The sharp steel claws, though rare, served as lethal weapons.Had Ruth engaged in a fistfight with the stubbled man without knowledge of his deadly weapon, she would have suffered significant harm. At best, her fingers might break, and at worst, her entire hand could be disabled.Ruth now realized that Eric had saved her—she hadn't noticed the stubbled man's weapon. However, she wasn't appreciative of Eric's actions.The others were restrained, and the stubbled man coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood."A legend?" He looked at Eric in horror.Only a legend could incapacitate him with a single punch.The stubbled man had thought it would be easy to take down Salt City since the Crimson Order's legendary Shadow had come.Unexpectedly, Salt City had its own legend, and they had joined forces with the Combat Department. Could this be a trap set up by the Combat Department?They aimed to keep Ruth in Salt City, unaware that a legend was already guarding the city. The
Eric was uncertain about the exact number of formidable characters within the Crimson Order. The thought of Shadow, the enigmatic and elusive legend, unsettled him even more."Even grandmasters were captured?" Brook looked terrified. "Eric, who are you helping? The military doesn't have such capabilities, right?"Despite there being no grandmasters in Salt City, the operation Eric participated in had successfully apprehended several.Brook found it peculiar that Eric wasn't more surprised."Battle Department. I'm still not very clear about them since I just joined. The Battle Department deployed as many as eight grandmasters in the operation tonight!"Brook was astonished. "My goodness! Grandmasters have become so common?!"In his understanding, grandmasters were already the pinnacle of martial arts. Yet, the Battle Department had mobilized eight of them and captured individuals of this caliber tonight. It was too terrifying."But it's strange. How did Salt City gather so many e
The discussion concluded, signaling the end of the workday.Andy intended to host Eric and Sylvia for dinner, and ask Elly to prepare a meal. However, as they descended the stairs, they unexpectedly encountered Ruth.Ruth's gaze toward Eric piqued Andy's curiosity. He playfully patted Eric and asked, "Eric, who is this beauty, and why does she keep looking at you?"With a raised eyebrow, Eric remained silent as Ruth approached."Considering your care for me last night, I'll make an exception and treat you and your wife to a meal," she declared, harboring no desire to owe favors, especially to Eric, whom she despised.While Sylvia stayed silent, Eric calmly replied, "Ms. McClain, I'm afraid I have dinner plans tonight."Ruth was angered and prepared to retort, but her attention suddenly shifted behind Eric and Sylvia.Using Eric as a cover, she concealed herself. Perplexed, Eric turned around to see Michael exiting the building, offering a smile as he departed."What's going on?
Shortly after Shadow arrived in Salt City, Michael's appearance seemed more than coincidental to Sylvia and Eric, who never believed in chance occurrences.The question loomed: What prompted Michael, or more precisely, Shadow, to join the Innova Group?Eric and Sylvia speculated that the Crimson assassins were likely after them due to their connection with Frankie House. However, the perplexing part was why the Crimson Order would also target the Innova Group."Why not have the Battle Department capture and interrogate him?" Sylvia suggested.Ruth fixed her gaze on Sylvia. "Why would you consider that?"Shadow is a legend. According to our intel, he came to Salt City alone. Perhaps Eric can hold his own against him, but capturing him would be like trying to catch the wind!"Similarly, even the Battle Department would have a near-zero success rate to capture Eric."Even the Battle Department had to devise an elaborate plan to apprehend a legend. Sylvia had little understanding of
It was a longstanding tradition for the Williams family to gather in Falcon City to honor their ancestors, a practice that underscored the family's unity.Henry generously contributed a significant sum of money when the ancestral estate underwent renovations. As the time for the commemoration approached, he naturally wished to bring his family back.The Williams family arrived in Falcon City. However, Connor appeared somewhat impatient, marking his first visit to the city. This was his first time in Falcon City. Perhaps after being away from Falcon City for many years, he didn't have much sentiment for the Falcon branch or their place of origin."Now that we're here, let's spend a few days," Brook suggested.The family chose accommodations at the Falcon City Grand Hotel, and they booked three luxury suites and one single room, the latter reserved for Connor."Why am I in a single room while all of you have suites?" Connor asked unhappily.Henry smiled faintly. "Don't worry. You'l
Sylvester's smile lacked warmth as he spoke. "She is Seraphine from the Montgomery family in King City."Dickson and the others nodded, unfazed by this revelation as the Montgomery family in King City wasn't familiar to them.Dickson couldn't help but think that Seraphine was aiming high by associating with them, given the affluence of the Williams family in Salt City.Turning to the younger members, Dickson gestured for them to sit. He then directed his attention to Seraphine, asking, "Ms. Montgomery, what does your family do in King City?"Sylvester furrowed his brow, wondering if Dickson was probing into Seraphine's background. Before he could voice his thoughts, Seraphine smiled and replied, "To be honest, my parents run a small business. In the past two years, we suffered significant losses due to the poor economic environment and are on the verge of bankruptcy!"Initially, Sylvester and the others were puzzled, but they soon grasped that Seraphine was playfully teasing Dic
When the sky darkened, the official commencement of the Williams family meeting unfolded. Presiding over the gathering was Shay Williams, the Falcon branch's esteemed leader.Traditionally, the family leader must command respect and prestige, and their words should carry conviction among the members.Godrick, alongside Shay and the revered elders, took his place at the table.Henry, Brook, Sylvester, Connor, and even Eric and Sylvia, with their names prominently displayed, occupied notable positions.Despite Eric not being a direct descendant, his high standing within the family was evident. Considering Henry's significant contributions to the renovation of the ancestral estate, there were no objections to the seating arrangements.During the meeting, Shay delved into the history of the Williams family. Despite residing in Falcon City for generations, the family had not held a leading position, much to Shay's disappointment. He expressed his fervent desire to unite the entire fami
Shay smiled at Sylvester and said, "Sylvester, everyone knows you're the CEO of Williams Corp. Provide us with an asset inventory later, and we can discuss how to incorporate it into the Williams family's conglomerate, okay?"Responding to this tricky situation required careful consideration.After a moment of thought, Sylvester replied, "Over the years, my father, sister, and I have taken on the role of CEO at Williams Corp. It's important to note that Williams Corp. isn't owned by any individual. Even in Salt City, we have shareholders. I'm afraid this matter isn't within the purview of any one of us to decide."To integrate into the Williams family's conglomerate, Williams Corp. would need to convene a meeting among the shareholders, navigate the local authorities in Salt City, and go through various procedures. It's quite complicated."Sylvester adeptly avoided explicitly refusing to join the Williams family's conglomerate, showcasing his shrewdness.Henry silently nodded, ack
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