BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM C.1093: Levium (10)

Erik observed the group searching for him. He was hiding in the small crevice of a building, shielded by concrete fragments-mere pebbles for a human, but colossal boulders for an insect like himself.

That prevented the soldiers from seeing him, and thanks to that, for the Veritas Lenses to unmask his shapeshifting, but it wasn't a place where he could hide forever.

<There are around one to two thousand soldiers in the area...>

Unbeknownst to the enemy, Erik was using his Instability brain crystal power to manipulate their emotions. It was the fastest and best way to deal with these guys without having to risk his life.

If he succeeded, he might be able not only to create chaos among the ranks and kill a good number of soldiers, but also get a huge amount of mana, or better experience.

This would for sure make him level up, replenishing his reserves once more.

But Influencing thousands of people at the same time required him to use all of his mana reserves.

Besides, the process was far from straightforward. It required him to, in a sense, fragment his consciousness into countless pieces, each targeting an individual, even if only slightly, and that was why that much mana was required. On a single individual, it would have been much less.

Splitting his mind in this way made it difficult for Erik to focus on his surroundings, putting him at risk. He wouldn't be able to react swiftly if someone discovered his hiding spot. Yet, it remained his best option to ensure his safety.

<I can fight melee, but that is almost as demanding as using the instability brain crystal power is, with the difference being that I also risk getting killed.>

He reached out with his mind, his consciousness brushing against theirs like tendrils of mist seeping into cracks.

With each passing moment, he pushed them further and further towards the brink of various emotions. He was stoking the fires of their fear and their rage to the point they would consume the targets entirely.

The soldiers' conversations grew increasingly tense. They tried to laugh and feigned bravery, but their efforts rang hollow-unconvincing, even to themselves.

Many talked about their families at home and the people they missed. Some remembered better times from before the war started, mostly those from Etrium and Hin, who were those, aside from those coming from Frant, who had been affected the most by this war against him, against Erik Romano.

Even though they tried to stay calm, everyone could feel that something wasn't right. Maybe it was the fact they were in foreign lands, albeit not all of them, or maybe it was the fact they knew they were going to die in this foreign land, but the unease persisted, gnawing at their resolve.

The soldiers felt jittery. Every dark spot seemed dangerous. Their training helped them fight, but it couldn't prepare them for someone like Erik Romano. This guy proved himself to be a monster, to be a devil, and maybe, at least as much as the stories depicted him, he was even more devious than the devil himself.

It became harder to choose between following orders and staying safe. Erik's power made these feelings worse. What started as a search for a dangerous person turned into a fight against their own fears.

Their fear kept growing. It changed how they thought, making it hard for them to think.

Some paced back and forth while the group moved. Erratic thoughts raced as they struggled to keep their composure.

Suddenly, panic spread through the group as if a spark had been ignited. It began with one person screaming in fear for no reason.

"I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

Soon, other people started screaming too. Various voices created a symphony.

"I WANT TO GO HOME!"

"FUCK ERIK ROMANO! I'M OUT OF HERE!"

"I WANT TO SEE MY MOM!"

It was a completely irrational reaction.

"Shut up!" a soldier said. "We have a job to do! We can't let that monster alive!"

However, the rising tide of panic drowned out the soldier's words even as he was speaking. More and more voices joined the chorus.

Even the blackguards, as stoic and unflappable as they were, felt the effects of Erik's power, albeit not knowing he was the one responsible for this clusterfuck.

They shifted uneasily, their hands tightening on their weapons. Though, contrary to most of the others, they felt something was amiss.

It was true that their allies were scared, but not this much, not like this.

What was most puzzling, though, was not the fearful reaction some had, but those of rage that some of the soldiers were exhibiting.

Yes, they didn't like such powerful fellas reacting like little kids. Even they found it bothersome, but the rage-or, better yet, that much rage-was unjustified.

"I don't like this," a blackguard said.

"Me neither."

Earlier, as if a spark ignited fear, this time, it was as if something ignited a powder keg. The tension exploded into violence for no apparent reason.

Surprisingly, it started because of one of the many blackguards who lashed out at a panicking soldier, his sword connecting with the man's chest and going through the heart.

"What the?!"

The other blackguards couldn't see the man's face because of the mask he was wearing, but if they could, they would see a visage contorted with unbridled rage, one that bordered on

madness.

His eyes were wide open and red. The veins on his forehead were swollen and pulsing as he breathed heavily.

He was baring his teeth like an angry animal. His lips were pulled back in a grimace.

He looked... No; he was completely out of control, as if all his normal thoughts were gone.

In a matter of moments, the situation turned into chaos. A massive fight broke out among the soldiers and blackguards.

The problem was that at least a thousand people took part in it. They started attacking each other, using their brain crystal powers or those coming from their weapons to rip into their comrades' throats. Everyone had lost control of themselves.

One soldier's body stretched like rubber and choked her friend. Another soldier shot fire from his hands, burning everything in their way.

A blackguard moved through the attacks as if he were a ghost. He passed through solid objects and appeared behind the people attacking him.

Using this power, he mercilessly took down his opponents.

Another soldier's skin turned rock-hard, making him impossible to hurt for those on a similar level of power.

He ran through the fight, knocking down his comrades like they were toy soldiers. Which they were. In truth, it was just that; they were Erik's toy soldiers.

The battle kept going, getting worse and worse. Soldiers and blackguards fought each other wildly, not holding back.

Blood ended up everywhere on the ground, on the walls. The air smelled of iron, mixed with dust, broken things, and scary powers.

Erik watched from a distance, still controlling the soldiers' emotions. He could sense their fear and anger, enjoying the feeling of toying with those trying to kill him. Erik mentally smiled, but his face was that of an insect, so no physical change came.