A Scientific Urban Detective.

Chapter 745 The Underground Battle

Because of her traumatic experience, Sherry Cromwell, despite being one of the most outstanding members of the Church of Necessary Evil, has always been excluded from missions related to Academy City.

This time, she came to Academy City on her own initiative because she heard the news that someone in Academy City was suspected of possessing both superpowers and magic.

Just like Lin Wuming, Misaka Mikoto, and Shokuhou Misaki, when they learned that a new "Misaka Sister" had appeared, they would inevitably take action to investigate, regardless of whether the information was reliable or not.

Because it was something she cared about most, Shirley Cromwell also demonstrated extraordinary initiative.

According to Shirley's original plan, if the rumors were true, then Lin Wuming's existence might be a kind of "redemption" for her, but also the greatest irony.

Shirley didn't intend to be Lin Wuming's enemy; instead, she wanted to persuade him to stand on her side and work together to stop the experiment that would lead to tragedy.

—According to other intelligence, Lin Wuming is known as a "hero" in Academy City, famous for his hatred of evil, and considers it his duty to destroy all kinds of illegal experimental institutions.

Therefore, Shirley believed that as long as Lin Wuming realized that he was also involved in an illegal experimental project, he would definitely be able to gain understanding and become a companion.

However, after arriving in Academy City, Sherry Cromwell gradually discovered that the "rumors" might be wrong.

There is no evidence that Lin Wuming possessed magic.

Even so, Shirley Cromwell wouldn't be too disappointed. Having already decided to venture into Academy City, she had already prepared a backup plan.

If the rumors are false, then we should still do something to completely eliminate the possibility that the rumors may become true!
"Imagine Breaker" is the most valued talent by the chairman of Academy City Aleister, and is also the current administrator of "Index Prohibited".

The "Index of Prohibited Books" is the trump card of the British Puritans, and also a hostage held in Academy City.

He himself is a magician of the Church of Necessary Evil, and in external actions he can even directly represent the Anglican Church in England.

If I kill either Imagine Breaker or anyone from the Index, it will inevitably provoke a conflict between the two major powers, and may even trigger a war between Science and Magic.

Once that point is reached, cooperation between the two sides will no longer be possible.

At that time, the experiment of merging the powers of the two major forces can be completely ended, right?

Under these circumstances, Shirley Cromwell had no intention of starting a war with Lin Wuming.

—It's just a rumor. Lin Wuming is an innocent victim of the rumor, so there's no need to involve him in your plans or provoke a Level 5 expert for no reason.

However, the actual result was the worst possible outcome.

Before this, Lin Wuming had nothing to do with magic, but he was consciously and actively learning magic!

And this is all under the premise that the consequences and side effects are clearly known!
In Shirley Cromwell's view, this was tantamount to a provocation against her, something she could not accept under any circumstances.

—So, a backup plan for a backup plan…

Besides being a Level 5 esper, Lin Wuming is also a high-ranking official in Academy City. Killing him could also ignite a war.

However, it might be a little difficult.

The ground beneath Lin Wuming's feet suddenly deformed, rose up, and transformed into a giant hand that reached out to grab him.

Bang!
Telekinetic Acceleration Cannon.

Lin Wuming was also prepared. Without even looking, he threw the small steel ball. At such close range, it was impossible to miss even with his eyes closed.

The other side was clearly acting on impulse, hastily unleashing magic. The giant hand was merely a mixture of mud and cement, with limited strength. After being hit by the telekinetic acceleration cannon, it instantly shattered, turning into clumps of dirt flying everywhere.

Using this move as cover, Shirley Cromwell quickly retreated, creating distance; at the same time, more dirt and man-made building debris gathered, becoming her cover, and gradually coalescing into the image of a giant.

The battle between magician Sherry Cromwell and superpowered Lin Wuming has officially begun!
For Shirley Cromwell, the underground environment was her domain; she could control the soil in every direction, even the soil above her head.

Therefore, Shirley Cromwell decided to keep a certain distance from Lin Wuming to ensure her own safety and tactical flexibility.

But she still didn't understand Lin Wuming enough, and she didn't understand that Lin Wuming's "Psychic Acceleration Cannon" needed a certain distance to unleash its full power.

Without entering "bullet time" mode, this acceleration distance is unavoidable; at most, it can only be reduced from the original 100 meters to the current 30 meters.

So, as Shirley Cromwell retreated, Lin Wuming also flew backward.

In the blink of an eye, the 30-meter acceleration distance was cleared.

Lin Wuming launched small steel balls – the Telekinetic Acceleration Cannon!

Before him, the stone giant "Ellis," which had just taken shape, froze in place, transforming from a "moving puppet" into a "motionless puppet"... or more accurately, a "motionless, broken puppet."

The stone giant, which originally stood tall and filled almost the entire underground passage, now only had a small portion of its body remaining.

Its right half of its body had vanished, replaced by a semi-circular gap, as if a giant beast had gnawed a bite out of it.

Also missing half of its body is the sorceress Sherry Cromwell, who is hiding behind it.

Her situation was even more tragic. Humans are much thinner than stone giants, so almost her entire body was wiped out by the telekinetic acceleration cannon.

But Lin Wuming did not stop, and even fired three more psychic acceleration cannons, completely blasting everything in front of him into pieces.

Just then, the walls on either side of Lin Wuming suddenly twisted and deformed, and two huge hands suddenly closed, trying to trap him between them!

Lin Wuming remained unfazed, simultaneously firing telekinetic acceleration cannons to the left and right, and taking the opportunity to dash forward, dodging the attack.

Boom!

Despite being slowed down by the telekinetic acceleration cannon, the two giant hands still slammed together, causing the entire underground passage to tremble.

The enemy's attack missed, but this was only the beginning, and a new offensive soon followed.

A deep rumble came from above, and Lin Wuming, without hesitation, dodged forward again.

Immediately afterwards, a foot made of mud and stones stomped down on them, causing the ground to tremble again.

Having learned from his previous two experiences, Lin Wuming decided not to stop and continued moving forward.

Sure enough, there was another rumbling sound behind them, and huge hands and feet made of mud and stones kept extending from the walls, ceiling and floor, wreaking havoc in the underground passage.

(End of this chapter)