“Even if I’m not the bait, facing the curse will pose a similar level of danger.”
“Trust me, in the face of such supernatural forces, there’s no difference between you agents and me. If I get hurt, you can save me, but if you get hurt, I can’t save you. Let me be the bait.”
Bella stated this decisively.
Victoria Hand was noncommittal, glancing back at her agents.
Sharp as ever, she quickly discerned her team’s thoughts.
At this moment, the agents were somewhat fearful. Facing the Reaper’s erratic attack methods, their skills in shooting, linguistics, combat, stealth, reconnaissance, and counter-reconnaissance offered no advantage. Compared horizontally, indeed, they were no different from Bella.
The agents might not say it aloud, but they deeply admired Bella’s courage.
Storm also warmed up to her a bit. Bravery, integrity, and responsibility were qualities anyone could appreciate. Even the most ruthless gang leader preferred loyal soldiers who could take a bullet for him over selfish villains plotting betrayal.
Of course, being the bait would come with some protective gear.
Bulletproof, puncture-resistant, and fireproof super combat suits were not available to the agents yet, as the era of superhero proliferation was still a bit off. The technology for super-protective gear was sufficiently advanced but not yet necessary for production. Even Victoria Hand was just wearing a bulletproof vest.
The agents provided Bella with a bulletproof vest embedded with ceramic composite material. It was light enough to stop handgun bullets from twenty meters and offered more psychological comfort than actual protection against the Reaper.
Victoria Hand seemed unconvinced about taking it back, thinking of the substantial resources of her organization, which could easily afford such a vest. So, Bella accepted it graciously.
“We will all protect you, don’t worry,” Storm said earnestly to Bella.
Saying she wasn’t nervous would be a lie; the Reaper was far more challenging to deal with than vampires. Bella nodded, acknowledging she understood.
One bait wouldn’t be enough. What if she were killed? What if the Reaper didn’t align with the Native American curse? These contingencies need to be considered.
Victoria Hand arranged for two additional backup baits.
Inspired by Bella’s fearless spirit, Claire Redfield volunteered to be the second bait.
A young man from the flight with the ability to foresee events also wanted to be bait, but after testing by the agents, his reaction speed was found to be average, nowhere near Bella or Claire’s level. Ultimately, the third bait role went to an elite agent already on the Reaper’s hit list.
The survivors, observing their grim determination, didn’t understand what was about to happen but stood by obediently, waiting for something unknown.
The night was quiet as everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.
The agents opened the building’s doors, allowing some degree of interaction between the indoor and outdoor environments.
“I’m starting now, be ready,” Storm warned. Her task is simple: to forcefully trigger the local Native American curse. Bella nodded, indicating her readiness.
Storm then stepped outside, and invisible forces burst forth from her, Bella’s first time witnessing spellcasting. She watched intently, not missing a detail of the energy shifts around them.
“Hmm?” she murmured in curiosity.
Victoria Hand glanced at her, shaking her head to indicate it was nothing significant.
Although the essence was indistinguishable, at such a close range, some clues could still be discerned.
Storm’s spell was cleverly concocted; she used the magical power in her bloodline as a catalyst and her X-gene as a source of energy, combining magic with her mutant abilities to produce an effect greater than the sum of its parts.
Clever indeed! While laypeople enjoy the spectacle, those with knowledge understand the nuances. Although Bella was just beginning, she undoubtedly had an insider’s view.
Storm’s casting relied on her mutant abilities, while Bella used her psychic powers; neither were pure spellcasters.
Bella memorized all the details for later study.
A howling wind appeared from nowhere! Storm’s silver hair fluttered in the wind as she floated about a meter off the ground. Her eyes turned white, and her arms raised high as static, and air friction created a rustling noise.
The agents’ radios experienced significant interference, but they were informed beforehand and remained calm.
Bella didn’t remember much about Storm; she was a descendant of an African tribe.
The casting seemed more like a ritual; the essence of the ritual and the principles of the spell were unclear to her.
Using Storm’s example, Bella began to understand some of the Reaper’s tactics and motives.
Why did the Reaper kill? Out of spite? To avenge the Native Americans? What had he been doing for the past two hundred years? He was also performing a ritual, but for himself, trying to awaken his power through slaughter.
Observing on-site provided Bella with significant insights; her rudimentary invisibility skill finally advanced, solidifying.
Into a spell state.
The essence of the spell was to be unseen, not to disappear completely. Her scent and physical presence remained in the material world and could be nullified by hostile actions.
Was this spell useful in the current situation? Bella sighed in resignation; it wasn’t very useful at the moment.
She continued to focus on Storm, looking for inspiration.
“Bang!” It was as if a sharp awl punctured a balloon in the air; Storm’s magic collided head-on with the canyon’s Native American curse.
The curse felt violated and roared as it surged out from trees, holes, water, and rock crevices.
Suddenly, countless rustling sounds emerged from the surrounding forest as innumerable insects were awakened, determined to eliminate these intruders who had invaded their homeland. The Native American tribes couldn’t protect their homes centuries ago, but today, these insects could.
“Now!” Storm, utterly exhausted, collided with the Native American curse. She fell from mid-air, supported by two agents as they ran toward the house, shouting to Bella inside.
Bella was prepared. If asked who the Reaper’s favorite person was, she wouldn’t know, but if asked who the Reaper hated the most, she was definitely among the top contenders.
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