The moment "The Master" spotted him, Loshu knew the rooftop was no longer safe.
Though he didn't recognize "The Master", the Foundation-issued tactical terminal on his wrist marked him as a member of Achilles' Heel.
More importantly, The Master was standing alone at the guesthouse entrance, positioned for maximum visibility—clearly the field commander.
If Loshu could take him down, the rest would be easier.
But The Master's mental resistance was high. He'd not only detected Martyr's Radiance's visual hazard but resisted its effects.
Now, Loshu had no choice but to fight head-on.
He turned toward the rooftop's only entrance, waiting to see who would come for him. Ideally, the entire MTF would charge up—making it easier to break through.
But after a moment, only three appeared: Barbie, Ares, and "Power."
With "White Eyes" and Aeolus unconscious below, and "The Master" holding the entrance, that made six operatives accounted for.
How many more were hidden?
Loshu didn't know.
He locked eyes with Barbie, who glared back.
Ares cracked his knuckles, waiting for the order to attack.
"Power" crackled with electricity, ready to strike at mid-range.
Loshu kept Martyr's Radiance active, trying to influence them—but haloperidol neutralized the effect.
Barbie hesitated. Loshu had left too many psychological scars.
Achilles' Heel had lost to him repeatedly.
Even with Jianjia's interference last time, the fact that Loshu had vanished while restrained was unbelievable.
She wanted to force him to act first, to gauge his remaining tricks.
But Loshu was stalling, hoping to lure the entire MTF upstairs.
The standoff dragged on.
Finally, Barbie broke the silence.
"What's your excuse this time? Everything's been recorded and uploaded."
"What exactly did you record?" Loshu played dumb.
"We've confirmed you possess multiple anomalous abilities—affecting anomalies, visual hazards, spatial displacement..."
Hearing this, Loshu knew he was fully exposed.
The more he fought the Foundation, the more of his abilities would be revealed.
Fine. Then he'd go all out.
"Sure, whatever you say." He smirked, taunting. "Where are the others? Send them all up. These three aren't enough."
The provocation worked. Even Ares and "Power" lost patience and attacked.
But in that instant—
The rooftop transformed into a marsh of reeds.
"Jianjia Cangcang!"
Against reality benders, what ability was more effective?
The three MTF operatives froze as reeds coiled around them, suppressing their powers mid-activation.
"When did Jianjia get here?" Barbie muttered, confused.
Then it hit her. "No—it's Loshu! How does he have her ability?!"
By then, Loshu had already slipped past them, heading for the stairs.
A furious Barbie shouted into her comms:
"'Master'! Loshu can use Jianjia's ability! We're pinned! Do something!"
A few seconds later, The Master responded.
"Understood. He's tougher than expected. 'Cupid'—it's your turn."
"Cupid's" voice crackled with excitement. "Finally! My arrow's been burning for this!"
Barbie hesitated, then growled: "Try to take him alive!"
"Cupid" sighed. "Boss... tch."
The Arrow Strikes
Loshu, already rushing downstairs, didn't hear the exchange.
Soon, he reached the entrance—where "The Master" still stood.
"What's your ability?" Loshu asked, feigning curiosity. "Can you actually stop me?"
"The Master" scoffed. "Trying to probe me? Save it. I know you copy or borrow abilities."
"How stingy. If you won't show me, then move."
Loshu strode past him, outwardly confident but hyper-alert. If "The Master" made a move, he'd strike first.
But "The Master" didn't react.
Jianjia's ability had no killing power, but it countered reality bending by triggering when environmental Hume levels dipped.
"The Master" knew this—so he did nothing.
Only when Loshu passed him did he speak.
"Now."
Loshu braced for "The Master's" attack—but instead, a searing pain pierced his chest.
He looked down.
A pink arrow was embedded in his heart—yet no blood, no wound.
Following its trajectory, he spotted "Cupid" on a nearby rooftop, miming an archer's stance.
"The Master's" voice came from behind.
"Surrender. You've been hit by Cupid's Arrow. Resist, and you die."
Loshu touched his chest. No blood. His heart still beat normally.
The arrow wasn't even physical.
"I don't believe you."
"Then try!" "Cupid" called from above. "If the boss didn't want you alive, you'd be dead already!"
"It's called Cupid's Arrow—shouldn't it make people fall in love?"
"Hah! Ignorant. Your people have a saying—'The deeper the love, the sharper the blame'—"**
"The Master" cut him off. "Shut up! He's fishing for intel!"
Love. Blame. Resistance.
Even without a full explanation, Loshu pieced it together.
A binding power, enforced by 'love'.
"I love you, so you must obey."
Rebellion equals betrayal.
And betrayal… means death.