"Honestly, Father, all these precautions just to get in here?" Sera said dryly.
"Security cameras these days are annoyingly clear," Father Peterson replied with a smirk. "We have to invent new methods to ensure our clients can discreetly inspect our merchandise."
"Clever, dressing me up as one of your nuns," she said, glancing around the lavishly decorated negotiation room. "How long do you think this trick will hold?"
"Long enough to keep you out of the headlines, Miss Gilmour."
Sera, clad in a black nun's robe, sat elegantly on the luxurious chair, her deep blue eyes studying the expensive liquor collection and extravagant aquarium.
"Quite the lifestyle for a man of God, isn't it?"
"Not half as lavish as the Gilmour family, surely."
"Enough chit-chat," she said, leaning forward. "Let's get to the point."
Father Peterson signaled his subordinates. Soon after, a group of nuns carefully carried in a beautiful, vase-sized statue of Jesus.
"This piece dates back to ancient Rome," Peterson began smoothly. "Recovered discreetly from an Italian government excavation project."
Sera lightly brushed her fingers over the statue, pink and black auras briefly flickering around her hand.
"How old?"
"Does it matter?"
"Just tell me."
He paused briefly. "168 years."
She smiled faintly. "Genuine indeed."
"I told you it was authentic," he chuckled. "Feel free to test it scientifically, though."
"Unnecessary," she waved dismissively.
"Suddenly so trusting? Or perhaps you have your own verification method?"
"My secret."
"Fine," he conceded.
From their hidden vantage point, Syd and Jody watched intently.
"He doesn't see the aura?" Jody whispered.
"He's not a powered individual," Syd murmured. "Yet he managed to rise to his position—impressive."
A voice crackled in their earpieces, urgent: "Running out of time. Target leaves at 9 PM. Act now."
Inside, the priest smiled politely. "Satisfied? We'll deliver it straight to your estate, customs-free. The government will never trace the connection."
"£50 million transferred," Sera said calmly, showing him her phone. "Another £200 million upon safe delivery."
"Excellent. We'll move swiftly."
But as Sera turned to leave, a small black object rolled toward her.
Flash!
A blinding explosion erupted. Screams filled the room as chaos ensued. Security guards dropped one by one, struck down swiftly by invisible bullets of air.
"You double-crossing witch!" Peterson yelled in panic.
As the dust settled, Sera saw a masked figure grab the priest, smashing his head against the table. Peterson collapsed unconscious.
"Illegal art dealing. No wonder you're so rich," the masked intruder remarked coldly.
"Who are you?" Sera demanded.
Another masked individual emerged, silently confirming a locked door.
"Watch the priest. If he moves, knock him out again," the first intruder instructed.
Approaching Sera, he said, "Your presence delayed us. Surrender quietly, and you won't get hurt."
"Thanks, but no," she retorted, summoning walls that rapidly emerged from the floor, trapping him momentarily. He evaded narrowly, but was separated from his partner and Peterson.
"I don't know who you are," she growled, manifesting numerous disembodied hands that seized the intruder viciously.
He struggled fiercely but was immobilized by the powerful grip.
"Last chance. Surrender or I'll break every bone," she threatened.
"Let go, damn it!" he yelled desperately.
"Too late."
Snap!
The hands twisted, and he slumped motionless.
"Pathetic," she scoffed, approaching cautiously. Yet, checking his pulse, she recoiled—his heartbeat was steady.
"What—!"
He seized her ankle. "Release me! Break him!" she screamed frantically, but the hands couldn't harm him now. His body had turned impossibly strong.
"How...?" she gasped.
"Nice try," he mocked, rising unscathed. "I swapped properties between myself and steel fencing outside earlier."
Desperately, Sera punched his face, only to cry out—his skin was as hard as iron.
"Idiot," he sneered. "Did you really think I wouldn't prepare?"
Suddenly, sharp glass shards erupted from within his clothes, piercing his flesh.
He stumbled, blood dripping everywhere.
"You're smart," Sera panted. "But clearly, your power has limits."
"Damn...time limit's up..." he groaned, collapsing painfully.
"It's over," she declared, reaching for his mask. "Let's see who you—"
"Sera Gilmour," he interrupted weakly. "Do you know what's inside that liquor bottle?"
"You know my name?" she snarled. "Who are you?"
"Answer first. The liquid—what was it?"
"What nonsense—"
"Vodka," he interrupted again, holding up her pink lighter, flicking it aflame. Her eyes widened.
"Stop!"
"Vodka's highly flammable," he smirked, tossing the lit lighter.
Flames engulfed her instantly. Screaming hysterically, she ran blindly.
He painfully stood, switching his skin's properties again. Lunging at her burning form, he smashed through the wall, water from the aquarium extinguishing the fire.
Jody stared in shock. "Syd, what happened?"
"Prepared the mask's properties earlier," he breathed heavily, exhausted. "When she touched it, I swapped them. Made her body highly flammable."
He collapsed onto a chair, panting.
"Tie her up," he ordered weakly. "And help me pull out this glass—we've got to hurry."
.
.
Chapter's Info:
The Swapping Technique
Syd's martial art originates from ancient China and has been meticulously passed down through generations for thousands of years.
Technique Mastery: The methods and secrets of this martial art are gradually revealed throughout the story.
Ability: This technique allows the user to temporarily swap the physical properties of any two objects by using their own body as a conduit. The duration for maintaining these swapped properties depends on the user's experience and level of training.
Difficulty Level: Moderate