Jacob glanced at Pedro and sneered. "Who do you think you are? Just because you tell me to, I should shout? Who do you take me for?"Before he could finish, a swift whoosh passed by Jacob's ear. Pedro seized his collar and delivered a forceful slap, knocking out the teeth he had recently fixed."Will you shout now?" Pedro's glare pierced Jacob.Tears threatened to spill from Jacob's eyes. 'Damn, someone actually hit me! It hurt, yet strangely, it felt satisfying too.'Under Pedro's intense gaze, Jacob quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Eric. "Eric! A Hernandez is here again! He has knocked my teeth out! Boohoo!"He cried with a strange sort of happiness. If he could get compensation from Pedro later, wouldn't he strike it rich again?'Working isn't an option,' he thought. 'The only way to make a living is to get beaten up and earn some money.'Hearing that Jacob had been beaten again, Eric was speechless. 'Was this fellow born to be beaten? He gets hit when he's in a relati
When Pedro discovered that Eric was a legend, he didn't dare to be careless. He didn't even consider escaping. In an unfamiliar place, where could he run to?With a loud shout, he gathered his energy, preparing for a life-and-death battle with Eric.To Eric, the so-called legends were nothing special. He had already defeated many of them. How strong could Pedro possibly be?Seeing Pedro charge at him, Eric clenched his fist and met the attack head-on.Their fists collided in a test of sheer strength.Pedro let out a scream and was sent flying.Before he hit the ground, he spat out a mouthful of blood. Although Eric's fist had only met his, the impact caused severe internal injuries.At that moment, Pedro had a sudden realization.No wonder the Hernandez family had been facing constant failures in Salt City. No wonder even Alan had gone missing there. Now he understood.If nothing unexpected happened, he would also disappear without a trace!The thought terrified him.Who wou
Upon mentioning the matter, Pablo decided to call Pedro to get to the bottom of the situation. The phone rang, but no one answered. This made Pablo frown. "What on earth?"He tried calling again, but the result was the same—no answer.Pablo felt a bit awkward. He smiled at Martin. "Let's wait a bit and try again. Maybe he is busy with something urgent and can't answer the phone right now."It wasn't that Pedro couldn't answer—the phone wasn't with him at all.-Another hour passed. Pablo thought it might be a good time to try again. He picked up his phone and dialed Pedro's number once more.This time, the call didn't go through at all."What's going on?" Now, Pablo had a bad feeling.Alan had gone to Salt City and disappeared, but Pedro couldn't follow in his steps!"What’s wrong?" asked Martin.Pablo shook his head. "This is impossible! It doesn’t make any sense! Why can't I reach Pedro? Could it be... that something happened to him too?"He was on the verge of breaking do
Martin understood very well what the matriarch's bracelet meant to the Hernandez family. Pablo had always wanted to abolish the title of Nana, all because the matriarch's bracelet had gone missing. Now, thinking back, he believed Roco was right.There were rumors that the matriarch's bracelet had been taken by a certain branch of the family. Eric was a descendant of that branch, so having the bracelet made perfect sense."Good!" he exclaimed with delight. "So the matriarch's bracelet was never lost! Excellent! Roco, bring Eric here. I want to see what Pablo will say when he sees the bracelet!"Roco relayed the news to Eric. Upon hearing they were going to Lazzla, Sylvia was alarmed. "Could this be a trap? They want to kill you, and if they've set a trap, we’ll be walking right into it."She expressed her deep concern, convinced that Eric going to the Hernandez family was like a lamb entering a lion’s den.Eric chuckled, "Do I look like a lamb to you? If you ask me, I'm the lio
Sylvia stood as a prominent figure, and with the Hernandez family gearing up to challenge the Innova Group, it was improbable that they were unaware of its CEO.However, Eric and Sylvia were not Pablo's focus—his attention was firmly set on addressing the Vanderbilt family's concerns regarding Alan's disappearance, a matter too pressing to overlook.Pablo chuckled. "Everyone who should be present is, and those who shouldn't have also graced us with their presence!"By "those who shouldn't," he meant Eric, Sylvia, and the Locke brothers. However, the Vanderbilt family perceived it as an implication they shouldn't have attended.Steven Vanderbilt, the family head, sneered. "Pablo, what's the meaning of this? Alan, a legend of the Vanderbilt family, went missing while aiding your family, and now you suggest we shouldn't be here?"His indignation was tangible.Despite being within the Hernandez stronghold, such arrogance seemed unnecessary."Steven, you've misconstrued!" Pablo clari
Roco was stunned. 'How did this end up involving me?'Pablo looked at him sternly. "Roco! What did you see in Salt City? Tell us the truth! Did Pedro go to Salt City as well? Was Alvarez captured by the people there? We paid a heavy price for this, didn't we?"'Wow!' Roco thought, 'Is this my chance to shine on this stage? With Nana here, potentially taking control of the Hernandez family, I must seize this opportunity to impress everyone!'Roco began, "Everyone, our family's legend and Master Alvarez indeed went to Salt City. Master Alvarez was captured but was released afterward!"As for what happened later, I don't know. I'm not a significant figure in the family, so there are things I can't handle or dare not interfere with!""Hmm?" Pablo's face showed confusion.When Roco had just returned to the Hernandez family, he hadn't said this!"Pablo!" Steven was about to explode. "Isn't he a Hernandez? He claims to know nothing, so how do you explain that now?"Steven was increasi
Steven paused, casting a glance toward Eric. "How much wealth does the Innova Group possess? Speak up! I won’t lose my temper!"This guy thought he had the entire room under control.Eric chuckled. "I'm not afraid to tell you. It's no industry secret. The Innova Group is valued at over 200 billion now. It's estimated to be around 300 billion and counting."The crowd collectively gasped at this revelation.Steven was particularly astonished. "Is money outside that easy to earn now? 300 billion? What kind of concept is that?"Even with his shrewd mind, he couldn't fathom how much this amount actually was.It was simply too much to imagine!Steven laughed heartily, looking toward Pablo, "Pablo, you said it yourself! I'm just a bit curious—how did you manage to fail several times trying to take over the Innova Group, yet their people are here now?"This was a question Pablo couldn't answer.Indeed, how had the Innova Group's people appeared here?It made no sense!At that moment
Within the Hernandez family, allegiances were split. Some supported Pablo, while others backed Martin.The indecisive ones wavered mainly because they hadn't seen the ancestral bracelet. Now that it had appeared, their hesitation vanished, and they immediately sided with Martin.Pablo's face darkened. Despite his declaration to abolish the concept of the ancestral bracelet, its sudden appearance had swayed many to support Martin.The Vanderbilt family was utterly bewildered. What was happening? Hadn't they all agreed to target the Innova Group together? Now, even Martin was addressing the Innova Group's CEO as 'Nana'? What was going on? Had they been duped by Pablo again?Steven was incensed, suspecting that Pablo had foreseen their arrival and had staged everything to deceive them. It was likely he had led the Vanderbilt family right into the Hernandez family's trap."Enough!" Steven roared, "Do you all take my Vanderbilt family for fools? Pablo! You dare betray our legend and no
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