Chapter 53: Execution
Nightfall descended.
Qin Mo returned to the underground caverns of the fortress, but rather than conducting research, he scrutinized the footage captured by Grott's power armor.
Yao En stood beside him.
The footage on the screen was remarkably comprehensive, beginning with Grott following Klein to observe the arena, culminating in his cannon blast that obliterated the so-called Champion of Valor's statue, followed by his sweep through the arena's structure before departing.
Yao En, watching intently, struggled to discern any inconsistencies in the recording, for he would have acted similarly to Grott in that situation.
However, Qin Mo grasped the gravest concern underlying the entire incident.
"Did you notice how unhinged Heavy Hammer has become?" Qin Mo inquired, gesturing toward the screen.
"Indeed, he appears to have suddenly turned exceedingly violent, but that's understandable—he's avenging a wrong," Yao En replied.
"Yet, have you observed his statue? This so-called Champion of Valor?" Qin Mo pressed.
Yao En scrutinized the screen more closely, examining the statue of the Champion of Valor, then expressed his thoughts: "I find that object rather sinister."
"Precisely," Qin Mo affirmed with a nod of satisfaction. "Should an ordinary individual succumb to the insatiable urge to kill, they risk being corrupted by some dreadful entity. And that statue…"
Qin Mo refrained from elaborating on the statue but surmised internally that it must represent an entity of terror, with Heavy Hammer's faith essentially manifesting as devotion to this very terror.
Such is the common plight of many chaos worshippers; they might not fully comprehend what they are venerating, or even if they do, they dare not utter the names of chaotic gods.
From Heavy Hammer's perspective, he remained unaware of the existence of such terror within the universe. He only knew that in his direst hour, a deity had bestowed blessings upon him, leading him to naturally embrace faith in this god.
"He is a liability," Qin Mo declared, "one that must be addressed."
Realization dawned upon Yao En regarding the purpose of Qin Mo's summons; he promptly performed the Eagle salute. "Leave it to me; I shall execute him."
"No, you have another task to fulfill." Qin Mo replied, handing Yao En a photograph. "You are to execute this individual."
Yao En lowered his gaze to the photograph, only to discover it depicted the state clergy member, David.
On the reverse side of the photograph was inscribed David's current location: the grandest cathedral in the Underneath.
"Ensure his little beast is executed alongside him. Although it is a formidable psychic cat and a loss to eliminate, it is unavoidable," Qin Mo commanded. Lacking sufficient evidence to confirm whether David had been corrupted, his psychic cat's demeanor indicated he was no trifling matter; thus, executing him was the most prudent course of action.
Yao En nodded, stowing the photograph as he began to don his power armor.
"Aren't you curious as to why?" Qin Mo asked.
"I am curious, but I shall not inquire, for I know your orders are invariably just. I only require knowledge of the task at hand," Yao En replied.
"Excellent." Qin Mo was thoroughly pleased and assisted Yao En in donning the elite power armor.
Just before their departure, Qin Mo gifted Yao En a token.
It was a pendant, capable of being worn around the neck, a square object adorned with blue patterns.
"Keep this safe; even in my absence, I can channel power through it," Qin Mo instructed.
"Understood. I will cherish it," Yao En affirmed, securing the pendant around his neck.
Then, Qin Mo settled down, fixated on the screens before him.
Two screens displayed concurrent footage; the left showcased scenes from a slum in Area One, while the right revealed images from the cathedral below.
These images were relayed in real-time by reconnaissance drones.
Once Yao En transmitted to the exterior of the cathedral, Qin Mo seized the communicator and issued orders to Grey: "I need you and the other elite guards to prepare for immediate transport."
Soon, Grey's voice crackled through the communicator: "We will regroup and be ready within two minutes. What is the mission?"
Qin Mo's gaze remained fixed on the left screen, where a group of individuals, their bodies shackled with broken chains, gathered. Among them, one wielded a battle axe, roaring as he engaged others in martial practice.
"The task is simple: upon transport, execute all whom you see."
…
In the slum.
Heavy Hammer beheaded a civilian, raising his battle axe high, his roar echoing throughout the impoverished enclave: "Praise the Champion of Valor!"
"Praise the Champion of Valor!"
"Praise the Champion of Valor!"
Those who had been rescued from the arena, along with all who joined them in the slum, raised their arms in fervent cheer.
The alloy battle axe in Heavy Hammer's hands gleamed in the firelight, resembling a brass weapon of radiant beauty.
"Next!" Heavy Hammer bellowed.
A final civilian was brought forth, a laser pistol thrust into his trembling hands.
This laser pistol had been discovered among the ruins of the arena, once belonging to the gang leader who controlled the arena.
"Fight!" Heavy Hammer roared as he charged at the civilian.
The civilian, panicked, raised his weapon in a futile defense, only to see his arm and the pistol soar through the air in the next instant.
Then… darkness consumed him.
"For the Champion of Valor!" Heavy Hammer shouted once more. But this time, he noticed others did not echo his call.
Until someone pointed behind Heavy Hammer, he swiftly turned.
Three energy fissures abruptly manifested not far away, followed by the appearance of three warriors clad in power armor. Before their forms had fully coalesced from the energy, they surged forward, one hurling a beacon toward Heavy Hammer.
In that instant, Heavy Hammer recalled that his brother's power armor was akin to theirs.
Fortunately, he had a fair understanding of elite power armor and knew its shoulder cannon was exceptionally formidable, equipped to unleash shotgun lasers, thus largely averting the risk of being caught off guard.
However, unbeknownst to Heavy Hammer, despite his brother's status as a former guard, four individuals were still adorned in elite armor—Yao En excluded.
"Be careful!" Heavy Hammer heard the warning, evading as he turned to glance behind him.
The fourth warrior clad in elite power armor emerged, his gravity hammer raised high, ready to smash down unless warned in the next moment.
Grey appeared behind Heavy Hammer; he had arrived only after the other three and had thrown the beacon, allowing for a more precise teleportation, even positioning himself directly behind Heavy Hammer.
Upon witnessing Heavy Hammer's evasion, Grey swiftly adapted his attack, transitioning from a downward strike to a horizontal sweep, striking Heavy Hammer's metallic body.
Upon contact with the gravitational field, the once-sturdy metal began to twist and deform, until half of Heavy Hammer's upper body was shattered.
"You are attacking civilians," Grey said, gripping the gravity hammer with both hands, his seamless helmet locked onto Heavy Hammer. "You are a disgrace to your brother."
"Do not mention my brother!" Heavy Hammer roared in fury, grasping his battle axe with one hand as he slowly retreated toward his own.
Grey suddenly noticed that Heavy Hammer's severed arm had become entangled with the axe.