One could only say, "Times have changed."-In the morning, Eric and Sylvia arrived at the Innova Group for work.Cecile was back again, dressed even more provocatively than yesterday."Mr. Johnson..." As soon as she entered, she leaned toward Eric. "Are you free for lunch? I'd like to have a meal with you at noon..."Eric stepped aside, leaving Cecile without support. She nearly stumbled to the ground and was quite embarrassed and annoyed.Some ordinary men's desires were particularly strong from morning till noon. Cecile thought Eric was one of those men, so she came by in the morning.Little did she know, Eric wasn't buying her advances."Ms. Grook!" Eric's expression darkened, "As a lawyer, I urge you to show some restraint. You know the law well. What's the right way to handle this, you understand better than me. There's no need to jeopardize your future over such trivial matters."Cecile tossed her hair lightly, saying, "Mr. Johnson, you're a successful man. If your asse
Robert indeed led a team to seal off the Catellonian school.There wasn't much to say.Posting signs prohibiting non-Catellonians from entry in Salt City was asking for trouble, wasn't it?As the school was sealed off, passersby clapped in approval."It should have been done sooner! All these troublemakers coming here to open a school and acting so arrogantly!""Last time I passed by here and wanted to relieve myself, they wouldn't let me in. They deserve to be sealed off!"Others chimed in."Not only should they be shut down, but those behind them should also be investigated! We need to find out who approved this nonsense school to be built here!""I even suspect the approver took their money!"The public's gaze was sharp. They might not understand grand theories, but they knew well what was right and wrong.Obviously, approving the opening of a school for Catellonians only in this place wasn't the right thing to do.They had their own sense of justice.Someone came up and
"You invited her to dinner?" When Sylvia heard Eric wouldn't be coming home for dinner, she couldn't help but be curious. "Are you still trying to uphold monogamy?""What do you mean?" Eric was puzzled.What did monogamy have to do with having dinner together?"It's just the literal meaning," Sylvia explained. "Monogamy means one husband, one wife, right?""I-Is that how it's interpreted?" Eric was utterly flabbergasted. It was the first time he had heard such an explanation. It was... flawless!He explained, "Wasn't the Catellonian school shut down? She informed us early on. We achieved something, so she mentioned I should treat her to dinner. I figured why not? It's no big deal, so I agreed."Sylvia chuckled. "Taking care of business is fine, but don't take people for granted."Eric was at a loss for words.-In the afternoon, Lora dressed up beautifully and waited at the entrance of Innova Group.Eric was driving the newly bought car.As she got into the car, Lora couldn'
Nonetheless, these words startled Lora. "Are they so bold? This isn't Catellon, are they afraid of nothing here?"She truly felt the danger in which Eric resided.To kill him, they had gone to great lengths, setting up some sort of Catellonian school for their offspring. How much money and influence did that take?Eric's concern clearly wasn't about that. He asked Robert, "Any fish slipping through the net?" "Exactly!" Robert sat up straight. "According to the information they provided, we investigated several wealthy Catellonian businessmen who came to Salt City, only to find they've all disappeared!"I believe they're currently hiding in some corner, waiting for an opportunity!"This was the very concern of Robert. If they could capture all of them, it would be manageable, but unfortunately, there were still some fish slipping through the net."From the interrogation, those individuals seem to specialize in assassinations. If only we had discovered them sooner!" He was regret
Eric was acutely aware of the fish slipping through the net, their marked locations hinting at a discernible plan. His foremost concern, however, revolved around Sylvia's safety. Had these Catellonians included her in their assassination scheme?Equally pressing was the presence of transcendent shadow warriors in Salt City. Without them, Sylvia's security wouldn't be significantly compromised.Perhaps only Stealthbane held this crucial intel. With this in mind, Eric promptly dialed Stealthbane. "Your information network is extensive, with numerous avenues. Can you confirm the presence of transcendent Catellonian shadow warriors heading to Salt City?"Comprehensive gathering of intelligence was paramount for clandestine operations, and it was likely that Catellon's intelligence system paled in comparison to Stealthbane's.Stealthbane's response was reassuring. "Mr. Johnson, grant me half a day. I won't divulge any further, but rest assured, I'll procure clear information on the tran
Robert's tone carried a hint of urgency. "The team we sent to the orphanage has gone missing."Those dispatched were well-trained individuals—no one from Salt City or elsewhere would likely lay a hand on them.Eric immediately suspected the hands of Catellon were at play.With this realization, Eric spoke up. "Robert, their target is me. Your subordinates' safety shouldn't be an issue. I'll head over immediately. Robert, wait for my message!""Mr. Johnson, I'm coming with you!" Robert shouted.Without further ado, Eric hung up and summoned the Lockes to the Williams residence to ensure Sylvia's safety."Have they attacked?" Sylvia asked.Eric nodded. "Vee, stay home. I'll meet with Robert first. He should bring some men. Don't worry."Eric left before he could even change his clothes. Spotting the silver needle case on the display, he grabbed a few needles before departing.-Robert indeed brought a troop of about 20 men.Glancing at them, Eric said, "Robert, there's no need
As they stepped out of the car, there was nothing but the wind whispering through the silent streets, devoid of any human presence. The dim glow of the streetlights cast eerie shadows, and the rustling of branches echoed in the air.Robert pulled back the slide of his gun, flicked off the safety, and turned to Eric. "Mr. Johnson, are they really here?"Eric nodded. "They must be here. Our tire's been punctured, and besides, the atmosphere here..."Be cautious. Absolutely! Do not pursue the enemy!" He had learned his lesson in Catellon. Ruth, that fierce woman, had almost been ambushed when she chased after a few shadow warriors. If Ruth had died in Catellon, it would have caused quite a stir."It's a shame..." Robert sighed. "Our team lacks proper equipment. If only we had night vision goggles."In the midst of pitch darkness, Robert stood beneath the lamplight, vigilant against potential threats. However, no sign of danger emerged, just the silhouette of a figure stumbling along
Several sounds of breaking air echoed.It was Robert's turn to demonstrate. He raised the submachine gun in his hand and squeezed the trigger a few times in succession.The bullets hit several flying knives and fell to the ground."Robert, impressive!" Eric couldn't help but admire him.Robert's skill was quite remarkable—three flying knives, three bullets, each shot hitting its mark! Such precision was rare nationwide.Targeting a moving object wasn't difficult. The real challenge lay in hitting the mark and then swiftly moving on to the next, and the next after that!Graciously accepting Eric's praise, Robert smiled. "Just rapid aiming and shooting, basic training."Eric knew Robert was being modest. However, Robert also felt somewhat frustrated. "If it weren't for regulations, I'd empty these magazines into these trees to see where they're hiding!"He noticed the flying knives coming from the treetops, shrouded by dense foliage, making them difficult to spot. Although he car
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