Chapter 49: Undercover Agent

**Temporary Camp of the Checkmate Organization, on the outskirts of Gotham.**

At the foot of the mountain, a sprawling array of tents stood tightly packed together, arranged in neat rows. The fabric was mostly deep black, blending almost seamlessly into the dark Gotham night. 

Soldiers in combat gear moved back and forth within the camp, while various sounds occasionally came from the different tents. Trucks were constantly transporting equipment and devices into the camp, quickly setting them up under unified command.

Not long ago, the Gotham branch of Checkmate had become a battlefield for unidentified extraterrestrials. The battle resulted in significant losses for Checkmate, with the entire base practically blown to bits. But this only solidified Headquarters' belief that Gotham was involved in some alien incident, prompting them to dispatch more personnel and establish this temporary camp.

Dale Smith walked briskly through the camp to his temporary office. Once inside, he flipped his hand, releasing a misty black fog that spread around the entrance, sealing it like a dark cloud.

It was a simple spell that could restrict entry to any door.

After setting the restriction, he sat down behind his desk, his facial muscles stiff and expressionless. Darkness flickered in his eyes, and a mass of black mist appeared behind him, transforming into the figure of a ferocious demon spirit.

This was the demon spirit Amonhotep, a cadre among the demon forces currently roaming around Gotham.

Apparently, it had possessed Dale Smith from the Checkmate Organization. After detaching from him and floating out, the man who had been possessed tilted his head, immediately falling unconscious.

The demon spirit extended its chaotic claw, gently swiping it through the air. A layer of magical energy emanated from its palm, forming a circular shape in midair, creating what looked like a mirror.

Initially, it was pitch black, but soon it reflected an image—the face of an owl-like demon spirit appeared on the other side of the darkness.

"So you finally remembered to contact me, demon Amonhotep," the owl demon spirit said, looking somewhat displeased.

"I'm sorry, but things have been pretty hectic within the organization lately. A lot of stuff has been happening, and I've been juggling several tasks at once. I really haven't had time," Amonhotep replied dryly.

"Do you even hear yourself?" The owl demon spirit was even more annoyed. "You're starting to sound like a human lackey. Busy all day working for this 'Checkmate,' skipping meetings, missing contact sessions... Have you forgotten who you are?"

"This wasn't my choice. I just dozed off during a meeting, and when I woke up, you guys had unanimously voted to send me undercover among humans. It was supposed to be three years, but three years turned into three more years. Now I'm almost about to be transferred from Gotham to their headquarters..."

"Enough complaining. This is precisely the moment for you to shine," the owl demon spirit interrupted. "That human organization, 'Checkmate,' has ears everywhere and possesses extensive search capabilities. They are also interested in that 'Ultraman' who keeps getting in our way. If things go smoothly, we can manipulate humans to deal with him for us."

"I know. I've been working on it," Amonhotep sighed. "But progress on their end isn't going smoothly either. That Ultraman is elusive, and Checkmate is still in the dark."

"I see. Just maintain contact. Let us know immediately if there are any developments."

The owl demon spirit's expression changed slightly, as if it had noticed something.

"What is it?"

"My monitoring spell has detected something—something incredibly fast," the owl demon spirit's voice held a hint of surprise. "It's so fast. It's heading in your direction... seems like it's going to attack you!"

"Attack me?"

Amonhotep showed a hint of confusion but quickly sneered. "Heh, interesting. Whoever dares attack my camp is courting death. It doesn't matter who they are; they're dead... I mean it."

With that, without waiting for a response, he waved his hand, and the black circular mirror before him dissipated into thin air.

The magical connection was severed. On the other end, the owl demon spirit opened its mouth, wanting to speak, but the words didn't make it out in time.

What do you mean by "my camp"? 

Has this guy really forgotten he's undercover?

Amonhotep re-possessed Dale Smith, merging back into his form. The unconscious Dale's eyes snapped open, his previously tilted head sharply jerking upright with a series of crisp bone-cracking sounds.

He stood up, removed the restriction, and quickly walked out of the tent, ready to see who dared to challenge his territory.

However, he had no idea what he was about to witness.

What he saw next would be something he'd remember for the rest of his long demon life.

A divine being.

Amidst the mountains shrouded in darkness, a sudden bolt of lightning descended from the swirling black clouds. The azure electrical light briefly illuminated the sky, revealing a tall, slender figure in black.

It was a woman.

Dressed in a uniquely styled black bodysuit, her long hair flowed as she floated in the black clouds. The brief flash of lightning illuminated the prominent "S" on her chest.

The next moment, she dove down.

Her speed was suffocatingly fast. A clear shockwave burst behind her, as if she were teleporting without cooldown. Several afterimages flashed among the Checkmate agents who hadn't even realized what was happening.

The dull sounds of bodies being struck resounded as three to five Checkmate agents were knocked into the air from heavy impacts. One was grabbed by the collar and lifted into the air, soaring over twenty meters in mere fractions of a second, only to be thrown down at an even faster speed.

The unfortunate soldier smashed into the ground and turned into a bloody mess.

"Enemy attack!"

The Checkmate agents quickly snapped out of it and frantically drew their guns to retaliate. A hail of bullets surrounded the woman from all directions but had no effect. She let the bullets ricochet off her body, standing in place with a mocking smile, as if taunting their futile attempts.

Three seconds later, she moved again.

Another flash of movement too fast to see clearly, and the Checkmate agents were sent flying. The black afterimage shot through the camp like a cannonball, barreling through the gunfire and crashing into a turret. The steel turret snapped in half, its upper half effortlessly hoisted by the woman and tossed aside, crushing several tents in a row, erupting into a loud explosion.

The woman passed through the flames of the explosion, landing lightly in front of Dale Smith—Amonhotep.

"Are you the one in charge here? I have a message for your boss," the woman said lazily.

"Uh, sure, no problem," the demon nodded.

*Obediently.jpg*

Seeing this woman slaughter her way through the camp like a war goddess, Amonhotep's earlier bravado instantly evaporated.

Suddenly he remembered—I'm just an undercover agent; why am I risking my life?

She's a true lunatic. Better not provoke her...

"You killed one of ours and detained one of our people. If you know what's good for you, release the girl immediately. If we get the girl, we'll leave this planet right away, and we can let bygones be bygones," the woman said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Got it," the demon nodded.

"Good," the woman nodded in satisfaction. "Remember, pass on the message. Otherwise, don't blame me for being unkind."

"Got it. Take care," Dale replied courteously.

The woman suddenly accelerated, leaving behind a booming sonic blast, and disappeared into the night.

Dale waved in the direction where she disappeared, then turned to see the surrounding agents staring at him with strange expressions.

He snapped, "What are you all looking at? Hurry up and contact headquarters!"