Chapter 59 | Miss Destiny's Speedrun Manual

Freya and Euphemia spent almost all their time together; the moments they were apart were few and far between!

This was especially true when they were out. Whether they were grabbing a bite to eat, shopping, or just walking down the street, they always moved as a pair. This almost entirely ruled out the possibility of Euphemia being hypnotized by a random encounter while she was out alone.

After thinking it over, the most likely time it could have happened was at the Mind Research Association. Specifically, during their first attempt to intervene in the case when they went to ask Thorne for information. While they were waiting, Freya had gone off to treat a young boy’s psychological condition.

At that time, there were only four doctors in the entire Mind Research Association. Aside from Freya and Euphemia, there was only Luna in the lounge and Ansel, who was eating on the second floor.

Luna was naturally the most suspicious. Once Freya left, he could have used his ability on Euphemia directly. However, Ansel was also a possibility.

In the previous simulation, Thorne had investigated for a long time without making any progress. Even when he used his mind abilities to inspect the out-of-control extraordinaries, he couldn't obtain any information.

This meant that either Thorne himself had been influenced, or the mastermind had performed incredibly delicate operations on the memories of the victims. Either way, it suggested the mastermind was stronger than Thorne.

High-ranking extraordinaries of the Mind Pathway possessed a powerful suppression effect over lower ranks. If the mastermind were weaker than Thorne, the investigation wouldn't have been this difficult; Thorne would have found a lead long ago.

Therefore, if Ansel were the mastermind, he could have easily gone to the lounge during that time and influenced both Euphemia and Luna simultaneously. If Rank Four Thorne couldn't resist, how could Rank Three Luna possibly stand a chance?

Based on this, both Luna and Ansel were major suspects. Of course, Thorne himself wasn't off the hook either. If the mastermind wasn't as clever as Euphemia imagined—if they were just a complete idiot who stood out in the open—then Euphemia was out of ideas.

However, there was one other thing Euphemia couldn't wrap her head around: what exactly had the mastermind done to her in that 【false future】? Surely they hadn't just looked at her memories out of boredom?

Euphemia said, “Actually, I was worried at first that the mastermind had looked through my memories and found out about the false futures. But looking at it now, they probably didn't.”

Euphemia had only deduced the truth about Freya’s miraculous ability after her protective amulet had burned away. Even if the mastermind had looked through her memories, they would have found nothing about it.

As long as the secret of the false futures wasn't exposed, the problem wasn't insurmountable. Whatever the mastermind had done belonged to the previous simulation. It was over and had nothing to do with reality or this current simulation.

During their conversation, the group arrived at the entrance of the Mind Research Association. However, they didn't go inside immediately. Freya said, “I want to make some simple preparations first. Can you wait a moment? Or... do you want to come along?”

Joan looked curious. “What preparations?”

With that, the group turned a corner into a small alley next to the Mind Research Association. Freya gently raised her small hand, and a soft spirituality manifested at her fingertips.

Just as she had during the fight with General Jerome, she applied every buff she had to everyone present. This included Strength Enhancement, Speed Enhancement, physical protection, and Mental Barrier—which had been useless against Jerome but was vital now.

As layers of invisible buffs enveloped everyone, Victor, Joan, and the rest of her squad couldn't help but look down at their hands. They clenched their fists, released them, and clenched them again.

Victor was about to speak, but Joan beat him to it. “Holy crap, girl, that’s incredible!”

In the past, the buffs would have been the end of it. But things were different now. Freya rubbed her small hands together and said to Victor and Euphemia, “You two, come here for a second.”

Though they didn't know what she had in mind, they both reached out and held Freya’s hands. Then, Freya activated her ‘Lifeform Modification’ ability. Using War Freya as a template, she began to modify their bodies on the spot.

“Eek~” “Hoo~” “Hahaha~” “Oh~”

During the process, Victor’s expression contorted as he let out a series of strange noises. It wasn't pain, but rather an intense itch. After all, the process essentially involved replacing their skin and muscles; it was impossible to feel nothing.

In contrast, while Euphemia’s lips occasionally twitched, she endured it completely without making a single sound. As for Freya herself, she simply tilted her head. She felt no strange sensations when performing Lifeform Modification on herself; it was as easy as changing clothes.

About five or six minutes later, the modification was complete. Freya let go of their hands, and Victor wore a look of utter disbelief. He turned to the nearby wall and threw a tentative punch.

Thud—

Victor felt as if he had punched through a block of cheese. His entire fist sank into the wall, and cracks spread across the surface. “This... this is...”

Victor’s face was full of shock, but before he could say more, Joan frowned and said, “Malicious destruction of public property. Pay up.”

Victor’s excited expression froze. “Uh... this... sorry! I’ll pay for it!”

Freya then turned toward Joan and the others. Since her eyes were closed, it was more accurate to say she simply faced them. Joan frowned and remarked, “This isn't just a normal enhancement. What you just did... you restructured their bodies, didn't you?”

As expected of a veteran Rank Five extraordinary, her eyes were sharp enough to immediately see the essence of what Freya had done. Freya nodded and said, “If Euphy’s guess is right and either Luna or Ansel is the mastermind, a fight will likely break out. I want to do everything I can beforehand.”

“As for just now, I’ve upgraded Victor and Euphy’s physical stats to the level of a Rank Four War Pathway 【Warrior】.”

“Huh?” Joan looked stunned. “Wait, you mean in just five or six minutes, you created two Rank Four War Pathway Warriors out of thin air?”

Freya clarified, “They don't have the extraordinary abilities of the War Pathway, but in terms of pure physical stats, that’s essentially the case.”

Victor was floored. “Holy crap! That’s insane!?”

Joan added, “Is this the Earth Pathway? That’s beyond ridiculous. But we won't be needing it.”

Freya tilted her head slightly, her hair sliding over her shoulder. “Why?”

Joan explained, “Because our extraordinary abilities rely on our physical structure. If you modify our bodies, we won't be able to use our original powers.”

While the physical stats of a Rank Four Warrior were tempting, for Joan and her squad, it would actually be a downgrade.

The three class advancements of the Moon Pathway were Moon Shadow, Moon Sting, and Moon Heart. Everyone in Joan’s squad had chosen the 【Moon Sting】 advancement. In gaming terms, this was an extraordinary pathway heavily focused on the ‘assassin’ role.

Moon Sting extraordinaries possessed extreme speed, incredible footwork, and the ability to enter shadows to hide themselves and increase the power of their ambushes.

Simply put, if Freya performed Lifeform Modification on them, they would no longer be able to enter the shadows.

In that light, the Destiny Pathway was much better suited for Lifeform Modification. Victor’s ability was luck; no matter what he turned into, his luck remained unaffected.

As for Euphemia, she didn't seem to have any active extraordinary abilities yet, so the modification had no side effects for her.

“Alright,” Freya said. “Wait a moment, I have one last preparation.”

In the next second, the flat ground beneath Freya’s feet began to crack. Slender plants sprouted from the earth, growing at a visible rate until they bloomed into beautiful white flowers.

“Holy crap!” This was the countless time Victor had cried out in shock. He had assumed these white flowers were incredibly rare given how powerful they were, but he never expected she could just summon a whole field of them at will!

Thinking back to the pile of buffs and the fact that she had turned him into a Rank Four Warrior, the Earth Pathway was simply too powerful.

Freya said, “These flowers seem to increase luck. Everyone should take a few; they might come in handy later.”

However, Victor stared blankly at the wall he had just broken, then at the cracked ground torn up by the plants. He muttered, “Wait, do we have to pay for this too?”

Joan replied, “Thanks for reminding me. Remember to pay for both later.”

It was worth noting that Joan said this while looking directly at Victor.

Victor looked bewildered. “Wait, I didn't do this one! Why do I feel like you’re targeting me?”

Joan said bluntly, “So? You got a problem with that?”

Victor stammered, “Uh, what?”

Was bullying people this blatant nowadays?

In reality, Joan had noticed that Freya didn't even have a pocket on her clothes and didn't look like she had any money. Since Victor was already paying for one thing, he might as well pay for two. Besides, the repair costs wouldn't be that high anyway.

Victor, being truly good-natured, conceded. “Fine, fine. I’ll pay for Miss Columbina’s share too.”

Because of his earlier promise to Freya, everyone else took one flower, while Victor took a whole bunch. He stuffed them into his jacket pockets, his pants pockets, and even tucked a few into his hair, making him look rather eccentric.

With that, the group left the alley and headed toward the Mind Research Association. Before they officially entered, Joan glanced at her three pink-haired teammates. They understood immediately, stepped toward Joan, and stepped into her shadow. In the next second, their figures sank and vanished from everyone’s sight.

Freya tilted her head. Her Heart Perception had completely lost track of the three of them. She suddenly realized that even though Heart Perception was a scouting ability, it seemed unable to see through any form of invisibility.

The four of them walked into the Mind Research Association. Joan scanned the surroundings. When a staff member approached them, she didn't give them a second glance and walked right past them toward the interior.

Freya noted, “Branch President Thorne is in his office. Luna and Ansel are in the lounge, appearing to be chatting.”

Joan said, “Got it.”

The four walked straight ahead, passing Thorne’s office and arriving at the lounge door. Joan kicked the door open with a loud thud. The two people inside looked up with surprised expressions. Ansel asked, “Uh, you are...?”

Freya had come to understand Joan’s way of doing things over their short time together. As expected, Joan spoke up immediately. “I suspect the case of the out-of-control extraordinaries is related to you two. Both of you, come with me.”

As she spoke, Joan pulled out a pair of handcuffs and handed them to Victor. Seeing this, Victor said, “Wait, aren't they the suspects? Not me? Why are you trying to cuff me?”

Joan snapped, “I’m telling you to take the damn handcuffs and cuff them! Who said I was cuffing you!?”

Victor took the handcuffs. “Oh, right. You should have said so. But how am I supposed to cuff two people with one pair?”

Joan looked at him as if he were an idiot and pulled out another pair before walking toward the two men. Victor followed close behind.

Though he was beyond confused, Ansel cooperatively held out his hands. He said, “Wait, what exactly is going on? Can someone explain?”

Joan said, “Stop asking questions and just come with us. Don't worry, if the investigation proves you have nothing to do with the case, the Empire will compensate you and let you go.”

Unbeknownst to them, Thorne was in the office next door. He had been looking at a financial report when he suddenly became lightheaded, as if entering a sleepwalking state. He blankly opened his drawer and pulled out a potion.

Back in the lounge, after Joan cuffed Ansel, Victor approached Luna. Seeing that Luna had no intention of holding out his hands, Victor said, “Miss, please cooperate.”