Chapter 450: The Rules of Nullity

Surrounded on all sides by the Federation’s elite troops, Alexander stood up with difficulty and brushed the dust off his robes.

"Any ideas?" whispered Alexander, surveying the ruins around them.

Stephen directed his gaze toward his SUV, which lay overturned a few meters away.

"If we can reach it, we can escape," said Stephen, adjusting his vest. "Brian is a pain, but that’s all. His ability is lethal against us, but he himself is weak. However, that protects us; no one can enter his domain without losing their combat capabilities. We can’t attack him because his ability neutralizes attacks, strikes, and explosions; we don’t know how to bypass his defense. However, no one else will attack us while we are inside his range."

"So what will you do?" asked Brian, taking a step forward with a smile.

"Simple: human wave tactics, coming at us one by one," said Scott, spitting blood as he stood up beside Alexander. "However, his ability alone isn’t effective against us either. That’s why Brian has been hesitant to attack us. At best, his physical strength is Silver Rank, whereas Steph possesses physical strength near Platinum Rank. As for you, I don’t know how much of the potion he gave you you’ve absorbed, but as long as they don’t bring the Beast Emperor, we’ll be safe."

"Beast Emperor?" asked Alexander, furrowing his brow. "Who’s that?"

"A guy of pure strength," explained Scott, keeping his eyes glued to Brian. "Word is he was born able to move cars. It’s physical strength—he has no abilities, just raw power. His body is his armor, but he hates the Federation. He’s the only one who could kill us under these conditions, but he could kill Brian too; he’s his direct counter."

Brian took a couple of steps toward them with his hands in his pockets, a serene expression resting on his face.

"Come on, boys... why don’t you deactivate the poison and we negotiate?" asked Brian, glancing at the expanding toxic mist. "There’s no need for mutual destruction."

"Sure, how about you deactivate your domain and we have tea?" mocked Scott, flashing a smile. "Mine chamomile, sugar-free... I’m watching my figure."

"You seem to think you’re safe here," said Brian, narrowing his eyes.

"Sure, I feel at ease," said Scott, gesturing to the troops surrounding them. "Your guys don’t have what it takes to kill us. Isn’t that why you sent the Firefly and the dark guy to fight us?"

At that moment, a figure enveloped in heat landed to the side.

"So, Firefly?" said the Pillar of Flame, glaring at Scott with fury before locking her eyes onto Alexander. "How about we play a second round?"

Alexander took a step forward, looking her up and down with a smirk.

"Whenever you want," whispered Alexander. "You’re sexy and hot, but hysterical for my taste."

"So you’re what motivated them to confront us?" asked the Pillar of Flame, clenching her fists. "Do you three think you can annihilate the Federation?"

"I don’t know if we can annihilate it," cut in Stephen with a chuckle, "but if we don’t leave here, at least everyone living on this planet will die."

The Council Hall building was blanketed in a black substance and appeared to be dissolving right before their eyes. Screams from thousands of soldiers and officers echoed from inside as they tried to escape in vain. Breathing the toxic vapor once sealed their fate; the poison liquefied them from within, causing them to bleed from every orifice until they dissolved.

"See?" said Stephen, pointing to the slaughter with his thumb. "The same thing is going to happen to you."

The Pillar of Flame stepped back, staying outside the edge of Brian’s domain as she gathered a mass of fire in both hands.

"Let’s see if your physical strikes can stop this!" screamed the Pillar of Flame, hurling a rain of purple fire spears toward the group.

The projectiles streaked through the air, but the instant they crossed the boundary of Brian’s area of effect, the flames sputtered, losing their brilliance until turning into harmless sparks that vanished before touching Alexander.

"I told you, doll," whispered Alexander, crossing his arms as he met her gaze. "This old man’s domain nullifies everything that enters it. Your fire spears are nothing but hot air in here."

"Damn it!" shouted the Pillar of Flame, gritting her teeth as she witnessed the futility of her attacks.

"Don’t waste your mana," said Brian, remaining calm as he watched the mist of [Desolate Earth] continue to devour the foundations of the central building. "They can’t step out of my range without regaining their abilities, and if they try to run, we’ll crush them at the border."

"That’s assuming we stand around waiting, old man," said Scott, taking off toward the overturned SUV.

"Time to use our fists—let me at ’em!" roared Stephen, charging behind him to force their way through the enemy troops blocking the vehicle.

The Federation’s elite troops attempted to form a defensive line in front of the vehicle, but Stephen was the first to crash into them like a bull.

"Out of my way, trash!" roared Stephen, landing a punch on the first soldier’s helmet.

The impact echoed like an iron sledgehammer, shattering the armor’s metal and sending the guard flying back several meters.

Alexander wasn’t about to fall behind. Without his shadows’ energy or blood mana, he relied on the effects of the potion Stephen had given him, feeling the muscular density coursing through his body. He ducked under an officer’s spear and drove a knee into his stomach, knocking the breath out of him.

"Not bad for having no mana," whispered Alexander, grabbing another guard by the throat to slam his head into the pavement.

Several soldiers positioned at a distance attempted to fire their energy rifles at the SUV to destroy it, but as soon as the projectiles entered Brian’s domain, they lost momentum and dropped to the ground without touching the metal.

"Attack up close! Destroy that vehicle with your bare hands!" shouted an enemy commander.

Dozens of soldiers rushed the SUV, bashing the bodywork with their spears and warhammers in an attempt to breach the doors or pop the tires. However, the chassis didn’t dent under the hail of blows.

Stephen planted both hands beneath the chassis and flipped the SUV upright in a surge, letting out a laugh as he watched the soldiers strike the metal to no avail.

"Keep trying, you idiots!" shouted Stephen, yanking the driver’s side door open. "This beauty is forged from an asteroid alloy—you won’t make a scratch on it with those trinkets!"

"Get in before Brian changes his mind!" said Scott, leaping into the passenger seat while pulling Alexander into the back seat.