NOVEL NEXT Chapter 503: Old Friend
Australia's strongest awakened and government officials watched in real time through multiple surveillance feeds as the massive ice dome that had enclosed their champion began to slowly disintegrate. The ice barrier that had resisted their combined assault with casual indifference was dissolving from the top down, each layer vanishing like morning frost under sunlight.
The assembled awakened immediately shifted into combat-ready positions, their enhanced reflexes preparing for whatever might emerge from the collapsing structure. But even as they readied their most powerful abilities, questions raced through their minds with urgent intensity.
"Did that person dispel the barrier himself, or were our attacks finally accumulating enough damage to breach it?" Sarah Windcaller asked through her communication equipment, her talent already building pressure for immediate deployment.
Marcus Stormforge shook his head with grim certainty. "No way our attacks were having any effect. If anything, that barrier was getting stronger with each assault we launched against it. This dissolution is deliberate; either the person inside chose to end whatever was happening, or there was some kind of predetermined duration."
The A-rankers exchanged glances that reflected shared uncertainty about options. If their combined S-rank level assault had proven completely ineffective, what could they possibly do against someone who possessed such overwhelming defensive capabilities?
"There's no point speculating about the barrier's mechanics," the strike team leader declared with forced tone. "We need to focus on what matters—determining Leroy's condition and ensuring his safety."
But their primary concern wasn't the mysterious individual's capabilities or the dome's dissolution mechanics. They had to worry about what existed inside that ice prison and whether Australia's most valuable fighter was still alive.
Soon, as the last remnants of ice vapour cleared from the air, they were greeted with a sight that defied every expectation their planning had prepared them for.
Leroy stood casually next to Arthur, both individuals appearing completely unharmed and relaxed. There were no signs of struggle, no indication of coercion or violence, no evidence that any confrontation had occurred within the dome's confines.
The assembled Australian forces frowned deeply as they processed this unexpected development. This absolutely wasn't what they had anticipated finding when the barrier dissolved.
Leroy was supposed to be injured, unconscious, or on the brink of death after being trapped with someone whose power had rendered their rescue attempts meaningless. Yet here he stood, apparently unharmed and positioned beside the mysterious figure in a manner that suggested conversation rather than captivity.
More disturbing was Leroy's body language—he wasn't displaying any of the tension, fear, or defensive positioning that would be expected from someone who had just survived a life-threatening encounter with a hostile individual.
They couldn't attack even if they wanted to. Any assault that might harm Leroy was absolutely prohibited, and the mysterious figure's demonstrated defensive capabilities made successful offense questionable anyway.
"Leroy!" Sarah called out with some anxiety in her tone. "What's going on? Are you injured? What happened inside that barrier?"
Her eyes remained fixed on the mysterious figure standing beside Australia's champion—someone who seemed completely nonchalant despite facing the concentrated attention of Australia's strongest awakened forces. Tens of A-rank operatives and three S-rank champions represented enough firepower to level cities, yet this individual showed no signs of concern or defensive preparation.
Marcus's enhanced senses were analysing every detail of the scene before them, searching for clues about the mysterious individual's capabilities or intentions. "Just who can remain this calm when confronting such overwhelming force?" he muttered with growing unease.
The person beside Leroy carried themselves with confidence. It was as if he viewed multiple S-rank awakened as minor inconveniences rather than any potential threats. Such an attitude suggested either complete delusion or power that exceeded their understanding of what individual capability could achieve.
Although they leaned towards the former. Someone with such overwhelming power wouldn't be deluded, and if he were, then his 'delusions' were a reality.
Leroy's response shocked every member of the assembled Australian forces.
Leroy faced the Australian team, his stance firm and his eyes focused. "He's an old friend."
Leroy's calm reassurance carried no trace of deception or coercion. "You don't have to worry about any threats or hostile intentions. He has important business to attend to, so he'll be leaving shortly."
The explanation seemed designed to defuse tension while providing minimal actual information about what had transpired during their private meeting.
"He simply created that barrier for privacy during our conversation," Leroy continued as he walked toward the S-rank awakened with the comfortable stride of someone returning from a normal social interaction rather than potentially life-threatening captivity.
The S-rank awakened, with their extensive combat experience and enhanced perception, were naturally not convinced by such casual explanations. How could they accept that someone with the power to casually create impenetrable barriers was merely an "old friend" conducting social visits?
"Old friend?" Sarah repeated with obvious scepticism. "Leroy, no one on our intelligence databases possesses the kind of capabilities we just witnessed. Where exactly did you meet this individual, and why weren't we informed about such a powerful contact?"
But even as they questioned Leroy's explanation, a more disturbing possibility began forming in their tactical assessments.
Marcus's eyes narrowed as paranoid scenarios appeared in his consciousness. "What if Leroy is being controlled somehow? What if he's under the influence of psychological manipulation or illusion magic that's making him perceive this situation differently from reality?"
The thought sent chills through the assembled forces as they considered the implications. If someone possessed the ability to control S-rank awakened through mental influence, then things had just become a lot more complicated than they were.
"Sarah...step back and prepare defensive positions. We need to assume potential hostile mental manipulation until proven otherwise." Marcus frowned deeply as he assumed a defensive, alert position.
Immediately, both S-rank awakened beings began activating their most powerful defensive abilities while positioning themselves to launch a coordinated assault if Leroy showed any signs of being compromised or controlled.
"Leroy, remain where you are and don't approach any closer!" Sarah called out with a concerned tone.
She didn't want this to escalate, and she resonated with Marcus's explanation.