Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: I Do Look Pretty Cool, Don't I?
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Already an hour and a half had passed, and most people around South Bank, hijacked by the terrorist, had been evacuated far away under police control.
In Hunter society, waiting two hours was practically the same as giving them time to prepare for almost every possible scenario—but there was one glaring exception.
"Of all things, a telekinetic."
"What do we do...?"
"The government thinks they'll be fine as long as they gather enough Hunters."
"Ugh, unbelievable."
Even with low output, telekinetics were treated at least one rank higher. It was only natural, considering their versatility and power.
Twisting just a part of the London Eye structure remotely could cause the whole thing to fail. And if their raw power could halt the London Eye's rotation, they were already top-tier. In the UK, for a telekinetic to be recognized as A+ rank, they needed to freely manipulate at least 14 tons.
A tiny fraction compared to the London Eye's 2,200 tons. But unscrewing a few heavily secured bolts—out of reach for civilians—was a breeze with just a few hundred kilograms of force.
Then, adding 14 tons of force to capsules already falling under gravity? The fate of those inside was obvious.
"Sophia Bennett. We've confirmed her."
"Just hold position. Just hold it."
"Yes, sir."
Even the elite British Hunters preparing sniper shots from Alexandra Palace Hill, over ten kilometers away, couldn't gauge the strength of the barrier the terrorist mentioned. They were stuck, unable to attack recklessly.
And even if they landed a hit, a telekinetic wouldn't die easily. They could hold their disintegrating body together with telekinesis—agony aside—and preserve it temporarily.
In that time, they could drop every capsule. Game over.
Cedric Moro had banned all Hunters within a 1km radius of the London Eye and repelled non-Awakened rescuers trying to set up impact-absorbing cushions below.
Meanwhile, the civilians trapped in capsules fidgeted anxiously, waiting only for the government's response.
—Kreeeeak...!!!
The metal framework of the London Eye began tilting with a scream-like screech. The promised two hours weren't even up yet.
Screams erupted from the capsules as the legs twisted, on the verge of collapsing into the Thames.
—Thud!
"Wh-what the hell is that...?"
A blue glow enveloped one of the legs supporting the wheel, thrusting it forward like an animal bracing to avoid a fall.
Then, slowly, one by one, the blue light spread across the entire London Eye.
—Screeeeech...
With a massive metallic wail, the London Eye slowly rotated, ejecting the capsules safely onto the Thames riverside street.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
"Eloise! Hang on tight! Grandpa and Grandma too!!!"
—Beep!! Beep beep!!!
"O-okay...! Got it...!"
The entire capsule tilted wildly as people screamed. Turning this massive thing into a golem all at once was draining my mental energy like crazy.
First, I infused mana to soften it slightly. As the whole structure teetered, I quickly formed a leg to brace against the Thames riverbed, halting the fall.
Some folks in other capsules might have fractures from the jolt... but better broken bones than death!!
"Ugh... euugh...!!"
"Princess, there's no need to shape it like a human. Preserve the original structure as much as possible to minimize mana use."
"R-right...!"
Following Ophelia's advice, I pumped mana strongly throughout while minimizing mana-intensive shape changes.
—Kreeeak...!
"D-done...! Urgh."
My vision spun wildly, and blood trickled from my nose. Ophelia yanked a tissue from her pocket and shoved it up my nostril.
"Princess, we need to locate Cedric Moro's capsule."
"F-find it and then what?!"
"Open the other capsules first, slowly, and evacuate the civilians. That's priority."
Rescuing civilians first made sense, but with so many ordinary, mana-less people around, dealing with Cedric Moro was impossible.
'But... how...?!'
Just controlling this giant structure was overwhelming—my nose was gushing blood.
"We'll use the London Eye's circular shape. Roll the wheel to open capsules from the bottom up, releasing people gradually."
"O-okay...!"
"But remember this, Princess. Cedric Moro's capsule must not get close to the ground."
"Y-yes!!"
Telekinesis only affects objects within range, which varies by ability. Right now, everything within Cedric Moro's range—over 100m from the ground—was infused with my mana.
But rotate the wheel too close, and he could rip up pavement or smash buildings.
"Ugh... euugh...!!"
Cedric Moro was in the highest capsule. Sorry to his fellow captives, but I ripped his capsule free and propped it up high on a makeshift pole, far from the ground.
—Kreeeeak...!!
Like a halo embedded on the golem's back, the London Eye began turning, spilling people from the lowest capsules first.
About 3 meters drop. More fractures possible, but better than dying...!
"Eloise! Get down quick! Grandpa and Grandma too!"
"E-Eve! What about you...? You're not coming?!"
"Later! Hurry!"
The last passengers from our capsule reached the ground. British Hunters had arrived, alerted to the anomaly, and were catching them safely.
"Done...!"
"Not yet, Princess."
"Ugh...!"
Only Cedric Moro and his gang's capsule remained, with about 20 civilians inside. No clue how to handle them.
"Princess. I'll go suppress them."
"Y-you sure?!"
"My body is made from your mana. Telekinesis won't affect me. Open the top of the capsule."
"O-okay!"
No matter how strong Cedric Moro was, without objects to manipulate telekinetically, he was harmless. I pried open the top for Ophelia, who shot into the sky on a blue thread.
—Whoosh...!
"It's Spider-Man...!"
Ophelia launched toward the soaring final capsule. With a thud, she landed on top, sliced it open with her thread, and dove in.
"Doggo, how's it going!? All good?!"
—Beep beep!! Beep!!
"Yes!! Ophelia's the best!!!"
Ophelia swiftly choked out the three terrorists unconscious.
—Click!
The subdued Cedric Moro and his accomplices were swiftly handed to British Hunter police. I'd turned the landmark London Eye into a golem, but I saved everyone—what could they do?
Plus, I could restore it to original form with my ability. Hero status achieved.
"Understood... Yes, please come as soon as your schedule allows."
"Confirmed."
British Hunter police chatted with Ophelia, exchanging complex details. Then a distinguished-looking middle-aged man approached, knelt on one knee to meet my eyes, and spoke.
"Hunter Eve. Thank you so much...!"
"A-hem... No big deal..."
"No, you've done something incredible. Especially when our own Hunters couldn't act, you resolved it."
"Heh... I did pull off something big."
The area was cordoned off with police cars, Hunter Association vehicles, and police lines everywhere. I figured they'd at least cheer when I came down. A bit disappointing.
Still, not bad.
"Oh no, I had tissue shoved up my nose...!"
I'd struck all the poses, but looked like a total idiot with tissue dangling from my nostrils. Mortifying—tears welled up.
The once-golem London Eye was now restricted until full inspection. Obviously—a giant Ferris wheel waddled around on its own and slotted back into place.
Couldn't just say "Fun walk? Back to work!"
Thanks to that, prime spot with no crowds.
"Ah, it's starting!"
Before Big Ben's 12 New Year's chimes, the Westminster Quarters melody rang out.
—Dong- dong- dong-
—Boom boom boom!!!
"Whoa...!! Ophelia! Look at that!"
"Yes, I'm watching."
"Amazing...!!"
"Alright... we'll escort you back to Claridge's for now."
"Got it."
We enjoyed the massive New Year's fireworks and a leisurely stroll along the now-quiet Thames. It was nearly 1 a.m. A Hunter Association vehicle arrived to take us to our hotel.
"Ugh, so tired..."
—Beep...
"You've exceeded your average sleep time. With all that mana used, rest until tomorrow."
"Yeah..."
As we climbed into the Association vehicle—
"E-Eve—!!"
"Hm? That voice..."
A villainous lady's cutesy voice from afar. Halfway into the car, I looked back. Eloise waved frantically beyond the police line.
"S-see you in two days—!!"
"Huh."
Back probably hurting, riding piggyback on her grandpa, waving wildly.
"Yeeess—!!! Got it—!!!"
What now? Did I just charm another one?