Chapter 285 The Final Ability
The efforts of the Eden Base, which went largely unnoticed, actually centered around a small elevator shaft. Exiting the elevator shaft led to a dim and eerie corridor.
After leaving the elevator shaft, Elvin took a few steps back and lightly pressed a button on the control panel. The heavy machinery moved with delay, and a steel gate, a meter thick, dropped down, sealing off the exit.
Elvin pushed Aiyan, and neither of them looked back as they traversed the seemingly endless corridor, characterized only by Elvin’s footsteps and Aiyan’s labored breathing.
It was hard to tell how long they had walked, but when Elvin gently pressed the button on the control panel again, the heavy machinery moved again, and the meter-thick steel gate dropped down, sealing off the exit.
Elvin pushed Aiyan, and neither of them looked back as they continued down the long corridor, which felt infinite, filled only with the sounds of their breaths and footsteps.
The repetitive cycle continued as Elvin pressed the button, and the heavy machinery responded with the same result—the steel gate falling down, sealing off the exit, yet again.
No matter how long they had been walking, Aiyan remained silent while Elvin continued pushing forward, the dark corridor stretching on forever, filled with the echoes of their footsteps.
—
Classic Novel
Before Frank’s computer, there were old, dense commands, the third command being a divine symbol, as he rapidly typed away on the keyboard.
“Arschloch” (German: bastard)
Frank released the keyboard, leaning back wearily in his chair and closing his eyes.
Clearly, Emil had already executed everything flawlessly before leaving, modifying crucial commands to ensure passive execution, making it impossible to change any outcomes.
This meant that everyone at the Eden Base was now trapped, unable to leave.
“Frank, have some coffee.”
The door opened, and Emma walked in with a cat-like grace, each hand holding a cup of coffee, smiling as she approached Frank.
Earlier, I received Mr. Emil’s preset message and authorization password, instructing us to proceed to the ninth floor after completing our tasks for a meeting with him. The Alhambra estate is where Mrs. Monica’s evacuation papers will be sent to North America.
Frank nodded in acknowledgment but remained silent, retrieving a cigarette from the pack on his desk and lighting it.
“Frank, it seems you rarely smoke this much. Are you nervous?”
Emma glanced at the computer screen before looking at the ashtray cluttered with cigarette butts, her gaze flickering before she gently sat in Frank’s lap.
“Schlampe…” (German: whore)
Frank remained composed, lifting the coffee and internally muttering a curse.
Mr. Elvin instructed the members to relocate to North America, likely negotiating with the James family. Frank, Lord Elvin has decided to reward us with a large farm. I believe we can live together in a closer relationship; I really like kids… what do you think?
Emma cradled the coffee, smiling coyly.
Unlike Emma, who was promoted from within the family as a personal secretary, the members with the current total Gol family lineage are distant relatives of Elvin, perhaps not direct kin but certainly trusted allies.
Frank’s descendants have the opportunity to unite with the progeny of the gods. Emma is trying to pave a bridge to her future, but she still has some blind spots regarding Frank. What she doesn’t know is that Frank’s mother was once a member of the Gothar family and had been purged in the aftermath of the last world war.
I am honored, Miss Emma, but…
Alarm! Alarm! A large number of unidentified flying objects are approaching; security measures elevated to level three, all departments halt operations, urgent… The hurried voice report interrupted Frank’s thoughts. Simultaneously, someone stood up, staring intently at the large display screen outside the glass windows.
Emma looked down at her wristwatch, showing two forty-five in the morning.
A slight, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Frank’s mouth as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, gradually lifting his head toward the sky.
At that moment, three super Hornet fighter jets, launched from the Truman aircraft carrier, flew over the Bultawi Desert, hovering at an altitude of a thousand meters.
In another direction, two heavy carrier jets, also launched from the aircraft carrier, entered the final phase of weapon deployment, with only a ten-second difference. Ten precision-guided bombs fell, each activating its own guided mode and descending toward the dark earth before dawn.
Perhaps feeling that wasn’t enough, the heavy carrier planes ignited again mid-flight, releasing two even heavier precision-guided bombs from their underbelly racks.
…
The missile bodies penetrated the desert, and moments later, a vigorous firestorm erupted like a fountain, the expanding shockwave creating artificial dust storms.
From a certain coordinate as the origin point, the southern, western, and northern flanks all accurately hit the descending munition, piercing underground. Each point hit at least several times, breaching the thick underground base protective layer. The main entrances of both sides were struck by two larger penetrating projectiles, violently breaking the massive metal shield.
Hundreds of meters away, several armed helicopters landed, opening their rear hatches, and squads of soldiers clad in heavy protective suits rushed out.
Five heavy transport aircraft from the U.S. and Russia also activated their self-release mode, landing directly on the wall after a deluge.
The first wave of personnel surged forth as foreign automated defense systems engaged; foreign armed forces quickly assembled several specially designed 120mm recoilless rifles, clumsily loading the hefty projectiles into the rear chamber, executed with roughness yet precision.
Aluma, feed the beasts!
The trigger was pulled, causing the muzzle to expand, with several-kilogram heavy projectiles accurately striking their target, erupting into a storm of flying metal debris.
Similar scenes occurred in the other two directions; the dark arrow mode accurately struck, or drones swiftly dismantled unmanned weapon stations like a namesake, erasing them one by one. In just five minutes, the first blood puppet agents from the Russian and Chinese secret forces charged toward the broken path at the end of the faraway airport runway.
The fractured openings, as though by some external force, shot flames and smoke from within, as the royal elites covered each other and rushed in—the sounds of violence filled the air, flesh and blood scattered.
Outside the external power supply facility at the Eden base, three fearsome large holes emerged from collapsed sand dunes, and the NATO cement walls continued to crumble. Dozens of expensive anesthetic grenades were heaved into the air, falling along parabolic arcs.
…
This isn’t right; these people aren’t blood puppets! Fall back, spread out!
A foot shattered a frenzied landmine, the blood-red soldiers wide-eyed, their veins bulging, as they charged a legendary peak.
A sudden shriek in the distance caused Lee Hongjun’s heart to tighten. The attackers, clad in black battle gear and helmets, were riddled with bullets. Although the second wave was not equipped as well as the first, they fiercely dived into the enemy ranks, engaging in an intense melee battle like super soldiers from a sci-fi movie.
The blood tribe has an extremely limited explosive power, yet they felt no pheromone fluctuations; their pitch-black eyes were filled with fervor toward a group of humans enduring the early torments of an immunity storm. With speed and explosive capability but no sense of pheromones, their black eyes reflected madness aimed at the suffering humans.
But Lee Hongjun had no retreat; he had to hold his ground here, preventing the blood tribe from escaping. The blood tribe’s advantages were significantly weakened, forcing the over forty members of the Blood Dragon Squad led by Lee Hongjun to merely sustain injuries in the sudden, ordinary gunfight.
Time passed slowly; even when faced with imminent defeat, they had reached a critical point wherein further bloodshed was inevitable, triggering a series of aftereffects.
“We will find it, don’t rush,” Meng Yue grabbed Jiang Yao’s wrist and patted her back soothingly. “Try to stay calm; when Li Hongjun and the others come down, you and the injured will return to the surface.”
Jiang Yao stared at Meng Yue but did not respond directly.
With a sigh of resignation, she turned her head away, “Meng Yue, is Han Shuqian injured?”
Han Shuqian, with Meng Yue’s assistance, stood up, her face pale, glancing around nervously.
She gripped tightly, releasing her hands from the lunar device and pulling out her gun for the first time since the battle began.
In the corner, Xiao Dong wiped tears from her eyes and stuffed Xiao Ben back into her pack, reacting to the sounds around her.
…
Soon, over thirty members of the Blood Dragon Squad, led by Lee Hongjun, joined Meng Yue.
Ahead lay the central control area of the base; progress had been too slow for too many, many were unable to adjust. The injuries on the upper floors were severe, and many were deemed anomalies; I instructed them to withdraw.
“The first mixed unit and the Wang family have been locked on the third level, which is the central control area. Progress has been too slow; many couldn’t respond. The injuries above are too extensive; many anomalies led me to have them retreat.”
Lee Hongjun pointed at his tablet, speaking rapidly and with a grave expression. “Although we managed to reach the fourth level, we were blocked by your monster in Zone E, meaning we’re very far from them and separated by several floors, making it difficult to support them.
The atmosphere became weighed down as everyone present, including Fengxin, felt the heaviness, realizing that even with the advantage, they were forced into suicide attacks.
As the last words spoke, everyone in the room silently lowered their heads, knowing they must resort to a desperate tactic to break the stalemate.
“Warning, warning, abnormal base management program detected, abnormal base management program detected.”
Suddenly, mechanical thunder reverberated through the base again, moving even those engaged in bloody battle—first and third mixed units, as well as those resting like Meng Yue and Lee Hongjun, into action.
…
Level Seven, The Ancestor Cultivation Center.
Frank had changed into a blue security department uniform, carrying a backpack and gun, passing through the packed corridor, and arrived at a certain experimental area.
Emma, dressed the same as Frank, carrying a small package filled with supplies, was observing the rows of time-sensitive shelves behind the glass wall.
Frank took the package from Emma, urging her to head downstairs as they were about to release programming control; the Ancestor’s release program had already commenced.
Emma nodded and followed Frank, taking a few steps when Frank suddenly halted.
Beside the corridor, behind the glass wall, a certain sealed laboratory held Zhong Jing struggling vigorously.
“Miss Emma, just give me two more minutes or wait for your husband.”
Frank thought for a moment, pulled out his phone, entered the password, and opened the elevator door, with Emma smiling wide. Frank smiled slightly, stepped back out of the elevator, and quickly left with Emma.
A few minutes later, after passing through the central observation area, Frank and Emma reached the location of the secret elevator.
“You have quite a tragic side. In front of the ancestor, he might be even less than a lab rat…”
Entering the authorization password opened the elevator door, and Emma laughed. Frank remained silent, watching from the corner of his eye as Emma entered the password.
The elevator doors slowly closed, and Emma exhaled.
Suddenly, Emma felt a strange aura from Frank beside her—before she could react, a syringe slid past her neck.
“Ugh…”
Emma’s voice faded as she staggered backward, shock in her eyes.
Frank coldly watched, standing in the elevator doorway, as if waiting for the anesthetic’s effect to kick in. After just two seconds and with a few uneven gasps, Emma’s eyes closed, collapsing directly to the floor.
Frank stepped forward, using his toe to roll Emma’s body aside.
…
In the ninth-floor project testing area, who knew where someone had produced various types of artificial beasts, how they summoned their demonic army, pouring into every passage, charging toward the battling dark arrow troops, scattering panicked skeletons everywhere. Overhead, automated sprinklers were spraying fresh blood, raining down in large droplets.
The main passage’s elevation platform on the sixth level, lost control of the automatic defense system, and anyone attempting to escape from the lift was shredded by hurricane-like winds. Dismembered limbs piled on the lift platform, coating the monitoring cameras in blood…
In the central cultivation tank of the ancestor cultivation center on the seventh level, the level of the nurturing fluid was gradually decreasing, as several sharp metal syringes brutally pierced the sleeping ancestor’s body, infusing them with unknown drugs…
In the eighth-level living quarters, blood stained all rooms, and mint-colored smoke wafted from the vents. Those who failed to grab oxygen tanks rolled in white, convulsing in the blood… Every survival compartment displayed scenes akin to tragic dramas; the underground Eden housing over a thousand people was no longer a sacred symbol but had transformed into hell on earth.
“You are a demon… a demon…”
Mai Yan cleared the bookshelf, slowly rising while clutching it, glaring fiercely at the composed Euro-American young man before her, her eyes reddish with visible intent to kill.
They were originally servants of the ancestor, servants of the divine; returning to the ancestor was their duty. All lives that came to Eden would be sacrificed for the freedom of the ancestor.
Elvin set down his wine glass, gently stroking the surroundings, revealing a beautifully decorated luxurious bedroom, centered around a deep crimson velvet round bed, positioned quite suggestively.
“All lives cheer for our meeting; what a bright dawn it is, perfect for us to engage in new dialogues, my beautiful goddess…”
Elvin slowly loosened his tie, walking close to Mai Yan, locking her gaze, his eyes glimmering with fierce desire.
“Let me go,” Mai Yan’s body collapsed on the ground, a slight smile appearing on her lips.
Elvin stepped closer, his mocking voice conveyed, “Your body is the embodiment of the divine, but your soul is not. You are also a servant of the divine, coming to my side…”
Mai Yan raised her head, leaning against the shelf, as if countless stars swirled through her mind, creating galaxies behind which long starry scrolls hung.
The world before her turned black and white, alternately pooling and dispersing, the lives in Eden would all offer sacrifices for the freedom of the ancestor.
Elvin leaned down to caress her, gently brushing a stray hair off her face, revealing an unexpected tenderness.
“Hmm?”
Elvin paused; he seemed to catch a different scent emanating from the girl before him.
A faint, unfamiliar pheromone was dispersing, swirling around the girl like a primordial nebula gathering new stars, the material of a neutron star nurturing new life after a supernova explosion.
The European youth’s hollow pupils emitted no light, murky, as he repeatedly scrutinized her.
An intense intuition of danger suddenly surged in Elvin’s mind, realizing he needed to retreat from Mai Yan’s body.
But it was already too late; Mai Yan’s eyes locked onto Elvin’s body.
In the darkness, material piled up, ultimately ignited by overwhelming gravity, lighting the stars and illuminating the dark world, heralding yet another cycle of life.
“Ah!”
In Elvin’s terrified scream, Mai Yan sank her teeth into his neck, emitting a crushing sound.
Thick blood erupted as Elvin pulled away from Mai Yan’s grip, clutching his neck and retreating, his eyes filled with endless confusion and terror.
It felt as if a newborn was suddenly bitten by a beast, an overwhelming instinct striking him at the genetic level, detaching his life into sheer terror, feeling fear but no pain.
His very flesh was being absorbed by a powerful will; the red hue in Elvin’s eyes gradually faded, and he felt a wave of discomfort in his bones.
Confusion stemmed from his skeleton, circulating like meridians through his bones, blood vessels, and muscles to the skin, gradually overflowing his entire being.
“Not good…”
Elvin suddenly raised his hands, probing in front of his face.
Running his fingers across his skin, rough wrinkles began to accumulate across his face, flesh tissue rapidly relaxing and drying like dehydration.
Elvin slowly turned his head to look at the smooth marble wall to the side. Reflected on the black mirrored surface was an extremely aged man’s face.
“What have you done to me?!”
Elvin’s body trembled as he turned to Mai Yan, his hoarse, aged voice filled with suspicion.
Mai Yan leaned against the shelf, slowly standing up, similarly staring at Elvin, who seemed to be aging rapidly as if time had reversed.
“I… my body, I cannot bleed… you witch, what have you done to me…”
Elvin finally realized what was different about himself, sitting down on the ground, frantically tugging at his hair, tearing out clumps of white and dry strands.
Mai Yan did not sense the pheromones characteristic of the blood tribe; the aged Elvin before her had transformed into an ordinary person.
Once Mai Yan uttered those words, she felt dizzy, her consciousness spiraling as she slowly collapsed to the ground.
