154 The Person Hiding in the Shadows (2/2)

Alderick tried to maintain his façade.

”Nothing much. I'll just tell you case that you don't want to register it in your mind but all of what I said are qualities of a potential spy. So, I want to ask. Who are you working for and what is your mission here? Is it to monitor the movements of the squad? To poach Mutators and Evolvers or to poach the scientist that they were supposed to escort? Or maybe, all of it?”

Mark spoke, his sneer deepened even more as Alderick's mind became more chaotic. Nevertheless, this guy was still able to maintain his façade. There was almost no ripple of emotion in his face.

”What you are saying are all baseless accusations. Since you're being hired to help our squad, I won't pursue it. I need to continue with my duties.”

Alderick started to leave.

'This idiot actually made it look like that I'm at his disposal.'

Mark thought.

”Odel.”

Mark spoke and almost immediately, Odelina appeared from the blind corner of the other side of the building blocking Alderick's retreat. She was not wearing her usual attire but only a sports tube top to cover her chest despite the coldness of the night. The servant was already on her battle gear and was ready to cover her body with her bone armor anytime.

”What's the meaning of this?”

Alderick asked. Although there was no intelligence report about this servant of Mark, for her to block his path, it was implying that this woman was not simple either.

”I won't say sorry or anything. Whether you're a spy or not, you pried on our secrets.”

Mark said which immediately made Alderick grip his assault rifle getting ready to fight. It was no wonder, he knew what Mark implied and it was to eliminate him to keep his secret of being able to treat Failed Mutators from others.

Odelina immediately covered her whole body with bone armor and was ready to start the confrontation.

Aldrerick was shocked to see her transform and knew that he was no way out to escape. He thought that he could only deal with the woman but to think that she was actually a Mutator! Furthermore, even though he had specialized training, he was surely no match against Mark who could contend and eliminate a whole faction without getting a single scratch face-to-face!

However, the cornered Alderick did not seem to be afraid of not being able to escape. Mark felt a sudden surge of energy around Alderick.

Under Mark's and Odelina's eyes, the moonlight illuminating Alderick's body bent. His body started to vanish as if he was being consumed by nothingness. In a blink of an eye, Alderick was nowhere to be found.

Odelina was shocked seeing this scene. Just what kind of sorcery was this?

Mark on the other hand also faltered a bit. As someone like him who was able to sense mental and emotional energies of people exist, although he had no way of detecting them, Mark knew that other people or creatures that were unexplainable by the current science exist. Nevertheless, he never expected that he would encounter one here. It was now clear to him why he felt that Alderick was too different from the other soldiers. Not only because of his suspicious behavior but also because he was actually another mental or psychic ability user.

Still, Mark did not let his surprise overwhelm him. After all, his enemy did not vanish into thin air, he was still here and they just could not see him.

”You won't fool me Alderick, I know you're… Here.”

Mark suddenly pointed his assault rifle to his side as the last word of his sentence entered their ears.

***

Alderick was really cautious even though he wanted to eliminate the threat in front of him. He knew that Odelina might be impervious to attacks or even bullets with her armor so he went for Mark who seemed to be unprotected. Nevertheless, before he was able to attack, the assault rifle in Mark's hand was already pointed at his invisible body. He did not know how Mark was able to find him but he thought that it was just a fluke. He tried to move changing the direction of his attack but Mark's gun followed his movements with perfect precision.

”I'm done playing.”

Mark's voice entered his ears. It was then followed by several muffled sound of gunshots.

The next thing he knew was the searing pain in his legs. He was unable to maintain his concealed state anymore and he appeared in Mark's and Odelina's eyes once more, crumpled to the floor with his legs bleeding profusely from several gunshot wounds.

”You… Just what are you?!”

Mark heard Alderick's voice that has no change in tone despite the fact that his mind was filled with shock and he was enduring the pain in his legs.

To his question, Mark did not say anything. Suddenly, Alderick winced in pain clutching his head. His eyes that were staring at Mark in horror started to bleed.

”You-! Your also an Esper!”

Alderick could not keep his façade anymore as his expression and voice finally crumbled.