A dazzlingly bright Long Sword appeared in Bai Kou's hand. With each swing, a white halo burst outward like a blazing sun, forcing back some of the black, black-hole-like substance Suitcase Man had unleashed.
Items and instruments, along with various new weapons, clashed anew, but neither side could inflict much real damage. Bai Kou and the others were trying to buy time, while Suitcase Man was searching for the energy chips. He didn't seem interested in energy technology itself. He neither took hostages to threaten the Platinum Eye government nor tried to negotiate with Bai Kou and the others. It was more like an impulsive robbery, done entirely on a whim.
Xin Rong and the others had already left. Xu Huo helped evacuate some people nearby. The Platinum Eye Players were moving very quickly; by now, most of the city's residents had been sent outside. As the ground beneath the city gave a faint tremor, a rhythmic "click-clack" sounded from far away.
That sound was the signal. The Platinum Eye Players who had been rescuing people throughout the city began to retreat.
There hadn't been enough time, and some trapped people remained behind. They continued trying to save themselves and calling for help, but the Players were gradually withdrawing. That meant they had been abandoned.
Judging by the Players' attitude, it seemed unlikely they would simply give up on the Platinum Eye. Bai Kou and the others were buying time while waiting for the other Players to leave. There must be an instrument somewhere in the Platinum Eye capable of restraining a Super Player...
Xu Huo went to a higher vantage point and looked around. He saw enormous, curved metal shields rising on the east and west sides of the Platinum Eye. Judging by their size, they were large enough