# Chapter 123
Alex, who had gone upstairs to deal with the superpower users unaffected by the sleeping gas, frowned as soon as he assessed the situation.
“Hey… this is why summoners are such a pain.”
While the crowd of people was a problem, the more pressing issue was the summoned creatures densely blocking the way ahead.
The person at the far end must have been a summoner, as all sorts of strange creatures were swarming around. Alex let out a tired sigh.
“You guys handle the rear.”
The rear only had summoned creatures, so it was relatively easier to deal with. Summoned creatures had lower intelligence and weaker power.
In contrast, there were too many people to face at the front. Not only were there many superpower users gathered, but also superpower users famous for their skills were mixed in.
“Understood!”
However, the organization members trusted Alex so absolutely that they agreed immediately without any objection. Alex watched them fighting against the summoned creatures before turning to face his own opponents.
“I wonder who’ll carry me if I faint.”
It seemed this would be a long battle.
—Zenon is heading your way, so just hang in there a little longer.
Fenil, knowing how troublesome the enemy was, didn’t make any unreasonable requests. Alex hadn’t seen Zenon since before Kay’s death.
“It’ll be nice to see him after so long.”
Alex had only heard bits and pieces, so he was starting to look forward to meeting Zenon. He hummed as he spoke, then slowly closed and opened his eyes.
Alex’s calm eyes absorbed a blue light, like a lake reflecting light.
Just from that alone, all living beings and objects in front of him floated into the air. From that state, Alex began to crush all the summoned creatures as if sorting them. Since he had to keep the heroes alive, he blocked their airways instead.
One by one, those who were choking and suffering lost consciousness and collapsed. But not all of them were like that. Since some were still holding out, Alex had no choice but to draw out more of his ability, and his breathing became increasingly rapid.
“They just keep coming endlessly.”
The summoner continued using their ability, as if they needed to attack somehow. Just when Alex thought he had blocked them with telekinesis, something else would be summoned, so his stamina couldn’t help but decrease. At this rate, he would become exhausted, so Alex resolved to deal with the summoner first.
Alex thoroughly examined the summoner. By continuously watching without even blinking, he was able to identify something strange. It seemed odd that the summoner was still fine despite surely suffering as well, and it turned out they were being protected by a barrier.
“Why are there so many of these barrier users?”
Alex sighed and applied pressure to the person he presumed to be the barrier user. As the attack intensified, the composed appearance disappeared, and the woman who had been struggling eventually fainted.
The barrier protecting the summoner disappeared, confirming that the person he had dealt with was indeed a barrier user. Alex gritted his teeth as he watched the summoner’s face turning pale. Thanks to his strained use of superpowers, he was also able to make the summoner faint.
“Ah… I’m dying.”
It would be nothing if they were ordinary people, but they were all superpower users. That made it particularly difficult to make them faint. Still, he thought this should be wrapping up now.
“Sir! Several people are heading your way!”
At the urgent words of an organization member, Alex turned around, certain that he would soon faint himself. It was obvious he would faint if he used his ability any more.
But at that moment, a transparent barrier stopped Alex. He could immediately recognize what it was.
“Oh, you came quickly?”
“Had to come quickly.”
Despite the serious situation, Alex casually waved his hand to greet Zenon. His loose hair tie snapped, and his silver thread-like hair settled in the air. Zenon wiped the sweat on his forehead and exhaled his inadequate breath.
Fortunately, he wasn’t late because he had clenched his teeth and rushed over as soon as he realized Alex was in danger.
The other organization members also seemed to relax as Zenon trapped all the enemies in barriers, and they sat down on the ground.
“Can you maintain it?”
“I don’t think I… can, but I’ll try.”
To Alex’s question, as he was receiving healing from Reina, an A-class healing ability user, Zenon nodded despite his lack of confidence.
“I’ll just handle the rest from here. Reina, please help Zenon recover.”
“Understood.”
Alex got up from his seat, loosening his body by rotating his shoulders. He stared at those hitting the barrier.
“It would be troublesome if they get up again, so should I damage their ankles?”
“Okay.”
Those who had fainted were somewhat fortunate. They could become somewhat numb to the pain. But those people over there who were still wide awake would have to endure the pain fully.
Alex could have made them faint before breaking their bones, but he didn’t particularly want to do that. When Ben released the barrier, Alex manifested his telekinesis again and applied force to their wrists and ankles. He thought it would be good to break their wrists too, just in case.
Of course, he adjusted it so that they would only fracture, allowing for quicker recovery. People screamed and struggled to escape, but Alex didn’t withdraw his ability until they all fainted.
—Alex, the laboratory is also in a dangerous state.
“They’re swarming like ants.”
He had planned to rest a bit before going, but there seemed to be no time for that. Since he was supposed to move the test subjects together with Zenon, Alex looked at Zenon who was receiving healing.
“Can you go?”
“Yeah, no problem.”
He must have recovered considerably, as Zenon’s condition certainly looked better. Alex nodded and spoke to Reina.
“Reina, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Understood.”
She disappeared with organization members to deal with other superpower users. Reina was an excellent subordinate, so she would be able to judge the situation wisely.
“Shall we go then?”
“…Yeah.”
Alex extended his hand toward Zenon, who was sitting down. Zenon, who had been staring at it with a complex gaze, soon took his hand.
* * *
Kay, who was carrying Alice while dealing with those being controlled, asked Ben.
“Don’t you think there’s no need for you to participate?”
All he had asked of Ben was to take the position of the next director after this was over. Although he had requested some information for the operation, there was no need for Ben to directly engage in combat.
“I don’t like just dipping my toes in. Besides, if I stayed still, I would have been caught.”
“Caught?”
“There is a place like hell.”
Ben frowned as if he didn’t want to think about it. It seems Peace had noticed something was off about him lately and had tried to put him in a punishment room, which he barely escaped from. It was called punishment, but it was no different from a torture chamber. They wouldn’t let you out until your mind was broken.
“Is that why you’re in disguise too?”
With white hair, red eyes, and wearing a mask, Ben’s identity would be difficult to discern without keen observation.
“That’s part of it, but I thought it would be better not to reveal my appearance for later.”
Ben swung his foot toward an approaching enemy. When his foot hit the jaw, the opponent collapsed immediately.
Watching this, Kay nodded. Indeed, if rumors spread that Ben had participated in an enemy organization’s operation, his position as the next director could be jeopardized.
“Who are they being controlled by?”
“The only person who could do this would be the Director…”
Being controlled, they wouldn’t fall by ordinary means. Even if they were knocked out completely, as long as they had the strength to open their eyes, they would immediately attack, so Kay and Ben’s stamina was inevitably being chipped away.
“I thought he was immortal.”
“Yeah, but he’s a person who keeps a lot of secrets.”
It was at that moment when Ben was glancing at Kay’s condition while answering. A slight opening appeared for Ben, and the opponent took advantage of it to attack him.
The bullet was flying directly toward Ben’s heart. Seeing this, Kay moved his body immediately without even thinking.
The bullet lodged into Kay’s arm as he blocked in front of Ben. Though he could have collapsed, he let out a faint groan and skillfully removed the bullet.
“Are you crazy?”
After quickly taking down the opponent, Ben hurriedly checked Kay’s condition. No matter how good his regeneration was, Kay’s body couldn’t help but be under great strain.
“I’m fine, really.”
But once again, Kay moved his body toward the approaching enemies as if it was nothing.
“What kind of combat method is this?”
“It’s the most effective way.”
Ben, filled with anger, swung his fist at the opponent. He couldn’t understand Kay’s method. Kay, who gave his body without a moment’s hesitation, was like a weapon.
In fact, for Kay, it was unavoidable. The combat style of offering his body, trusting in his regeneration ability, had already become a habit. Although he was trying to suppress it as much as possible, in urgent moments like earlier, his body moves instinctively.
“…This won’t do.”
Ben, who had been listening to Kay, let out a deep sigh. After roughly brushing up his hair, he stopped.
Kay looked at him, not understanding this behavior. Ben’s eyes, glowing purple, filled Kay’s vision.
Ben slowly opened his mouth toward those who kept swarming in. The flow of air changed in an instant, and a cold chill settled around him.
“Sleep.”
It was a simple word, but it was like a kind of spell. His voice resonated like that of a god, not a human voice.
Those who heard Ben’s words began to slow down gradually. They all looked at Ben before collapsing like lifeless puppets.
This wasn’t a power that could be achieved with ordinary mind control. Kay, who had been blankly watching those who were fainting, hurriedly turned his head.
“What is this—”
“I was experimented on even after manifestation. So I can use a stronger ability.”
Kay’s expression gradually distorted. Not only was the content of what Ben said problematic, but blood was flowing from his mouth.
“Blood…”
“There are some side effects.”
He opened his mouth and coughed up blood. Bloody water splattered across the corridor. His complexion, cooling rapidly, easily revealed that the ability he just used was directly linked to his life.
“I could have done it…”
“I’m weak to you.”
Ben gave an empty smile, as if it couldn’t be helped. He didn’t want to see Kay suffering. Like an imprint, he couldn’t erase the memory of being given a ray of light.
“That’s why I hate seeing you fight that way.”
As long as that memory doesn’t disappear, he will continue to make such choices. Even if his whole body breaks and is damaged.
That’s how special Kay’s existence was to him.
