A fully mechanized cyborg held a walkie-talkie, projecting an image of an elderly man.

The old man appeared seventy or eighty, his face deeply lined, with neatly trimmed white hair and a goatee… Why did he look so much like a scheming minister?

"Mary, I’m deeply disappointed in you," the old man spoke.

Mary was too shocked to speak. This wasn’t part of her plan—why were these cyborgs here?

"Confused why I sent these modified soldiers?" The old man seemed to read her thoughts, his voice icy. "I knew you never intended to kill Bai Xing. But after raising you for over a decade, I wanted to give you a chance. Seems you wasted it."

"Mary! Let’s fight!" shouted Third Sister of the assassin quintet.

"Hmph. You’re useless now," the old man sneered. "Soldier One, activate the Destruction Force inside them."

"Acknowledged!" Another fully mechanical cyborg stepped forward. Two more stood ready nearby.

Soldier One opened a box, revealing a large stone. He raised it before Mary and the others.

"Run!" Mary’s face paled. She turned to flee, but Soldier One blurred toward them. Instantly, Mary and her team writhed in agony.

"What’s this? Villains fighting villains?" Tran muttered, watching like it was a movie. "Hey Mary, the ground’s dirty—"

"Take Princess Bai Xing and run! We’re beyond saving…" Mary collapsed, trembling violently.

"Did you all just take some weird drug together?" Tran quipped. "Is that stone crack? You’re acting like addicts spotting their fix."

Mary was too consumed by pain to reply.

"Tran… that’s our kingdom’s Punishment Stone," Bai Xing whispered, trembling. "The one used to execute criminals."

"Our sharp-eyed princess recognizes it," the old man’s projection chuckled. "Indeed. And the seeds of Destruction Force were planted in them long ago."

"Who names this edgy crap? ‘Seeds’? Where? Can I see?" Tran grumbled. "Though… ‘Destruction Force’? Why does that keep popping up lately?"

He stepped closer to Mary. A faint grayish energy drifted from her toward him. Her spasms eased instantly.

"Told you! This power? I know it well!" Tran grinned, pressing his hand to Mary’s head.

"No! The Destruction Force will tear your body apart!" Bai Xing screamed—but it was too late.

"Hah! Where’d you find this fool, Princess? She’s—" The minister’s laugh choked off.

Mary and the assassins were rising. Impossible. No one survived the Destruction Force beyond ten minutes.

"Ah, what relief~ No wonder you all collapsed. This feels amazing," Tran stretched lazily.

"We’re alive!" Second Sister stared at her unharmed hands.

"A miracle… We weren’t consumed…" First Sister breathed.

Bai Xing rushed to hug Mary. "You’re alive! Thank goodness!"

Mary stared at Tran, who was basking in the night air. Her suspicion about him deepened.

"Fascinating," the minister hissed. "Soldier One—kill the traitors. The other three, capture the princess and that girl. I’ll dissect them personally." His grin turned vicious.

"Understood!" All four cyborgs snapped.

They charged. Eliminating Mary’s group was simple; the princess required caution—alive.

"So it ends here," Mary thought grimly. "Sisters—fight!" She activated her Superpower, lunging at Soldier One.

"Pathetic resistance?" Soldier One scoffed. "Daring to challenge my S Rank power with your measly B Rank? Witness the gap!"

His body swelled, metal plating gleaming like a steel beast.

"Sisters! Combined assault!" First Sister commanded.

The five blurred around him. "Fools! I taught you that technique!" Soldier One roared, trying to break free—but his legs wouldn’t move.

"Useless. I’ve rooted you," Mary said calmly, hands pressed to the earth. Soil encased his feet.

"Trivial!" He shattered the earth—but the delay cost him. Two blades bit deep before he could react.

"Fall back!" First Sister tossed a bomb.

The explosion swallowed Soldier One in smoke.

"Did we get him?" Fourth Sister asked. Then a claw ripped through her throat. Her consciousness flickered faintly… before fading forever.

"FOURTH SISTER!" First Sister’s scream tore the air.

"Insects! Tremble!" Soldier One’s form dissolved into smoke, reforming behind Mary.

She leapt back, raising earthen walls.

"Futile." His voice slithered into her ear. Five claws erupted from her abdomen.

"MARY!" The remaining sisters wailed.

"Patience," he purred, withdrawing his bloodied claws. "Your turn next." He glanced toward Tran—and his jaw dropped.