Eight fluid slashes enveloped the pale male agent like a tempest of blades.
Yet just as Richard's Masamune was about to slice through his opponent and reduce him to pieces, the male agent vanished in an instant, leaving behind only strange black mist in his wake.
Teleportation!
Like Richard, this pale male agent possessed the ability to teleport. Not only that, but his teleportation ability was even more advanced than Richard's Blinkstep mutant power.
The razor-sharp Masamune merely cut through the strange black mist-like residue without inflicting any harm on the male agent.
Octoslash!
Failed.
Richard's expression grew serious.
This was the first time since crossing into this world that his Octoslash had missed its target. Additionally, the black mist left behind by the male agent's teleportation reminded him of two specific individuals.
Azazel, and Nightcrawler!
When Azazel and Nightcrawler performed teleportation, they too left behind a strange gaseous residue—one red, one blue.
Could this really be true teleportation? Richard inwardly groaned.
Although they all possessed teleportation abilities, the powers wielded by Azazel and Nightcrawler were fundamentally different from his Blinkstep. Put simply, their teleportation abilities were vastly superior to his own.
Even after being enhanced, Richard's current Blinkstep range was limited to 500 meters. The teleportation range of Azazel and Nightcrawler extended far beyond that. Even Nightcrawlers who hadn't fully mastered teleportation and could only transport within their line of sight could easily cover 2 to 3 miles in a single jump. Once they fully mastered the ability, Nightcrawlers could teleport to any location at will.
As for Azazels—they were in another league entirely. Azazel could easily travel 3,000 miles in ten minutes, even while transporting others.
In previous battles, Richard had relied on Blinkstep to move quickly and attack enemies unexpectedly. Now, he faced an opponent whose teleportation ability exceeded his own.
The pale male agent could use teleportation to dodge his Octaslash, which meant landing hits with Gravesong, Zanshin, or Skyshatter would prove equally difficult. As for Thundaga, Blizzaga, or Firaga Those were even less likely to connect.
Would he be limited to using only Judgement Cut End and Phantom Sword?
Though Richard still possessed numerous X-gene mutant powers, most would be unlikely to hit a target that could teleport at will. Unless he could somehow interrupt his opponent's teleportation ability...
Damn! I hate enemies with teleportation abilities! Richard cursed silently.
Despite his frustration, he needed to formulate a strategy. Otherwise, this elusive teleporter would make the coming battle chaotic and unpredictable.
Moreover, the female agent who stood motionless, seemingly withholding her powers, gave Richard an ominous feeling.
To use gaming terminology, the male agent who could transform into a giant was clearly a tank and fighter, while the teleporting male agent fit the role of an assassin.
That meant the remaining female agent was likely either a mage specialized in long-range attacks or a support character who protected and enhanced her teammates. Neither possibility boded well for Richard.
Her presence would make eliminating the two male agents significantly more challenging.
Richard quickly devised a tactic—one that would allow him to swiftly neutralize the teleporting agent. He raised his Masamune and addressed Jean and Wolverine, who were still hesitating about whether to join the fray:
"This is a personal vendetta between me and the Department of Mutant Affairs. It has nothing to do with you. Stay out of my fight."
On the surface, having Jean and Wolverine join the battle would effectively divide his opponents' attention. But Richard deliberately kept them away, knowing their involvement would diminish the effectiveness of his newly formulated strategy.
As expected, upon hearing his words, Jean and Wolverine immediately retreated with Clarice and the mutant children to a safer distance.
Once they were far enough away, Richard danced with his Masamune, fixing his gaze on the female agent whose powers remained unknown.
Shift Slash!
Without hesitation, he activated his Shift Slash technique and instantly appeared behind the female agent, swinging his Masamune toward her neck.
Though he didn't know what powers this female agent possessed, that didn't stop him from identifying her as the weak point in their formation. Ideally, he could eliminate her immediately. If not, he could use her to execute the tactic he'd just formulated.
As Richard's blade arced through the air, the teleporting male agent materialized directly in front of him.
Instead of trying to block Richard's Masamune, the agent drove his dagger straight toward Richard's heart—a textbook diversion tactic, forcing Richard to defend himself and abandon his assault on the female agent. It was a lethal counterattack meant to turn offense into the best defense.
In the male agent's calculation, Richard would likely teleported away to avoid the dagger. If he didn't, even if he succeeded in killing the female agent, his heart would be pierced in the process.
But the male agent had severely underestimated Richard—or more precisely, he had no concept of how many mutant powers Richard now possessed.
Richard currently commanded four Alpha-level X-gene abilities: Plunder, Super Strength, Enhanced Durability, and Accelerated Healing.
His Enhanced Durability and Self-Healing abilities alone allowed him to disregard the dagger attack entirely. Richard's physical resilience had reached a point where his body could repel bullets. Even armor-piercing rounds from a large-caliber anti-material sniper rifle might fail to penetrate his skin.
Even if the agent's dagger somehow possessed greater penetrative force than armor-piercing bullets, Richard had no reason to fear death. Beyond his Enhanced Durability with its extraordinary defense, he also possessed Self-Healing abilities that surpassed both Sabretooth and Wolverine. Even a pierced heart wouldn't prove fatal.
In an instant, the black dagger in the male agent's hand struck Richard's left chest—and the agent's expression morphed into one of utter disbelief.
It couldn't penetrate!
Despite exerting his full strength, the agent's dagger couldn't breach Richard's skin. It was like trying to pierce an impenetrable alloy.
Realizing this, the male agent immediately prepared to teleport away. But Richard's counterattack arrived first.
Mind Whip!
Rather than employing one of his sephiroth moves, Richard unleashed the psychic mutant power he had Plundered just the night before.
The male agent, on the verge of teleporting, was suddenly wracked with mental agony beyond anything he had ever experienced. His entire body convulsed involuntarily as though subjected to a powerful electric current.
The unexpected, excruciating pain disrupted his attempted teleportation.
Got you!
After using Mind Whip to interrupt the male agent's teleportation, Richard pivoted his left wrist, and the Masamune—originally intended for the female agent—slashed toward the male agent with blinding speed.
Octoslash!
Once again, Richard executed Sephiroth's signature technique. But this time, the eight lightning-fast slashes found their mark, carving the male agent's body into eight pieces and reducing him to fragments of varying sizes.
...
==============================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
=============================================