The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 81: Confusion & More Confusion

Chapter 81: Confusion & More Confusion

After the mix of confusion and terror, most of the people who weren’t caught in the explosions and were not currently dying were quickly adjusting themselves.

If the situation was just normal ships crashing into the dock, everything would’ve been fine, but whatever the hazardous, definitely illegal, bombs they were carrying did massive damage to the area.  

Pools of unstable, sparking acidic energy had already started forming at the crash sites. 

Everyone was either helping and trying to save their friends who were dying thanks to the bombs; scared stiff; or were people currently dying, ready to join the crowd who had already carked it. There was one person who was using the noise to leave the scene.

…Well, I won’t be letting you get away.

From one of the wreckages, a cloaked figure dug out of the scrap pile grave and headed for the exit of the docks. They didn’t seem to be injured, but I had no way to actually determine that, they could just have a high pain tolerance and armour was the perfect way to hide bodily injuries.

The individual’s armour changed shape to match the standard uniform of multiple combat personnel in the area. Then, within moments, they had already blended in with the crowds and made a move towards the exit. I would’ve lost them if I wasn’t tracking them with my soul pressure.

I also made my move less stealthy, but to all observers, it appeared I was heading for the exit.

I started to prepare my attack, but before I made my strike, I asked Espoiramissa a question.

Espr, what was that pulse… determining. 

(" Interesting way to phrase it ”)

Are you going to answer?

(" Hadn’t you already decided that asking me would lead to no results? ”)

I had… but I’ve already changed my mind. 

An ominous feeling had swelled up after the last pulse. Originally, I had no plans to even guess what the energy waves were about, but if my theories were correct, it would greatly affect me.

I had already learned a few things, which led to me having some guesses. 

The fact that only I and a few others could feel it meant it was doing something, but it was hard for the average person to tell. That observation wasn’t mind-blowing, but due to how it felt, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was scanning souls, which would make sense why only those with strong souls can feel the scan. 

Three coincidences can happen, but in this situation, they felt too… purposefully.

(" Creative theory, but what is causing the pulse isn’t causing you to be a trouble magnet ”)

And with an answer from Espr, my guess had been thrown into the trash. It was a simple guess that somehow it was making these encounters happen. Well, maybe not to me specifically–I would be extremely concerned if that were the case–but that it was dragging the invaders and defenders towards each other. To be honest, I kind of hoped my theory wasn’t the case. I didn’t care about strangers, but that didn’t mean I liked the idea of crashing ships into a populated station and causing the deaths of many just so I could fight a few people.

(" Any other questions? ”)

Not at the moment.

I ended my quick talk, as I was now in striking range.

I’ve just got to time this right.

A gauntlet of Starlight wrapped around my hand.

[Quiet Step] [Disruptive Starlight].

In a single motion, I was in front and crouched below the escape, arm tucked, ready to give an uppercut. As my Starlight coated fist plunged into the person's stomach, “Everyone! This person sneaked out of one of the wreckages!” With an additional strong blast of soul pressure, I stunned them for a moment, and their body was launched into the air.

I didn’t love the attention, but it wasn’t going to hurt me, especially in a situation like this. The same could not be said for my now outnumbered adversary.

People who were able to, turned their heads over to check out the new commotion.

The [Disruptive Starlight] took effect, and the illusion shattered. I made a bet that the appearance change was visual effect-based technology and not a skill, and it paid off.

Around the docks, some people were still busy helping, others were confused and decided to stay back for a moment, but a few people saw that situation and made their own bet that I was telling the truth.

(" Surprised you didn’t go for a killing blow ”)

I didn’t know how strong their armour was, and I’m glad I didn’t. I definitely wouldn’t have made a strong enough weapon to pierce through it.

The man was clearly panicked, and he blasted himself back to the ground with magic and entered into a full sprint, trying to book it to the exit.

People were all too ready to intercept him, and a large golden arch had blocked the exit.

I took a step back, chose to play a support role, and allowed myself to enjoy the show of watching a Dominous Hood member be ganged up on.