A flash of light pierced the void, and the demonic figure of Loki strode forth. The Gungnir in his hand blazed with an indescribable, piercing radiance, spitting out five or six jagged, distorting beams of light that hissed and sometimes lashed out like a whip against the sand, kicking up plumes of dust.

It was evident, however, that the blue hue on Loki’s body had deepened, especially on his face, where distinct blue markings had appeared, much like the war paint soldiers use to obscure their identities. Furthermore, the blood vessels throbbing at his temples betrayed that his physical state was likely far from optimal.

This fellow’s teleportation ability was freakishly potent; he could instantly traverse any location within his line of sight. This even extended to indirect visibility, such as what one sees on a television screen. However, the greater the distance, the longer the required channeling time, the heavier the cost, and the longer the ability's cooldown period would become.

For instance, a teleportation of a few hundred meters might require a one-second chant and result in a cooldown of perhaps ten seconds. But if he needed to teleport to stop Fu from killing Carlos, Loki would have to rely on indirect vision, likely necessitating several minutes of channeling and charging, with the casting cost possibly amounting to several Merit Points, leaving him completely drained upon arrival, and the cooldown extending to a full twenty-four hours.

Of course, Loki must possess a means to execute a 'Super Move' for lossless teleportation—otherwise, arriving utterly depleted would be akin to willingly serving himself up as fodder to Fu. Naturally, while such ultimate abilities are terrifying in power, they are always a double-edged sword. They either feature cooldowns so agonizingly long they defy belief, like Fang Senyan’s Sigh of the Death God, or they demand a price so staggering it’s unsustainable. That’s another calculation entirely.

“How was it, Boss?” Carlos gasped, his entire body scorched black. His signature ponytail had been burned to mere shreds. If he didn't want to waste Universal Points on repairs, he’d be stuck with a buzz cut for a long time, which was undeniably comical.

Loki’s face was grim: “Four vehicles in total. I blew them all up. I detected no signs of other Contractors interfering.”

Steel File/Ye Zhong frowned deeply: “Is it that much of a coincidence? Even though the distance was over ten kilometers, we specifically brought in a high-perception helper to compensate for our weaknesses! Such intense, frenzied bombardment—and he didn't get even a moment’s pre-warning? Just blown to bits?”

Carlos pulled out a handheld computer and tapped rapidly: “Confirmed… The self-propelled rocket launcher can fire specialized M26 twin-propellant rockets, increasing their launch speed to astonishing levels. Theoretically, from firing to impact, it only takes 1.3 seconds, and the targeting is handled by satellite… So, if he was momentarily careless, 1.3 seconds is indeed too short a window for a warning. Given this mission’s S-rank difficulty, it’s not entirely strange.”

“And more importantly, who dares to stand in our way? With you, Boss, and the strongest MT combined, even a monster like Fu wouldn’t dare to show himself! Especially since he was heavily wounded by the Boss earlier and is probably nursing his injuries somewhere.”

Steel File grunted, tacitly agreeing with Carlos’s statement, which was half flattery and half fact: “...I still feel something is off. We need to get to the target area quickly. Now that our team’s primary sensor is gone, if we get caught by satellite detection again while they launch unconventional weaponry, we’ll suffer a massive disadvantage.”

Loki opened his mouth to reply, but stopped himself. To evade satellite detection, he would need to go underground. But beneath the surface, Loki's teleportation ability would be severely hampered. As for unconventional methods like teleporting based on a screen feed, that required a long channeling period, easily interrupted by a single burst from a soldier’s assault rifle.

However, if he voiced this concern, it would imply doubt in Steel File’s judgment, and such an act was simply not permissible.

Fang Senyan also looked rather disheveled.

He had been moving in tandem with those four… self-propelled rocket launchers. Without his sensory coverage, the element of surprise would have been impossible to achieve. What Fang Senyan hadn't anticipated was how swift and fierce Loki’s counterattack would be!

Fortunately, Fang Senyan had predicted Loki’s imminent arrival a step ahead and immediately bailed out of the vehicle, diving into the sandy ground. Otherwise, a direct confrontation with Loki would have been inevitable! More critically, Loki could have employed a sticky, attrition tactic, delaying until reinforcements arrived.

Fang Senyan knew that the Ace Team, at this moment, was certainly no match for their opponents—the balance was broken primarily by the presence of that man named Steel File. Only if Fu sided with Fang Senyan would he have the confidence for a decisive head-on battle, but that was clearly impossible.

Once aboard the helicopter sent to meet him, Fang Senyan immediately activated his comms: “Hello? What’s the situation?”

“They vanished under satellite surveillance. Your assessment was correct; these guys must have gone underground. Their mission prompt likely only provided a general vicinity; they still need further probing, otherwise, they would have charged straight up.”

San Zai replied.

After Fang Senyan jumped off the helicopter, Zi had already re-established contact: “Confirmed target is underground. Confirmed, they are currently moving along the periphery of Area F.”

Fang Senyan couldn't help but snap his fingers. Dr. W’s laboratory was in Area A. This meant Loki and his team had chosen the path farthest from their destination! Consequently, a new series of coordinated orders was issued, and Fang Senyan also spared a moment to call Mr. G:

“Hello, Mr. G.”

“Hello, Sailor.”

“I have already caused you the loss of eight helicopters, one hundred thirty-eight personnel, and four… self-propelled rocket launchers. And it is predictable that the subsequent losses will only amplify, perhaps by a factor of ten.”

Mr. G was silent for a moment: “That is not my primary concern. You know this. I only ask one thing: Will Dr. W’s research work be interrupted?”

“Besides his advanced liver cancer, I doubt anything else can interfere with him,” Fang Senyan stated seriously.

Mr. G sighed with profound relief: “That is the answer I needed. As for the losses, just keep them within the scope of what would be lost during the coming apocalypse. I will grant you the necessary authorizations.”

Mr. G’s subtext was clear: since the vast majority of the nation’s strength would be lost pointlessly in the natural disaster of the apocalypse anyway, it might as well be put to good use now… Armed with authorization, Fang Senyan immediately issued orders!

“Immediately transport three more Seeder Defense Systems to Area D! At maximum speed! Also, mobilize troops from the Tibet Military Region immediately and arm them to the teeth! What? Personnel numbers? As many as possible, provided it can be kept secret from the outside world! Their weaponry preference should lean toward high-power seismic disruptors capable of collapsing caverns. Finally, help me inquire about Dr. W’s next medication schedule; I need to see him... Very soon, Fang Senyan met Dr. W again.

He was lying flat in a chair, scheduled for three injections.

The first was, of course, a painkiller. While it offered little actual relief, it was better than nothing.

The second was a highly concentrated nutrient solution. Overloading his system, coupled with cancer cells ravenously draining his life force, stamina, and energy, demanded this extra support for a body nearly at death’s door.

The third injection was radiation therapy medication. Although the cancer had spread throughout his body, killing even a few more cells meant buying a sliver more time.

Dr. W looked even more withered than the first time Fang Senyan had seen him—his facial wrinkles, the light in his eyes, even his voice seemed aged. His eye sockets were deeply sunken, yet his gaze remained piercing, filled with fierce unwillingness!

Fang Senyan looked at him and smiled: “To be brief, two things. First, a friend of mine will be reinforcing the rock strata around your laboratory. This will effectively prevent external factors from causing you trouble. Second… Dr. W, do you feel a profound sense of frustration right now, a feeling of impotence?”

“Yes. I know my life is drawing to a close. I can see the end of my life with perfect clarity. I only curse fate for not granting me two more days!” Dr. W said quietly, his tone edged with resignation.

Fang Senyan raised a single finger: “In this matter, perhaps I can offer a small bit of assistance. The prerequisite is that you must trust me.”

Dr. W gave a self-mocking smile: “For a man whose remaining lifespan can be measured in hours, what exactly do I have left to hold dear?”

Fang Senyan produced the hip flask labeled Endless Vodka, shook it gently, and smiled: “Take a sip and see.”

The doctor beside him immediately panicked: “Hey!! That’s hard liquor! The doctor’s esophagus and stomach are already perforated by the cancer cells! You are committing murder!!”

Fang Senyan ignored him, focusing on Dr. W. Dr. W sighed: “It has been a full ten years since I last drank alcohol. The taste of Maotai… how I’ve missed it. Fine, let’s hope the taste of vodka isn't disappointing either.”

Saying this, he took the flask and drank a deep gulp, closing his eyes to savor the sensation.

The doctor beside him instantly squeezed his eyes shut, yelling in anguish: “Stretcher! Adrenaline! Prepare emergency aid!!!”

Simultaneously, two nurses rushed forward to catch the presumably collapsing Dr. W… But the middle-aged man did not fall. A spark of vitality flashed across his eyes as he reopened them!!

“This… this vodka!!!”