Chapter 30: The Crowbar’s True Potential

“The feel of it isn’t bad.”

Bai Li swung the crowbar in her hand, much like a swordsman performing a *chiburui* (TL Note: A Japanese sword technique to flick blood off the blade), and so she mused.

She had previously observed some individuals wielding crowbars as weapons, and it had always puzzled her why they consistently opted for such a blunt instrument when more lethal armaments, such as knives, were readily available. Now, she finally understood the rationale behind their choice.

Not only was it fundamentally a common tool, allowing for more discreet carriage compared to other weapons, but its hardness and length were both impressively balanced. Furthermore, the shape of its tip allowed it to function effectively as both a blunt and a sharp instrument. As for drawbacks like an unwieldy center of gravity, these posed no challenge given her formidable strength and skill.

“Wait! We can talk this out!”

Witnessing her barrier shatter with a single, devastating strike, Shen Jingbing hastily retreated, all while attempting to negotiate a temporary ceasefire.

Of course, Bai Li paid no heed to such pleas. She merely dragged the crowbar as she advanced towards them, the fragments of the shattered barrier, strewn across the floor, being ground into fine glass shards beneath her feet before dissolving with a grating, crunching sound.

Her appearance was akin to a grim reaper, scythe in hand, come to harvest their lives. Even Bai Li’s crimson eyes, set against the backdrop of the night and illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window, faintly pulsed with a blood-red glow.

“Tsk, it seems you prefer a forced drink over a toast then (TL Note: A Chinese idiom implying refusing a polite offer and inviting trouble instead).”

Shen Jingbing, who had initially displayed signs of retreat, suddenly adopted a different expression. With a swift wave of her hand, an even more formidable barrier materialized between them.

“Don’t get too smug just because you broke it once; this isn’t the extent of my abilities!”

This newly summoned barrier was not only less transparent, but also pulsed with a significantly higher concentration of circulating energy. If the previous one had been a mere wooden wall, this one was akin to reinforced concrete.

“I created this myself after extensively studying various documents for reference. Not only is the energy density infused within it much higher, but it also incorporates engineering physics principles. It’s not something that can be shattered by brute force alone!”

While supernatural abilities transcended the scientific paradigms humanity had established, their practitioners fundamentally still operated within the physical world. Thus, the principles of physics remained indispensable. Otherwise, modern schools wouldn’t still retain subjects like chemistry and physics; they might as well all focus solely on cultivating their powers.

Shen Jingbing, who had compelled herself to study extensively to enhance her abilities, knew well that even if her opponent possessed immense strength, the weapon in their hand was ill-suited to contend with her type of barrier.

Returning to the principles of physics, conventional weapons were meticulously designed with handles or hilts to be gripped by the user. These designs effectively cushioned the recoil force transferred to the hand during an attack, preventing a scenario where one might “kill a thousand enemies but lose eight hundred of one’s own” (TL Note: A Chinese idiom meaning a pyrrhic victory where the cost is almost as great as the gain), and every aspect was adjusted for the wielder’s benefit.

A crowbar, however? While its offensive capabilities were remarkably high, its flaws were equally glaring. Striking soft targets like human bodies might be effective, but her barrier was anything but soft; its hardness far surpassed even that of diamonds.

Given her opponent’s strength, the recoil alone would likely be enough to fracture their bones! And the crowbar itself couldn’t possibly possess the hardness required to shatter her barrier!

‘This round, I’m guaranteed to win!’

“Go on, then! If you can smash this barrier tonight, I’ll — right here, right now — eat the barrier!”

In this seemingly unassailable position, Shen Jingbing began to crow triumphantly, spouting various taunts. This display even made Tian Yuxin, whom she was protecting, flush with embarrassment.

For the past few days, Shen Jingbing had been temporarily residing at Tian Yuxin’s home, having been dispatched by the Weichangzhe Organization’s branch to serve as her bodyguard. Through their daily interactions, Tian Yuxin had come to understand Shen Jingbing’s personality to some extent, but she had never expected her to behave this way even in the midst of battle.

It was often said that high-level ability users seemed to suffer from some peculiar affliction. At least, according to numerous unofficial statistics, the probability of high-level ability users possessing strange hobbies or eccentric personalities was far greater than among ordinary people.

“…”

In response to Shen Jingbing’s taunts, Bai Li remained silent. She simply, and single-mindedly, tapped the new barrier a few times with her crowbar. Yet, the barrier appeared utterly unresponsive, not even a ripple disturbing its surface.

Upon confirming this result, Bai Li fell silent, remaining motionless. She seemed to have given up entirely—at least, that was how it appeared to Shen Jingbing.

But was that truly the case?

After a moment of silence, Bai Li once again raised the hand gripping the crowbar, then assumed a horse stance, striking a pose akin to a baseball batter preparing to swing.

In the next instant, a terrifying pressure emanated from Bai Li. It was clearly not magic or any other form of supernatural energy, perhaps not even something physically tangible, yet it caused both individuals present to tremble uncontrollably.

“Wh-what are you trying to do?”

Observing Bai Li’s actions, Shen Jingbing’s intuition screamed that something was amiss.

‘No, no, no,’ she thought, ‘her new barrier was formidable enough that even the branch manager might not be able to breach it. Moreover, it had been infused with almost all of her magic. If it were truly shattered, she might as well join a certain door-smashing giant at their table from now on.’

‘Believe in yourself!’

Unlike Shen Jingbing, who was lost in her own mental drama, Bai Li’s mind was singularly focused on a recurring thought: ‘Shatter this barrier completely.’

It had to be said, she had gained a great deal today, learning how to materialize weapons, use magic to enhance weapons or her own body, and understanding the potential connection between magic and will.

From Ruth, she had learned that magic recovery could be influenced by one’s mindset and emotions—essentially, by one’s own will.

What then, if she were to continuously strengthen and solidify this ‘will’?

Lin Xi had taught her that simply using magic for enhancement was more ‘subjective’ (TL Note: Or ‘idealistic,’ ‘mind-over-matter’) than using specific spells. So why shouldn’t she push this ‘subjectivity’ to its absolute limit?

As her intent to crush her enemy grew ever more focused, the magical reinforcement she received gradually amplified and swelled in accordance with her will. Even the very air vibrated in response.

The instant she reached her peak, Bai Li’s eyes snapped wide open. She twisted her body with all her might, leveraging her magical reinforcement, and swung the crowbar towards the barrier before her.

BOOM!!!

A massive shockwave not only pierced through the barrier, but also sent Shen Jingbing, and even Tian Yuxin further behind her, flying. The barrier, capable of withstanding attacks from C-rank ability users, completed its entire process of deformation and shattering in a mere instant. Fragments were caught in the air current and propelled forward, precisely outlining Shen Jingbing’s form as she slammed into her final, protective barrier. Some fragments, moving at incredible velocity, even embedded themselves halfway into that last barrier.

Without a doubt, had this single strike landed directly within a city, Tiangong City itself would likely have been instantly leveled.

“…What… what in the world was that…?”