Mechanical Alchemist

"Phew...scary..."

In the corner of the steel structure's outer wall of District Four, Su Lun was hanging there with his spider arm, gasping heavily.

He was perched forty stories up, where the wind was strong.

Looking down at his feet, he could see uniformed security teams, coat and umbrella organizations, and fully armed guards from the Mechanical City searching around the building. From time to time, someone would look up as if they had spotted traces of his climbing.

Su Lun narrowed his eyes slightly and remarked, "The intelligence tracking capabilities of the umbrella organization are indeed well-deserved."

A widely known phrase in the outer city's gangs: Be careful, even the street fruit vendor might be an informant for the umbrella organization.

Just now, Su Lun had personally experienced it.

He was walking on a street two blocks away when he suddenly noticed a fruit vendor casting a menacing glance at him.

Without hesitation, Su Lun shot the guy's head off, then spotted the military standard pistol hidden inside his fruit stall.

This sparked the fierce battle that left him hanging on the outer wall, fighting for his life.

After catching his breath for a moment, Su Lun finally had the strength to remove the alloy bulletproof plate from his chest.

He looked at his side waist, where the muscles were nearly frozen whitish, his expression slightly grave.

From the storage ring, he pulled out an "Advanced Frost Healing Potion" and injected it, slowly feeling the blood circulation in the muscle tissues of that area resuming.

His complexion gradually improved as his body temperature restored, and he began to feel warm again.

If it weren't for the ultra-light bulletproof armor, stripped from the PX-911 mechanical body's breastplate, blocking most of the frost damage, the ice cannon attack would have cost him half his life.

It must be said, the City Guard's "Frost Giant Battle Armor" was indeed troublesome.

Lucky for him, he had robbed several sets earlier and had researched them beforehand. Otherwise, he wouldn't have known its weak points, leaving him no chance to escape.

It could attack, withstand hits, and its high-pressure cannon could output a range of frost wind cannons to control targets.

With his current strength, Su Lun might have managed to kill one or two, but they didn't give him the chance for a one-on-one fight, starting with a well-trained tactical encirclement by a whole squad.

He had no choice but to flee in disarray.

Two minutes later, the medicine took full effect, the frost sensation largely dissipated, and his limbs were no longer stiff.

Su Lun tried moving his spider legs, the previous sluggish sensation also mostly gone.

He knew he couldn't hide for long hanging on this outer wall before he would be discovered.

He looked up at the "Mid-level City District," seventy or eighty stories tall, where lights dazzled brilliantly, bustling with activity.

This was the last possible escape method he could think of.

Because the "Moonlight Inn" was right above in the commercial district.

He didn't delay any longer and started climbing up the building using his spider arm.

.....

On Su Lun's first day joining the Cross Society, he witnessed the spectacular death match between "Red Demon" Goron and "Shadow Scorpion" Abaracus in the gladiator arena of the Crimson Fortress.

In the end, Goron survived, Abaracus was killed.

Abaracus was an "A-level fugitive" active in the inner city and a notoriously infamous thief.

Say what you will, but his ability to flee was indeed undeniable.

Today, Su Lun personally experienced the control of the umbrella organization in the inner city, even more astonished that Abaracus had managed to commit repeated crimes and stayed out of their grasp for so many years.

At that time, Su Lun stripped a segment of memory from Abaracus's Soul Shard: "It's a pity, the 'Sealed Item' was still in the 'Moonlight Inn' and wasn't taken out, otherwise I wouldn't have been caught."

Now driven into a corner, he remembered this obsession of Abaracus.

Thinking that such a notorious thief had confidence that with that item, he could evade the umbrella organization's search, Su Lun felt it could also solve his current predicament.

However, he was worried that if the item was no longer in the inn, then he was really in a predicament.

After all, the "Mid-level City District" is an affluent area of the inner city, where the city's defense forces are several times stronger, including a large number of high-ranking professionals.

....

The buildings in the inner city were densely packed, almost all high-rises linked with some kind of attached structure—steam pipes, sky bridges, iron frames.

This facilitated Su Lun's escape.

He climbed to the rooftop of one building and then moved to another building's outer wall via the attached structures, deliberately avoiding the crowd's attention, and soon reached the commercial district.

The good news was, "Moonlight Inn" was a very upscale inn in the inner city; he could see its pink neon sign hanging on the building from a distance away.

But the bad news was, it was right in the center of the commercial street.

Su Lun had only one choice to enter the inn, which was to walk directly across the street.

This area, called "Dunwich Commercial Street," was similar to the high-end malls from his previous life, with both sides lined with shops bearing colorful signs.

Unlike the streets in the outer city where only essential food and groceries were sold, this place had plenty of luxury stores, boutiques crowded with high-society ladies, custom suit shops popular among gentlemen, stores for bags, canes, musical instruments...

The people on the street looked wealthy and distinguished, their clothes and jewelry creating a kaleidoscope of visual impact. It made the outer city scenery feel like a scene from a black and white movie, whereas this was truly the era of color films.

As Su Lun observed the street, out of the corner of his eye in a shop window selling men's canes, he saw a cane with a silver lion handle priced at "348,888 rison"; in a jewelry store display, he glimpsed a purely ornamental diamond necklace tagged "1,256,666" rison; a silk scarf, "7,777 rison", equivalent to a three-month salary for an average worker from the outer city...

Su Lun hadn't had time to take a closer look at the bustling street when his brow suddenly furrowed.

At that moment, he realized that no sooner had he appeared on the street than several gazes began to drift over him.

But then, the corner of his mouth lifted into a relaxed smile.

He muttered to himself, "So I've been spotted already..."

This time, feeling those conspicuously malicious gazes, Su Lun didn't dodge or draw a gun.

He put on his suit jacket, tidied up the wig that had become disheveled from climbing walls, and without any motion to lower his hat brim for cover, he calmly stepped out...

The curve of his smile grew wider, suddenly turning into a radiant beam.

As joyful as a child.

Could the situation get any worse?

No, it could not.

This was his last chance.

Should he dance then?

Of course.

Adversity couldn't stop his love for this world.

Su Lun was like a dancer taking the stage, at this moment, all the spotlights were on him.

He... was the sole protagonist.

His feet moved to the soothing melody playing in the shopping mall, making a grand entrance. His steps were light, occasionally twirling to evade, his coat fluttering as he passed, offering a friendly smile to strangers he brushed past. He was like a lone waltz dancer, proud, elegant, indifferent yet composed.

"He" thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of dancing in dire situations.

At this moment, it seemed the world consisted only of the stage, the music, and the audience.

....

The plainclothes agents, uncertain if from the Umbrella Organization or the City Guard, thought Su Lun hadn't noticed them as they slowly closed in.

But after only a few steps, they clearly saw that when Su Lun adjusted his wig, he was holding a device with a red button.

Seeing the inconspicuous button, the agents' faces dramatically changed, the encirclement instantly broke, shunning any foolish thoughts of capturing him by force.

Over the communicator, urgent reports sounded.

"Retreat, immediate retreat!"

"Target spotted at 'Dunwich Commercial Street'. Suspect holds a device resembling a 'pressure detonator', awaiting instructions..."

"There are many civilians on site, do not use area-affecting weapons. Do not approach the suspect, avoid creating panic, begin evacuation from the perimeter. Elite professionals have been notified..."

"Understood."

"..."

At that moment, Su Lun's eyes saw no one else, he walked jauntily, looking around.

Just then, a colorful ball rolled to his feet.

Su Lun bent down to pick up the ball and handed it to the blonde little boy who had come chasing after it.

The little boy, dressed in a checkered vest, took the ball and politely said, "Thank you, sir."

Su Lun touched his forehead and flashed a brilliant smile, "You're welcome."

The boy's parents were a few meters away, watching their polite and adorable son with happy smiles.

"Goodbye, uncle."

"Goodbye, little friend..."

Su Lun smiled.

What a beautiful world.

Picking up the ball hadn't delayed him, but rather had lifted his spirits unexpectedly.

Clutching the red-button lighter, Su Lun slipped his hand back into his trouser pocket and swaggered toward the Moonlight Inn.

Perhaps... they would mistake it for a bomb?

Su Lun thought to himself.

But I believed it myself, who else wouldn't? Continue your saga on empire

....

Not far from the entrance of the Moonlight Inn was a boutique jewelry store with dazzling displays in the window.

This was a store that young girls loved to visit.

Just then, a teenage girl with black hair and another with blonde hair happened to walk out of the shop together.

"Miss Lena, I heard you went to the outer city yesterday? The outer city is dangerous, why would you want to go to a place like that..."

"Mm. Went to broaden my horizons."

"What is there to learn from a place filled with sin, dirt, and plague?"

"Julia, the outer city isn't as bad as you think. I found out it's not as horrible as everyone says."

"Impossible... My mother says the outer city is a paradise for gangs and criminals, where poverty drives them to commit unconscionable, irrational acts like kidnapping, child trafficking, and it's dangerous for young girls like us... I would never leave the city in my lifetime."

"..."

Hearing her best friend speak such words, Lena's mind suddenly flashed an image of Baldy, and she muttered softly, "Gangs... there are good people too."

The blonde girl argued, "There can't be!"

"There are..."

At that moment, Lena was about to argue further when suddenly someone on the street shouted her name, "Miss Lena!"

Lena looked up to see a stranger approaching her.

She felt the voice was familiar, yet she furrowed her brows, as if struggling to remember.

Because she had never seen this face before.

At that moment, a burly bodyguard nearby noticed her expression and immediately stepped in front of her.

....

Su Lun hadn't expected to run into Lena, who was out shopping, by such a coincidence.

He wasn't intimidated by the bodyguard who suddenly moved next to Lena. Instead, he smiled and waved at her like an old friend, "Hey, Miss Lena, long time no see."

Lena had just felt she didn't recognize this person, but upon hearing his voice, a look of surprise suddenly appeared in her twinkling big eyes, and she blurted out, "Mr. Su Lun!"

Su Lun, without his smokey makeup, actually had a very appealing look.

Dressed in a tailored suit, his every move exuded elegance and ease. The gentle, confident smile on his face made one feel warmly welcomed.

Looking at Su Lun, who had suddenly changed styles, Lena asked hesitantly, "Mr. Su Lun... you..."

She originally wanted to ask why Su Lun had changed like this, but instead asked, "What brings you here?"

Julia, seeing the distinguished Su Lun, was also curious when her best friend had met such a handsome man, and asked with keen interest, "Lena, who is this...?"

Su Lun had an air of resolute charisma, sharply different from that of a coddled aristocrat, which made him suddenly stand out.

After a moment, Lena introduced, "Mr. Su Lun... is my friend."

Su Lun naturally bowed, took the blonde girl's slowly extended delicate hand and kissed it, saying, "Oh, beautiful Miss, the dimple that appears when you smile is truly captivating..."

A smooth-talker indeed, daughters of nobility had seen too many flirts.

But at this moment, Julia oddly felt, in this man's eyes, none of the repulsion she expected.

She withdrew her kissed hand, returning the gesture elegantly, "Thank you for your compliment."

Recognizing him truly as her Miss's friend, the second-tier professional bodyguard also quietly stepped back some distance.

Lena was still curious about why Su Lun had suddenly come to the inner city, and asked again, "Mr. Su Lun..."

But before she could finish, a pair of hands suddenly looped around her shoulders like they belonged to an extremely close friend.

Su Lun's sudden intimate action made Lena's charming face stiffen, and she wanted to say something, but her mind went blank.

Before her mind could react, she felt a burst of warmth by her ear as Su Lun whispered, "Don't move, help me with something."

Hearing this, Miss Lena didn't know why she suddenly felt less nervous.

It was as if she was back in the dungeon where that man would always command her to do things, but each time, he saved her life.

....

Su Lun was not here to flirt. Just a second ago, he had realized he was being targeted by a high-level professional.

The look in those eyes was incredibly dangerous.

Su Lun was certain that his adversary wasn't going to give him the time to head to the inn to look for the sealed artifact.

He would seize the opportunity to strike at any moment.

Therefore, he needed a presence that would make his opponent hesitate to attack.

He had originally planned to randomly pick some rich young master on the street, but then he encountered an even more suitable Miss Lena.

In terms of importance, the daughter of the Leis family was naturally the perfect choice.

...

When abducting Miss Lena, Su Lun didn't forget to turn his head and cheerfully say to her friend, "Beautiful lady, do you mind if I borrow your good friend for a little while?"

Julia honestly thought they were close friends and smiled broadly, "Of course~"

Su Lun returned a friendly smile, then led Miss Lena away.

Only Miss Lena, the person involved, was still completely baffled.

After all, this wasn't just any monster-filled dungeon, but a public place. She felt it was somewhat improper for a man to be holding her neck like this, especially since she was the daughter of the Leis family.

Especially in front of her own friend and bodyguards.

Could it be that this was how friends greeted each other in the outer city?

Her cheeks slightly flushed, her mind whirled for a moment, then she took the initiative and asked, "Mr. Su Lun, you... do you need my help with anything?"

Su Lun was blunt, "I've been targeted, and the situation is very dangerous."

"Ah?"

Miss Lena looked up at his still-smiling face, hardly able to believe that his casual tone matched the urgent situation he was describing.

But then she remembered his usual demeanor in the dungeon and it all made sense.

Thinking it over, she timidly asked, "Then... then how can I help you?"

Su Lun gave a faint smile and said straightforwardly, "You're being kidnapped."

"???"

His sudden shift in topic made Miss Lena feel as if her brain had short-circuited, rendering her incapable of thought.

Kidnapped?

A moment later, it finally connected.

So, being held by the neck meant she was being kidnapped?

No wonder Mr. Su Lun was acting so oddly.

It suddenly dawned on her. Yet, she didn't feel the slightest bit of alarm at having become a "hostage."

Instead, due to their skin contact, she smelled the faint scent of blood on Su Lun and guessed that behind his calm demeanor, the situation was indeed very dire.

Miss Lena thought for a moment, then weakly asked, "Then... then... do I need to cooperate with you in any way?"

"No need, just follow me."

Su Lun spoke and, glancing at his very cooperative hostage, felt quite pleased. He thought again and added, "Um... if possible, you might show a little more anxiety."

As he spoke, Su Lun was already pulling Miss Lena into the gate of "Moonlight Inn."

Only then did Miss Lena belatedly respond with an "Oh."

....

Not far away, Miss Lena's friend Julia was already stunned.

When you said "borrow a bit of time," is this what you meant?

Heading straight to the inn?

Showing off like this in front of a single lady, is that really okay?