Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

"Give me a reason to retreat, Gokusai Kaibi!"

Kakine Teitoku trudged through the sewers. Academy City's sewer system was well-maintained, so clean that it hardly deserved the name "sewer." With a phone in his left hand, he could still get a signal even underground.

He was using his left hand to answer the call because his right hand was useless—his right shoulder had been crushed by that man. He could feel that his shoulder was shattered.

His tone was icy, a clear signal of threat.

He had to admit, he had been careless.

That man's energy cannons were indeed powerful, and in terms of individual combat strength, he could probably match a Level 5 esper. But that was it. Among Level 5 espers, there were clear distinctions, and the gap between him, the #1, and the others was vast.

He hadn't expected his opponent to be so fast or to have such incredible physical strength.

A multi-skilled esper?

No matter how he thought about it, it didn't change the fact that he had to retreat. And it was all because of this phone call.

A call from Gokusai Kaibi.

"Your target is the #1, right?"

With that one sentence, Kakine Teitoku's earlier frustration vanished.

"Is the tweezers ready?"

"Yes, you can use them as soon as you return."

"Good. Also, find me a doctor. I need a minor surgery."

"Understood."

The call ended.

Kakine Teitoku expressionlessly stuffed the phone back into his pocket. To be honest, he was in a terrible mood.

That man—was he some kind of primitive? Energy attacks, physical enhancement, and that terrifying regenerative ability.

When he had been thrown onto the road, Kakine had seen how quickly that man's wounds healed. Injuries that would take an ordinary person days to recover from, even with a doctor's help, were completely healed in about a minute.

The abilities he had displayed so far were varied, and Kakine's first thought was that he was a multi-skilled esper. But according to current theories, multi-skilled espers shouldn't exist.

"Tch—"

"I'll remember this."

Kakine didn't know the man's name, but his face was burned into his memory.

"My primary goal is still to establish a channel of communication with Aleister. Accelerator? There should still be time."

Running into that mysterious esper had been an accident. Although he had clashed with the #4, he didn't think much of her. She was just a lab rat living in this city.

Only Accelerator mattered.

Once he dealt with Accelerator, he could finally see what lay beyond Academy City.

The young man walked steadily forward. He had made many preparations for today and couldn't afford to give up now for any reason.

...

...

Li Mo left the scene of the battle.

He sensed the location of the shikigami he had sent out and headed in that direction. He had ordered the shikigami to follow Frenda.

Surprisingly, Frenda hadn't run far. She was waiting for him in an alley not too far away.

"Um, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Do you need to change your clothes?"

Li Mo looked down. During the fight with Kakine Teitoku, his body had taken some damage. While his injuries healed quickly, his clothes hadn't been so lucky.

His upper body had been particularly targeted, revealing his well-defined muscles.

To be honest, all that training had paid off. His physique was quite impressive. He pulled out a spare set of clothes from his inventory and put them on. "Kakine Teitoku retreated. The #2 really lives up to his reputation."

Kakine's ability was indeed troublesome. Creating matter that didn't exist in this world? That was basically kicking materials science in the face. So why wasn't Academy City using him for research instead of throwing him into the dark side as a combatant?

But then again, maybe Kakine's ability had some hidden flaws. The scientists dedicated to the pursuit of truth probably had their reasons.

"Is... is that so?"

To be able to fight a Level 5 esper... Is this what a magician is like?

Frenda watched as the man recalled the spirit shrine maiden. She couldn't help but respond.

"Have you taken care of your business?"

"Huh?"

"If I remember correctly, you're one of the #4, Meltdowner's subordinates, right? Shouldn't you report to your boss?"

"You... you just asked for my name earlier..."

Frenda suddenly felt as if her every secret had been laid bare.

Why do you know so much about Academy City?

Li Mo smiled. "Since I decided to infiltrate this city, I naturally did thorough research. Out of the seven Level 5 espers, aside from the mysterious #6, I have information on all the others."

He pointed to his head.

No one knew Academy City better than he did.

Who else would know who the next Board Chairman would be?

And he knew!

Proud face.

"What about my information?"

"I came across it while looking into the #4's data. Since you're a Level 0 with no abilities, I didn't pay much attention to your name. Anyway, as your employer, I've shared enough. Frenda, it's your turn to answer me."

"I've already explained things to Mugino. I have some free time now..."

Frenda glanced cautiously at Li Mo.

Her conversation with Mugino had been unexpected. Mugino had believed her excuse without question. Thankfully, she hadn't betrayed her boss.

"Is that so? I don't really care about your little schemes... Hmm, I need to know the location of a certain high school dormitory in District 7."

Li Mo didn't care how Frenda had communicated with Mugino.

After running into both Kihara Noukan and Kakine Teitoku, he was sure of one thing.

Even without Aleister's attention, this city was a dangerous place. The Board of Directors even had a multi-skilled esper artificial human capable of using multiple Level 5 abilities? And that thing had even unleashed black wings like Accelerator.

Academy City had 23 districts, which seemed large, but in reality, it wasn't that big.

It was better to find the Index as soon as possible. If nothing unexpected happened, Kamijou Touma should be in the hospital... lying in bed, right?

But hadn't he killed Vento of the Front?

He'd take things one step at a time.

"A certain high school?" Frenda searched her memory, then said, "That school... is where Tsuchimikado is, right?"

"Tsuchimikado Motoharu, yes. I'm looking for his residence, but my target isn't him. It's his neighbor."

—Kamijou Touma and Tsuchimikado Motoharu were neighbors.

And Index lived in Kamijou Touma's house.

Frenda nodded. "I'll take you there."

In the end, the girl didn't dare ask about the flash of golden beast-like pupils she had seen in the man's eyes.