On the screen, Zhang Chulan and Touma Kamijou walked down the corridor for over ten minutes before finally arriving at a peculiar-looking room.
Just as they were about to lose their patience—
A voice crackled through their earpieces.
"Do you see the two boxes by the door?"
The voice was deep and utterly devoid of emotion—almost robotic.
The two immediately realized this was likely the infamous Dr. Gears and quickly responded.
"Open them and take out the Reality Stabilization Anchors. Carry them with you."
Zhang Chulan complied but couldn't suppress his unease.
"Dr. Gears, uh... what's the containment plan for this mission?"
A cold reply came: "Enter the room and place the anchors near the anomaly."
Zhang Chulan was stunned. "I meant the plan."
"That is the plan."
Zhang Chulan: "???"
Touma Kamijou: "..."
Dr. Gears continued:
"Reality Benders manipulate Hume levels—essentially warping reality. The anchors stabilize those levels."
Zhang Chulan caught on quickly. "So if we stabilize whatever 'Hume index' is around her, her powers stop working?"
A brief pause. "That is an oversimplification, but yes."
Relieved, Zhang Chulan exhaled—until Touma hesitantly spoke up.
"Uh... but how do we even get the anchors close to her?"
Zhang Chulan's smile froze.
Right.
According to the researcher, the Witch Child could erase them with a thought.
Just approaching her seemed impossible.
The chat group erupted in sympathy.
"Damn, these guys are screwed."
"What if she hates boys? Poof—gone!"
"If she hates boys, more than just them would disappear."
"RIP these poor dudes."
As the mission stalled before it even began, Zhang Chulan was on the verge of tears.
Then—
Hiss.
The door slid open.
The Witch's Playroom
Before them stretched a ludicrously opulent palace.
Walls embedded with glittering gemstones.
Candle-shaped cakes oozing honeyed syrup.
Even the air smelled sickly sweet.
And at the center—
A blonde girl in a princess dress, sulking on a throne.
As the door opened, her amber eyes flickered gray-green.
A chill ran down the agents' spines.
"Are you here to bring me Christmas presents?" she asked, voice sugary.
"Christmas pres—WAIT, WHAT?!"
Before Zhang Chulan could finish, he looked down in horror.
His orange jumpsuit had transformed into a Santa costume.
The Reality Stabilization Anchor in his hands? Now a gift-wrapped box.
Reality had rewritten itself.
Gulp.
Cold sweat drenched his back.
This was the power of "thoughts becoming reality."
The chat group lost its mind.
"HOLY SHIT, SHE JUST DID THAT?!"
"DID ANYONE EVEN SEE IT HAPPEN?!"
"THIS IS TERRIFYING!"
"So this entire pocket dimension is her creation? A Level 4 Reality Bender is no joke..."
Improvising a Performance
Zhang Chulan's legs felt like lead.
He whispered into his earpiece:
"Doc? DOC! What now?!"
Touma grimaced. "My right hand isn't working on her."
His Imagine Breaker could nullify any supernatural power—magic, esper abilities, even divine miracles.
Yet against the Witch Child? Useless.
Zhang Chulan sighed. "Not surprised."
Then, Dr. Gears' voice cut in:
"Play along. Act."
Zhang Chulan's eyes widened.
The fourth weakness of Reality Benders:
They're still human—vulnerable to emotions and logic.
This was the key.
Steeling himself, Zhang Chulan suddenly puffed out his chest and adopted a jolly tone.
"Ho ho ho! Indeed, 'tis I, Santa!"
He inched forward.
"Now, which little girl hasn't been waiting patiently for her presents?"
The Witch Child's eyes narrowed.
Then—
SLAP!
She smacked her tiny hands together, pointing accusingly.
"Liar! Santa comes through the chimney when kids are asleep!"
Her voice turned shrill.
"You're a FAKE! A BAD GUY!"
Touma: "Oh no."
Zhang Chulan: "We're cooked."
Before they could react—
POOF.
A dozen armored knights materialized in the hall.
The Witch Child grinned.
"Get the bad guys!"