Long-term salvation

The city is being devoured by flesh and blood, or rather, it is revealing its true face - the STEM world constructed based on Ruvik's brain is stripping off its false cloak, concretizing the darkest part of human emotions, and presenting it unreservedly to the few survivors.

A Black Hawk helicopter flew over the distorted flesh-and-blood city. Its rotors stirred up the airflow, causing the greasy colors reflected in the sky to rotate as well, forming a strange scene like Van Gogh's "Starry Night".

Standing by the open cabin door, Rhode grasped the handrail and gazed at the city below. A strong wind blew away his silver-gray hair, quickly blowing away the cold lake water clinging to his hair, leaving only a few wet traces.

"Pickman," Rhodes said, searching rapidly for Sebastian and his group. "Can you contact Abigail and the others?"

The black cat tattoo clinging to Rhodes' body quickly faded, re-forming on his shoulder. After meowing a few times, Pickman's emerald cat eyes gradually changed color, turning into a sky-like blue. Abigail's voice then flowed from the cat's mouth:

"Rhode?"

"I need a little help. How are Joseph and the police officer named Connolly doing now?"

"Under my protection, they're doing okay..." The cat was silent for a moment. "It's hard for them to survive a battle in this kind of environment. They really need the help of Muji-chan and me."

"That's exactly what I wanted to say."

Rod shrugged, causing the cat to rise and fall with the movement.

"I can immediately exchange for more than a dozen tanks and armored vehicles, but I don't have enough people to drive them—this isn't playing the Russian version of Genshin Impact—even the vehicles in War Thunder require crews!"

"Even though I don't understand what you're saying, I understand your point. Then I need Pickman's assistance... My legs can't reach the accelerator."

The black cat shook its body, and its eyes returned to emerald color. It rubbed Rhodes' ears with its head, then leaped forward and disappeared into the clouds below the helicopter.

Looking at the milky white cloud layer that looked like a small hole splashing out like a drop of water, Rhodes shook his head in amusement, put his hand on the barrel of the M134 "Minigun" 7.62mm Gatling machine gun, and continued to search for Sebastian's traces with the telescope mode of the All-Seeing Eye.

A few minutes later, Rhodes noticed an orange school bus heading deep into the city, followed by a spider-like monster called the Heresy. It was a distorted manifestation of the STEM experimenters' complete loss of self, and also a product of their violent, impulsive nature and the devouring of other consciousnesses.

After signaling Kidman, who was driving the helicopter, to fly downwards, Rod half-knelt behind the Gatling gun, connected the ammunition belt, then aimed and fired!

The Gatling gun's motor spun its six barrels, spewing out dazzling orange flames amidst a humming sound like a swarm of locusts. The golden threads woven from tracer bullets connected with the monster known as "heretic," delivering destruction from the muzzle.

Rain of death at up to 6000 rounds per minute!

The metal storm shattered the asphalt road and the wreckage of collapsed buildings, and tore the monster's flesh into pieces and mashed it into minced meat - after all, it was just a flesh and blood body, and how could flesh and blood compete with steel!

The pagan monster's momentum in chasing the school bus was abruptly stopped, and it crashed into the building next to it, trying to avoid the direct hit of the gunfire. But Rhodes had no intention of letting it go. Instead, he took out the incendiary rocket launcher and fired three rounds at the already crooked office building, sending flames into the air!

Throwing away the transmitter, Rhodes asked Kidman to fly the helicopter to the school bus whose roof had been blown off. He jumped onto the bus and said to Detective Sebastian, who was obviously relieved:

"Let Jimenez and Leslie get on the helicopter. We're going to take care of Ruvik—he's waiting for us. Also, I've called in some help."

"Huh... You always show up at the perfect time, even when we were being chased by that monster."

Sebastian sighed, first feeling his pocket, then looking at Rhodes expectantly. The latter understood what he meant, took out a Red Apple cigarette box, and took out the last two cigarettes from it.

The two men held cigarettes in their mouths and watched the Black Hawk helicopter carrying Dr. Jimenez and Leslie gradually rise and fly around the Lighthouse Mental Hospital in an ambiguous manner.

Exhaling a puff of smoke, Sebastian threw the half-smoked cigarette to the ground and asked Rhodes expectantly:

"Are you driving a Hummer this time?"

"No, let's do something exciting."

Rhode said as he exchanged 100 World Pollution Points for a LAV-25 armored vehicle equipped with an M242 25mm Viper cannon capable of firing a variety of ammunition, including the M791 APDS-T (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer) and the M792 HEI-T (High-Explosive Incendiary with Tracer) rounds, plus an M240 general-purpose machine gun...

In this world, no monster can withstand the bombardment of machine guns!

"I'll drive, and you'll be the gunner."

As Rhodes spoke, he took Sebastian, who had already started rubbing his hands, into the car. After briefly explaining the use of machine guns and cannons, he came to the driver's cab and started the car while listening to the decadent detective's weird laughter.

The eight-wheeled armored vehicle moved forward slowly, then accelerated to break through the roadblock and drove on the cracked road.

Although it seems fragile compared to tanks or heavier tracked infantry fighting vehicles, when facing those with flesh and blood, the mechanical power brought by the metal armor and surging engine of the LAV-25 armored vehicle is an insurmountable mountain!

The armored vehicle crashed into a crowd of ghost-changers, and even without machine gun fire, the vehicle body alone was enough to crush them one by one! The huge wheels rolled over the flesh, suppressing the monsters' shrill howls back into their chests, but they could only leave scratches on the vehicle body armor, that's all.

The big/Viper machine gun made a slightly dull thumping sound of firing, and the tracer high-explosive incendiary bombs swept across, exploding golden sparks on the monsters of various shapes. Those who were killed directly were lucky, but occasionally a few with too strong vitality could only taste the taste of being roasted by flames!

After driving for a few minutes, Rhodes drove the armored vehicle onto the overpass and immediately heard Kidman's exclamation on the communication channel:

"Rod, that brain... is growing into a monster like a rhizome plant, and it's getting bigger and bigger!"

Without Kidman saying anything, Rhodes could already see the appearance of the monster through the gap in the driver's observation window. Unlike in the game, Ruvik did not merge with the original hybrid, but became an even more deformed and huge monster. He devoured every fragment of human consciousness that came to the STEM world like a glutton, converting it into his own power.

[Pollution points in the other world increased by 1]

[Pollution points in the other world increased by 1]

[The other world...]

"Tsk, that idiot, now you have really stepped into a place where there is no chance of survival."

Rhodes, feeling anxious, swerved the steering wheel to steer the armored vehicle away from the building debris hurled by the giant monster. Bricks and concrete blocks shattered beside the vehicle, and the scattered gravel hit the armor, making a thud.

But the next second, a cannonball that came from nowhere hit the giant monster, blowing up a cloud of black smoke. The monster's body, which looked like the combination of thousands of skinned humans, tilted slightly, and smelly blood and tissue fluid spurted out from the wound, dripping like drizzle.

Rhodes stopped the armored vehicle and opened the cockpit hatch. He saw Abigail standing on a collapsed building not far away, with her hands on her hips, her barren chest puffed out, and a smug smile on her face. Behind her, an M1A1 tank was adjusting its muzzle and aimed at the giant monster's limb joints before firing another shot!

The strong wind from the muzzle blew the girl's soft and beautiful golden hair into a swaying motion, making her even more excited:

"Kouhee, kouhee, Muji-chan, come again! I want to see if it can survive the tank bombardment!"

Rhodes: "...Girls, don't learn that laugh!"

Wait, where did this tank come from?!

As if she realized that the giant monster was paying attention to herself, Abigail screamed cutely and quickly got back into the driving position of the tank... Rhodes was sure that it was Abigail who was driving the tank, and the hard-working cat Pickman was helping to step on the accelerator below.

Were those two Crimson City Police Department officers acting as gunners and Blackman loaders?

The M1A1 tank quickly reversed, and just a few seconds later, a huge rock that was big enough to smash the LAV-25 armored vehicle flew from mid-air and smashed to pieces on the ground!

Seeing this, Rhodes retreated into the armored vehicle and continued driving, while giving orders on the communication channel:

"Kidman, fly the helicopter to attract the monster's attention... Leslie's inside, so it won't dare shoot you down directly. Sebastian, and everyone in the M1 tanks, concentrate your firepower to break the monster's limbs and eliminate its ability to attack!"

The machine guns and tank guns responded with whistling shells—

Continuous orange-red flames exploded from the giant monster's body, but the flames were immediately covered by a cloud of blood mist. The ignited charred biological tissues scattered, dragging long black smoke into the pulsating flesh and blood city below, like meteors wrapped in thick smoke.

The monster originally possessed several enormous arms, but they were quickly stripped and severed by the shells! A deafening howl echoed throughout the entire false sky, almost becoming a tangible sound wave that rolled out in all directions, raising a dust cloud like a sandstorm.

Rhodes and Sebastian stopped the armored vehicle, which had run out of machine gun ammunition, and came out from inside. Rhodes saw that the monster's body was rapidly regenerating, and the void was constantly filled with false flesh and blood made of negative emotions. Although the tank gun and machine gun could cause a lot of damage to it, they could not kill it with one shot.

With a slight movement of his mind, Rhodes first recovered the LAV-25 armored vehicle, and then used 320 world pollution points to exchange for an M270 MLRS multiple rocket launcher armored vehicle!

Twelve 227mm rockets were enough to flatten the monster and the ridiculous Lighthouse Mental Hospital beneath it - but it had no way to stop it. Before its limbs capable of long-range attacks grew back, the monster and Ruvik could only watch their own sword of Damocles fall!

Aim and set all parameters.

Rhodes and Sebastian sat in the cab of the multiple rocket launcher armored vehicle. After looking at each other, Rhodes smiled and said:

"You come?"

"My pleasure."

Sebastian leaned forward and pressed the launch button without hesitation, letting the nightmare of Crimson City disappear in the flames of the explosion along with the scream of the rocket launch.

[Side Quest: Twelve Trials: Possessed by Evil Spirit (Completed)]

【Task rewards begin to be distributed】

[Pollution points in the other world have been collected]

【Character exchange voucher has been received】

【System Update】

Chapter 145: Calming the Aftermath

When the giant monster that Ruvik transformed into disappeared under the bombardment of 227mm rockets, its brain, which served as its foundation, also swelled and exploded.

Darkness spread from the edge of the dissolving flesh and blood city, unstoppable but there was no longer a deafening roar, no longer a howl of pain and despair, only the empty calmness that accepted the survivors, making them feel as if they were falling into a deep sleep.

Now is not the time to sleep:

Sebastian felt someone gently patting his right cheek while dizzy, and his entire body was aching. With great effort, he opened his eyes and saw Rhodes' profile. He seemed to be waving to someone.

"Hina, give me that adrenaline so I can give him an injection."

"No, no, no, that's not necessary—ow!"

Sebastian straightened himself up suddenly, but the dull pain in his head and legs made him cry out in surprise - he was still in the police car, but the moment he entered the STEM world, the vehicle lost control and crashed into a pickup truck parked on the side of the road. Fortunately, everyone was wearing seat belts, and there were no deaths or serious injuries.

Only the driver, Officer Connolly, was seriously injured. He was still in a coma due to a head injury and concussion, but he would no longer be troubled by nightmares... at least not today.

Joseph was leaning against a roadside tree with his arms folded across his chest, staring warily at Kidman, who seemed a little at a loss. The two of them had almost come to blows over the Mobius Company matter.

A little further away, Sebastian spotted a young woman in white shorts and a black hooded cape. She held a tactical axe in her hand, and her cold gaze pierced the detective's heart. At her feet lay Dr. Jimenez, with a bump on his forehead from a blow. The mentally ill teenager named Leslie squatted beside the doctor, poking at the reddened bump and giggling.

"D," Rod began, "check your surroundings, but don't stray too far."

The hooded girl nodded slightly and then disappeared around the corner of the street and houses.

Watching the retreating figure, Rhode was filled with excitement. This lazy system had finally sent him a helper specializing in assassination and infiltration investigations! This way, he could put his various plans on the agenda without having to worry about the Army Without Borders' covert operations organization losing control.

D (Niki)

【Original: NIKKE】

Description: Specializes in covert operations, primarily assassinations, and is also adept at acting and disguise. Calm and collected, not a killer. While feeling the pressure of taking lives, he manages this through daily life. Likes cats. Can be revived/powered.

[Attitude: Trust/Loyalty (Locked)/? ]

The system rewards for completing this "The Evil Within" mission are very generous. In addition to the necessary rewards of otherworld pollution points, there are also small updates such as "subordinate troops can get rewards for completing otherworld events", and even two character exchange coupons are issued!

Thinking of this, Rhode turned his head to look at the petite girl standing beside him, reached out and touched her head, and said with a smile:

"Hina, please give me your guidance from now on."

"Ah."

The girl with long white hair narrowed her violet eyes slightly, and a slight blush appeared on her face. However, she did not avoid Rhode's hand. Instead, she stood there holding the first aid kit she had collected from the ambulance not far away, quietly enjoying this moment.

【Hina Sorasaki (Angel)】

[Origin: Azure Files]

Description: Calm and composed, seemingly aloof on the outside, yet harboring the aspirations and expectations of an ordinary girl. Responsible, serious about her work, a workaholic. Possessing excellent insight and judgment. Can be resurrected/strengthened.

[Attitude: Trust/Loyalty (Locked)/? ]

Just as Rhode was about to touch the purple devil wings on Hinai's back, Kidman, who had just finished playing the staring game with Joseph and Sebastian, walked over slowly and said without a trace of apology on his face:

"I'm so sorry to interrupt your intimate time with this lovely girl."

The Mobius agent spread her hands, acting like a dead pig that was not afraid of boiling water, but Rhode could still see a hint of uneasiness on her face. After hesitating for a few times, Kidman finally asked:

"What are you going to do with me in the future? If you don't want to cooperate, then just shoot me now to save me from being questioned by those 'bigwigs' later."

"It's not a big deal. Just report the truth when you go back. Replace me with an Atlas agent to resolve the incident or something like that," Rhode shrugged. He removed his hand from Hinai's head, and a hint of regret and reluctance crossed Hinai's face. "Just hide the fact that you and I collaborated... Um, as for Leslie and Dr. Jimenez, just say I was taken away by the agents."

"Wait, aren't you an agent of Atlas Corporation?! Never mind, I'll find out later. So what about these two detectives?"

Kidman raised his thumb and clenched his fist, then pointed at Sebastian and the other man behind him without turning his head. Their expressions were not very good at all - especially Sebastian. He learned from Rhodes that the disappearance of his wife and daughter was related to Mobius Company. Even though he had a good relationship with Kidman on weekdays, it was difficult for him to have a good attitude at this moment.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Rhodes, who had some ideas in mind, said:

"You were seriously injured in a car accident and didn't meet them in the STEM world. That's how you explain it back there... As for those two and the unconscious Officer Connolly, I'll relocate them. At the very least, they can't stay in Crimson City any longer. Find a crappy hotel for seven or eight hours. By then, someone relevant will surely contact you, Sebastian."

After receiving Sebastian's response, Rhodes turned his head and looked in the direction of the Lighthouse Mental Hospital. The lighthouse was no longer shining at this time. He personally turned off the hospital's power supply and recovered the STEM-related data and core devices, allowing the [Base Construction Side Quest: City of the Gods - Eye of Terra] to continue to move forward.

"Leave now, Kidman. I'll contact you in the future. In the meantime, keep an eye on Detective Sebastian's wife and daughter. I suspect they'll be involved with the new STEM."

"That crazy plan can still be continued?!"

"Why not?" Rhodes shook his head. "Ruvik and Jimenez have been collaborating with Mobius for a long time. Why do you think STEM, something that has the power to change and control the world, won't be further promoted?"

"...What about you?" Kidman asked, a look of worry and suspicion on her face. "You and the forces behind you won't be like Mobius, trying to use STEM to control the world?"

Rhodes didn't answer her question immediately, but simply exchanged it for a Hummer. The brown-yellow Hummer suddenly appeared in front of the few people, making their eyes widen subconsciously.

"What the hell?! We're still in the world of STEM?"

"Impossible... We must have come out..."