improving the Administration's intelligence network. Combined with the Administration's lineage think tank, [Adam], this formidable network will become a terrifying Skynet.
Moon Watcher monitors all of the Administration's enemies, identifying their vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Based on these weaknesses, the Administration can create specialized targeted facilities.
"Now it's our turn. Remember the Director's words: don't make any major moves before Midwinter arrives. Exercise restraint."
Mole silently watched Reiner Shadowstep walk into the laundry.
The Director's instructions were clear and unequivocal—avoid any conflict that could attract widespread attention before Midwinter, lest it affect the Administration's subsequent actions.
So, in this operation, Mole's responsibility was simply to inflict a "bitter" on the man.
He only needed to keep him bedridden for a year or two, which was already quite merciful, considering Green Ox, also a Special Operator, was in charge of another area called "Accidents."
At this moment, everyone in the car pulled a small tube of Hidden Spectrum Memetic Potion from their pockets. They gently unscrewed the capsule, aimed it at their necks, and without hesitation, injected the full dose—entering a state of egolessness.
This state allowed them to virtually vanish from reality in a very short period of time. They became shadows, elusive to observers, yet the members of the Administration had a specialized identification system, allowing them to still detect each other.
The potion's effects took effect instantly, and their figures began to blur until they almost blended into the surroundings.
After confirming the potion's full effect, Mole opened the car door first, followed by the others. They exited, their steps steady yet almost silent, and slowly made their way toward the laundry.
********
That morning, under the radiant sunlight, Reiner Shadowstep, as usual, walked resolutely toward the unassuming service entrance. After ensuring the surroundings were clear, he mastered the hidden mechanism, and before him slowly opened the tunnel leading to the secret workshop of the Protean Workshop family.
As a family member, As the clan's senior shapeshifter, Reiner is constantly transforming, each of his features a veil concealing his true self.
Walking through the tunnel leading to the secret workshop, Reiner's thoughts raced. His life was filled with caution and strategy, every move meticulously calculated.
He opposed any form of cooperation or compromise, not only because of his deep understanding of the clan, but also because of his boundless desire for freedom.
In his view, any form of compromise was a betrayal of the clan's autonomy and traditional values.
However, today, as he watched the special circular airbag prepare for the upcoming underground shuttle, the five-minute countdown ticking on the screen seemed even longer and more agonizing than usual.
A strange impatience spread within him.
This wasn't just because the countdown... The long wait was also due to the recent pressure and urgency.
He knew that the outside world was changing, and the threats and challenges facing his family were increasing.
Especially the Administration...
Puff—
As the final second of the airbag countdown quietly ticked away, Reiner Shadowstep took a deep breath, trying to suppress the uneasiness and anxiety that welled up in his heart. He prepared to take a step forward, entering the secret passage that was about to open and embarking on a new journey.
However, at this moment, an inexplicable feeling of suffocation suddenly overcame him, as if invisible hands had grasped his neck, restraining his limbs and making him unable to move.
He instinctively tried to activate his Transfiguration to free himself from this sudden restraint, but a sharp, stinging pain suddenly spread from his waist throughout his body.
"Ugh—"
The pain was so intense that he could barely maintain consciousness. He felt so nauseous that he couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of green liquid. The mixture of pain and nausea instantly overwhelmed him.
When Reiner regained some consciousness from the sudden pain, he found himself in a desperate predicament.
Four mechanical arms had pulled him into an "X" shape, pinning him to the air. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't escape the iron-like grip.
His gaze quickly turned to the person controlling the mechanical arms. He saw that they were carrying a complex mechanical backpack, from which the four arms extended.
Then, more figures began to slowly emerge from the air, appearing like ghosts in Reiner's sight.
These figures gradually became clearer, but Reiner couldn't recall their faces. Their appearance undoubtedly meant that Reiner had fallen into some carefully laid trap. Trapped in a trap.
Reiner Shadowstep struggled to suppress his inner fear and uneasiness. He was surprised to find that he had been forcibly fixed in his form, his Transfiguration spell useless at this moment.
Though the pain in his abdomen burned like a raging fire, he forced himself to remain calm, raised his head, and attempted to negotiate with the group of people who had suddenly appeared.
The fact that they hadn't left to kill him meant they wanted something from him. All he had to do was cooperate or offer the right bargaining chips...
"I'm a senior Transfigurationist from the Everchanging Workshop in Whisper Square. I can do whatever you want..."
He tried to use his status and abilities as bargaining chips, hoping for a glimmer of hope.
However, before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by a cold and resolute voice.
"Excuse me, we hope you can remain quiet for the next few days. Don't worry, you won't die—death is a sentence reserved for the cheap.
You're lucky. You still hold value in our eyes, so you won't die."
The words cut through Reiner's heart like an icy knife, leaving him feeling a wave of despair.
He realized that this time he was facing a completely unfavorable situation.
As the words fell, Reiner's eyes were fixed on the man's hand. The man slowly pulled out a pair of brass knuckles. These were no ordinary brass knuckles, but rather the kind designed specifically for shapeshifters.
From Reiner's perspective, the brass knuckles seemed a tool for instilling fear, their appearance imbued with menace. Made of a special magical alloy, their surface covered in intricate magical runes. These ancient runes emanated a faint glow, a chilling effect.
The brass knuckles in the man's hand seemed like a "monster" designed specifically to target shapeshifters.
His feeling was correct. These brass knuckles were designed specifically for shapeshifters, and they had been designed in a single day.
-- 'Shape-Sealing Brass Knuckles-01'--
Overview: The Shape-Sealing Brass Knuckles are a set of special Specially designed combat equipment, specifically designed to target shapeshifters. Its primary function is to temporarily block a shapeshifter's abilities through physical contact, preventing them from changing forms and imprinting their current form until the seal is lifted.
Abilities:
Adjustment Mechanism: The brass knuckles feature an adjustment mechanism that allows them to adjust the seal strength based on the strength of the shapeshifter's abilities, ensuring the suitability and effectiveness of the seal.
Form Brand: While sealing a shapeshifter's abilities, the brass knuckles leave a temporary form brand on the shapeshifter, marking their current form as locked.
Usage:
Equipment: The combatant wears the Sealing Knuckles on their hand and activates the magical energy within them through specific rituals and gestures.
Execution: During hand-to-hand combat with a shapeshifter, simply touch the shapeshifter's skin with the Sealing Knuckles to activate the rune, instantly creating the seal.
Designer: Hugh Abraham.
——
Sealing brass knuckles number 01 were designed by the Director himself, and all subsequent numbers will be replicas.
The brass knuckles in Mole's hand were the ones the Director personally handed him last night, and what he had to do now was teach Reiner Shadowstep a lesson.
Let him understand the values of the Authority and the iron fist of justice.
Bang—
The moment the sealing brass knuckles made contact with his skin, Reiner's face began to contort, attempting to dispel the sudden attack.
However, the ancient magical runes emanating from the sealing brass knuckles swiftly interrupted all attempts at transformation.
This light, like an invisible chain, instantly locked Reiner's ability to transform.
A sharp uppercut struck his nose, the intense pain nearly causing him to faint.
Puff—
Just as he was about to faint, a powerful electric current from the mechanical arm restraining him awoke him, and his mind regained clarity.
And the thought of himself... He felt a chill run down his spine as he prepared to face the next treatment.
"Hold... on..."
Bang—
The following scene seemed like a meticulously choreographed slow motion sequence. The puncher seemed like a precision machine, each movement precise and imbued with power and skill.
Bang—
Bang—
Bang—
The puncher, like a machine, methodically and methodically wielded his entire body's strength and power generation techniques, swinging his fists like a slow-motion motion picture.
Finally, Reiner Shadowstep, still in human form but a puddle of "jelly," was released.
Mole pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and, with graceful and unhurried movements, wiped the brass knuckles he had just used.
After wiping, he turned his gaze to his men and gave the next order in a calm but firm voice.
"Send him to the airbag and set the shuttle time for tonight at 7:00 PM." The Mole instructed calmly.
"The basic procedure from now on will be the same as before. Take the other numbered brass knuckles and transfer a few members from the Science Society to complete the next few mission targets. Once you're done, bring them all here and place them in the airbags. The departure time is also set to 7:00 tonight."
As his command fell, the members responded in unison.
"Yes!"
…