Chapter 40: The Liquidation Protocol
"Let the audit begin," I pulse.
The sky above Tempest doesn't just change color; it feels like it's curdling. A translucent, sickly purple dome settles over the city, and the immediate effect on the populace is a catastrophic drop in magicule efficiency. Goblins stagger in the streets, clutching their chests as their internal energy is forcibly throttled. The High Orcs, usually the pillars of our construction force, drop their tools, their breathing becoming labored as the very air becomes a hostile regulatory environment.
Warning. Anti-Monster Barrier [Prison Field] fully deployed. Ambient magicule density is being siphoned at a rate of 75%. Logic suggests a total collapse of monster-class higher functions within sixty minutes if exposure continues.
Azathoth, status on [Obsidian Aegis]. Tell me I'm not about to turn into a puddle because some humans decided to play with a dimmer switch.
Notice. [Obsidian Aegis] is successfully isolating the internal core. Passive [Magic Interference] within the law is counter-acting the barrier's suppression. Efficiency loss: 0%. Stability: Absolute.
I float down from the executive wing, my obsidian surface reflecting the violet hue of the sky like a dark, unyielding mirror. Around me, the city is a portrait of a market crash. Rimuru is at the center of the plaza, his humanoid form glowing with a faint, struggling light.
"Shinji... it hurts," he transmits, his voice sounding thin and distorted through the interference. "The magic... it's like it's being sucked out of me."
"Maintain your composure, Rimuru," I pulse, my voice a resonant, cold frequency that cuts through the hum of the barrier. "This is a stress test. They've lowered our operating budget, but they haven't closed the firm yet. Hakuro! Rigurd! Move the non-combatants to the reinforced bunkers. Use the physical-only protocols I established."
At the western gate, the sound of splintering wood echoes through the valley. The three Otherworlders—Shogo, Kyoya, and Kirara—saunter through the breach as if they're entering a theme park. Behind them, a small detachment of Falmuth knights follows, their armor gleaming with the smugness of people who know they're fighting an opponent with a forced debuff.
"Look at this," Shogo laughs, cracking his knuckles. His magicules aren't suppressed; they're thriving. "They're all flopping around like fish out of water. I told you this would be a cakewalk."
He spots a group of Goblins trying to retreat. With a blur of movement that exceeds standard human parameters, he intercepts them, his fist glowing with a dull, violent light.
"Hey, where are you going? The party's just starting!"
[Transaction Domain]
I snap the domain into place, the invisible boundaries of my negotiation room clashing with the purple light of the barrier. The air around Shogo thickens, his punch slowing just enough for the Goblins to scramble into an alleyway.
"Vandalism and assault," I pulse, floating directly into Shogo's line of sight. "You've officially violated the terms of your expulsion. Now, the collection phase begins."
Shogo looks at me, his eyes narrowing. "The shiny ball again. You're the only one not choking on this purple smoke. What are you, some kind of high-grade item?"
Notice. Analyzing Target: Shogo Taguchi. Unique Skill [Berserker] detected. Nature: Physical enhancement through rage and magicule consumption. Sub-skill [Diamond Skin] active. Warning: Target possesses high physical destructive power.
Diamond Skin? How unoriginal. My internal Deadpool is currently rolling his eyes at the cliché. But from a purely structural standpoint, it's a high-value asset. If I can copy that law, my [Obsidian Aegis] gets a massive durability upgrade.
"I am the one holding your debt, Shogo," I pulse, my obsidian membrane shimmering. "And I've decided to foreclose on your abilities."
"Foreclose this!" Shogo roars, lunging at me.
He doesn't use magic. He uses raw, explosive force. His fist, hardened by his unique skill, hits my [Obsidian Aegis] with the sound of two boulders colliding. I don't move. I don't ripple. The [Density Laws] and [Magic Interference] I merged earlier absorb the impact, turning the kinetic energy into a dull thud.
"Inefficient," I pulse.
[Law Manipulation – Copy]
I maintain physical contact for a fraction of a second, my surface brushing against his hardened knuckles.
Acquiring [Physical Hardening: Diamond Grade]... Success. Analyzing [Berserker] logic... Warning: [Berserker] is an ego-based Unique Skill. Full replication requires 15% Soul Capacity. Current Capacity: 20%. Status: Stable.
Do it, Azathoth. I want the 'Diamond' logic. I don't need the rage-management issues, just the structural integrity.
Success. [Diamond Logic] integrated into [Obsidian Aegis]. Surface hardness increased by 400%. Soul Capacity usage: 35%.
Shogo pulls his hand back, his eyes wide as he looks at his own reddened knuckles. "What the hell? My hand... it actually hurts? What are you made of?!"
"Reinforced assets," I pulse, my voice dropping into a dark, resonant frequency. "Rimuru, take care of the other two. I'm going to spend the next few minutes teaching this delinquent the true meaning of a 'downward trend'."
Current Magicule Reserves: 96.1%. Location: Western Gate, Tempest. Status: Engaging Shogo Taguchi. [Obsidian Aegis] upgraded. Soul Capacity: 35%.
Chapter End.