When the assassin struggled to rise, he felt an intense pain in his chest. Lowering his head, he noticed Eric had broken his ribcage with a punch.Fear filled his eyes. The intelligence from the Crimson Order failed to mention Eric's combat skills, emphasizing only his role in the Innova Group's technology.This oversight proved costly, incapacitating the assassin with a single punch.With the Combat Department present, escape became a luxury. The two members of the Combat Department took the assassin away.Sylvia said, "It seems Ruth was right. The people behind Frankie really want revenge."Unbeknownst to Sylvia, eliminating them was part of the Crimson Order's plan from the beginning."Don't worry," Eric said. "The Combat Department is tracking their movements. When the time is right, they'll apprehend them."Despite that, Eric couldn't shake the feeling of being drawn into a dangerous situation that could endanger Sylvia.Sylvia nodded. She and Eric were skilled in martial
In the Combat Department's vast hierarchy, there were only two Lieutenant Generals, and those who could secure such a position were undeniably extraordinary.Even the stubbled man sensed the challenging nature of the situation.Apart from the prospect of Ruth bringing formidable fighters to Salt City, uncertainty surrounded her current whereabouts, raising the question of how to ensure her presence in the city. Additionally, the stubbled man lacked the nerve to confront Ruth directly."What's our plan?" one of them inquired, acknowledging the lack of confidence in facing Ruth head-on.The stubbled man sighed. "I'll make another call. Dealing with someone as formidable as Ruth on our own is impossible."He harbored the belief that the Crimson Order would dispatch more reinforcements.After the call, he exhaled and announced, "Good news! Shadow will personally oversee this operation!""Thank goodness!" they exclaimed, fists clenched. "With Shadow in Salt City, we will surely acc
At Salt City.Eric was peacefully asleep when an abrupt phone call woke him up. Glancing at the caller ID indicating King City, he hesitated to answer.However, after just a few seconds of contemplation, his phone rang again."Just answer it," Sylvia murmured. "It might be something urgent."Eric reluctantly picked up, only to be greeted by a voice that left him annoyed."Are you asleep? Do you want some late-night snacks?" Ruth said."It's almost dawn, and you're asking me if I want late-night snacks? Why not ask if I want breakfast?" Eric responded, baffled by Ruth's peculiar timing.Encountering someone like Ruth, who stayed up late and offered late-night snacks, left Eric wondering if she had no better things to do.Ruth was undeterred. "So, do you want breakfast?"Eric was momentarily at a loss for words before he finally said, "If you don't have anything urgent, I'll hang up. I have to get up for work soon.""You're still thinking about work?" Ruth retorted. "There's so
Eric rubbed his nose and remarked, "I don't know much about Shadow, and I haven't fought with him, so I dare not guarantee anything. If he's on par with your mentor, I think I can hold my own against him to some extent.""That won't do." Ruth sneered. "My mentor suggested we keep Shadow in Salt City, preferably eliminating him directly!"Eric frowned. He never dared to guarantee such things. The more he learned, the more he realized his shortcomings. If Shadow was on par with Pierce, he would be a legend. Faced with someone of such caliber, he had no absolute certainty of winning."Better call your mentor here," Eric said, concerned. "Playing with fire is self-destructive. I can't guarantee that I can deal with Shadow. Moreover, based on the intel, when Shadow deals with you, he may also take the opportunity to target me and my wife. By then, I can only protect my wife, not you."Upon hearing that, Sylvia couldn't help but laugh. She believed Eric could protect her, but adding Ruth
Sylvia harbored a suspicion about her body. Why, despite her desire for children, had she not conceived in over a year?Her love for children wasn't just altruistic—she had invested significant funds in establishing and supporting orphanages.Eric had conducted a health check, assuring her that her body was in good condition. He attempted to comfort her and offered, "Maybe the right time hasn't come yet."Although Sylvia nodded, recognizing Eric's attempt at reassurance, the question lingered—what could they do?Their busy lives left them only with the emptiness and quietude that greeted them upon returning home. Yet, neither felt a pressing urgency to expand their family.-Early each morning, after breakfast, they headed to the Innova Group.Meanwhile, Ruth returned to her residence and tried to steal a moment for a brief nap.However, the latest information prevented her from finding rest. The elusive Shadow from the Crimson Order had arrived in Salt City, but after enteri
Michael had a square face and wore an expensive suit, exuding an aura of dignity that clearly indicated his familiarity with high positions.Even Andy felt a bit uneasy. If someone claimed Michael was the CEO of an international company, Andy would believe it.On the other hand, Sylvia and Eric remained calm.Sylvia was born into a wealthy family and the former CEO of Williams Corp. Naturally, she had encountered all kinds of extraordinary people. As for Eric, he had met a myriad of individuals.The three of them sat down, and an assistant brought coffee while placing a copy of information about Michael in front of each. They had already read his details and didn't need to review them again.Sylvia said, "Mr. Otega, we've reviewed your impressive resume. You should know that our executive salaries are not as high as those of international companies. Why choose the Innova Group?"Eric and Andy were also curious. Straightforward questions could simplify the interview process.Mich
Once Michael left, Sylvia asked, "What are your thoughts on him?"Michael was undeniably a rare talent. He resembled a high-performance USB drive, always ready to execute and save the Innova Group the effort of nurturing talented individuals.It would be dishonest to claim Sylvia was not interested. Given Michael's experience, he was poised to instigate positive changes upon joining the company."He's genuinely impressive, a rare find," Eric remarked. "An executive of his caliber from an international company is bound to bring extensive experience, and his proposed terms are easily attainable. I believe we should seriously consider hiring him.""Nevertheless, we must exercise caution. Taking necessary precautions is essential," Sylvia added.She wasn't foolish enough to place complete trust in Michael.After Eric and Andy concurred, they directed the assistant to verify Michael's information. An hour later, the assistant unearthed relevant details: Michael had indeed resigned f
As the operation was about to commence, someone said in concern, "Boss! Shadow has already arrived in Salt City. What if we encounter him..."This stood as their primary worry. No elaboration on Shadow's strength was necessary—even the combined force of all twelve of them couldn't match him.Hearing this, Ruth checked the time. "Why hasn't that bastard arrived yet?"The group was taken aback. Who was the bastard their leader referred to? Just as someone was about to inquire, her phone rang. It was Eric."Where are you?" Ruth said indignantly."At the hotel entrance. Where are you guys?"Looking out the window, Ruth noticed Eric standing right at the hotel's main entrance. With a face full of scars, he was hard to ignore!"Get in quickly! Fifth floor, Room 6, hurry!" she shouted and hung up.Eric smirked.Upon reaching the room, he discovered everyone was already geared up."Because of you, our operation is delayed by half an hour! Do you know how many variables can change in
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