Chapter 120 – Puppet Master

 

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“I need something from you, so you have to die.”

The puppet’s attack became faster than the water shield being rebuilt that the water user had to hit the puppet back with his own attacks.

Wave after wave of water shooting out of him and hitting the puppet but it showed no signs of slowing down.

Although the water user forced it back with a large mass of water hitting it upfront, that was all of it.

The water attack was obviously ineffective, even when tears appeared in different areas of the puppet’s clothes, it never managed to penetrate the skin.

The water user seems to be genuinely unlucky encountering something like this. If it were an average person, the water would at least make them feel some pain.

But since it was a puppet, hitting the face and the eyes or any soft areas of its body wasn’t the slightest bit effective.

“This is the place.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. This is the location that was written from the report we received.”

Two men went out of their cars to look around them. Buildings after buildings surrounded them in every direction.

This was where Max exactly stood a while ago.

“So he’s here?”

“That’s what they said on the report.”

“The Puppet Master, huh?”

The taller and more buff man said. He wore a uniform with a shield logo printed on it. They seemed to be connected with the police force. They might even be a secret force that was unknown to the public.

“Who is this Puppet Master anyway that they value him so much?”

The assistant curiously asked. This was the first time he had heard of this guy, but from what he noticed a lot of them knows this person quite well.

“Puppet Master. We don’t know his gender or what he looks like. From all the information that we have about him, the only thing we know was he controls this powerful puppet, using it for his goals.”

The man patiently explained, with no hesitation. It seems that the assistant was also allowed to know the information.

“Why is he so important? There are a lot more wanted Awakeneds that are stronger than him, right?”

“Other Awakeneds aren’t as troublesome as him, and he is one of the best when it comes to escaping from the authorities. He is also one of those killers.”

His face tells how irritated he was with the Puppet Master, and once the assistant heard that he was a killer, he immediately got why this was a critical mission for them to complete.

“Chief Li, do we go in?”

The assistant was an average guy that follows the chief wherever he goes. He was the partner that was provided to assist him in his daily tasks.

Overall, they made quite a good team, accomplishing numerous missions that they were tasked to do, and from their conversation, it also showed how comfortable they are around each other.

“No, we wait here.”

Chief Li shook his head, taking a deep breath, surveying their surroundings for any disturbance. His hands never left his communication device, ready to notify their people to move when needed.

“Shouldn’t we catch the Puppet Master? He’s wanted for so long already and has caused quite a lot of problems for us.”

“They told us to catch him if we could, but we shouldn’t force it. We know full well how strong it is. Some groups went a long way to catch him but were still unsuccessful. Orders from the higher-ups said it would be better if we could find its real body first before thinking of making any moves, trying to catch it.”

Chief Li sighed. Their task of finding information, investigating Awakeneds has been too tricky these past few days.

New Awakeneds surfacing everywhere, making trouble and here they are, trying to catch them one by one.

Their government hasn’t even been too strict to Awakeneds, only asking them not to break the law and not cause a public disturbance, but they don’t seem to care.

They have a prison ready to contain them. It was specially created for Awakeneds that was too destructive and vengeful.

Finding them is hard enough, but capturing even just one of them requires a lot of people that they have to keep working day and night.

Not to mention the tragedy that just happened a few days ago where a group of Awakeneds broke into their prison, killing every guard, letting everyone escape back to the world.

The amount of headache it caused all of them was monumental, and now that they have rebuilt the perfect prison that effectively stops any use of skill inside it with the help of an Awakened, they have to work harder to capture all of them back.

Though none of them were hopeful that they could take everyone back since most of them have already fled far away, moving to other countries.

Fortunately, they only have a few prisoners on their watch, so they weren’t too discouraged.

Now they’re back to the beginning, different groups have their own target, and they were tasked to capture the wanted Puppet Master.

However, the Puppet Master seemed to be toying with them, sometimes fighting with them for a few moments then disappearing like smoke.

The worst thing was they have no idea how to locate its real body, giving them a hard time solving this mess.

“Let’s find a place to hide. We can’t stay in this place for a long time. Our guys were also ono standby in case we got a lead on where he is.”

Chief Li and his assistant moved for cover on one of the buildings nearest to them. Now they only have to wait.

“Why don’t you just give up. You know you are getting tired and I’m a puppet, I don’t get tired. Don’t keep stalling for time. You won’t be able to escape.”

The puppet continued its barrage of attacks on the water user that was starting to feel the heavy feeling of exhaustion throughout its body.

Along with his panting, the water user could only hope to escape, knowing that he doesn’t stand a chance against his opponent.

“Accept that you lost and give me what I want.”

“I’ll give it to you if you just tell me what exactly do you want!”

The water user shouted while enclosed in water. He was panting harder, feeling that he won’t last for long.

“You have to die for me to have it.”

“What do y-? Gah!”

The water user stared with wide eyes as a fist-sized hole was left in the middle of his chest after a projectile penetrated it.

Seemingly being impatient, the puppet surprisingly caught him off guard with one of its hands separating from its body, shooting straight to his chest, unstoppable by the thick water shield covering him.

The water user opened his mouth, but no word came out of it as he slowly slumped down on the ground.

“What an annoying skill. Now, where is it? It should be here soon.”

A voice came out of the puppet as it made its way to the lying body of the water skill user.

 

 

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Chapter 119 – Spectating the Fight

 

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After changing his clothes and not forgetting to bring his newly bought mask, Max hurried to the specified destination.

In a matter of a few minutes, Max reached the location where the guy said there was a fight between two Awakeneds.

Buildings after buildings stacked beside each other were presented in front of him. This was the abandoned region close to the dangerous areas with thugs, gangs, prostitutes, and thieves.

All of the properties share one similarity, which was all of them were old and dilapidated. No one was bold enough to try their chances of living in it, fearing that it would collapse any time.

Since the guy didn’t mention where the fight was, Max ran from building to building to find any signs of battles.

Below each building was a vast barren lot with scraps scattered all over the place. Though it has enormous spaces, big enough for long battles, Max wasn’t hopeful in finding them in an open area.

Currently, Max was in a black and flexible suit. Everything he had was black, including his mask. This was what he got himself so he would not need to always use the Face Mask item from the Store.

Inside the mask was another mask tightly covering all his facial features except his eyes. Though there is a chance for him to be identified with his eyes, the outer mask completely covers everything with a special screen.

Max bought it from an Awakened online with his phone, and the mask was said to be made specifically for Awakeneds.

Not a lot of them would have Face Mask consumables that would change their facial features, so Max was able to choose from a variety of models that were popular and effective with Awakeneds.

It was especially popular for those who wanted to do things that they don’t want to be identified with and from the good reviews and series of tests, Max chose a pitch-black color, capable of blending in the night.

However, even with all that, Max was still ready for any unexpected dangers, always being prepared to buy a Face Mask and other necessary items when needed.

His suit was also the same, bought from the same person. Nothing was unique with it; only the color pitch black that perfectly covers him entirely when it’s dark.

Moving in broad daylight as the Shadow Thief was not going to happen. Today was the only exception since Max wanted to test it out and also he wanted to see how the puppet works.

Not long after searching for Awakeneds fighting, Max heard an explosion and walls being broken down on the other building.

The sound wasn’t loud enough that if Max weren’t close, he probably wouldn’t have heard it.

Now knowing where they might be, Max ran down, going directly to the other side, not wanting to miss it.

Once he got in, Max easily blended in the shadows. Since only the windows were broken with remaining shards swinging each time the wind blew, the rooms with broken lights were covered by the shadows of the structures.

Like an abandoned and haunted building, leftover materials and broken pieces of equipment were left sitting around collecting dust.

Slowly and cautiously moving up, closing in on them, Max was starting to hear sounds of violent clashes and splashing water hitting the walls.

It seemed to be more serious that Max initially thought, wondering about the reason they were fighting at this place.

When he was able to reach the scene, Max was greeted with a seemingly ordinary man with a face that he could see on the streets and a humanoid puppet that was entirely different from what he was expecting.

The puppet looked more like a human than an actual puppet made from commonly known materials.

It had realistic skin that Max couldn’t distinguish if it’s real or fake. The puppet was also wearing regular clothes, making it look like a real person.

The only reason why Max was able to know that it was a puppet was the face, especially the eyes.

They weren’t moving.

The face makes it look like Max was looking at a 3D image. The body was agile, and there were no flaws in its movements, smooth and lifelike, but the face never once moved.

If the puppet had a mask, it could’ve tricked others into thinking that it was a real mute person.

However, Max was proved wrong when something unexpected happened before him.

“Who are you? Why are you targeting me?”

“I need something from you.”

The puppet spoke! It replied with a creepy sounding voice like a clown laughing at the helpless man in front of it.

From how the face stayed unmoving, it can be confirmed that someone was controlling it somewhere.

Very interesting was what Max thought. The puppet should be controlled by someone possibly far away from here.

While Max was on his way to this scene, he didn’t forget to use his Status Checker to see whether there was anyone else around them.

Along his way up, Max never detected anyone with it, but that didn’t necessarily mean there was no one.

Though there is the possibility that they might simply have some skill to counter his, effectively hiding from any of his detections.

The chances of the puppeteer being inside it were zero unless the puppet master was as small as a baby.

Looking at their clashes, with the puppet on the offensive and the water skill user on the defensive, Max thought while watching closely,

‘What kind of skill is that? Is that a skill about controlling an object? Or a skill that summons and controls a puppet?’

‘From the well-designed puppet with the lifelike appearance and all, maybe it’s a skill about summoning a puppet? How strong is that puppet?’

‘I’ll try to see if I can have some time to look at it closer.’

For now, Max stayed in the shadows, his eyes focused on the two individuals, waiting to see how would this all go.

“What is it? We don’t know each other!”

The water skill user said as he used a wave of water to surround himself, blocking the powerful kicks and punches of the puppet.

Understanding that his physical attacks weren’t effecting in hitting its target inside a cocoon of water, the puppet stopped, and a voice spoke from within it,

“We don’t need to know each other. I only need something, and you are unlucky to come across me. Now just give up. You know you are too weak against me.”

“What do you need? I’ll give it to you. Just let me go!”

The water user tried to negotiate with the unknown figure that randomly attacked him out of nowhere.

He was initially ecstatic about finding this area, knowing that he will be rich from the number of equipment he could sell.

After a few days of experiments, he found out that the water from his skill had magical properties that can restore metals, turning it into something new.

From all the leftover materials everywhere and the buildings full of metals, it was a gold mine for someone with his skill.

But his initial happiness turned into unease when he got attacked by this being without any reason.

 

 

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TLGPL Chapter 28: The Changed Ava (Unlocked)

Hey guys! Chapter 28 is now unlocked and the password for chapters 29-33 is available on my Patreon. You can also join my Discord.

If you want to see updates in character photos, you will have to visit my website or join my Discord.

Anyways,

And,

Chapter 118 – Chat Groups and Forums

 

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Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Max was preparing to sleep. He still has classes tomorrow, and he had outdone himself tonight, filling his head with multiple questions.

One of his worries was not knowing whether they were in danger or not. That was the only reason why he was intent on having the Magical Space.

Max would simply give his women access to the Magical Space. Then all of them, including himself, would be able to use it as a shelter once they find themselves in trouble.

Max would never accept being looked down upon by others by being weak. He would be the one playing with other people, not the other way around.

There was a lot of news about revenge and massacres done by some aggressive Awakeneds. Max was glad that since he got his System when he was still ignorant and inexperienced, he never did anything to stand out.

Until now, Max only went to a few places. He acted normally, not forgetting to use items to disguise himself and never had any unbeatable enemy.

Before this, Max thought everything would turn out fine as he had the System, some Invisibility Potion, Face Mask for a disguise, and a Time Stop Skill.

Now, Max felt that he truly made the right decision to save up for the Magical Space, while knowing that he won’t get to buy skills and items for some time.

This was the information era where everyone has access to a magnitude of information. Once Max began to learn more about Awakeneds and their world, he could already think of different ways in which he could kill himself.

From being tagged and always be located, to being picked up by his smell that no invisibility and temporary time stop can escape from.

More unique skills should also exist somewhere. Max felt his worldview turn upside down, forcing him to adapt to the new world he wasn’t used to.

Max considered getting more powerful skills from the Store. However, nothing can guarantee that he won’t catch the eye of Rank 2 Awakeneds or worse, a Rank 3.

With all of this information, having his own space became a lot more attractive. That was also why Yu’er wholeheartedly agreed with him on this. It was undoubtedly a great skill to have.

However, Max knows that they would still need a few more weeks before having the Magical Space, so he had been busying himself on other things.

He roamed around the city, planning to learn more about its inner workings and the veiled society hidden underneath.

Whenever Max looks out to this ever-familiar city, he could only see people peacefully living their lives, minding their own business.

But the information he had says otherwise. Chaos, Awakeneds, Special Affairs Officers, were only some of its contents.

Max couldn’t see a shadow of it in this city at all. It didn’t mean their area was more peaceful than others; it only meant he wasn’t seeing it, which was worse.

It couldn’t go on like this. Max wasn’t scared of outside forces or any Awakeneds out there. He was aware that he would outclass them in only a matter of time and have probably passed most Rank 1 Awakeneds already.

His only concern was safety, lack of knowledge, and unpredictable moments. With all this running through his head, Max fell asleep.

If only he knew that numerous Awakeneds were currently setting out to a chaotic battle in a particular location in his city.

A few minutes. This was how long their fight had gone for. So far, Evil Ghost Luo has been successful at prolonging the match to slowly tire them out.

Even though he was starting to get exhausted himself, he wasn’t the least bothered by it. His original form was a ghost, and he was only feeling the fatigue overcoming him because he was connected to this body.

Once he separates himself away from this body, those feelings instantly would disappear. Ghosts never get tired, nor they need sleep and food to eat.

Evil Ghost Luo never had to worry about the weaknesses of a human body ever since he got his skill and turned into a ghost.

Currently, not a single scratch can be seen on his clothes even after exchanging blows with these Awakeneds for quite some time now.

It’s because none of them could land a single hit on him all this time. Evil Ghost Luo had experienced countless deadly battles that for him, with their laughable skills, this match was only for fun.

Evil Ghost Luo never once thought of them as a threat. In his mind, these people were delicious souls that will be consumed by him soon.

Devastated grounds, smashed buildings, and fallen trees can be seen in their surroundings. Fortunately, foreseeing this, every road connecting to them had long been blocked, and officers prevented anyone from going near them.

While Evil Ghost Luo was amusing himself around them, Chief Li was starting to get impatient and worried about his people’s conditions.

It was a miscalculation. Chief Li racked his brains on his next action. The lives of his people were left in his hands.

Depending on his decision, they would either survive or die. No matter what, he had to do something to pull them out of their current predicament since they were all his responsibility.

From the report that he got, Evil Ghost Luo shouldn’t be this strong. Even only three of these Awakeneds should be able to defeat him, and from how it’s going, it wasn’t even close.

The latest update that Chief Li got about him was that he wasn’t skillful when it comes to physical fights. He only runs away to escape through solid structures whenever they spotted him.

What they didn’t know was, all this time, Evil Ghost Luo secretly trained different techniques using his body.

Evil Ghost Luo was aware that his weak vessels were his weakness, and if he couldn’t fight, he would have to live his life running away.

What’s the point of his power then? His growing strength and his unlimited access to bodies will have no use if he doesn’t have any combat techniques.

Evil Ghost Luo didn’t want to always rely on his ghost form to escape. He couldn’t accept that someone as strong as himself would have to run away without any fight.

His confidence in his ghost form was absolute. He can easily escape and bide his time to slowly harvest souls in some of his secret farming spots.

However, Evil Ghost Luo felt that he needs to consume a large number of souls to break through his bottleneck and to push through the barrier.

The unexpected strength and skill that he showed gave Chief Li and Jing Fei a headache. They were the ones who had to devise a plan for his emergency mission.

When they finally had one way to defeat him, this happened. Why does it have to go wrong at this crucial time?

The groups stationed around the scene were also in a difficult situation. Now they know this heavily outnumbered fight would be a lot harder than what they initially expected.

“Chief Li, should we send another group?”

 

 

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