Suddenly, a booming, scorching voice shattered the sepulchral silence of the tomb-like setting! This voice emanated directly from a public telephone in the adjacent airport.

"So, it is you… the Dark Saint who walks the edge of space. Your abilities are so enigmatic; you must be the Sixth, the 'Binding,' right? No wonder Carlos and the others died at your hands! No wonder even with the might of my Gungnir, I couldn't manage to take the life of your Servant!"

At this moment, a skeleton suddenly dragged itself up from the ground, its lower jaw clicking open and shut, emitting a voice devoid of emotion and utterly dead.

"Loki, your Apostle has grown quite swiftly. Your team must be a seed team for the space by now. Why must you insist on opposing us?"

Loki roared in response:

"Your Servant murdered my core team members, and you dare to spread slander? Is the New York Airport your private territory? Are my people forbidden from passing through here?"

"That was merely a mere copy, hardly counted as a Servant," 'Binding' stated calmly. "Your people are filled with filth. I am purifying this world here; inherently, no other impurities should be allowed entry. Furthermore, your people acted out of greed for the demonic sword Apophis; it was never just about passing through."

"That is only your side of the story!" Loki’s voice, even through the phone, sounded furious. "Carlos, Razor, and Taki all carried valuable treasures. Clearly, your Servant intended to kill for plunder!"

'Binding's' voice turned cold:

"You believe I am lying? I am the Dark Saint. What reason would an identity such as mine have to lie to a mere Apostle like you?"

As 'Binding's' voice fell silent, a disturbance suddenly arose from the third-floor restroom in the airport concourse.

It turned out that the water tank hanging on the wall, likely due to long-term neglect, had shed a rusted screw. This caused the tank, full of water, to crash down with a clatter, striking a woman hiding inside the toilet—who hadn't dared to breathe—smashing her head until it bled profusely.

The woman let out a painful shriek, her dress pinned beneath the heavy tank. She struggled violently, finally managing to shove the tank aside before fleeing in terror—a narrow, lucky escape. However, the tank she moved became jammed, and water from the broken pipe began to spray out, slowly flowing and cascading downward, eventually dripping from the third floor straight down to the first, forming a curtain of water.

'Binding' spoke coldly:

"I know you can surely see this. So, open your damned dog eyes and see clearly. Whose people acted out of greed for treasure!"

Evidently, 'Binding' possessed an extremely arrogant personality, positioning himself as inherently superior. How could such a person allow himself to be wrongly accused? Immediately, the reflections of the preceding sequence of events appeared on the water curtain: the conversations between Carlos, Razor, Taki, and the Servant.

Then came the moment when Carlos, Razor, and Taki feigned compliance, pretending to withdraw, only to suddenly erupt in counter-attack, severely wounding the Servant. Carlos even laughed wildly, claiming he had finally secured the divine artifact, the demonic sword Apophis... and then... 'Binding' intervened.

Around the airfield, vast expanses of grass were maintained, meaning rats were a persistent problem. Especially in the non-runway areas, finding two or three rat holes in the lawn was perfectly normal.

The Servant, severely injured, fought stubbornly. Seeing he could not evade Taki’s strike, he stepped back and suddenly plunged his foot into a derelict rat hole. His body tilted, and in a near miss, he unexpectedly dodged Taki's blow.

The reason this rat hole was abandoned was that it was a low depression, prone to water accumulation during lawn irrigation. Thus, when the Servant stepped down, a spray of muddy water erupted, precisely splashing into the face of the already wounded Razor, whose hand was already injured... Razor’s vision was suddenly obstructed, and coupled with the failed offensive from Carlos and Taki, he revealed an exceedingly rare and critical opening!

The Servant immediately ducked low and charged forward, slamming both elbows heavily into Razor’s ribs. A muffled sound of breaking bone echoed; both of Razor’s ribs snapped inward, puncturing his internal organs. Before his agonizing scream could fully escape, the Apophis gripped tightly in the Servant’s hand seemed to tremble, and a shadow flickered past. It effectively muffled Razor’s scream within his mouth and throat! Consequently, Razor’s eyes sprang wide open, his throat emitting only a continuous gurgling sound: "Guh-guh-guh."

Not only that, but his hands clawed desperately at the wound on his neck, giving a muffled cry like a toad waking from hibernation, before beginning to blow bubbles—except his were blood bubbles instead of white ones.

After severely injuring Razor, the Servant himself sustained an attack. But he immediately turned and fled. Carlos and Taki, shocked and enraged, naturally would not let him go. However, after pursuing for a hundred meters or so, large masses of white light appeared on the water curtain, signaling that 'Binding's' true form had descended directly.

At this point, 'Binding' had no choice but to intervene, as losing an item like the demonic sword Apophis would be difficult for him to explain. Furthermore, he had just been in the process of ambushing 'Three-Guy' when he felt the tremendous fury emanating from Noah's Space, Sector C. Thus, he could only pull himself out to temporarily avoid the space's scans.

This was precisely why Fang Senyan and his group felt the enemy forces suddenly dissolve into disarray during the latter half of the prior battle, and why the mastermind abruptly vanished.

Fang Senyan and his group did not linger at the site. They had no desire to be invited for tea by the FBI, so they returned directly to the base. Previously, Fang Senyan had applied for non-combat protection for Old Charlie. However, Charlie had still sustained injury. It seemed the **Freddy parasite residing within him played a significant role, thus determining that Charlie's threat level exceeded the requirements for non-combat protection...

They had finally plundered enough rare metals from this battle, allowing their plan to proceed smoothly. Their mission was therefore completed:

"Main Quest Collection: Successfully Completed." "Quest Description: Acquire five kilograms of Tritium / seven hundred grams of Uranium Mercury / one thousand kilograms of Rhodium within seventy-two hours." "Quest Tip: At this juncture, everyone is fighting not just for themselves. Their fathers, mothers, relatives, and friends behind them all support their resolve to fight to the very end. Therefore, the intensity of the combat may exceed imagination, and past friendships will likely mean nothing." "You have successfully acquired sufficient rare metals." "You may choose your reward for this stage: 3 Merit Points + 3 Potential Points / One Hundred Thousand Universal Credits."

After some deliberation, Zi Xuan, eager to advance her military rank, chose the Merit Points, while the rest opted for Universal Credits, resolving their immediate crisis. Immediately afterward, the next main quest appeared:

"Main Quest: Protection!" "Other Contractors are using the assassination of national leaders / pivotal plot missions to create chaos as their current objective. Attempt to protect the following important plot characters. You will receive corresponding scores:" "Assassinate the following key plot characters: Jackson Coust (Writer) - Thirty points / Dr. Adrian (US Geological Security Consultant) - Thirty points." "Charlie (The nervous radio man who possesses the Ark map) - Twenty points. Karl Anhauser (Presidential Assistant, the fat man who later assumed the presidency) - Twenty points." "Personally survey and acquire data from the following areas to also gain corresponding scores:" "Current first-hand data from the Indian Megadong Copper Mine: 10 points." "First-hand data from the bottom of Yellowstone Lake, USA: 10 points." "Temperature data from the depths of the Mariana Trench at ten thousand meters: 10 points... Your team's total score must not fall below 100 points, or you will be deemed to have failed the mission." "Scores above 100 will earn an additional evaluation." "Warning: At least one of the two important plot characters, Jackson Coust (Writer) / Dr. Adrian (US Geological Security Consultant), must survive. Otherwise, regardless of the score achieved, the main quest will be deemed incomplete." "The penalty for failing this mission is: Forfeiture of all prior benefits gained in this world, reverting data to the state upon first entering this world... You chose to save the Ark, proceeding to this stage." "New Achievement System Activated: The Great Collector." "This achievement can only be triggered and completed in the 2012 World Apocalypse setting." "Attempt to collect the following world-recognized precious cultural heritage artifacts and ensure they successfully survive the 2012 World Apocalypse." "A: Peak Asian Cultural Masterpieces: Along the River During the Qingming Festival / Yuan Blue-and-White Porcelain Guan Yin of Guiguzi Descending the Mountain / Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion / The Heshibi Imperial Seal / The Ramayana Relief (India)" "B: Peak European Cultural Masterpieces: Mona Lisa's Smile / The Venus de Milo / The Winged Victory of Samothrace / The British Sovereign's Scepter, 'Star of Africa'." "C: Peak African Cultural Masterpieces (Defaulting Egypt to Africa, as Egypt participates in the African Cup of Nations football tournament): The Bronze Head of Ife (Nigeria) / The Rosetta Stone / Tutankhamun's Golden Coffin / The Roaring Sphinx / The Golden Contract Slab." "D: Peak American Cultural Masterpieces: The Crystal Skull / The Golden Sacrificial Dagger / The Pupil of the Feathered Serpent / The Iroquoian Chief's Tusk Mask / The Voodoo Ancestor Doll." This achievement system can be completed as a team or individually. If completed individually, one only needs to collect one representative work from each continent, totaling four pieces. However, art pieces from different continents cannot substitute for one another. For example, acquiring Along the River During the Qingming Festival, Mona Lisa's Smile, the Roaring Sphinx, and the Crystal Skull completes the mission. But acquiring Along the River During the Qingming Festival, the Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion, the Roaring Sphinx, and the Crystal Skull does not count, because although four artifacts are gathered, the pinnacle European representative artwork is missing. If completed as a team, at least three representative works from each continent must be collected. To entice Fang Senyan and his group to actively complete this achievement, even the attributes of The Great Collector title were disclosed. The Great Collector: Bronze Tier Title. The owner has proven their immense strength and successfully protected the treasures of human civilization. The wearer gains an additional 10% bonus effect to the drop rate of High-Tier Equipment / Equipment Enhancement Success Rate. When using this title for Title Fusion, success is guaranteed.

Upon seeing these two attributes, everyone was moved. The benefit of the 10% bonus to both High-Tier Equipment drop rate and Enhancement Success Rate goes without saying. The characteristic that guarantees success in Title Fusion, however, is truly invaluable. Fang Senyan had previously attempted to synthesize several seemingly useless titles, the difficulty of which was immense. Merely synthesizing titles required burning other titles as fuel, which was painful, and the success rate was notoriously low, causing even a freak like Fang Senyan considerable heartache, making him reluctant to act rashly. Now, with the attribute that guarantees success when using this title for fusion, they could complete the process in one go, fusing several of their most important titles together. While this would require burning more titles, it achieves the result instantly. Therefore, without Fang Senyan needing to say anything, everyone knew this title was a must-obtain.

Following the previous battle, Fang Senyan had acquired two additional titles: The Awakened Butcher. Black Iron Tier Title. Condition for completion: Killed ten 'Awakeners.' Effect: The wearer deals 10% increased damage to Awakeners, and damage received from Awakeners is reduced... Sanitary Pad Friend Hidden Title: Unrankable. The wearer gains a peculiar ability. When facing a Contractor infected with the disease, suffering from bronchial complications and coughing up blood, speaking the keywords Sophie / Su Ting / Shu Er Mei will instantly remove their symptoms and cure the illness. However, upon hearing the keyword, the affected Contractor will immediately suffer a three-second stun. Furthermore, 10,000 Universal Credits will be deducted from them, while the wearer of this title gains 5,000 Universal Credits. This method can only net a maximum of 50,000 Universal Credits from a single Contractor. If the Contractor lacks sufficient credits to pay, the deduction cannot be made. The stun effect caused by Sanitary Pad Friend cannot be mitigated or avoided by immunities. This effect holds Domain Priority.

When Fang Senyan and the others returned to the base, the legendary figures, upon seeing that some of their own had perished, came forward to offer sighs of sympathy and comfort. Although various factions had suffered losses in this battle, the deceased had ultimately fought for themselves and their families, dying honorably. Fang Senyan and his team, however, waded into this mess to save them—the difference in obligation and sentiment was profound.

Fang Senyan's mind, however, was occupied with the shadowy mastermind. He knew this individual must have personally entered this world this time, making the 2012 setting the best possible chance to kill him. KD, indeed worthy of his reputation as a wise manipulator of hearts, had grasped Fang Senyan's psychological state perfectly. Thus, even knowing his own inevitable death, KD forced himself to tell Fang Senyan the whereabouts of the mastermind. His meticulous and ruthless planning was lamentable; whether Fang Senyan or the mastermind died, KD had managed to exact revenge for himself.

Therefore, Fang Senyan had no reason to refuse the power and connections offered by these legendary figures of this world. He frankly stated that those trying to correct history had also arrived, and his companions had died because of it. Fang Senyan didn't elaborate further, but upon hearing the four words "correcting history," the legendary figures of this world immediately showed glints of ferocity in their eyes. Even Professor X, who had been killing more frequently lately, radiated palpable killing intent... If history followed its course, their families would all be wiped out in the 2012 apocalypse. Wasn't what they were doing right now altering history? How dare these people try to correct it? Consequently, they began tirelessly assisting in searching for the mastermind's whereabouts and investigating data.

However, everyone's immediate focus remained on fortifying the base. Materials were no longer scarce, allowing them to concentrate on tightening defenses. Furthermore, after the previous assault, everyone had sobered up from the shock, making the base impregnable. With Professor X and Jean Grey now able to take alternating shifts, even when facing massive, high-intensity attacks subsequently, their losses remained minimal.

Doctor Octopus's talents were fully utilized as well. The project he was overseeing was amply supplied with raw materials and received whatever he requested. Coupled with the immense pressure of his family's survival, he managed to complete the planned Airship Floating Array by the fourth day.

These seven behemoths floated in the air like artificial islands. For security, they were only lifted about seven or eight meters off the ground. Even so, they were astonishing. If the world apocalypse weren't imminent, they surely would have attracted government attention.

The seven conjoined floating dreadnoughts provided additional buoyancy. Based on actual measurements and estimates, calculated for an endurance of two months airborne, the carrying capacity exceeded the most optimistic prior estimate by 20%. The final statistics showed that if they worked overtime, they could construct fifty-two airships before the apocalypse arrived, forming seven massive fleets!

This level of productivity sounded astounding, but it was largely due to the current social environment. Mainly, airships originated in the World War II era, nearly a century ago. Their manufacturing processes and technologies were fully mature. Coupled with the legendary figures supplementing any gaps with their non-scientific abilities, all they needed to do was break through a few key bottlenecks, and the rest followed naturally.

After spending a few days in New York, Fang Senyan researched relevant data while keeping a close watch on the movements of their targets. Knowing the mastermind was still hidden in the shadows made him feel like a thorn in his side; thus, they proceeded cautiously.

After discussion, Fang Senyan speculated that the enemy Contractors might have already deduced the targets of their main quest. He decided that for the next main quest, they would only aim for the minimum completion level—just enough to avoid failure.

Conversely, they could attempt the Great Collector achievement.

Collecting these treasures was meticulous work. If the enemy didn't know the specific list, it would be truly difficult for them to follow the trail. Although the Ace Team had lost one member, Fang Senyan and Reef had successfully advanced and acquired the enemy's gear, meaning their strength had actually increased rather than diminished.

A sneak attack relies on surprise. Once one attack has been executed, vigilance is raised, making the next attempt far less effective. Therefore, as long as the Ace Team acted together, attempting another ambush would be incredibly difficult. Considering the ten bloody lives now staining Fang Senyan's hands, the mastermind would likely hesitate to mobilize more forces for a siege; anyone capable of becoming an Awakener wasn't a fool—tempting as the rewards were, they needed to be alive to spend them!

Undoubtedly, the first step to completing the main quest was securing either Jackson Coust (Writer) or Dr. Adrian (US Geological Security Consultant). If anything happened to either of them, Fang Senyan and Reef would likely suffer the most severe losses.

This wasn't merely about Universal Credits, points, or equipment; it was because if they were reverted to the state before entering the world... they would revert to being Colonizers! To have been promoted through the sorrowful deaths of their buddies only to be thrown back to square one—that would be a tragedy beyond tears!

However, some things cannot be rushed. No matter how much Fang Senyan and the others inquired, there was no news regarding Jackson Coust (Writer) or Dr. Adrian. The only information on the former was that he had gone traveling, and there was absolutely no word on the latter—the Doctor was currently heading the Ark Project at the White House. This could only mean the space was not yet willing for these two to be found.

As the apocalypse drew nearer, leaked rumors grew denser and more frequent. News-savvy individuals always sensed the anomalies here and came to inquire.

If force failed, diplomacy might work. In fact, based on the Six Degrees of Separation theory (the average number of acquaintances between any two people is six, meaning you can know anyone through a maximum of six contacts), establishing connections with the locals wasn't difficult. Increasingly more people began showing up, hoping to buy a "pirated version" ticket for the Ark.

For these individuals, as long as they possessed sound health and a marketable skill, and could pass Professor X’s vetting process, the base was essentially open to all comers. Driven by this mutual benefit, the base's influence began to swell rapidly. As for the government, its primary focus at this juncture was achieving absolute stability to navigate this transitional period. Therefore, so long as the base avoided publicly proclaiming the apocalypse, refrained from causing societal harm, and did not openly challenge the authorities, the government opted to turn a blind eye to its activities.

A friendly book recommendation: Book Number: Divine Emperor

A genius figure from a thousand years ago, who met his end in the depths of the Xuan Yue Lake. By sheer chance, a sudden flood washes his corpse ashore.

A tale of the rebirth of a monstrous talent from millennia past.

A stretch of long, lingering years, yet filled with a thousand years of regret. Are those peerless prodigies, those whose beauty once captivated the world, still alive?

Returning from rebirth, armed with the Emperor's Heart Sutra, he embarks on a long and arduous path, ultimately achieving the status of the Divine Emperor (To be continued) RQ