Eric held Sylvia close and said, "I don't care about your beauty, even though you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. That's not what matters to me."Sylvia was very happy, whether or not Eric's words were true. For him, her beauty and wealth didn't matter. What truly mattered was the journey they had been through together and the care she showed him.Eric didn't fully grasp the concept of love, but this would be it if love had a shape. At least, that's how it felt to him.They spent the evening playing with the children before returning to the nail salon.Andy hadn't returned since they left in the morning, surprising Eric with his compliance. However, it seemed Andy still hadn't realized his mistake. One should never tell a woman she had gained weight. Elly had been taking care of the children, so a little weight gain was normal.-Eric and Sylvia returned to the Rosewood Estate around 9:00 p.m.Sylvia immediately called Brook to ask if anyone had been following them t
"Hey, where's Brook? He was here last month," Georgia asked.Sylvia replied, "I didn't let him know I was coming today. He has a girlfriend now, so he'll probably be quite busy for a few months.""Brook has a girlfriend, too?" Georgia was thrilled. "That's fantastic! I thought he'd be single forever! Sylvia, Eric, stay here. I'll go call the kids. They'll be so happy to see you!"In no time, a group of children came running and cheering toward Sylvia."Ms. Williams!" The children enthusiastically shouted as they ran toward Sylvia, their faces brimming with joy.A little girl sprinted the fastest and was the first to reach Sylvia. She peered at Sylvia's bag and asked with curiosity, "Ms. Williams, what's in the bag? Is it something yummy?""Yes, I'm sure you'll all like it!" Sylvia gently patted the little girl's head and told the children, "Everyone, form a line. I've brought something tasty. I'll distribute them one by one, so please be patient, okay?"The children quickly line
"Well, I've definitely come out ahead this time!" Sylvia exclaimed joyfully.Eric chuckled. "I'm even better off. I married a beautiful and wealthy wife. I'm the ultimate winner in life!"The two of them chatted and soon arrived at the nail salon.Andy was there again, but this time Elly ignored him. When he saw Sylvia and Eric, he scratched his head and looked at Eric pleadingly.Eric raised an eyebrow, thinking that Andy really had patience when it came to his sister. She kicked him out yesterday, yet there he was again. However, Eric also knew that determination and persistence were important when trying to win someone over.Eric pulled Andy aside and asked, "Andy, what did you do to upset my sister yesterday?"Andy looked puzzled and replied, "Upset her? I don't think so! I thought she was mad at me because I didn't stop Craig from entering the nail salon."Andy's inability to understand women rendered Eric speechless.He said, "Think carefully. Try to remember everything t
The Pettersons had big ambitions. They wanted to acquire Williams Corp. and Sonnex Corp. and gain control of Tiger's territory, putting all of Salt City under their control. This was how the Pettersons operated in Dortmund City, but Salt City was different.To make a move against Tiger, Lucas needed a detailed plan. Unfortunately, their plans to acquire Williams Corp. and Sonnex Corp. had already failed. They faced a significant setback. Just two weeks after the Montgomerys started their conflict with the Hernandezes, Petterson Corp. in Salt City was on the verge of collapse.To cut costs, they started massive layoffs. Lucas had hoped that acquiring Williams Corp. and Sonnex Corp.'s businesses would be a great start, but it turned into a nightmare. Most of their investments were lost.Everyone at Petterson Corp. in Salt City was worried about their jobs except Gavin. He knew he was safe from layoffs. When the layoff list was released, his name wasn't on it.Lucas patted Gavin on
Brook sensed that Tiger was talking about Eric. After all, Tiger only regarded Eric as a skilled martial artist.Tiger's face grew serious. "Find out for me. If you discover the culprit, bring them to me, and I'll handle them personally.""Yes, sir!" His subordinates scattered to investigate, but Tiger already had a suspicion.Brook pondered and asked, "Mr. Kirkby, do you know who did this?"Tiger scoffed. "Someone seeks revenge on me! But this is Salt City, my turf!"Brook sighed in relief. If someone sought revenge on Tiger, there must have been bad blood between them. Yet, there didn't seem to be any enmity between Eric and Tiger.From Tiger's words, it appeared to be someone else, but who?Suddenly, a name popped into Brook's mind. But why would Lucas target Tiger? Did he have what it took to defeat him?"I'll have my people assist you," Brook offered.Tiger nodded, accepting the help. They were all part of Salt City's underworld, and when faced with outside threats, they
Tiger flicked away his cigar and swiftly removed his shirt, revealing his well-toned physique.Lucas squinted at Tiger's body, realizing he was also a martial artist. However, he wasn't sure how Tiger compared to the boxer he had brought along.Tiger's men were pushed back, and he ordered them to fall back. Reinforcements were en route, and all they needed to do was hold their ground a bit longer.Lucas knew they had to subdue Tiger quickly to achieve their goal."Take him down!" he commanded, and his boxer lunged at Tiger, aiming for a swift knockout. If they defeated Tiger, Lucas' plans would fall into place.Meanwhile, Lucas seized his opportunity and made a run for it. He didn't know if his men could handle Tiger, but his own safety came first.Tiger snorted, ignored Lucas, and focused on the boxer, adopting a similar fighting stance.The surprised boxer asked, "Who's your master?"He didn't want to harm a fellow martial artist from the same lineage.Tiger snorted again, r
"It was him." Tiger nodded. "I've figured it out. After he killed my fighter, he knew I'd send someone to investigate. So, he ambushed me while my forces were weak. It was a clever plan. He asked me to join him and fight against the Williams and Sonnexes, but I refused. I think he's seeking revenge now because of the heavy losses the Pettersons suffered."Tiger explained the reasons behind the attack, believing it was the most likely scenario. After defeating him and taking his place, Lucas could control the Salt City underworld and go after the Williams and Sonnexes."This man is ruthless. He's still using the same old tricks from years ago," Tiger warned. "Brook, you must be cautious."Brook nodded gravely. Tiger referred to a time when brute strength ruled, and the strongest fists called the shots. However, times had changed, and large-scale brawls were no longer viable. The police would swiftly intervene, and those who resisted would end up behind bars.This was why Tiger hadn'
Eric glanced at Sylvia, aware of Lucas' unorthodox behavior in pursuing her. To safeguard Sylvia, he reluctantly agreed to Tiger's request."Okay, I'll help when the time comes," Eric conceded.Tiger nodded in gratitude. "I won't forget your assistance. I'll notify you when it's time to act."Eric was the obvious choice to confront Lucas' fighters.Sylvia worried about his safety, cautioning him as they left the hospital, "When the time comes, remember to inform Brook and request more support.""Of course," Eric acknowledged.He believed he could handle Lucas' boxer in a one-on-one duel but knew multiple opponents would be challenging. Additional help from Brook's crew would boost his confidence.Lucas' sanity teetered on the edge as the Pettersons suffered mounting losses in Salt City. Eric grew increasingly cautious, sticking close to Sylvia.-In the afternoon, Gavin invited Eric to dinner, a rare social occurrence for him. Eric had never personally attended client dinners
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