Level 5 Atom Smasher!!

If this were an anime, it would be a breathtaking scene. Lin Luo should have been thrilled - after all, who wouldn't want to witness such an epic clash? But now he could only feel dread in his chest.

Before Mikoto arrived in this world she had already fought against Liu Ziwen's summoned beasts, then spent enormous mental energy suppressing Bai Rui. Though there were brief recovery periods, her current strength definitely couldn't exceed a third of what it should be. Meanwhile the Atom Smasher was at full power, and with Tokai Rirou's master-level support... While Mikoto had technically won in this scenario in canon, could they guarantee events would follow their original trajectory after crossing worlds?

...There exists a legendary butterfly that changes everything!

Lin Luo massaged his temples. If possible he wanted to rush to Mikoto's side immediately, but he knew better than to interfere in an apex-level duel with his own capabilities. With Bai Rui acting as his personal guardian, he could handle any Level 4 ability user or below - even against the dangerous spatial manipulators like Kuribayashi Danika or Kuroko Shiro. But if facing a Level 5...

Though only one level separated Level 4 and 5, it might as well have been an abyss between them. Lin Luo believed any Level 5 in Academy City could kill him instantly - having him with Mikoto would only slow her down.

Besides, he had something to take care of here too.

Then, trust in Mikoto's power!

"If you're truly her companion then tell her to stop this nonsense," Busujima said coldly, her expression still distant but slightly softened. "Her strength alone can't prevent the experiment."

Lin Luo smiled faintly without commenting. "Busujima, what about your plans? That little girl can no longer stop you - if you're going to act, do it quickly."

Kurusu Aoi glared at him sharply at the mention of 'little girl', but dared not retaliate with Bai Rui's blood-red eyes glaring from behind. She knew any misstep would result in those razor-sharp fangs tearing into her!

"It was useless..." Busujima bowed her head, regret evident in her voice. "I wanted to input collected human emotion data into my sisters' brains. While the program might not create true feelings, it could at least generate some reaction - like a desire for life or fear of death. Through this miracle, perhaps they could escape their endless death cycle... But miracles never come, and my system just..."

"Because your system can't pass through the Railgun Network." Lin Luo interrupted smoothly.

"You know?" Busujima's eyes widened in shock. "How could you possibly-"

Lin Luo continued calmly: "It can't pass because it lacks the highest authority approval from the network. The system you're using isn't recognized by Subject 20001, the upper entity."

"Upper Entity 20001... What is that?" Busujima looked confused - having exited early in canon left her unaware of this key element behind her failure.

Lin Luo explained: "The final weapon known as Last Order serves as the core command node for the Railgun Network, overseeing all operations like a monarch. Think of it as the Queen of this network."

Busujima's eyes lit up with sudden understanding before dimming again. "That explains everything... But if we find Last Order and gain her approval..."

"Logically possible," Lin Luo agreed, "though Subject 20001 is currently located..." He shook his head, uncertain about the exact location despite knowing from comics she remained in a nutrient tank somewhere.

"You don't know either?" Busujima looked disappointed - if he knew so much, surely he'd have this critical information?

"Not entirely," Lin Luo admitted. "There are some clues, but nothing certain. And we might need your help later."

"Then let's act immediately!" Busujima insisted, her cold facade cracking with genuine excitement.

"Not yet," Lin Luo frowned suddenly as his contract book vibrated - Mikoto was in a weakened state!

That wasn't good news at all. Against the Atom Smasher... she must be fighting desperately.

Busujima paused thoughtfully: "She's probably destroying another lab now. Always rushing ahead like that..."

"Indeed," Lin Luo sighed, "that reckless girl thinks one person can solve everything while ignoring limits. Facing an actual Level 5 and Tokai Rirou who's nearly at max power... Busujima, I need to check on Mikoto first. Will you come with me or-"

"I'll stay here." Busujima interrupted decisively. "This lab is currently transferring data - as their invited expert I might uncover useful information they haven't noticed yet."

Lin Luo considered this and nodded. While skeptical about finding anything valuable, he knew Academy City's secrets ran deep beyond what novels revealed. If Busujima could discover something... it would be worth the risk at least.

"Fine," he agreed. "Give me your phone number then - I'll contact you once I've dealt with Mikoto."

Without hesitation, Busujima recited a number expressionlessly.

Lin Luo acknowledged his memory before turning to Kurusu Aoi: "Then little miss, lead the way to the pharmaceutical society... Though of course you can refuse if you want. But I doubt you'd like being my pet's next snack."

Kurusu Aoi glanced nervously at Bai Rui's monstrous form, then back at Lin Luo, before finally nodding begrudgingly.

...

Inside a spacious chamber stood a tall brunet girl with long brown hair, wearing an elegant pastel dress that accentuated her slender figure and aristocratic bearing. But instead of the refined demeanor one might expect from such a look... she casually extended a hand forward. The space distorted unnaturally as several white beams shot out like lightning, instantly vaporizing anything in their path - steel girders, concrete walls, everything turned to nothingness with no effort at all.

"Jumping around like a spider, quite annoying really..." the girl smirked, her emerald eyes narrowing mischievously behind her glasses. "But escaping won't be an option."

This was the fourth among Academy City's seven Level 5s - Atom Smasher Mikiya Shintani, and leader of the secret faction Iem. A monster-like existence. Behind her stood two assistants: a short-haired black-haired girl with a naturally clumsy air, and a blonde blue-eyed high schooler with doll-like features - Tokai Rirou (Level 4 "Ability Tracking") and Flanda, both high-ranking members of Iem.

The three were currently combating an unknown infiltrator in the lab. Though labeled as teamwork, only Shintani was truly fighting while Tokai merely assisted and Flanda had already been defeated into her "**" state...

BANG! BOOM! CRASH!...

Electric lines continued piercing through walls toward distant targets, explosions echoing throughout the chamber. Suddenly Shintani's expression shifted as she sensed something - "Twisting my atomic disintegration?!"

Realizing the opponent's true strength, Shintani laughed softly to herself: "Haha... I see now..."

"Flanda, take Tokai and regroup with Kurusu. I'll handle this personally."

Without looking back, Shintani issued her command. As an Iem leader, the two girls hesitated briefly before obeying.

"Winning through numbers - how unpleasant," she muttered after they left, then slammed her fist into a wall while snarling: "Chuunibyou no Chihou-den!!"

A moment of silence followed the intense battle...

No more attacks? Was this surrender or tactical observation? Mikoto slumped against a wall, panting heavily with sweat dripping from her brow. Her uniform was in tatters and she looked utterly spent. Holding a coin in trembling fingers, even basic railgun attacks had become impossible as her energy drained completely away.

"Damn it... Am I really going to die here?" Mikoto gritted her teeth, fury burning within despite the despair. If only she hadn't exhausted so much power before crossing worlds! Now with barely enough left for weak sparks, how could she possibly defeat an actual Level 5?

Yet as she closed her eyes in resignation, suddenly Lin Luo's image flashed through her mind - along with the faces of those little sisters who looked exactly like her. No way... Could I just give up here when he wouldn't? This battle was already decided; for those children even dying would be worth it! Compared to their suffering, my pain is nothing!

With renewed determination, Mikoto's eyes snapped open - and suddenly noticed something lying on the ground before her. Hope flared instantly in her chest...

"Not right now, but perhaps..."