'Are you pulling my leg? The selection process for talent has a complete set of procedures and mechanisms. Even a large company like the Innova Group needs to follow the managerial interview processes. Do you think I would want someone that the Innova Group doesn't even want?' Donald cursed inwardly.Donald was quite clear-headed. He looked at Jack with skepticism. "Do you think you can turn Salt City into the number one city in the country?"Jack stared directly at Donald, brimming with confidence in his abilities.Donald awkwardly smiled and said, "Let's discuss this in a few days. I'll first fire that secretary and make room for you."Jack was overjoyed. "Rest assured, Mr. Ford. I will make you shine brightly!"Donald didn't take Jack's words to heart. His team was already quite capable, and he believed the development of a city depended more on its inherent potential.In Donald's view, Salt City had almost reached its peak unless a revolutionary industry decided to settle the
Upon returning home, Sylvia made a point of checking the gold stored in their safe. She had accumulated a considerable amount, ensuring that even if the global economy were to collapse, she and Eric wouldn't have to worry about money.Despite their preparations, both continued to work as usual. The development of the vaccine attracted widespread attention, and neither Eric, Sylvia, nor Andy had to concern themselves with it.-After a few days of not seeing Lora, she appeared again. She balanced her work with visiting Eric."Not busy lately?" she remarked.There was a hint of reproach in her tone. Those unaware of the situation might think there was something more between her and Eric.Eric shrugged. "I'm human, not a machine. After being busy, I need to rest. Is something up?"Lora smiled. "Why? Can't I visit you without a reason? After all, I've been devoted to you. Can't I come to see you?"Eric had nothing to say. Emotions didn't shift at will, but familiarity could breed f
"Good! Wonderful! Brilliant!" Eric applauded with admiration. "As they say, 'He who wins the people's hearts, wins the world'. If we win the people's hearts, why would we worry about not conquering the world?"Jack's face lit up with joy. It seemed his persistence had finally paid off. Otherwise, how could Eric praise him so highly?Overjoyed, he asked, "Mr. Johnson, do you agree with my view? When can I join to assist you?""No rush," Eric replied. "I can see you have a heart for the world, but you also understand the situation well. Although our Innova Group is strong, the power of a single company is always limited."In fact, besides our Innova Group, there's another powerful company in Salt City—Frontier Tech. If you can unite this high-tech company with our Innova Group to achieve great things, won't that be a grand success?"Jack understood Eric's implication. "Mr. Johnson, you're right. One tree branch breaks easily, but two, three, or even 10 or 20, are hard to break!"Fr
Several men lunged at Jack. In the next instant, Jack raised his hand and repelled them effortlessly. "Mr. Ford, I'm trying to help you out of goodwill, and you act like a dog biting the hand that feeds it?"Themos stood there, dumbfounded.'Good grief! Who is this guy, and why won't he leave me alone? What have I done to deserve this?'Thankfully, Jack wasn't completely unreasonable. "Since you don't appreciate my help, there's no point in me staying. Goodbye!"With that, Jack walked out.Themos finally breathed a sigh of relief. If Jack had continued to bother him, he wouldn't have known what to do.Call the police? Even if they came, could they handle this guy?"What a weirdo!" Themos muttered.-Downstairs, Jack glanced back at the Frontier Tech building and snorted. "A CEO of a billion-dollar company, so crude and unreasonable! Mr. Johnson is much more civilized. No wonder he built a three-figure billion-dollar company while you're stuck with a few billion."The differ
Jack, the troublemaker, had finally been dealt with. If he harbored any ill will toward the Innova Group, Eric wouldn't have tolerated him. But the guy was just a fool, weaving grand dreams of creating a perfect world. Who could achieve such a thing?Wherever there were people, there were complications. The world wasn't just about fights and struggles. It was about human relationships and myriad personal interests, desires, and benefits. The nature of the human heart ensured that perfect dreams and perfect worlds exisedt only in pure imagination.Eric found Jack to be quite the oddity, a real headache. At least for the next few days, it seemed Jack wouldn't be around, giving Eric some peace.But it wasn't long before Andy came in, sighing deeply."What's wrong, Andy?" Eric asked.Although there were many issues with the Innova Group, not much usually troubled Andy.Andy sighed again. "I just don't get it. My parents are driving me crazy. My son is almost ready for kindergarten, y
Lora sighed. "It's surprising that such a large company like the Innova Group lets you leave early. Aren't tech companies supposed to be obsessed with overtime?"Sylvia smiled. "That's other companies. We're different. If we don't need to work overtime, why should we?"Of course, when there's a tough challenge, we do put in extra hours, but the overtime pay is always fair."Lora nodded repeatedly, thinking the Innova Group was truly great.Sylvia asked in a low voice, "By the way, do you know why your dad invited us to dinner?"Lora shook her head. "I'm not sure. He just told me to arrange a meal with you all."They soon arrived at her home, where the food was already prepared. Tobias had even brought out a fine wine he had been saving for over a decade, clearly valuing this meal highly.After a couple of glasses, they chatted about everyday topics.As the conversation turned to children, Tobias sighed. "Our hair has turned white, and we only have Lora. In recent years, we've b
In the afternoon, Jack made a rare offer to treat Eric to a meal. Jack considered Eric one of his own, or at least he believed so.Eric initially declined, but Jack personally visited the Innova Group, determined to ensure that this meal took place.Eric was curious, "I've heard you live deep in the mountains and forests. Where did you get the money to treat me to a meal?"Jack's face showed surprise, "Seriously, Mr. Johnson? You thought we lived in the deep mountains and forests? Who told you that?""Did I... guess wrong?" Eric was also puzzled.Jack laughed. "Of course you did. We also live in big cities. Otherwise, how would we stay informed about the world's situation and development? We just aren't as profit-driven and don't participate in most conflicts."As for money, we do have some. We operate a few small companies, so while the money isn't much, we certainly have enough for expenses."For the first time, Eric's perception of so-called sages and strategists began to cha
Jack shook his fist, still puzzled. "I just asked what you guys were here for. Why do you all want to fight me? Do you think I'm easy to bully?"The men exchanged glances but still charged at him.Jack, now furious, roared and bravely fought against the dozen men, showing no fear.When Eric and his group arrived, they saw Jack fiercely battling the assailants. Not a single one could match him—he was quite formidable."Wow, who is this guy?" Matthew was bewildered.Hearing the commotion, they had rushed over, only to witness Jack dominating the fight.Eric chuckled. "So this fella knows martial arts too. I thought he was just a helpless altruist."If anyone had underestimated him, they would have been deceived by Jack's appearance.Matthew and his brother joined the fray. In no time, the trio had all the attackers on the ground. The Locke brothers then tied them up with ropes.Rubbing his hands together, Jack walked over. "Mr. Johnson, who are these people? I just asked them wh
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