Chapter 97: Makima: What's the biggest difference between me and Kafka?

Tiánxīn Jiǎmiàn was almost sitting limp in the chair, drenched in sweat.

He only felt a chill crawl up his spine, as if in an ice cave, even the sweat on his forehead about to turn into ice shards.

Emperor Engine……

Could it be that KING just wanted to dispose of him and Yuanzǐ Wushi? Or does he have the confidence to do so?

…No, for any other hero that would be impossible, but if it were KING, I'd probably be beheaded in an instant? What a madman……

Tiánxīn Jiǎmiàn took a deep breath, barely keeping his hand from shaking too badly.

"Tiánxīn Jiǎmiàn, regarding Kafka's similar mind-control means, do you have experience?" Bang, known as Yínsè Liáoyá, spoke up to break the uneasy atmosphere.

"If so, please tell us; we need to prepare in advance."

Bang's tone was neither humble nor arrogant; as the third-ranked professional hero senior, he was mild-mannered, and his suggestions usually gained approval from most heroes.

"Heh, of course, there are monsters with similar abilities."

When he was about to discuss his experience solo defeating the ghost-level monster "Nǔ S", Tiánxīn Jiǎmiàn's confidence finally recovered a bit, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile.

"Nǔ S's whip makes those it strikes lose consciousness and become her slaves; the effect should be similar to Kafka's." Tiánxīn Jiǎmiàn said, "But Kafka's methods are richer—just words can brainwash someone… that's clearly stronger than Nǔ S."

"Members of the B-class Hero Organization—Blizzard Group have been compromised before, but Nǔ S's whip doesn't work on me; ultimately, it's a matter of willpower."

Tiánxīn Jiǎmiàn wore a confident expression: "So I guess if one's mental strength is strong enough, they can resist Kafka's word-spirit technique."

"... Um, can we only gauge Kafka using a ghost-level monster's ability? That's hard to reach an accurate conclusion."

Tóng Dì lowered his eyes, pondering slightly: "Although Kafka is human, the danger level is undoubtedly 'Dragon-level'; conservatively estimated… few S-class heroes could defeat her."

"Considering they can observe our world…… whether friend or foe, we must prepare to counter word-spirit techniques, so——"

Tóng Dì was about to continue when suddenly interrupted by the sound of a bat striking.

"Everyone, if that's the case, then I actually have a solution."

Jīnshǔ Qiúbàng showed a puzzled expression; it was strange why they'd make the problem so complicated.

"Kafka is ultimately just human, right? Then we could just send the Metal Knight or Drive Knight; without a mind, there's no worry of being controlled."

——

""Just a tiny hint to make them listen to me speak." Kafka smiled at the corner of her mouth, ""Star, you know this better than anyone.""

""This place is no good; going to the Divination Bureau would be a long detour, no benefit for me either—let's meet up ahead." Kafka said, then turned and left, leaving only two Cloud Knights blocking the way."

"Afraid Kafka would flee, several people quickly defeated the two Cloud Knights, knocked them out, and gave chase."

"When they caught up to an open area, they found Kafka actually waiting there for them."

""Seeing them arrive, Kafka was very pleased, her smile widening: ""Welcome, everyone of the Train Team; you've caught me.""

""Is this also your plan?" Star asked."

""..."" Kafka gazed gently at Star, silent. Her expression showed no panic, rather a sense of everything falling into place."

""Show your hand, Kafka. We've come here; we must be in your plan." Walter got straight to the point."

""It's not a plan, it's the future. We intervene in countless future possibilities, making the best future become reality. Don't exalt us, Walter; the Star Core Hunter is also just a slave of fate."

""The best future?" March 7 exclaimed incredulously, ""Best for whom? I don't believe you'd think of others.""

""Heh, the whole universe—do you believe it? Naturally: for me." Kafka chuckled lightly."

"Doesn't sound like a lie…… this woman named Kafka."

In the Public Safety Division 4 office, Zǎochuān Qiū tossed two sugar cubes into his coffee, stirring gently with a spoon.

Diagonally opposite his seat by the window sat a young red-haired woman wearing a white shirt and black pants, propping her cheek with one hand, her gaze fixed on the window where a white puppy ran and played.

"For the whole universe, how noble…… the universe she spoke of must also include our Earth, right?" Makima's voice was still as a lake, without a ripple.

"But if she ever wanted to blow up the Earth someday, it wouldn't be strange, hehe."

Makima suddenly gave a dry laugh twice, slowly turning her head, she stared fixedly at Zǎochuān Qiū, the rings on her irises like whirlpools on the sea, "Qiū, I've heard people in Public Safety say…… I'm very like Kafka, what do you think?"

"Um…… I don't think so."

"Appearance? Or demeanor?" Makima smiled slightly, "Where is the difference greatest?"

"The gaze." Zǎochuān Qiū said.

"... That's a novel answer, why?" Makima switched to a more serious expression.

"Because……" Zǎochuān Qiū wanted to speak but stopped, finding it hard to continue.

Recalling the light curtain where Kafka gazed at Star, her eyes held concern, tenderness, even a mother's care for a child…… no matter what, that was a gaze only humans possess.

But Miss Makima's gaze at herself, at Denji's, at everyone in the company……

From beginning to end, it was no different from looking at the puppy outside the window.

""Time's running out—hurry up and act, or it'll be too late."

"Kafka urged, she was like a teacher in an exam hall, urging students to answer quickly in the little time left."

"Several people no longer hesitated, immediately forming a line to surround Kafka, but just as they were about to act, Kafka pursed her lips and smiled, softly saying: ""Finally here.""

"All I saw was her suddenly raising two submachine guns, a barrage of bullets pouring into the sky."

"But in midair, the silver‑glinting bullets suddenly became abnormally slow."

"With a light tap of her toes, a pink‑haired girl descended like a celestial being, facing the hail of bullets, she casually flicked their trajectories as if strolling through a quiet garden, her Law Eye glowing faintly on her forehead."

""Trifling tricks—your every move was already within the scope of my Law Eye divination."

"At the moment the two bullets behind the girl collided, time seemed to flow anew. Yet even after Xuán descended gracefully, the barrage of bullets didn't even graze her clothes."

""Divination Bureau, Xuán." The girl's youthful voice carried a hint of seriousness, ""From now on, I take charge of the crime.""