This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 348 - 188: The Sparrow Stalks The Praying Mantis, Seraad’s Despair

Chapter 348: Chapter 188: The Sparrow Stalks The Praying Mantis, Seraad’s Despair

The artificial sun had gone out, and the entire Floating Island was cast in dimmer light. Inside the spaceship of the Judgers, Mogaro was devising the Sudden Attack plan.

He stood around the Mimicry sand table, with the virtual scenery of Floating Island No. 113 hovering in the center.

"This person has a Record of killing B-Level Life Forms, but those killed were not of the highest strength tier. According to the information we’ve gathered, he even fled from those two for a while," Mogaro said gravely:

"Once we infiltrate, subdue him immediately. There’s no need to be too cautious, and it doesn’t matter if he gets hurt a bit..."

As he was speaking, footsteps hurried over as if they were from the underling he had earlier dispatched to check on intelligence, who quickly came to his side and whispered: "Captain, there’s a problem."

"That group of mercenaries is from Night Eye, not targeting us."

As he spoke, the subordinate pulled up information on the screen, "Shadow Concealment space pirate—Seraad, has recently caused quite a stir in the Land of Stars. He seems to have stolen a very precious item from the Night Eye Mercenary Group, and they are all searching for him."

The subordinate stood to one side, reporting, while Mogaro looked at the data on the screen, his vertical pupils rippling, "A Life Form skilled in disguise?"

"That’s right..." the subordinate nodded, whispering: "That’s also why the Night Eye Mercenary Group wants to search our ship."

"Seraad is trapped in the Land of Stars. The other few A-Level Life Forms give a lot of face to Night Eye Mercenary Group; it would be very difficult for this person to escape."

However... considering their own distinctive identities, Mogaro’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately issued an order: "Call everyone in the cabin here, no one is allowed to bring any weapons!"

"Yes!"

Mogaro appeared thoughtful, his gaze suddenly sweeping over several other B-Level Life Forms and pacing back and forth. His only target was Kay; he did not want any complications.

"Let’s proceed with the test then. Since the disguise technique is superb, we’ll perform a blood test," someone volunteered.

Mogaro nodded. No matter what, there was just one of the enemy, who could at most mimic one person. They still held the advantage in numbers ultimately.

Footsteps resounded one after another, as the golden-eyed individuals made their way into the main cabin hall, all wearing a look of confusion.

Before they all arrived, Mogaro and the other B-Level Life Forms had already completed their blood tests.

The impersonator was not among them.

"Line up!"

Mogaro called out sternly, scrutinizing them closely. On the surface, it was nearly impossible to spot any clues.

"Captain, what’s this about?" someone asked, tentatively probing.

Mogaro frowned. The equipment on this spaceship was not particularly cutting-edge; the blood tests took time.

In the short term, it might be difficult to detect anything off. By calling everyone here without initially finding the target, they might have just made the enemy more vigilant.

But his mission was urgent, and he didn’t want to waste too much time playing cat and mouse with that guy.

Just then, his eyelids suddenly trembled, "Wait, isn’t someone missing?"

The many soldiers standing before him looked at each other in dismay. Mogaro glanced around and confirmed, "Indeed, one hundred twenty-seven people, we’re one short."

"Looks like it’s Ross..." someone hesitantly spoke up, and quickly others echoed, "That’s right, it’s him."

Ross?

Mogaro was visibly shaken, the scene from earlier when Ross asked him why he wouldn’t retreat playing vividly in his mind.

A chill couldn’t help but run down his spine; how could he have missed any sign, considering how close they had been earlier?

"Lock down the spaceship, go find him!" Mogaro bellowed, but then shook his head, "Wait, that guy’s a B-Level Life Form, you aren’t his match."

"Everyone stay here, I’ll contact the Night Eye Mercenary Group."

At that moment, a commotion suddenly erupted among the crew; some soldiers began to collapse face down, their faces pale, pupils trembling, frothing at the mouth.

"John!" The teammate beside him shouted. Mogaro rushed over, and after just a glance, his face turned grim, "Damn, it’s nerve gas!"

Meanwhile, more soldiers felt something was wrong, dropping to the ground frothing at the mouth.

He dashed to the control panel, feeling odd sensations coursing through his body. The nerve gas was potent, but he could still barely resist.

Sliding to turn on the ventilation system, an alarm sounded, "Unable to start temporarily, please check in detail!"

"It’s over." Mogaro felt a chill within him. Then he heard a bang, turning to see that the weakest B-Level Life Form among them had collapsed, convulsing uncontrollably.

Golden flames suddenly erupted from his body, seemingly attempting to tear apart the ship’s structure.

But in the next moment, the golden flames died down and half his body lost control. The world spun before his eyes and he too stumbled and fell to the ground.

Mogaro’s golden pupils were filled with bloodshot veins, and silence gradually fell over the cabin.

Thud! Suddenly, footsteps sounded, and through his blurred vision, a figure slowly approached Mogaro and crouched down before him.

"[Eternal Sleep], this nerve gas isn’t cheap you know. Thankfully, its potency wasn’t discounted," the figure said.

"You... are Seraad?" Mogaro could barely make out the person in front of him, and struggled to say, "You dare act against us, Judge Civilization won’t let you go!"

"Ha..." Seraad laughed, then darkened his expression and said grimly, "Can you blame me? Who asked you not to withdraw, insistent on staying."

"A bunch of idiots!" Seraad scoffed, "Relax, you won’t die for now. The value of B-Level Life Forms is quite high, there will be plenty interested in you, you’ll fetch a good price."

"Consider it a bonus haul..."