Esper X Family – Chapter 440 – Intruder, Magical Girl Mercury (16/40)

Most of the dozens of “meteors” landed near the capital of the Dragon Country.

After all, in their perception, this location held the greatest concentration of powerful auras.

With the swift defeat of the “Light Chaser”, the Countermeasures Bureau surmised that the outer space invaders weren’t insurmountably strong.

Their mental power might all be above S-rank, far surpassing the standard S-rank of Bluestar.

Some enemies even possessed mental power exceeding ten thousand, seemingly on par with Lou Wei and Fu Qi in their normal states, yet perhaps not nearly as formidable in practical combat.

Data from the battle with the Light Chaser indicated that these creatures relied primarily on racial advantages and their inherent base strength to sustain their might.

Much like how wild beasts in nature never learn sophisticated techniques, instead overwhelming their prey with sheer size and natural gifts.

The physical constitution of these cosmic intelligent lifeforms far exceeded that of humans, hence their baseline mental power being exceptionally high.

What humans perceive as a bodily limit requiring desperate effort to breach might merely be a matter of “reaching adulthood” in the eyes of these alien beings.

Their strength likely depended entirely on abilities innate to their species.

However, the S-rank Espers of humanity were different. The emergence of form skills served to compensate for the natural upper limits of humanity.

Just like how our ancestors unlocked two equipment slots upon learning to walk upright.

S-rank Espers could master various form skills through learning.

And the most powerful individuals could even grasp exclusive form skills.

Considering solely the quality of a race’s strong members, the super-humanity modified by “Tong Yao” were absolutely not inferior to the special lineages of the universe!

The counterattack of humanity’s strong ones has begun.

At the same time.

Three newly promoted S-rank Espers confronted an enemy within a meteorite crater.

From the brief information revealed by the All-Knowing Demon Eye.

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Everyone only knew that the mass of gray, sludge-like lifeform was called the “Mimic King”.

As the three strong members of the Countermeasures Bureau entered the fray, the trial commenced.

【Prepared Warrior: Li Tang

Species: Human

Identity: Countermeasures Bureau S-rank Esper

A newly promoted powerhouse, harboring special sentiments towards other races, fond of communicating with non-human entities. Possesses the ability “Beast Taming”, which allows him to control special organisms in combat.】

…

The battle began as the few lines of text were made public by the All-Knowing Demon Eye.

Li Tang felt the blood boiling throughout his entire body.

“To think I can contribute to the Countermeasures Bureau right after reaching S-rank! This time, even if it costs me and my animal friends our lives, I will take you down completely!”

“Old Tang! We’re going in first, cover us from the rear!”

A low shout exploded like a thunderclap.

As the other two S-rank Espers launched a fierce assault.

Li Tang began his own preparations.

“Come forth, my companions! Lend me your strength!”

The space hummed silently as three powerful figures of vastly different forms tore through reality, descending thunderously onto the bottom of the meteorite crater.

They were a five-meter-tall giant white tiger with fully feathered wings, a four-meter-tall dark-gold lion walking upright, and a ten-meter-tall giant tree entwined with gnarled vines and thorns!

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Li Tang called them “White Qiongqi ¹ Qiongqi is one of the Four Perils and a Chinese mythical creature described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas… It’s literally just a tiger with wings. How the heck is this thing on the same tier as Hundun and freaking Taotie… “, “Blackened Golden Lion ² 黑化heihua (Blackening/Darkening) is the term for characters that became dark, cold, or just outright evil after suffering a mental blow. This one here is referencing Shiki the Golden Lion from One Piece, who can’t accept Roger being captured and went to duke it out with the Marines before being captured and sent to Impel Down. “, and “Ultimate Tree Sentinel ³ Elden Ring Boss. “!

Normally, with his talent, becoming an S-rank Esper would have been impossible.

But with the transformation of Bluestar’s ecosystem, some powerful wild creatures had distinguished themselves.

Li Tang seized this opportunity in time and became a new generation S-rank Esper!

Under his ability, the creatures he controlled would all receive equivalent mental power values.

In other words, these three creatures all possessed S-rank base stats, equivalent to three S-rank Espers!

Mutated creatures combined with S-rank values made him a standout among the new generation S-rank Espers!

“Go!”

The appearance of the three mutated giant beasts instantly altered the battlefield dynamics.

The conscription ceremony didn’t emphasize one-on-one combat.

Whether it was a group attack or a duel, it seemed that both would be acknowledged.

After all, a powerful warrior wouldn’t care how many enemies they faced.

The battlefield instantly descended into chaos.

Initially, when harassed by the two S-rank Espers, the Mimic King displayed obvious inertia, merely rolling to evade attacks.

But the moment the three colossal creatures descended, it was as if it caught the scent of prey, appearing near Li Tang’s animal friends at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

【Fresh… large organisms… edible…】

The Mimic King’s mental power reached a full ten thousand!

In the blink of an eye, it transformed its body into a “giant maw”, devouring the colossal beings before it at a speed none could react to!

“NO!”

The Mimic King held no interest in tiny humans, only favoring large organisms.

And Li Tang’s actions were akin to delivering snacks to it.

Instant kill!

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These three giant creatures didn’t even get a chance to showcase their prowess before being swallowed and devoured by the Mimic King.

This sight left all onlookers utterly stunned.

This isn’t right, is it?

Hadn’t Mu Luo of Sequence Zero casually taken down an enemy single-handedly?

Why is the situation reversed here?

Is this a higher-tier matchup?

Li Tang’s vision went dark, and he nearly fainted.

The next moment, an even more despair-inducing scene unfolded.

The Mimic King instantly transformed from gray sludge into a six-meter winged tiger, swatting away an S-rank Esper with a flick of its form, sending him crashing through several buildings.

Immediately after, it shifted into a seven-meter golden lion, driving another S-rank Esper into the ground with a sonic boom punch, triggering intense tremors.

Dust billowed into the air, the scene brutally devastating.

The Mimic King flashed before Li Tang, conveying a sentence via mental power.

“Unqualified. Defeated. To be devoured. All lifeforms shall become another facet of me.”

Just as the Mimic King prepared to open its “giant maw” to consume Li Tang.

A pure, bright white beam of light interrupted its feeding.

“Magical Girl Mercury, taking the stage!”

【Intruder: Mo Qiuli

Species: Human

Identity: Founder of the Magical Girl Alliance

A mysterious being blessed by one of the solar system’s celestial bodies, possessing immense potential. Formed the initial Magical Girl Alliance with Magical Girl Lullaby. Currently does not meet the standards for a Prepared Warrior.】

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The All-Knowing Demon Eye swiftly identified key information from the mental power emanating from Mo Qiuli.

Normally.

Creatures with mental power below five thousand were unworthy of becoming “Prepared Warriors”.

The criteria for this conscription utterly disregarded any “potential for future growth”.

Even with immense potential, if deemed unqualified at the current stage, they would be eliminated.

This was the fate of “intruders”.

How could mere ants intrude upon the grand conscription ceremony?

They lacked even the qualification for training!

The crowd witnessing this scene was dumbfounded.

Including the Countermeasures Bureau higher-ups.

“Why is she there!? This is outrageous! How could she be there!?”

Ordinary citizens cried out in alarm.

“Magical Girl Mercury!? Isn’t she a role model for children?”

“This is far too reckless! She can’t possibly be strong enough for this situation, can she?”

“She’s still just a child!”

“Wait, what’s this about forming a Magical Girl Alliance with Magical Girl Tong Yao?!”

Author Note

Gwah! This period has probably been the most diligent time I’ve ever been in my writing career.

Text: Who exactly set me up?