Chapter 162 A formidable opponent
In the blink of an eye, Elbert was back in his original position, as if he'd never moved. Light sweat was the only indication of the exertion he'd just displayed.
"Is he…?" Jessica stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
"Gone, but not dead," Robert confirmed. "At least, not yet. Call an ambulance, Elbert. We don't want him dying just yet."
"You have enough energy for another 177 seconds of Consciousness Liberation," Robert added. "Want to go after Steven?"
"No," Elbert replied, his voice calm, almost detached.
He took a deep breath, letting the aftershocks of the liberation subside. It was exhilarating, almost intoxicating; this complete control over his body and mind. But it was also dangerous, like wielding a weapon far too powerful for his current skill level. Killing Spade K had been effortless, instinctive. Almost too easy.
"Don't overthink it, Elbert," Robert reassured him. "Consciousness Liberation is a natural ability of your kind, a trait of a higher life form. It's like… well, it's like humans eating meat. They don't agonize over the life taken, they simply accept it as a natural part of their existence."
Elbert nodded slowly, understanding dawning. He'd felt that detachment himself, one that bordered on indifference. It was unsettling, yet strangely liberating. However, until he mastered this power and learned to control its instincts,, he couldn't afford to indulge in it.
"Disengage Consciousness Liberation," he commanded, feeling the familiar weight of his human limitations settle back upon him.
It was then that Jessica and Steven seemed to snap out of their stunned silence. They stared at the scene before them, their faces pale, and eyes wide with a terror that bordered on madness.
Spade K, the invincible monster, lay broken on the floor, his chest barely rising. His blood pooled around him like a crimson halo.
They hadn't even seen Elbert move. Spade K was a terrifying force in one moment, then he was a crumpled heap of flesh and bones the next.
Jessica's gaze darted to Elbert, her eyes filled with awe and fear. This unassuming young man, who she'd initially dismissed as just another pawn in their twisted game, had just effortlessly dismantled one of the Card Club's most feared assassins.
Steven, his face ashen and his bravado gone, seemed to shrink in on himself. He'd witnessed firsthand the insurmountable difference in their abilities. Against Spade K, he might've stood a chance, albeit a slim one. But against Elbert… he was nothing.
"How about we continue our little experiment?" Elbert asked, his voice deceptively mild. He turned to Steven, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "You keep trying to fry my brain, and I'll keep studying your little toy."
"Jessica is innocent," Steven roared, his voice cracking with desperation. "I take full responsibility! Don't hurt her!"
He spun toward the window, intending to escape. However, Elbert was faster.
He took a single step, closing the distance between them with impossible speed. His fist, with a force beyond human capacity, landed on Steven's shoulder and sent him flying backwards.
Steven crashed through the window, glass shattering around him and landing hard on the street below. However, he was up in an instant, scrambling to his feet, his survival instincts overriding the pain.
Elbert moved to follow, but a sudden weight on his leg stopped him in his tracks.
Rex, with glazed eyes and a slack face, clung to Elbert's ankle and giggled like a child. "Stay… play with me…" he mumbled, his words slurred.
"How… inconvenient," Elbert muttered, his patience wearing thin. He lifted his leg, sending Rex flying across the room. The unfortunate man crashed into a wall with a thud, the impact knocking him unconscious.
Elbert turned back to the window, ready to resume his pursuit. However, a sudden commotion in the street below made him pause.
Several cars were swerving erratically,their engines revving wildly. Their drivers seemed oblivious to the danger they posed as they slammed into each other, metal screeching against metal and creating a chaotic blockade.
Elbert narrowed his eyes, recognizing Steven's handiwork. The fleeing cyborg had used his brainwave manipulation to create a diversion, turning innocent bystanders into unwitting pawns in his desperate escape.
"How smart the system is," Robert commented, a hint of grudging respect in his voice. "His control is crude, but effective. He can't directly control their actions, but he can influence their perceptions, create distractions, and sow chaos."
Elbert scanned the street, but Steven was gone, vanished into the maze of alleyways and side streets.
"He's gone," Robert confirmed, his voice tinged with disappointment. "He's a slippery one, that's for sure. But don't underestimate him, Elbert. His powers might seem simple, even mundane; in the right hands, they can be incredibly dangerous."
Elbert nodded, filing away the information. He returned to the villa, leaving behind a scene of utter chaos and bewildered drivers wondering how they'd ended up in a five-car pileup.
Jessica sat on the floor, her face pale and body trembling. She looked up at Elbert, her eyes filled fear and gratitude.
Elbert glanced at her before continuing on his way, stepping over Spade K's unconscious form as if he were nothing more than a discarded rag doll. He retrieved Spade K playing card, tucking it into his pocket as a grim souvenir.
He walked out of the villa and into the night, contacting Leonard with a request to clean up the mess. He didn't elaborate on the details, knowing the seasoned detective had seen enough to last a lifetime.
Back in the lab, Elbert wasted no time. "Robert," he said, his voice filled with a newfound determination, "Begin the lesson. I want to master Consciousness Liberation completely."
"Are you sure, Elbert?" Robert asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "It's a lot of power to handle. It could consume you."
"I have to try," Elbert insisted, his jaw set. "I need to be ready. For anything."
Robert conceded. "Very well. However, I'll need to upgrade my own systems first. I need more processing power and more data. This is going to be… intense."
"How long it will take?" Elbert asked, his impatience growing.
"Three… two… one…" Robert's voice became a distorted blur. "Initiating sequence upgrade. Acquiring data… processing… expanding…"
The lab hummed with energy, the air crackling with anticipation. Elbert stood tall, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. He had a long way to go, but he wouldn't be deterred. He would master this power and use it to protect those he cared about, no matter what.
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