Everyone who had ever farmed knew that one could only harvest the crops when they were ripe. Eric and Izzie had a brief discussion and quickly came to a decision.Eric understood that the future of the company would be under Izzie’s control. Despite her having a younger brother, he was not a force to be reckoned with. As time passed, Sam's injuries also gradually healed.-Soon, Themos realized it was becoming harder to poach talent. Previously, he had been successful because Sam and Izzie had been very lenient with their research staff. They hadn’t enforced any stringent non-compete agreements and their management had been somewhat lax, allowing Themos to poach people easily and even steal some related technology. But after Izzie’s three decisive moves, Themos had no more chances. Investment in chips was still necessary, considering the substantial funds involved. He was also strategizing—since he couldn’t poach from the company for now, he decided to pause his efforts.A pe
Naturally, they had to let him through.Jacob wasn't naive—he knew whose money was easy to take and whose was difficult. Clearly, Donald's money wasn't the easy kind. Besides, Eric had already instructed that if Donald showed up, he should be allowed through without delay. After all, the man was the mayor—his position alone warranted it.Upon hearing that Donald was coming, Sylvia also came to the office.Just a few days earlier, Donald had discovered that Eric and Sylvia were married and that Andy was Eric's brother-in-law. This was a family-run enterprise!Eric laughed, pouring a cup of coffee for Donald. "What wind has blown you to our doorstep, Mr. Ford?"Donald's face darkened slightly, thinking to himself that Eric knew very well what brought him here. The wind of financial desperation, that's what!Donald decided to dispense with pleasantries and get straight to the point. "Mr. Johnson! Ms. Williams! I’m at my wit’s end, completely out of options!"Eric nodded, sensing th
The projects were taken over directly by Willaims Corp. and Sonnex Corp.—they had long been prepared.As for the financial matters, Sylvia handled them, ensuring that neither company would suffer a loss. With this, the matter could be considered settled, although when Fronter Tech would begin operations still depended on its future developments. The three major international firms would certainly continue investing in Fronter Tech—as long as they could bring down Fronter Digital, they were willing to spend any amount of money.-In the evening, Eric and Sylvia went to his sister Elly’s place for dinner.After a few bites, Elly seemed unable to suppress her indignation. "What’s wrong with people these days? That person is no longer even a Naturian citizen, yet there are people online saying we should bring him back from Phoenix City to provide for him. Faustaria is so advanced. Is it really that hard to support one person?"Sylvia understood what she was referring to. "Sis, you’r
A few days later, Michael returned. Throughout the year, he rarely came back. His wounds had fully healed, though he was still not ready for combat. Despite this, his mobility was no longer affected.This visit was primarily to see Shadow. No matter what had transpired, they were still brothers. Unfortunately, Shadow made a fatal error, betraying Eric in the end, which led to his dire fate. Considering all the gathered information, Shadow was certainly doomed.Michael first arrived in Salt City, and the matter of seeing Shadow had to be broached with Eric. -As soon as Michael boarded the plane, he mentioned the situation abroad. "I thought the three major manufacturers would ease off, but I didn’t expect new actions against our chip industry. Are they serious?"Frontier Tech had many advantages, foremost among them being ample funding and a well-established system. Bringing down Frontier Tech was no easy task.Eric chuckled. "Cornered dogs will leap over walls. By now, they'l
Shadow even taunted Michael, "You backstabbing traitor! Haven't the three giants treated you well? Yet you aid the Innova Group against them! You're a disgrace, and to think I considered you my brother!"Michael remained unperturbed by these accusations. He responded calmly. "We have different beliefs and cannot work together. This is the place I was born and raised. No matter how successful I become, I cannot stand idly by while someone tries to strangle it."You speak of loyalty and righteousness, but all you did was engage in criminal activities, which ultimately led you down a path of no return."You thought you're invincible, that no one could stop you. But remember, no matter how powerful you believe you are, there is always someone stronger. Wasn't your leader supposed to be formidable? What happened to him?"Didn't he die at Eric's hands?"Though it was Stealthbane who killed the leader of the Crimson Order, the siblings knew he died because of Eric.At the mention of Eri
Extravagant or not, the grandeur of the arrangement had to be displayed. The Rogers family needed to make sure Eric understood their deep respect for him.Several members of the Rogers family joined the table, including those responsible for reporting the cleanup results to Eric.Brent smiled as he spoke. "Mr. Johnson, you probably know that our Rogers family had connections with the Crimson Order for a long time, but we severed those ties quite some time ago."Combining our understanding of the Crimson Order with the recent cleanup efforts over the past few months, we've discovered some things. After you've had your meal and rested for a couple of days, we can review everything in detail."Eric waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Mr. Rogers, there's no need to wait. Let's start after the meal. I have many matters waiting for me back in Phoenix City, and I can't stay here for long."Brent nodded repeatedly, understanding that a person like Eric was undoubtedly very busy. Even du
After a thorough review, Eric didn’t find any confidential information about the three major international firms, which was a slight disappointment. As for the other materials, he wasn’t particularly interested. He instructed Brent to have the data organized and sent to King City.With so much content, it could be reviewed at leisure later.Brent gestured toward the piles of gold and jewels. "Mr. Johnson, should these also be sent to King City? I think sending them to Salt City would suffice."From Brent's perspective, since Eric had defeated the Crimson Order, these riches naturally belonged to him.Eric waved his hand dismissively. "I’ll give you a contact number. Once packed, send these items to King City and coordinate with this person to receive them."Brent nodded without further comment. The remaining materials also needed to be organized into data and sent to King City. If the volume was too large, air freight would be an option. Otherwise, it could be transferred via the
After conversing with Michael for quite a while, Eric finally excused himself and left. Descending the stairs, he noticed the homeless man still lying on the ground. Curiosity piqued, Eric crouched beside him, saying, "Hey, wake up!"The man opened his eyes, his expression one of curiosity upon seeing Eric.Eric smiled and asked, "Do you want to return to Naturia? The place where you were born?"The homeless man's eyes showed no spark at this mention. Eric could see clearly that this man had no desire to return. Why, then, were there people back home saying they wanted to bring him back? A mere ploy?The homeless man shook his head. "Why go back? What's the point?"Eric didn't need to hear more—the answer was already evident in the man's eyes. Whatever his qualifications or talents might be, they were irrelevant. His life was now bound to Faustaria. His birth, life, illness, and death were all matters of Faustaria.-As Eric departed, the Rogers family transported the first
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