Ruth said, "My mother passed away early, and my father has never remarried. In a family like the McClains, especially with my father in the position of the family leader, it'd be difficult for him to maintain his status without enough power."At that point, Eric finally understood. Ruth was Lionel's only daughter, so she had to shoulder certain responsibilities. Even if Lionel did not explicitly state it, Ruth willingly took on these duties. She became the Lieutenant General of the Combat Department and Pierce's protege to support her father.Very few women would willingly choose such a profession from birth.Eric knew he had touched a sensitive topic and did not continue the conversation.During dinner, Eric noticed that the topic did not seem to significantly impact Ruth.Speaking of meals, Ruth, like Sylvia, belonged to the type of person who needed to fill her stomach first before handling her problems.Night descended with the accompaniment of thunder, and raindrops started
Eric hurried toward Ruth's room without bothering to put on clothes. He forcefully kicked the door wide open and found a dark figure standing next to the bed. The intruder clutched the blanket, gazing emptily at the pillow, which bore three gunshot holes.The intruder, however, reacted swiftly. As Eric kicked open the door, the intruder aimed the gun at the entrance, firing three shots.Recognizing the intruder's armed and trained status, Eric had strategically taken cover behind the wall before kicking the door. The three shots hit the wall, sparing him from harm.Eric wasted no time and charged in. His remarkable speed allowed him to reach the intruder in the blink of an eye, delivering a swift blow to the neck.The intruder's eyes widened, and he crumpled to the floor.Eric kicked the gun aside, sighing in relief. Glancing at the pillow, he couldn't shake off the chilling thought that if Ruth had been there, she would have met a deadly fate.Ruth entered the scene, picking up
Ruth nodded and advised, "Exercise caution and bring in more people."With skilled individuals by his side, Sean found it manageable to handle such situations.After ordering the disposal of the assassin, he remarked, "It appears this place is no longer safe. I'll arrange for you to relocate."Relocating seemed the safest option, but Ruth disagreed, "No need to move. Eric and I need to stay put if we want to identify the person behind this. After their failed attempt, they'll likely send someone else. They won't be able to explain to their client if they fail to eliminate us."Ruth's expertise in this line of work was evident.Sean sought Eric's opinion, who nodded and reassured, "Let's stay here for now. Don't worry."In the confined villa space, Eric wasn't afraid of armed assassins. With precautions in place, he could move faster than an assassin.Sean agreed, "Alright, I'll send more people tonight."Afterward, he left.Eric sensed that Sean wasn't overly concerned about R
"What is this thing?" Ruth asked, feeling a sense of confusion. Had she misunderstood Eric? How could a website have a list with her name on it?However, she quickly grasped the situation and exclaimed, "This is an assassination bounty list! How did you find this thing?!""Is it that difficult?" Eric replied, "When you mentioned the well-trained assassin, it reminded me of this website."Don't forget, I'm proficient in network technology. There's a group in our line of work, and I've heard them talk about an assassin organization."On this organization's website, there's a secretive bounty platform. Clients post bounties, and assassins take the orders. After completing the job, the assassin gets paid. I didn't pay much attention when I first heard about it. It came to my mind just now, so I checked and found your name."Ruth stared at Eric. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"Eric shrugged. "You didn't ask!"Ruth rolled her eyes and focused on the laptop screen again. "One million?
However, Sylvia had to return during the weekends.Early in the morning, Sylvia called on Andy, Elly, and the two kids to return to Nutikiville. The Combat Department's wanted order was quite effective. In addition to newspapers and the Internet, they also utilized television. Major TV stations would broadcast the wanted posters every day at scheduled times, especially during prime time.Although Eric's parents had not called to ask, they must have known about it. Therefore, Sylvia felt the need to return to Nutikiville to reassure the elderly.After this incident, Elly had not returned to Nutikiville.-When they arrived, they saw Blake sitting at the door, smoking, with a worried expression on his face. The news of Eric being wanted had spread in Nutikiville, making life difficult for them. No matter how much money Eric donated to Nutikiville, there were always people who did not appreciate it.Some villagers even claimed that the money Eric had donated was earned through treas
Delilah stood with hands on her hips and a triumphant expression. After learning about Eric's wanted status, she hadn't held back in mocking Eric's parents."Blake, oh, Blake," Delilah began, pointing at the group. "Remember how you used to flaunt your wealth? Can't flaunt it now, can you? Treason is such a serious crime! It's a disgrace to our village!"In all these years, we've never had a traitor! Do you think I'm being harsh? Do you know what this is called? This is called divine intervention. This is what you get for bullying my family."As she spoke, she even started clapping, emphasizing her pleasure.However, Elly was not going to let her off the hook. Ever since Richard and Jared conspired to harm Blake to take over the compensation for his land, Elly no longer regarded them as her uncle and aunt. She wanted to retort, but then Hank arrived on his motorcycle."Richard, Delilah, what are you two doing here?" Hank dismounted his motorcycle and walked over. "Are you really t
With years of experience in his position, Hank had a point. If a villager committed a crime, the police would first contact him.Hank was puzzled for a while after seeing Eric's wanted poster. After all, no one had come to him and asked about Eric's situation.Richard and Delilah's faces sank. In the past, whenever someone in the village got into trouble, the police would show up promptly. When there was not much farm work, such news would instantly spread throughout the entire village.However, since Eric was wanted, no one from the relevant authorities had come to investigate. Hank added, "Regarding the money you mentioned. If the funds Eric contributed to the village were obtained through treason, wouldn't they have been reclaimed by now?"You better watch your words! Eric has made significant contributions to our village. It's bad enough that you're not helping in this situation, but gloating and adding insult to injury is downright shameful!"Richard could not bear Hank's c
On that day, they didn't return to Salt City. When night descended, Sylvia readied the dashcam to identify who was hurling mud and cow dung on the wall in the dead of night.This had been happening for the past few nights, so she was confident the culprits would strike again tonight.Blake and Melinda retired for the night. Unable to catch the culprit, they opted for a good night's rest, planning to investigate in the morning.-Blake and Melinda rose early. As anticipated, mud and cow dung still adorned the wall. Sylvia, Elly, and the others were still asleep. Following Sylvia's advice to leave it be, Blake and Melinda refrained from removing the mess.The elderly couple set out with a sickle and a basket to fetch pig feed. Drawing on his habits and experience, Blake believed that pigs fed cooked food would yield tastier pork.Around 9:00 a.m., Sylvia and the others woke up. It was the first time Sylvia had a restful night since Eric became wanted. After getting ready, they exam
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