Chapter 136: Dealing with Hunter Lowe and the Official Inquiry

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Dealing with Hunter Lowe and the Official Inquiry

Seeing Sean Chandler charge over, a savage, triumphant grin spread across Hunter Lowe’s face. He brazenly activated his Talent.

[Brainwashing]!

An invisible yet exceptionally chilling wave of Spirit Power instantly crossed the distance. It attempted to force its way into the depths of Sean Chandler’s consciousness, twisting his perception and searing an imprint of absolute obedience onto his spiritual core.

Sean Chandler’s charge came to a sudden halt. He stiffened for a brief moment, and his eyes seemed to glaze over.

Justin Brooks, who was struggling against the insect swarm, glimpsed this, and his heart sank.

’This is bad!’

"Damn it! Don’t tell me Mr. Chandler fell for Hunter Lowe’s trick too?! If even he’s under Control, we’re completely finished!"

Justin Brooks knew how terrifying Hunter Lowe’s Ability was. He was overcome with anxiety, already bracing himself for the worst-case scenario: fighting both the insect swarm and a controlled Sean Chandler.

However, Seraphina Sullivan, who stood behind the window, wasn’t the least bit worried about the [Brainwashing].

Compared to this external Mind Control, the [Spirit Mutation Spider Silk] she had used on Sean Chandler early on had already fundamentally transformed him into her absolute puppet. The priority and stability of its Spirit Link far surpassed Hunter Lowe’s Brainwashing Ability.

Any external Mind Control, hypnosis, or Brainwashing-type Effects would be automatically blocked or nullified by the Power of the [Spirit Mutation Spider Silk] before they could even reach Sean Chandler’s core.

The stiffness and dazed look Sean Chandler was exhibiting were a complete act, an illusion meant to lull his opponent into a false sense of security and close the distance!

"Haha! It worked! Get over here!"

Seeing Sean Chandler stop, Hunter Lowe’s face lit up with ecstasy and extreme confidence. He smugly beckoned him over.

Under Justin Brooks’s horrified and nearly hopeless gaze, Sean Chandler did as he was told. With a slightly stiff gait, he walked step by step until he stood right before Hunter Lowe.

’The worst has happened after all...’ Justin Brooks’s heart sank to the abyss. Gritting his teeth through the pain of his injuries, he frantically tried to figure out how to deal with both the insect swarm and a powerful, controlled Player.

Hunter Lowe gazed at Sean Chandler, who was now right in front of him, like a perfect masterpiece. He was so excited he could barely contain himself, eager to savor the thrill of dominating someone so powerful.

He opened his mouth, ready to issue his first command, "Now, go and..."

But before he could finish the command,

everything changed in an instant!

Sean Chandler, whose eyes had been "vacant," suddenly flared with cold, murderous intent!

He moved with ghostly speed. Hunter Lowe didn’t even see it happen before a cold, powerful hand clamped around his throat like an iron vise.

"Ugh?!?!"

The ecstasy on Hunter Lowe’s face instantly froze, replaced by utter horror and disbelief.

His eyes bulged from the shock and lack of air. "Im... pos... sible! How... are you... not... under... my... Control?!"

A subtle, yet ice-cold smirk formed on Sean Chandler’s lips.

He didn’t waste a single word, nor did he give Hunter Lowe any time to struggle or even think.

CRACK!

A crisp yet sickening sound of breaking bone rang out.

Sean Chandler applied his strength without hesitation, activating [Monster Power].

He cleanly and decisively snapped Hunter Lowe’s neck!

The look of shock and terror was permanently frozen on Hunter Lowe’s face. His body went limp and crumpled to the ground, the light in his eyes rapidly fading to nothing.

Watching from the window, Seraphina Sullivan felt not the slightest ripple of emotion.

She would never allow such a threat to survive—not someone with a dangerous control Ability who was clearly hostile toward them.

Sean Chandler might be immune to Brainwashing thanks to the Spirit Mutation Spider Silk, but she herself had no such defense.

’As I thought. I need to find some Skills or equipment that can defend against Mind Control and soul attacks as soon as possible.’

Seraphina Sullivan resolved to herself.

This kind of inescapable Control Ability was just too dangerous.

Hunter Lowe’s death seemed to sever some kind of invisible link.

The Rogue Beetles, which had been attacking with frenzied yet orderly precision, instantly descended into utter chaos!

They stopped fighting in coordination, instead beginning to attack indiscriminately or simply wander in circles, their aggression greatly diminished.

The pressure on Justin Brooks eased abruptly. He seized the opportunity, fighting hard to clear out the remaining Insectoid Monsters.

Just then, the urgent yet reassuring sound of sirens echoed from the distance.

Several military vehicles sped through the lingering puddles and screeched to a halt at the edge of the residential complex.

Fully armed government soldiers quickly disembarked, formed a defensive line, and began to mop up the chaotic swarm.

These were the reinforcements Justin Brooks had called for from his team on his way down.

Philip Jensen was at the forefront, his Ability proving particularly effective in this situation.

With a wave of his hand, chilling energy condensed in the air. Several sharp ice spikes instantly formed and shot forward with a piercing whistle, accurately striking a few beetles that were trying to charge the soldiers on the perimeter!

SQUELCH!

The ice spikes easily pierced the beetles’ relatively vulnerable joints and compound eyes, pinning them to the ground and instantly incapacitating them.

With the official forces joining the fray,

especially a Player like Philip Jensen who possessed area-of-effect control Abilities, the rest of the swarm was quickly suppressed and eliminated.

This sudden crisis was finally resolved, a terrifying but ultimately harmless ordeal.

Amid the chaos, after dealing with Hunter Lowe, Sean Chandler’s keen eyes noticed a peculiar ruby necklace around the dead man’s neck. It was dark reddish-brown and shaped like a bizarre spider.

Having seen his fair share of special items while with Seraphina Sullivan, he instantly knew this was no ordinary object.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he reached out, yanked it off, and quickly pocketed it.

Upstairs, Seraphina Sullivan watched the situation below gradually come under control and breathed a sigh of relief, but her mind was already racing. ’The crisis is over, but the real trouble is just beginning. Sean Chandler publicly displayed his Player Abilities, so the officials will definitely take notice... good thing I prepared the ’boyfriend’ identity in advance.’

Seraphina Sullivan composed her expression, straightened her clothes, and prepared to head downstairs.

Since Sean Chandler was the "front" she had put forward, she, his "girlfriend," had to be present for any interactions or explanations with the officials. They had to face it together to make their cover story more believable.

She took a deep breath, walked to the door, and steeled herself for the "questioning" and "gratitude" that was sure to come.

...

「The interrogations were conducted separately.」

On one side, a registrar with a stern expression was taking down Sean Chandler’s basic information.

"Name!"

"Sean Chandler." His voice was steady, revealing no emotion.

"Age!"

"26."

"..."

Sean Chandler’s answers were extremely terse, offering no extraneous information. That, combined with his stern expression and his recent feat of snapping a man’s neck with his bare hands, put an invisible pressure on the staff member conducting the interview.

Meanwhile, Philip Jensen was personally handling Seraphina Sullivan’s questioning.

His approach was much gentler; after all, he didn’t want to frighten Seraphina Sullivan, who looked like an ordinary civilian.

"Miss Sullivan, were you aware that your boyfriend, Sean Chandler, is a ’Player’?" Philip Jensen asked, doing his best to keep his tone gentle.