Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)-Chapter 1144. Sweeping The Streets

With the Black Wings spread thoroughly across Dangolda, and with its highways swept clean of inhuman filth, the final phase of the incursion could begin.

A dull sound reverberated across the entirety of Dangolda. Buildings groaned in response as their foundations suddenly found themselves strained against an invisible load.

It pulsed from a single Black Wing who casually walked along the highway. Flanking the figure was a Seci Response Moon and a Sanguine Dove. Despite the Black Wing’s light, elegant steps, the ground shattered beneath her boots.

She phased through the invisible barrier, and immediately, the Black Wings stationed nearby lowered their weapons in reverence. Low-Ranking Soldiers were expected to bow to high-ranking personnel. This was how militaries in Elysia worked.

But ranking was no more than a title. There was more to the titles when it came to the Black Wings.

Their hair. What separated the lowest ranking Black Wing from the highest was the color of their hair.

It was equally a manifestation of their traumas as well as their conviction. To gain even a single black strand was already an agonizing process, perhaps akin to drawing Nex from a memory to use Absolution.

But for it to be entirely black meant that they underwent severe physical and psychological torment. According to CogitO, their mental temperance was akin to Type-O ARU, who were considered to have the strongest temperament behind the T4 Artificers of ImpulseWorks.

The Raven kicked her toes to the sky as she walked. Because her skirt was so short, she had to wear tights underneath to defend her dignity. If it were up to her, she would use body paint or something more freeing, given that she came from a liniage that adored the expression of oneself.

To her, clothing was a limitation.

Unfortunately, she could not say no to the Amalgam’s orders. Plus, she also did not wish to disgrace the Head.

“The pavement should be reinforced with Caldera Industries’ Construction Blend. Just what happened to the building codes in this city?”

Contrasting her whimsical swagger was the stalwart march of a red-haired Seci Response Moon. Their arms remained tucked by their side, hanging like they were made of lead. Their collar concealed half of their face, smothering their mouth and nose. Lining the collar were markings that resembled teeth.

“Raven Chiara. I believe 21% of the faulty buildings were built before the moderation of the Brick and Mortar Association. 342 PA was when rose to power.”

The Seci Response Moon nonchalantly said with a long sigh. She perked a two-handed mace over her shoulder and added:

“Mind you… Also, should we be walking this slowly? The Black Wings are known for their swift executions. I’ve seen operations last no longer than ten minutes.”

“I was wondering the same thing.” The white and red-haired Sanguine Dove said, fluffing her frilly skirt, which somehow paired her blazer nicely. “If this is about the Amalgam’s experiments, then wouldn’t [Shortform Warp] work here?”

“Mother hasn’t gotten that far. The Gravity Core module is the first of its kind.” Chiana brought one of the black beads on her mouth.

She gave it a small peck, blew on it, and wiped it against her sleeves like she was polishing a marble.

“Warp would be nice! If we can use it! And don’t walk so fast! Let the Black Wings deal with the noise. The Casino here is their stronghold. I just need to gather results.”

“You can do both at once.” The Sanguine Dove complained.

“Oh well. I don’t expect a Sanguine Dove from RedTribution to know what separates a real member of the Head from an Atelier~ But, since you use Mother’s blood, it’ll come to you eventually~”

“Hoh? C’mon. Enlighten me.”

Chiara puffed out her chest and let out a long “Pwaaaaah.” She twirled exactly twice and covered her eyes with a hand. After taking another eight steps, she removed her hand, revealing the faint outline of the casino ahead.

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She smirked, struck a bold pose, arched her back to near inhuman levels, and snapped her fingers. Dozens of micro explosions erupted centimeters from her body, creating the illusion that fireworks were going off.

“Presentation~!”

In that same instant, the roof of the casino caved in. A wall of dust flooded the highway, only to be cleaved apart by a vibrant, red streak of light. A bloody whip formed from the fingertip of the Sanguine Dove.

“Impressive. I wasn’t informed that First Generation Sanguine Arts can be used offensively.” The Seci Response Moon nodded in awe.

“Please, we’re not that different from Black Wings. Nor do we skirt along technicalities like the Blood Angels. [Whiplash]. Decent offensive power. Relies on how quickly you can flick your finger, and how much blood you’re willing to temporarily expend.”

The long, congealed tendril slithered back into her finger, where a small cut dripped with blood. That wound healed in an instant.

“Seems like a waste to use on dust particles.” The Seci Response Moon muttered, continuing their nonchalant march. “It has caved in, assuming by the Black Wings. The Tear Retrievers must have already evacuated the hostages.”

“Is that good thing or a bad thing?” Chiara poked her cheek, genuinely curious. “Not so artistic if there isn’t a bit of… how do you say it? Negligence? Or, happy accidents, as the Eye calls her painting mishaps~”

“Creep. Bad, obviously. We’re not trying to bury the name of the Head. And you. Moon. Only pigs trudge through dirt.”

The Moon shrugged.

“I suppose in the eyes of a sheltered lamb. The carpet has been rolled for us. Remember, the onus is on the Ravens. We’re here as insurance.”

“I’m here to clean up.” The Sanguine Dove corrected.

* * *

The multistory casino was left in utter disarray. A single volley of coordinated gunfire brought it down to its knees. The ceiling had completely collapsed, leaving the sun to blanch the blue interior with light. Chandeliers continued to sway even minutes after the collapse, and the building groaned, indicating it was only a matter of time before it completely collapsed.

Because of this, the inhabitants were funneled to heart of the casino where even a total collapse would leave them unharmed. This was the vault. Stacked along shelves were bars of gold, weapons, and highly valuable substances which were used for black market trades.

Additionally, there were cages that contained taboo goods, such as slaves and ‘materials’ who would be later churned into coins.

“Sir… the caves… They’ve collapsed.” A woman groaned, nursing an arm which was bent in an irregular shape. “We must’ve been hit by an Atelier… Should’ve known… that once the Oathbound Association failed…”

“Would you shut up and start helping us dig!?” A man shouted, desperately hacking away at the rubble which blocked their only exit. “The Oathbound Association obviously weren’t looking to uproot us! They were fishing! You think they’re that weak!?”

“All this fucking trouble for a lousy payout from the Larin Empire… What the fuck were we thinking!?”

There were fifty-three people wearing suits, civilian clothing, and merchant tunics gathered in the vault room. Hysteria plagued them as they shoveled, hacked and picked away at the stone but to no avail. Their only source of light came from a [Minor Flare] which was cast by a slave. He barely clung to life. Half of his body was crushed beneath a cage, his innards squeezing between the bars.

A hideous grunt came from a burly man, whose body was skewered with blades in multiple places. He was obviously powerful given his mountainous build. His staggering height of two and a half meters rivaled that of the Justicers, yet, he knelt on the ground, as though on his last breath.

“Imbeciles… We did everything correctly. We led them astray. The Oathbound Association’s Oathknights could not have known we were here… Our permits… are all clean… They even found the caverns of the old transit system… It makes no sense.”

He cursed beneath his breath and reached out to a slave. Then, he sunk his teeth into their nape, draining them of their blood. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

“Putrid… Tch…”

A Blood Commander.

The man was a Seventh Generation Vampire of the Larin Empire. Far from the Third Generation Vampire that was the venerated Mary D’ Grace but was incredibly powerful despite this. For comparison, a Seventh Generation Vampire was equivalent to a level 90 Adventurer.

This, plus their naturally enhanced bodies made them far stronger than their levels implied. But even he knew that he could not survive whatever was coming their way. The assault lasted for barely ten minutes, and everything he had build had come crashing down.

Thus, he could only assume that an Atelier: for whatever reason: had decided to uproot him.

“… Another sword… Right here. Don’t hit my organs.” He handed a blade to an underling, “Gagh… They… Won’t suspect… a thing…”

“Should we also throw you in a cage?” The underling asked.

“It’ll be more believable… if it looked like… I was trying to save these–” He spat. “–bags of blood.”

Indeed. If he could not escape, then he could at least fool the Atelier that he was not a part of this group. It was also why he and his personnel wore civilian clothes. Additionally, if this was the Golden Index: which they suspected it to be: then they were likely safe.

The Golden Middle were especially prone to corruption. In fact, his group had paid off various Hired Arms to keep the Golden Index off their backs, and to falsify reports to incite confusion.

Still, if that was the case…

“… Were they waiting for us to become big enough of a threat? Or no… Was it a competitor?”

As he scoured his thoughts for an answer–

“Oh. See? What did I tell you? Flood a room with water, and the rats will hide where it is most elevated.”