Eric's office was surrounded, and the people outside thought that the Hernandez family was holding Eric hostage.Hunter's face turned ugly. Listening to the shouts, he discerned it wasn't a SWAT team—the military had arrived!"A-Alvarez..." His lips trembled. "Should we surrender?"The people outside must all be armed. If they really opened fire, no matter how skilled one were, they'd end up riddled with bullets. Surrender might be the only way out.Hunter understood that.Who could endure being confronted by police with guns at any slight provocation? Even with some martial arts skills, could one beat someone with a gun? Could one beat ten? Even if one were fast, could they be faster than bullets?Alvarez looked at Eric with a grave expression. "Did you call the police?"He hated it! 'This bastard dared to call the police?!'Eric smiled. "I haven't reached the point of needing to call the police yet. You guys attacked the security guard at the entrance. He definitely called th
The captain waved his hand and then approached Eric. "Mr. Johnson, are you all right?"Eric waved it off. "If you hadn't come, I would've had to come up with an excuse to handle them myself."He gestured toward Alvarez. "That guy tried to grab me as a hostage. I sent him flying. You deal with them yourselves."The captain nodded. He knew Eric's capabilities—three or five people couldn't even get close to him.He had heard about this from Robert. Now that Robert had ascended to a higher position, he had naturally informed his subordinates about Eric. Despite being just the founder of the Innova Group on the surface, that didn't define him!One just needed to know that 4 SWAT teams weren't enough to subdue him. If one didn't mess with Eric, they'd be fine.Alvarez's group was taken away.The aristocratic Hernandez family's fate had been sealed the moment they came to Salt City. At the entrance of the Innova Group, Roco watched as Alvarez's group was escorted into police cars. He
Investment in Salt City was still necessary and unavoidable. Generating some tax revenue and job opportunities for Salt City would be quite beneficial.However, this matter required careful consideration. What if the Hernandez family invested and didn't make a profit? How would they handle it?Besides, saving Alvarez didn't necessarily require pouring money into it. They first hired a lawyer to see if the legal route could resolve the issue.-Jacob had become quite clever. He first went to the hospital to obtain a medical report. Losing two teeth was no minor injury. He also hired a lawyer and demanded 150,000 dollars in compensation, including emotional damages.In his words: "I was working diligently, and you slapped me as soon as you came, sending me flying four or five meters away and knocking out several of my teeth. Do you know how much that slap hurt my fragile soul? It's not just physical assault—it has caused immense psychological damage."The Hernandez family's lawyers
'Isn't it easy to cause misunderstandings?'He glanced at Lora, noticing that the scar on her face had healed quite well—it was barely visible now.Things seemed to be settling down, and there wasn't much for them to talk about.Yet, Lora always found a topic. "Did you notice? We seem to have some sort of Catellonian school in Salt City, and it's quite mysterious. No one except Catellonians are allowed inside!"That caught Eric's interest. "Oh, really?""What's the deal with that? As far as the eye can see, this is Naturia's territory. They build a school on our land and won't let our people in?"It seemed rather absurd to him.Many schools didn't allow random members of society inside, but shouldn't educators and teachers be exceptions? No one except Catellonians?They were treating the school as Catellon's territory? What kind of logic was that?Lora nodded. "That's how it is. I heard it from the principal. They even use their own textbooks, and the name they chose is quite
Lora fancied herself fearless. She believed in the triumph of justice over evil, that light would dispel darkness. But this was always the most optimistic perspective.Regardless of the era or circumstances, darkness and light, justice and evil coexisted— neither could be absent. When old evils vanished, new ones inevitably arose, just as dawn dispelled darkness, only for darkness to return.Lora didn't know how to respond.Was she afraid? Undoubtedly.Someone as formidable as Eric still had troublemakers seeking him out, proving they were truly wicked. But to say she wouldn't dare approach Eric? That would be untrue.Yet, Lora dared not say that.Sylvia smiled. "I know what fascinates you about Eric. Women admire the strong, just as beauties admire heroes. Actually, this is understandable, but the price to pay, I imagine, is not something an ordinary person can bear."The Pentras slashed your face and neck back then. Perhaps you see it as a severe injury, but let me tell you: y
Glancing at his phone, Eric remarked, "Regarding that incident at the Catellonian school, I had the Lockes take a look. They came back with some feedback. There's definitely something off about that school."As a school, having just a dozen students at dismissal isn't typical, even for a prestigious institution."He knew the issue was significant. The Catellonian school occupied a sizable area, yet having only a few students was abnormal.After scrutinizing for a while, Eric sent the pictures to Robert. They depicted teachers from the Catellonian school. Eric instructed Robert to investigate the teachers' backgrounds. If they could find information on the students and their parents, it would be even better.Letting out a sigh, Eric leaned back in his seat.Sylvia glanced at him. "Is the situation dire?"Eric shook his head. "It's not that I find the situation dire. It's just that over these past few years, we've encountered too many incidents. It feels exhausting, a sense of... w
Upon arriving at the company, Sylvia attended to some business matters before promptly entering Eric's office."Come with me for a moment," she said.Eric was puzzled but didn't ask, following behind her.Exiting the premises of the Innova Group, several cars trailed behind them."Where are we headed?" Eric asked.Sylvia glanced at him."You'll find out soon enough," she replied cryptically.The air was filled with a sense of intrigue.Before long, Sylvia led a group, including Eric, to Salt City's largest luxury car market. They were accompanied by the Locke brothers.Eric understood—Sylvia had brought him there to purchase a car."With so many cars at home, do we really need to buy another one?" Eric couldn't help but feel it was excessive.Just one trip there could cost a fortune!The perspective remained unchanged.Sylvia smiled. "What do men love if not cars? Well, and beautiful women, but I can't fulfill that part for you. However, I can buy you a car."All the cars
Initially, Eric and Sylvia paid no heed to those Catellonians.Little did they anticipate the Catellonians to stroll over, catching Eric's gaze fixated on the car before them. With a smirk, one of them addressed their salesperson, "We'll take this car! Just this one."Eric merely glanced at it casually. Cars worth a couple hundred thousand didn't catch his eye anymore. Although he might have a slight fondness for it, the price was too low. Besides, there were more of these cars available. If this one got sold, he could always order another.Running his fingers over his nose, he exchanged a glance with Sylvia before shifting his attention to another car."How much for this one?" he asked, nodding toward the vehicle in front of them.The salesperson seemed somewhat numb by now. She felt this car wasn't quite up to Eric and Sylvia's standards. Nevertheless, she still answered, "This is the latest model of this brand, priced at 500,000 dollars. Because today..."She had intended to m
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