Birth Of The Crafts-God

Chapter 217 The Stunned Security Personnel

On the day that Lucas had disappeared from the Seven Sparks Forge store, just before the incident, the security team that had been tasked with monitoring his every move were calm and relaxed. This was understandable as the surveillance systems and measures used on Lucas were so tight and secure that they weren't worried. Even if the target was a fourth level Apertures Opening stage stellar practitioner, he might not be able to get away safely. Just the stellar refinement levels of the BCPC agents were at the second and third level. Meanwhile, the pieces of equipment were of high-grade and could even capture the movement of a fourth level stellar practitioner at their best. On the contrary, Lucas was a human.

From this level of setup, it was quite obvious that escaping was impossible, or so they thought. This was why, a few minutes later when nothing came up on the screens, they were stunned.

One should recall that apart from the usual security cameras, there were surveillance equipment that utilised infra-red, x-ray and even bio-scan technology. These equipment could see through obstacles to create an imagery of the other side. Infra-red and x-ray devices achieved this using electromagnetic radiations or waves invisible to the hyuman eye. Bio-scans worked by reading a unique signature called the origin wave, which only animate beings could give off.

Previously, every single aspect of the store was under surveillance even without the security team stepping into the building. This included the work-station that Lucas has prohibited others from entering. Using infra-red detectors, they could see the equipment in the work-station and even replicate the layout using AI image mapping and simulation technology. This way, instead of the usual red, yellow, purple and orange lights on an infrared display, the security team could see things almost as clear as if they were there.

However, when Lucas walked into the work-station with Melissa, the screen displaying the room had turned black. At first, the group thought it to be an equipment malfunction and hurriedly adjusted a different surveillance camera to pick up signatures from there; after all, the target and another suspect were there.

However, when the display of the second surveillance camera went black as well, the security team realised something weird was going on. That was when one of the investigators in the team of five, who was working on the first display to resolve the technical issue, discovered that it wasn't a technical issue. The camera, the sensors, the software, the AI and even the display were all working perfectly. But they were simply picking up a black image.

"Report to the patrol team." The unit commander of the group of five abruptly said.

It was clear that something fishy was going on, and chances were that it was the work of the target.

The man who had discovered that it wasn't a technical problem, hurried to click a button on the projected keyboard. He then yelled right away,

"Code G9. I repeat, code G9. The target has taken action."

Outside the building were a group of BCPC agents who were monitoring the area while occasionally looking at the building. An emergency signal was promptly sent to them by the surveillance unit. When they got the message, seven of the agents immediately dashed toward the store from the different directions. Two aimed to force their way in through the window; another two went towards the door. One of them came in through the back and was heading for the backdoor which led directly to the work-station. The last two rode special vehicles and flew in from above. They were planning to force their way into the building from the second floor and secure the area.

The speed at which the seven men moved was so fast and smooth, it was clear that they weren't average agents, but possibly members of the special force. Despite that, they faced resistance on their way.

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*Bang*

*Bam*

"Arghhh."

"Ahhh."

Whether it was the man who tried barging in through the back, or the two who aimed for the window, they all encountered obstacles. Some of them had tried to force their way in with a kick or ram through the door with their body mass, but they all failed. In fact, they didn't just fail, but had experienced injuries from the collision.

Rather than a door or a window, it felt as if what they had gone against was an immovable boulder made of 20 tonnes[1] of steel. Naturally, the backlash was painful.

"What happened?"

Both the monitoring team and the other agents in standby were surprised.

Even the two agents who had tried entering in from above had failed and they landed badly on the ground. Even though the duo were both at the second level, a fall that high especially after suffering a rebound, had left them with major injuries and a dislocation or two.

"They can't get in." The assistant to the BCPC lieutenant on standby said.

"I can clearly see that, you moron. I want to know why!" The lieutenant barked.

One shouldn't blame him for his rude outburst, as the man was currently under a lot of pressure.

Other lieutenants had taken charge with their team and monitored the area with nothing strange happening. However, just a few hours after he had taken the post with his team, the target was making a move yet they couldn't even get inside the building. If the target were to mysteriously disappear or something, it would be very difficult for the lieutenant to be exonerated of blame.

"I don't care how you do it or what you're going to do, but get in there and bring that guy out!"

The remaining eight agents in the platoon dashed at the building. Having learnt from the previous seven, they didn't use their body to force their way in, instead pulling out their vestiges and weapons to attack the building's possible entrances. Since their lieutenant had given the order, the state of the building didn't matter anymore; what mattered was fulfilling the task.

However, even as they tried their best to force their way in, the doors and windows didn't budge. This was even after a Grade 2 vestige was used to attack the doors and windows.

"What the hell?"

Whether it was the lieutenant or the surveillance team watching through the cameras, they were all stunned. This was even more so for the surveillance team.

With their equipment, the surveillance team had already identified the windows and doors to be made of regular materials. There was also no flow of stellar energy on them, meaning that there was no active stellar matrix or runes. Despite the laid-out facts, these ordinary windows and doors remained firm and took in the full brunt of the agents' attacks without so much as a scratch on them.

"Get out of the way." The lieutenant growled, partly disappointed at his men.

Although he could see that the building was now strange, he refused to believe it. Instead, he presumed that his men were either going easy or simply too weak. However, he was a fourth level Apertures Opening stage stellar practitioner; all lieutenants were.

Armed with a Grade 3 vestige that he has spent his entire savings on, the lieutenant refused to believe that the door wouldn't break down. However, just to be safe, he aimed for one of the windows in front.

It was entirely made of glass and was a unique style of floor to ceiling window.

The lieutenant's vestige was a Grade 3 spear and it was made with special materials with high strength and toughness. With his fourth level stellar energy being pumped into the vestige's stellar matrices, even a six-inch diamond would get pierced through easily and smashed into pieces.

"Mad Scorpion Thrust!"

The lieutenant roared. He was the kind of guy that likes to yell out his technique right before a big attack. That's right; he was a patient diagnosed with the legendary eighth-grader syndrome [2].

The technique he used was a martial technique practices by spear users in the Baylands City Patrol Corps. It was nothing special to be exact, and was just similar to how some police agencies mandated their members to learn basic boxing or martial arts. Nonetheless, while this technique wasn't anything unique, in the hands of someone of the lieutenant, it became a force worth taking note of.

*Bang*

The spear connected as it crashed right into the window. A resounding sound burst from the point of collision, but it wasn't the cracking sound if glass as one would expect.

Stunned, the crowd stared at the scene only to see the lieutenant flying back before crashing terribly on the floor with a thud. He had been forced back by the rebound force from the attack.

The members of the team, who had just recovered from the earlier blow, all took in a cold breath of air and couldn't help but be relieved. This was because, compared to them who were simply tossed backwards, the arm of the lieutenant was currently in an unnatural position. It was clear that he had suffered a severe injury after his attempt.

"Ahhhh!"

The pain kicked in at the moment as the lieutenant cried out loud. However, no one felt like laughing.

The Seven Sparks Forge, which was a store previously known for its impressive technology then regarded with pity for how it became a target of envy and greed, was now shrouded in an air of mystery.

Meanwhile in the surveillance team's station, the cameras went back to normal but the team weren't relieved. On the contrary, they began to sweat heavily as their faces relayed a mix of confusion, nervous, and fright. This was because, although the cameras were now working fine, Lucas as well as Melissa, were nowhere to be seen.