"Mom, who are those people around Aunt Delilah and Aunt Ruby? Why haven't we seen them before?" Sylvia's curiosity was piqued as she observed the unfamiliar faces.Melinda glanced over and replied, "I don't know them. I haven't seen them before. But I've been noticing them quite frequently these past two or three days. I'm not sure what they're up to. They just sit together and chat."Sylvia felt a sense of unease. The sudden appearance of strangers in the village was unusual. Typically, locals inhabited villages, who were familiar with most individuals from neighboring areas.But these strangers were an exception.Sylvia felt uneasy. The presence of unfamiliar faces in the village was noteworthy. Typically, villages were inhabited by locals who were familiar with one another and even knew most people from neighboring villages.But strangers? Yes, indeed.Previously, during Eric's funding of Nutikiville's construction, the construction team consisted of strangers. However, that
"Moreover, you frightened me. Being unattractive is not your fault, but frightening people like this is unacceptable, Delilah. Ruby, who are these people?" one of the women said.Hank was speechless. He glanced at Eric and said, "I'll call the police!"The two women were terrified. Seeing their reaction, Eric became even more convinced that these women were up to no good.One of the women forced a smile, saying, "We were just chatting, so there's no need to involve the police! We'll leave right away! Let's go!"Before they could leave, Eric stopped them. "Leaving is fine, but before you go, tell me, where did you hear about the rumors of bodies piling up in Salt City and being set on fire?"He was well aware of the situation in Salt City. It wasn't anything as they claimed, so how did this absurd rumor start spreading and make its way to Nutikiville?Seeing Eric stop the women, Delilah and Ruby dared not say much, knowing how capable Eric was.The two women immediately revealed
Eric didn't have time to get involved in such matters.Meanwhile, Sylvia was somewhat angry. "What are these people up to? Using those middle-aged women to spread such rumors!"She understood that the elderly in the villages weren't very vigilant. Their descendants had left the village, leaving them alone at home. So, if someone came to chat with them every day, they would be more than happy to receive them.Moreover, having lived in rural areas all their lives, they only heard about many things. After hearing so much, naturally, they believed it to be true."Surely, there are ulterior motives. Let them investigate first. Someone has to take care of this matter, especially in such extraordinary times," Eric said.Eric knew that things wouldn't be simple once interest was involved. The instigator wouldn't spend so much money just to spread rumors for fun. Moreover, they had even carefully selected their target groups.Sylvia sighed. While Dortmund City's situation was serious and
After enduring several failed relationships and confronting the harsh realities of society, she finally recognized Eric's true worth. Even when Eric lacked wealth, working as a junior staff and earning a modest salary, his character remained commendable. Yet, she understood that certain aspects of life offered no space for regret.Eric remained composed after Jasmine's departure. He might never have crossed paths with her again if she hadn't fallen ill.Gathering his medicine kit, he proceeded to the next ward.At the entrance, a voice reached his ears."Mr. Westman, you must eat! There's nothing available on the streets now! I've checked your fridge. Only an egg remains!""I refuse!" a man exclaimed. "Is this even edible? Fetch me seafood! I desire lobster and oysters!"Eric arched an eyebrow.Was David infected, too?Upon entering, David's subordinate urged, "Mr. Westman, you must eat. You require strength for recovery after the doctor's treatment!"David glanced up, utterly
David intended to disclose the truth despite his trembling. He genuinely feared meeting his demise at Eric's hands."Yes… It was indeed me! B-But you didn't die, did you?" he stuttered.He hadn't anticipated Eric seeking revenge only now!Eric sneered. "Indeed, it was you, you bastard!"He seethed with anger and resentment. Had it not been for David, he wouldn't have found himself in such dire straits.As Eric was about to administer acupoint treatment, David panicked, shouting, "Wait! Wait! Hold on!"Eric! Didn't you soar to success after leaving my company? And as for Jasmine, she's just promiscuous!"I did you a favor by exposing her true nature! Without me, would you be where you are today?"You never showed gratitude, but now you want to end my life? This makes no sense!"David knew that if Eric killed him, it would be for naught. Dying from the virus wouldn't be surprising, given the rampant deaths in Dortmund City—no one would investigate his death.Eric recognized Dav
The commotion also drew the attention of several elderly holistic physicians, including Winston. However, they all paused momentarily to observe David's actions.Upon hearing David's words, the doctor turned to Eric and remarked, "A physician should possess a compassionate heart. You should harbor no selfish motives since you've chosen to save him! Does this conduct align with that of a true doctor? By acting in this manner, you're only further tarnishing the already compromised reputation of holistic medicine!"Eric chuckled and replied, "Well, could you specify which aspects of holistic medicine have garnered such a negative reputation?"Disparaging him personally was one matter, but criticizing holistic medicine struck a deeper chord.Despite the passing of Eric's mentor, Orion, several years prior, Orion remained a revered figure in the holistic medicine side. Criticizing holistic medicine indirectly denigrated Orion, an insult Eric could not abide.The doctor snorted in respo
Eric heard David's cheerful voice from the adjacent ward.After a round of treatment, Eric exited the ward only to find a flamboyantly dressed woman chatting and laughing with David.David was a man with no shortage of money and had his fair share of women. However, this sight triggered some memories for Eric.When Eric was still an employee under David, he knew that David's wife was Ophelia. Before David met her, he was just a small hoodlum in the underworld, while Ophelia held some status there. After their marriage, she invested in helping David establish his company. It could be said that David's subsequent success was entirely due to her support.What made Eric feel somewhat uncomfortable was that Ophelia had been dead for several years, and he was certain that many women had entered and exited David's life since then.-In the afternoon, Eric left the stadium and headed to Ophelia's grave. The grave was well-maintained, with dedicated caretakers ensuring it remained free of
"After one passes away, the other is left to bear endless longing and loneliness—it's excruciating. So, I'm willing to shoulder such longing and loneliness to endure that torment. I can't bear to think of Eric carrying those burdens."Originally, Sylvia turned a very heavy topic into a philosophical discussion.Seraphine nodded repeatedly and remarked, "You're right. It might be better for Sylvester to go before me. If I were to embark on a new romance in my old age and find a companion to share the joys of retirement, wouldn't that be wonderful?"Sylvia burst into laughter at Seraphine's words, having expected a different response, only to realize it was about the prospect of finding another older man.Sylvester shook his head and replied, "Seraphine, I didn't expect this from you. Well, if you can live happily, then I have no objection."Seraphine rolled her eyes and quipped, "It's best if you go first! You're so handsome. If I go first, there will surely be countless old ladies
In terms of innate talent, Eric was unparalleled, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts. With a single punch, he sent the 'God' flying."Good!" Stealthbane shouted with excitement.The ultimate enemy had finally been defeated, bringing peace to the world. Eric sighed in relief.However, in the next moment, the 'God' stood up again. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "You have successfully enraged me!"Everyone braced for a potential massacre, but instead, the enemy turned and fled.Could Eric let him escape?"Chase him!" Stealthbane commanded.Allowing this foe to escape would spell endless trouble.A group of people pursued the enemy, who soon reappeared clad in iron armor."Not seen this before, have you?" The 'God' seemed to have recovered somewhat. "Did you think I only research viruses? Wrong! I control global resources and global wealth!"This is our newly developed Doomforge Exosuit which amplifies a person's battle prowess tenfol
The sturdy floor lay in utter disarray.In desperation, Ruth shouted, "Eric, don't give him any more chances! Finish him off swiftly, or we'll face endless trouble!"Eric was well aware of this logic. As he fought, he said, "He's incredibly strong. Taking him down quickly isn't possible! We must fight to the death!"Eric had never feared battle. Besides, this might very well be his final fight.Their fists clashed fiercely.The 'God' also noticed that Eric was growing more formidable as the battle progressed."How do you have so much strength? Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to control the world? We could have anything we desire!"All the world's wealth, women, and resources would be ours to enjoy. Why won't you listen to reason?" he roared.Eric's momentum didn't falter. "I don't share your grand ambitions. I just want a simple life with a job that pays 1,000 dollars a month and a warm home with my wife and kids. But you, you've disturbed my peace!"The 'God' was fu
The 'God' grew more courageous as the battle raged on, causing Stealthbane to worry incessantly.In another high-stakes clash, Eric and his opponent both retreated. Eric sensed his opponent's growing strength, finding it rather peculiar.The 'God' clenched his fist. "I must thank you! My techniques were slightly incomplete, but I've managed to fill the gaps through this battle!"Eric marveled at his opponent's genius. To mend something incomplete was indeed a rare talent.Despite Eric training with the complete manual, he could only match the 'God' blow for blow. This person was terrifying!The opponent's confidence soared. Although Eric had trained with the full manual, the 'God' felt his innate talent far surpassed Eric's. If he could match Eric with an incomplete manual, now that he had perfected it, wouldn't he be unbeatable?"I thought you had potential and considered inviting you to share this world with me," the 'God' said, his tone turning icy. "But now, I see it's unnece
Stealthbane even felt that Eric might not be a match for the "God."The power was overwhelming.The terrifying aura was enough to crush everything. To an ordinary person, this was a real deity—the strength possessed had already transcended human limits.Eric made his move with a burst of speed. The clash of their fists created a thunderous explosion, and the sound was so intense that Stealthbane felt his eardrums might shatter.This was a battle of the highest caliber, one that even a legend like Stealthbane could not hope to join.Seeing the two evenly matched, Stealthbane sighed in relief. At least there was a chance that the strongest combatants were neutralizing each other. The outcome was still uncertain.Eric shook his aching fist, his expression grave. The opponent's strength was as he had anticipated. If the ultimate boss of the Luminous did not possess such combat power, it would be absurd.Clearly, this "God" had also gauged Eric's strength.He extended a hand toward
Stealthbane knew that the figure facing them must be the ultimate leader of the Luminous.Suddenly, he no longer wanted to die. If he could hold on just a little longer, it would all be over."Mr. Johnson, these people don't seem ordinary. Could that leader be the ultimate figure of the Luminous? Are we about to complete the game?" he whispered.To him, this mission to the Ark felt like a game: defeat the final boss, and victory is achieved."If I'm not mistaken, it should be. This person gives me... a sense of danger," Eric said.Upon hearing this, Stealthbane felt reassured.Just a sense? That meant the problem wasn't too grave!The leader on the opposite side turned to Eric. "I didn't expect you to make it this far. I underestimated your strength, believing my Ark was impregnable, that no enemy could breach it. But why are you so persistent? Why such determination?"He suddenly screamed in a fit of hysteria, "I have so many people! Such a grand scheme! It has all succeeded!
Brent shouted desperately, "After you get on your knees, they'll kill you all, and we won't survive either! Kill them! Kill them all!"He understood the situation with stark clarity. Kneeling meant certain death. If they had to die anyway, fighting back would be their only chance of survival.Eric sighed. "Mr. Rogers, in the end, it was we who implicated you. But this place must be eradicated, and the Luminous must be destroyed as well! Everyone, attack!"As the battle commenced, the masked man immediately struck Brent with a punch.Eric charged in. "Die!"He knew that Brent was unlikely to survive. This punch was his way of avenging Brent.The masked man spun around, trying to block Eric's punch. But the speed of the blow was too much—the gust of wind from the punch arrived before the fist did.It was an instant kill.The masked man had no time to react before Eric's punch collided with his chest. The terrifying force shattered the mask on the man's face, revealing an unfamili
Stealthbane was blinded by rage. He was killing anyone in sight, his fury unrelenting. They had ventured deep into enemy territory, where every encounter seemed to be with an adversary.Eric and his team from the Combat Department showed no mercy.Yet even Stealthbane's resolve was wearing thin."I can't kill them all! It feels like every master in the world is concentrated here!" he shouted in frustration.He felt the number of people he had brought was insufficient. If he had brought a few thousand more, he might have been able to overrun the place.Stealthbane was overwhelmed by the sheer horror of their situation. Fortunately, they had arrived. If anyone else had come, they would have met their end here.The numbers of the masters seemed endless."Damn it!" Stealthbane cursed angrily. "There are too many of them, and they're all exceptionally powerful. What kind of game is this?"He was tempted to retreat, but where could he go?Eric sent an enemy flying, pushing forward
"I was opposed to coming in from the start, but as you all know, the Rogers family is extremely complex. If we hadn't entered, I might have ended up dead. At least if the virus isn't a threat, that's something!" Brent poured himself a cup of coffee and continued. "These people are ruthless! They want to kill everyone outside the Ark and establish a new order, managed by a select few. It's insane!"You don't need to tell me—I know you're here to kill them."He then pulled a small token from his pocket. "This is our Rogers family's privilege here. It allows us to move freely between different levels. With this, you can go anywhere!"Stealthbane grabbed it eagerly. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? Things will go much smoother with this!"Brent sighed. "Once you've handled everything, could you take me out with you? I really don't want to stay in this dreadful place any longer.""Sure!" Eric nodded. "We'll definitely call you when we leave. For now, we're heading out."Brent e
Everything was ready, but they couldn't just walk in.Ruth instructed the Combat Department to conduct a three-day intensive training for everyone, focusing on coordinated combat.-After three days, the forces led by Stealthbane moved out, first dismantling the outer defenses of the Ark. This was their specialty!A large group of several hundred arrived in front of the Ark's entrance. At first glance, it resembled a mountain.Jack scratched his head and said, "Is this the gate? I don't see any door."The Holy Templar's people arrived as well. St. Pius said, "Everyone, don't rush. Wait for two minutes. Once the gate opens, we need to get in quickly. I have other plans inside, but once we're in, it's going to be a life-or-death battle! No one should show any mercy!"Stealthbane flexed his fists and replied, "Do I look like a good guy to you? Just watch me deal with them!"No sooner had he spoken than there was a tremendous roar. The ground shook, and the door of the Ark swung