Mihara possessed the ability to share pain sensations with others.
Although her appearance seemed innocent and pure, deep down, she was like a masochist.
"Don't worry, it'll only hurt a little. Before long, you'll get used to it."
Mihara's gaze fell on Anis, the corners of her mouth curving into a smile filled with unsettling excitement.
"Watch out!"
Sensing something was wrong, Rapi quickly issued a warning.
She had already seen the earlier scene where the mass-produced Nikkes collapsed without visible injuries, and had already figured out that their opponents possessed some special ability.
But it was too late.
"Enough nonsense!"
Syuen impatiently pulled out a pistol and, without even looking, fired a shot into Mihara's stomach.
"Bang—!"
The crisp sound of the gunshot echoed.
Nothing happened.
The expected scene of agonizing screams failed to materialize.
Not only was Mihara stunned, but even Syuen froze for a moment.
Anis turned her head, looking puzzled as she asked Mo Chen.
"Commander, what are they doing?"
"A circus act?"
Neon also leaned in, curious.
The crowd stared at Syuen like she was an idiot.
Syuen paused, embarrassed by the bewildered stares around her, and snapped angrily at Mihara.
"Mihara! What's going on?!"
Mihara was just as confused. Under Syuen's murderous glare, she started to panic.
"I… I don't—"
Before she could finish, Syuen, still enraged, raised the gun and fired again, giving Mihara no chance to explain.
"AAAAAHHHH—!"
A wretched scream rang out.
But the scream didn't come from Anis; it came from Syuen herself!
Syuen shrieked, clutching her stomach as she fell to the ground, writhing in pain.
Yuni was dumbfounded.
Mihara was stunned, staring blankly at the smoking bullet hole in her stomach. She was sure she had activated her ability on Anis.
The absurdity of the scene left everyone present bewildered.
What exactly are they doing?
The group exchanged confused looks.
Suddenly, Anis clapped her hands, as if she'd figured something out, her face lighting up with realization.
"I get it now."
Everyone turned to look at her.
"They're trying to fake an injury for compensation."
"Fake injury?"
Neon tilted her head in confusion. "What's that?"
"It's when someone pretends to be hurt to scam you for money."
"Oh."
"MIHARA!!!!"
Syuen, still clutching her stomach, glared at Mihara with gritted teeth, her face twisted in fury.
"Scrap metal!!"
Syuen pulled the trigger again, firing another shot at Mihara.
"Bang—!"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH—!"
Another agonized scream echoed through the room.
This time, Syuen collapsed directly to her knees, clutching her stomach, her face pale with pain. The pistol slipped from her trembling hands and fell to the ground with a clatter.
"Oh my, does this lady have some special preferences?"
Anis teased, pretending to be shocked. She even feigned concern, placing her hand on her chin as though she were pondering.
"If you're short on cash, I can lend you some. Is a hundred bucks enough?"
Even if Anis didn't understand exactly what Syuen was doing, her actions made it clear she wasn't up to anything good.
Neon, playing along, widened her eyes in mock astonishment.
"Ah, that can't be! Miss Syuen is a CEO. She wouldn't act like one of those weirdos, right?"
"How are you so sure that she's really Syuen?"
A calm, clear voice broke through the scene. Everyone turned toward the source.
It was Mo Chen, smiling faintly as he looked down at the writhing Syuen on the ground.
That's right, it was Mo Chen who had interfered!
Mihara's power focused on mental control, but unfortunately for them, the Punishing Virus also had similar properties—only far more vicious.
With a mere thought, Mo Chen redirected the mental attack's target.
"Nowadays, scammers are everywhere. How can you be so sure that this is actually Miss Syuen and not some impostor pretending to be her?"
Mo Chen's sharp question left everyone present momentarily stunned.
That made sense.
Anis, as though telepathically linked to Mo Chen, immediately caught on.
"Yeah, that's right! Scammers are all over the place these days. If any random stray cat or dog came here claiming to be Syuen, wouldn't our base turn into a garbage dump?"
Mo Chen turned to Rapi at the perfect moment and asked calmly.
"Did we receive any notice from the Ark about dispatched personnel?"
"No."
Anis grinned mischievously and chimed in, "Well, here's the question then: how do you prove you're Syuen and not just some fraud looking to scam us?"
"F*&%#...$&%@!!!"
Syuen, clutching her stomach in pain, pointed at them while hurling curses.
Mihara and Yuni panicked, rushing to help her up.
Syuen shoved them away angrily, her eyes filled with resentment.
"Scrap heap! Useless junk! I'll deal with all of you sooner or later!!!"
Although she didn't fully understand what had happened, she was certain Mo Chen was behind it. Her rage shifted directly to him.
She raised her gun and pointed it at Mo Chen.
Blinded by anger, she had lost all reason.
Anis reacted swiftly, stepping in front of Mo Chen to shield him.
"Bang—!"
The crisp sound of a gunshot echoed.
The bullet was caught mid-air.
But it wasn't Anis who stopped it.
It was Mo Chen.
Somehow, he had already appeared in front of Anis.
His expression was dark, though he wore a faint smile. However, his gaze was icy cold.
If the shot had landed as intended, Anis' head would have been blown apart.
It was a precise shot—clearly meant to kill.
"Commander…"
Anis rushed forward, worried about Mo Chen's injury.
Mihara and Yuni moved instinctively, but cold metal pressed against their temples, halting them in place.
It was Rapi and Neon who had stepped in.
Mo Chen opened his palm.
"Clink."
The bullet dropped to the ground, producing a crisp sound.
His hand was completely unharmed.
Syuen froze.
"You…?!"
Someone caught the bullet with their bare hand?
Before she could react further, he snatched the gun from her hand and slapped her hard across the face.
"Slap—!"
The effect activated.
It delivered a heavy mental blow.
"Slap—!"
Syuen's small figure was sent flying, tumbling several times before landing in a heap.
Her head buzzed, the world spinning around her.
It took her a long moment to recover before she vomited violently onto the ground, dry heaving uncontrollably.
"Ugh…"
Anis wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Gross."
After a long while, Syuen finally came to her senses.
She froze.
Reaching up to touch her cheek, she winced at the fiery sting.
A clear red handprint marred her pale skin.
She… had been slapped?
No one had ever dared to hit her—not even her own parents!
"You… you dare hit me?!"
Syuen's eyes widened in shock, her head snapping up to stare at Mo Chen in disbelief.
She was so stunned that her first reaction wasn't anger but sheer astonishment.