"How do you use this thing?"
Jade held the crystal ball high, just about to examine it when it emitted a green beam of light, opening a portal in front of her.
"Yes!"
Seeing the familiar portal appear, Jade waved at Uncle and young Jackie with a smile and said, "It was nice meeting you! I'm your niece Jade from the future. See you there, Uncle Jackie!"
With that, she jumped into the portal without hesitation.
Moss grabbed the unconscious Finn, Chow, Ratso, and Tohru and tossed them all in, then followed in after them.
Then, the portal vanished.
"Aiya! Magic!"
Uncle gasped, suddenly showing great interest in magic.
Young Jackie watched, amused. Seeing Jackie laugh, Uncle snapped out of his awe and curiosity toward magic, knocked him on the head, and smiled. "Jackie, one day you'll have a very energetic niece."
…
Inside the time tunnel, the background swirled in shades of green, like a vortex.
Speaking of time travel, Moss thought of Doraemon.
In Doraemon, the Time Tunnel was a "highway" built in the gaps of time by future humans, allowing the "vehicle" called a time machine to travel freely.
In contrast, this current tunnel felt wild and natural—untamed, unconstructed.
"Can you sense anything?" Moss asked in a low voice.
This tunnel was tied to the power of time and space. If she could sense anything from it, it might help her study time travel later.
"No," replied Angewomon calmly.
Moss felt a twinge of regret, but didn't dwell on it.
She checked the [Travel Countdown]. The time hadn't changed even though they were inside the tunnel, indicating the countdown was based on the time she herself experienced.
Jade turned her head at the sound, and was surprised to see not only the four thugs but also Moss.
"Sis, why are you here too?" she asked, surprised.
Moss smiled calmly. "I don't belong in that era either."
Jade was a little confused. That statement carried a lot of implications.
She was about to ask more, but the tunnel exit arrived.
Moss, Jade, and the four thugs dropped out of the portal.
"Jade!"
A man dressed similarly to young Jackie ran over in surprise. It was the adult Jackie from the main storyline.
He'd just learned Jade had traveled to the past and was about to go retrieve her, but didn't expect her to return on her own.
"Uncle Jackie!" Jade cried, leaping into his arms.
Jackie patted her shoulder with a smile, then gave Moss a quick glance and quietly asked, "Who is she?"
"This is Moss. Thanks to her, I made it back. She knows magic, and she's really good at kung fu too."
Jade beamed as she introduced them. Then she added, "This is Jackie, my uncle. He's an archaeologist and a member of the Thir—"
Jackie quickly cut her off before she could reveal more and turned to Moss with a polite nod. "I'm just an archaeologist. Nice to meet you, Miss Moss. Thank you for saving Jade."
Moss smiled. "It's nothing. Actually, Mr. Jackie, I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Can we talk somewhere more private, like Section 13?"
"…?"
Jackie froze.
She even knew about Section 13!
Half an hour later…
They were inside Section 13, a high-security secret agency hidden beneath San Francisco, equipped with tech far beyond civilian use and defenses that could rival the Land of Light from Ultraman. Impenetrable!
Finn, Chow, Ratso, and Tohru had been locked up in a high-security cell.
Elsewhere, in a nearly empty room with only one table and four chairs, sat Moss, Jackie, Jade, and Captain Black—the commanding officer of Section 13.
Moss started the conversation. "How many talismans have you found so far?"
Jackie didn't answer right away. He turned and whispered to Jade, "Did you tell her about the talismans?"
Jade shook her head repeatedly. "Nope."
Moss said, "Actually, I might know more about the Talismans than you. Twelve of them, matching the Chinese Zodiac. The Rooster Talisman grants levitation, the Ox Talisman gives strength, the Snake Talisman allows invisibility, right?"
Say too much, and the truth becomes uncertain. Especially since her knowledge came from an omniscient viewer's perspective. Revealing just three was enough to surprise them and let them realize she knew things—without revealing her full hand.
Jackie was stunned when she accurately listed three Talisman powers. He exchanged a look with Jade and asked, "How do you know that?"
Moss smiled mysteriously. "That's a secret."
Riddler types are annoying.
Wait—I'm the Riddler? The Riddler is awesome!
"…"
As the one being riddled, Jackie didn't think it was awesome—more like running full speed into a wall.
He looked at the bald man in the black trench coat. "Captain Black, what do you think?"
Captain Black paused thoughtfully and sidestepped the mystery angle. "Miss Moss, I heard from Jackie that you wanted to discuss something with us?"
Moss said, "Looking for the Talismans—want to team up? I did just catch four of the Dark Hand's top thugs for you. From their confessions, you can gather solid evidence on the organization."
Captain Black replied, "I'm very grateful for that. As for cooperation…"
Moss thought he might refuse.
If she were in his position—responsible for national security and faced with a mysterious stranger offering vague help—she'd be cautious too.
Maybe showing her angel wings would help gain trust?
With her power, Moss could easily steal the Talismans if she gave up her morals. But she once said, "When in light, I act with righteousness," and that promise was what let her gain the approval of chi energy.
In a world where incantations hold real power, words matter.
She had to honor her own words.
Of course, there's the second half of that sentence—"When in shadow, I walk with darkness." That part wouldn't apply to Jackie, Jade, or Black. But when she eventually met Shendu… oh, she'd use it then.
Shendu. Hehehe~
Everything Moss was doing now was laying the groundwork to get close to Shendu. If Captain Black refused to cooperate, she'd just find Shendu instead—and adjust her plans accordingly.
Captain Black finished thinking and asked, "How exactly do you want to cooperate?"
Now that's what I'm talking about!
No wonder he was able to recruit a former pirate into his service. This guy's a pragmatic leader, adaptable and decisive.
Moss replied, "Undercover."
Captain Black raised a brow. "We've already captured four of the Dark Hand's core agents. We can trace their crimes back to the organization and arrest everyone. There's no need for an undercover mission."
Moss shook her head and smiled. "That's how you deal with ordinary gangs. The Dark Hand uses magic—its source is an ancient demon."
Captain Black fell silent. Magic was outside his area of expertise.
Moss added, "To fight magic, you need magic."
As she said this, she stood up, stretched, and revealed her eight angel wings.
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Each 10 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapters)