Militech's convoy cut off their retreat.
Armored vehicles, drones, and Chimera combat robots surrounded the open space in front of the mine from three directions, sealing it off completely.
Before the convoy had even arrived, Maine had silently removed his helmet and shoved the set of Arasaka heavy armor deep into the back of the vehicle.
This gear absolutely could not be seen by Militech; otherwise, today's situation wouldn't end with just a simple interrogation.
The relationship between these two corporations was one of long-standing love-hate; they'd likely start snarling at the mere sight of an enemy helmet.
Ahead was the mine Asa had just filled with thick smoke, and behind was the fully armed Militech force. Caught in a dilemma, everyone present instinctively turned their gaze toward Asa, only to freeze in unison.
The Wizard had changed his face at some unknown point; his features were now plain and unremarkable, making him blend perfectly into the crowd of mercenaries as if he were a different person.
The loudspeaker on an armored vehicle crackled to life, its sound carrying far across the wilderness.
"People ahead, this is Militech. Drop your weapons immediately and submit to inspection!"
"Repeat, this is..."
Militech demanded that everyone disarm for investigation, with several gun barrels poking out from vehicle windows and armor gaps, aimed directly at the crowd.
Any sudden movement would result in a fatal case of "acute metal poisoning."
Facing these heavy hitters, the mercenaries and Nomads, armed only with shotguns and a few bulletproof vehicles, had no capital to fight back head-on.
Since the Wizard clearly had no intention of exposing his identity either, the group had no choice but to comply.
The convoy slowly came to a halt.
As the car door was pushed open, a man in a suit with a crew-cut stepped out first, followed by a team of fully armed agents.
They quickly formed a tactical line on both sides of the vehicles, weapons raised and fingers resting on the trigger guards, ready if the mercenaries made any move... unless they were feeling suicidal.
Asa frowned slightly.
This group came with ill intent; it didn't look like they would just settle for a simple questioning.
He quietly chanted an incantation, and protection magic spread silently over everyone. Then, he took a step forward, shielding the others behind him.
The crew-cut man walked straight up to the group, seemingly not worried at all about the mercenaries taking him hostage.
His tone was overbearing.
"Who sent you? What is your purpose here?"
"Officer, as you can see, we are mercenaries. We're here to make a living, of course."
"Make a living? In the Badlands? In this godforsaken place? Who hired you?"
"You'll have to ask the Fixer. We never ask who the employer is when we take a job."
Maine stood his ground at the front, his answers airtight. When asked about the employer, he only mentioned the Fixer's title, keeping Rogue's name strictly hidden.
Failing to get the information he wanted, the crew-cut man's expression soured. His gaze moved past Maine and landed on the cave entrance, which was still emitting lingering smoke.
"Did you do this?"
"Our target was the Wraiths," Maine said, spreading his hands. "Why, have the Wraiths done something good lately?"
"The Wraiths are enemies of Militech; that's not my concern."
The Intelligence Team Leader's tone suddenly turned cold.
"Cleaning up the streets is your business."
He scanned everyone present. His intuition told him these people were definitely hiding something; their subtle eye contact was discreet, but it couldn't escape his trained eyes as an agent.
The Intelligence Team Leader wasn't sure what it was, but he knew one thing for certain:
If he didn't find the culprit, his job would be on the line.
Therefore, he couldn't let any suspicious individuals go.
"Take them all back."
He waved to the agents behind him.
"What?" Maine's face darkened.
"No way."
The Intelligence Team Leader sneered.
"This is the Badlands. The one with more guns calls the shots. It's not up to you to agree or not."
The atmosphere grew tense. Maine could never allow his teammates to be taken by the Corpos; that would be no different from walking into a tiger's den.
Meanwhile, the Intelligence Team Leader clung to this sole lead, refusing to back down.
At the brink of conflict, the agents in the back had already begun to take aim.
Fine. Playing the weakling was one thing, but being slaughtered like one was another.
If he had to clash with the corporation, so be it. magic and supernatural abilities weren't meant for hiding behind others—unless it was in a "from behind" position.
He stepped out from the crowd, his figure flickering as he suddenly appeared in front of the Intelligence Team Leader and said:
"Stop while you're ahead."
The Intelligence Team Leader was so angry he laughed. Why was some random mercenary who came out of nowhere talking to him in that tone?
"Who the hell are you?"
"Just a passing-through Kamen Rider."
The Chief didn't understand the reference at all, but he no longer had the chance to ask.
Asa suddenly looked up, staring directly into his eyes. His voice abruptly became deep and magnetic, carrying an irresistible pull.
"Look at me. Look into my eyes!"
The Chief's gaze was involuntarily drawn in, meeting a pair of eyes unlike any he had ever seen in his life.
Something was slowly rotating within them, like a starry night sky. As time passed, the entire galaxy seemed to revolve.
So beautiful.
The hypnosis magic was silently activated.
Caught off guard, the newly appointed Intelligence Team Leader was hard-controlled right where he stood.
Maine discreetly shifted half a step, his large frame perfectly blocking the view of the agents behind.
The agents standing by the armored vehicles couldn't see what was happening; they only saw their chief suddenly stop moving.
Someone tentatively asked:
"Sir, are you OK?"
"Fine, thank you. And you?"
The Chief turned and replied, showing he was unharmed, then turned back to stand among the mercenaries.
"I have other business. Stand by. This matter is classified; do not approach."
"Impressive, Asa."
Maine lowered his voice, offering a sincere compliment:
"Stripping a man's will with just a look... so this is a Wizard? With this skill, what can't you do?"
"Asa?" Asa glanced back at Maine. "I don't mind you calling me Asa normally, but what should you call me at a time like this?"
Maine realized:
"Brother Lang!"
"Correct."
Asa gaze fell on the pilot's communicator in the Chief's hand, which was still connected. A call timer was ticking on the screen, and on the other end was the Chief's direct superior, Meredith—the newly appointed head of Militech's Night City branch.
From the Chief's call records, he had been reporting the progress of the operation to Meredith ever since the smoke was discovered.
A thought flashed through Asa mind. Temporary hypnosis wasn't a long-term solution; one session needed repeated layering to completely change a person's personality.
Instead of putting so much effort into controlling an Intelligence Team Leader, it was better to set his sights higher.
He remembered a Megascope spell he had seen in the Witcher world, which was roughly equivalent to the holographic projections of this era.
Asa remembered using it to attempt long-distance hypnosis on Yennefer, which eventually succeeded. The Sorceress had even self-taught herself one of Sabrina's unique skills.
Later, Asa experienced it firsthand; truly, a great teacher produces a great student, and Sabrina had agreed as well.
From this, it seemed that long-distance Mind Magic could also take effect through a Megascope.
And he had always been full of interest in another kind of "weapon."
It was time to try and unlock a new weapon.
Sir John Phallustiff... getting hit by that must really hurt.