CHAPTER 1047: CHAPTER 56: STRONG CONTROL

When the match ended and the audience dispersed orderly, Amipako noticed the two unfamiliar spectators also leaving in the queue, and stood up to follow them.

These two individuals, they’re quite different.

That’s what Amipako thought.

Strictly speaking, Amipako should have called a companion at this moment. But after thinking it over carefully, he decided not to. Now, everyone hardly believes there could still be the Six Dragons Sect here—or rather, even if there really were Six Dragons Sect HRs headhunting here, they should have been scared off by now. Calling a companion for matters unrelated to the target would only lead to complaints afterward.

But Amipako felt that those two people were interesting, so they were worth investigating.

The two weren’t like the ordinary folks, but they also differed from the "peers" who focus on observing the audience.

Those who focus on observing the audience usually enter a rational state, with highly active mirror neurons allowing them to simulate others in their brains, and thus understand them. Although the influence of this brain activity is subtle, it extends into countless details that ordinary people can hardly notice.

For an Inner Martial Artist like Amipako, who has enhanced his "understanding of others" with inner strength and linked his neural network with vision, these details manifest as a "stern color."

It’s as if those individuals carry traces of "post-processing."

But those two individuals showed no such signs... no, one of them might have had a trace. One of the two was observing the surroundings without much disguise.

And the other one...

Hard to say.

That person’s "color," most of the time, was no different from their companion, with no special techniques. But Amipako always felt that the "color" of her soul would occasionally change without warning. That change was extremely subtle, and several times he thought it was his "illusion." Yet when he focused his attention on that person, he felt the change did exist...

The soul after its change seemed to be covered by another not-so-natural color. It was "acting," or a high-level instinct naturally stimulated from deep inner strength cultivation. He only felt that color after the change was like withered wood, but within the deep cracks, there was an odd glimpse that was indescribable.

His gaze lingered perhaps too long. The first person observing the surroundings even turned his head and glanced at him.

At that moment, Amipako immediately refocused his attention on the match.

This was also a kind of "acting." Amipako intentionally devoted several threads of thought to watching the match, even in his heart pretending to have placed a bet on one side of the arena (for realism, sometimes he really placed a few bets, but more often, to save on expenses, he was resolute that "if so-and-so loses, I’ll train more"). He intentionally kept his mood rising and falling with the scene on the arena, blending himself among the audience.

Among watchers in the whole arena, his inner strength was undoubtedly at the forefront.

However, Amipako felt that the subjects he was observing were not weaker than him.

In fact, their "soul color" had a hint of familiarity.

Amipako continued following the two into the vertical market area.

To ensure not many freeloaders watch the fights, the Grassland Heroes’ Arena is a cube formed from six "grounds," with each corner of the metal plates extending chains to fix a platform as an arena.

The gaps between these six "grounds" serve as entry and exit points. Just outside the exits are layers of vendors. Those closest to the gaps are set up by the Hero Arena organizers themselves, mainly selling merchandise of star competitors—a cultural behavior forbidden in the Protectorate. Further out are various component vendors or charging stations. Besides, there are several larger stands outsourced to martial arts schools and clubs specifically selling second-hand prosthetic limbs discarded by famous competitors.

These stalls are layer upon layer, secured with chains. No direct path leads straight outside. Such stacked barriers make the arena feel partially concealed from outsiders, and the lively cheering coming from inside piques interest immensely.

Seeing those two about to blend into the crowd, Amipako quickly followed them.

While tracking them, he racked his brain, trying to recall where he had encountered such a soul color—why there was a faint sense of familiarity.

Passing a small decorative vendor, he even casually added a few decorative accessories to himself and removed a few armor pieces from around his neck, stowing them in his waist pouch, ensuring he had changed his appearance.

With only a fleeting acquaintance with the tracking targets, such a degree of disguise was likely sufficient.

Thinking this, he continued to approach.

One of the two headed towards a large-caliber weapon stall, chatting while replenishing ammunition. Amipako noticed the two were using direct cables, though he hadn’t realized when.

Wired connections, the safest and most convenient communication method so far.

Afterward, the two stopped in front of a martial arts school. This school was named "Andromeda Great Nebula," seemingly centered around Magnetic Chain Martial Arts. A martial master was conducting a public martial arts enlightenment, explaining the history and essence of Magnetic Chain Martial Arts, and offering free downloads. Many around were discussing using non-verbal methods.

The two stood there, seemingly interested in the lecture’s content.

Amipako decided to move a bit closer.

At this time, those two martial artists suddenly turned as if to leave.

Amipako’s heart skipped a beat, but outwardly he remained calm, pretending to chat and recharge and drifted past normally.

He brushed shoulders with one of them very naturally.

One of them turned their face slightly to glance at him ordinarily.

In this instant...

Amipako realized, things were not good.

He was controlled by the technique of witnessing.

An old 0day vulnerability... an ancient shortcut, like the unclosed Kyle Kamen of Constantinople. The other’s command penetrated directly, taking effect within his body.

Amipako’s body stiffened. He collided right into a chain, his body executing the final command before his brain’s authority was revoked, grasping the chain with his right hand.

Amipako watched helplessly as the two purchased a Magnetic Chain Weapon across from him, one of them went to the martial arts school to directly download their recommended martial arts package, while the other, like an old friend, came beside him, arm around his shoulder.