Chapter 8: In the Ruins of Hogwarts: Unveiling the Stars Club

Mason found himself in a ghostly, war-ravaged place. The three-story platform in front of him had been destroyed, resembling a post-war ruin. The scene reminded him of World War II.

Looking around the desolate ruins, Mason couldn't spot any signs of life. The only woman in the team, a caucasian girl with short black hair named Betty, expressed her frustration and anger at the situation. She criticized Old K, the team leader, for misleading them about entering a different world full of power.

Old K dismissed Betty's outburst, assuring her that this world was relatively peaceful compared to others and suitable for novices. He mentioned his previous team members who had perished in a chaotic world and expressed his reluctance to bring a new group to this place.

Addressing the rest of the team, including Mason, Old K explained that their expedition's goal was to explore an abandoned magic academy destroyed in the apocalypse. He showed a condescending attitude, implying that having a magic academy in another world was normal and that they would find valuable items there.

Old K emphasized the dangers of the ruins and the rewards awaiting those who survived. He promised unimaginable benefits and the opportunity to join his team, becoming E-level members of the Stars Club. A cold and tall man named Lord "Earl" questioned Old K's intentions, referring to his past actions of abandoning team members in other worlds.

In response, Old K insulted Lord "Earl," reminding him of how he had freed him from Amanda Waller's prison and telling him to keep quiet.

Find the strange object named 'Sorcerer's Stone' in the ruins of the abandoned Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is the most rewarding and moderately difficult task that the stars will offer in this C-level world.

  Now I will give you some time to get acquainted with each other, and we will set off when I come back from the investigation. Out of goodwill, I remind you that the miniature bomb will explode immediately when it leaves the sensing range of the remote control. This range is three kilometers. So if you guys are going to run, I suggest you go fast. " After finishing speaking, Old K turned and left. Probably in order to intimidate the team members, this guy showed his "ability" while walking. After walking three steps, the figure suddenly flashed, and appeared strangely ten meters away. After walking a few steps, it flickered again, and the four cannon fodders who saw it frowned.

"Uh, that, hello everyone, my name is Charles, you can call me 'Kite Man'. I am from Gotham, and I was brought out of Black Gate Prison by Old K.

What about you?

"The most talkative member of the team speaks first. He wears a green onesie with a special brown backpack on his back and flight goggles. Although he is tall, he always unconsciously reaches out to touch his head when he talks, which makes this guy feel very unconfident. "Forget it, I know you, Kite Man, the former member of the Clown Gang, after the Clown was captured in Arkham, you guys fell apart.

   Those who have the ability have gone to seek refuge with other people, only you and no one wants it. Reduced to robbing a bakery and being captured by Gordon himself, I actually doubt you did it on purpose to enjoy a big bowl of delicious prison food. " The hot-tempered girl Betty chews gum and puts her hips on her hips. She doesn't care that the explosives inside her coat are seen by others.She dismissed the kite man, casually told his embarrassing things, and then looked at the other two people amid the kite man's embarrassing laughter. She looked up and down the man who was choking with old K just now, and said:

   "You're from Suicide Squad? Not bad, man, what's your power? Please don't tell me you can juggle, we already have a good-for-nothing kite man as a team favorite."

   "I know you too, Betty Susie."

  The most powerful looking man glanced at the girl and said: "I heard that you have undergone body modification, which can make everything you touch explode. After retiring from the military, you joined a terrorist organization in Canada. People in the circle call you 'Bomb Girl'. Amanda Waller pays attention to you, but it's not a good thing."

   "Bomber, thank you!"

   Betty proudly puffed out her chest, corrected what the man said and stared at him again. The latter hesitated, and introduced himself: "My code name in the Suicide Squad is 'Vertigo', but people in the circle call me 'Earl', here to clarify, they are right, I do have noble blood.

As for my abilities.

I can put all creatures in sight into an uncontrollable stun state, and can interfere with electronic equipment if necessary. "

   "Cool! You'd be a great partner."

  Betty Bomber seems to have established herself as the leader of the four-person gang, and neither Earl Vertigo nor the Kiteman have any objections to this.Then the three of them looked at Mason who had been silent all the time.

  Young people don't care about their stares, and they have no interest in introducing themselves. Just kidding, he came here to save himself and not to make friends! He will be thinking about the information that old K just said. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Philosopher's Stone?" Mason raised his head and looked at the signboard of "King's Cross Station" floating in the wind above the blasted crack in the ruins. He felt that his guess was probably close to ten. A feeling of joy and doubt came to my mind at the same time at this moment. Fortunately, I have some understanding of the world, which may become a hidden advantage.

   What I am wondering is, what happened in this world that caused the stations in London to be bombed like this? Could it be that the counterattack that the black wizards have been planning has been successful? Wizards and humans broke out into a world war that directly led to the fall of London?

No way?

   "Hey, boy! Everyone is waiting for you to introduce yourself." Bomb Girl Betty felt that Mason had despised the "magnificence" she was trying to establish, so she became rude when she spoke. Mason glanced back at her and shrugged when he saw her aggressive appearance.

  He pointed his finger at his mouth, waved his hand again, and made a helpless expression.

   "Ah, it turns out he is dumb."

Betty was a little embarrassed. She glared at Mason annoyedly, and asked again:

   "What is your ability?"

Mason, with the critical strike shotgun "Old K" in hand, catches the attention of Bomb Girl Betty, but she quickly dismisses him due to his perceived weak gun abilities compared to her explosive powers.

The Kite Man approaches Mason and advises him to ignore people like Betty, emphasizing the need for their mutual support as they are seen as burdens by others. Mason responds with a polite yet distant smile.

Using a flying bomb composed of drones and engineering bombs, Mason scouts the area and discovers a large group of zombies in the underground ruins. He questions the coexistence of zombies and wizards in this world, finding it puzzling.

The Kite Man informs Mason that Betty and Count Vertigo are leaving and signals him to follow instead. They head towards the waiting hall of the train station, aiming to reach Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to meet up with Old K. Trusting his intuition, the Kite Man chooses to follow Mason and leave Betty and Count Vertigo behind.

Amidst their progress through the station, a violent explosion from Bomb Girl indicates that she has encountered the zombies. Mason and the Kite Man press on towards the magic platform. Finally, they reach the platform where Old K awaits, leaning against a stone pillar and smoking a pipe.

Old K expresses admiration for Mason and the Kite Man, appreciating their strategic approach rather than relying solely on their abilities. Acknowledging Mason's connection to Batman, he deems him suitable for joining the Stars Club. However, he emphasizes the importance of teamwork, instructing Mason to protect him while he works on opening the enchantment and to rescue Betty and Count Vertigo if necessary. Old K asks if Mason has any questions before they proceed.

Mason swiftly prepared for action, turning around with his weapon at the ready. He handed an engineering pistol to the nervous Kite Man, signaling him to step back and not interfere.

With everything in place, Mason observed the screen displaying the movement of the zombie horde through the engineering bomb's monitoring. As he witnessed Bomber and Count Vertigo being chased by the zombies, he decisively pressed the explosion button.

A loud explosion shattered the floor above, creating a barrier that blocked the zombies from advancing and restricted the path of the male and female duo, forcing them to confront the horde in order to escape.

Old K glanced back at Mason but said little, focusing on breaking the wizard's enchantment on the platform.

Mason adjusted his posture, raising his gun. He entered combat mode, activating the assistance system with numerous aiming frames and preset trajectories appearing in his field of vision. He engaged "FPS mode" for precise targeting.

He aimed at the fastest zombie's repulsive head, his finger itching to pull the trigger. In that moment, he couldn't help but think about the opportunity this situation provided to hone his shooting skills. He even wondered if his shooting skills would level up to Level 3 once he left with old K's head, contemplating the potential benefits of this unexpected predicament.