Ark Chess Player.

"Jessica, your talent and hard work have not been in vain."

Lin Lu leaned against the wall, looked at himself in the mirror, and smiled.

The Ark Driver is not just about giving power to Rhodes Island operators like Lin Lu.

For Lin Lu, he was even more grateful that he could use this opportunity to understand the mindset of the operators. Some things cannot be truly understood simply by looking at the information provided by the personnel department operators. Moreover, in Terra, a land filled with sorrow, how many people can live a peaceful life?

"Am I recording... Jessica's Special Advanced Combat Record?"

Lin Lu chuckled inwardly, refocusing his attention on the matter at hand, for being distracted on the battlefield was a grave mistake.

"Anemone".

He called out softly.

"I'm here, Doctor."

Anemones drifted in, and a flurry of arrows pierced through her illusory humanoid silhouette, suggesting a poor communication signal.

"Are you finished marking?"

"Report complete."

The perfect AI maid raised her hand slightly, and special icons appeared above the heads of the mercenaries present, some in red and some in orange.

Red indicates targets to be eliminated, while orange represents targets with decent talent and good character, who can be knocked unconscious and taken away.

Five years ago, there weren't many private armed security contractors like Blacksteel International, but there were certainly a fair number. The reason why major security contractors disappeared within just two years is because... places like this, where large numbers of mercenaries gathered, were called "Heilan Home" by the legendary BIG BOSS, and every experience was a new one.

The Army Without Borders has grown to over 400 members in just two years. We won't go into the details of where they came from.

"Then, it's time to get serious."

Lin Lu murmured to himself. He grabbed the longsword-wielding mercenary who was secretly hiding on the other side of the wall cover, and glanced at him. His digitized spiritual domain was marked in red. Without saying a word, Lin Lu pulled the trigger with one hand, smashing the mercenary's groin. He released his left hand and used both hands to smash the mercenary's head.

Mozambique shooting method.

Close-quarters shooting technique: fire twice at the target's torso, then quickly fire at the head.

The purpose of the first two shots is to hit the target faster and more accurately, since hitting the body is always easier than hitting the head, and to render the target unable to resist for a short time, giving them the opportunity to continue shooting. The last shot is to destroy the brain, causing the target to "stop" for a longer period of time, or to "stop" permanently.

Of course, a shotgun of this size can disable an opponent with one shot; two shots are just to finish them off.

The four mercenaries followed closely behind, and without saying a word, they immediately unleashed their signature skills, almost pushing their lifelong knowledge to its limits.

Lin Lu suddenly exploded with speed. While his opponent's attacks—slashing, chopping, thrusting, and parrying—were still in motion, he had already reached the two mercenaries at the front. He placed his hands on the chests of the two mercenaries, paused briefly, circulated his power throughout his body, and unleashed his inner strength! He instantly shattered their heart meridians, causing them to cough up blood and stagger backward, collapsing to the ground, unable to move.

At the same time, the mercenaries, maintaining their slashing and hacking attacks, simultaneously brought their blades at him, leaving him nowhere to dodge or retreat. Lin Lu used his Benelli M4 shotgun as a long staff to block the attacks. Although the movements were sequential, his speed was enough to stop the two attackers who were attacking at the same time.

One of them dropped his weapon due to the shock, while the other endured it without flinching.

Lin Lu glanced at him with admiration, then slightly raised her gaze. The orange label was good; waiter, pack it up.

The man suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. In his eyes, the seemingly immature girl licked the blood from her lips, her eyes gleaming with a cold light. Like a wild beast eyeing its prey, a savage violence surged forth. Lin Lu grabbed his neck from below, leaped up, delivered a knee strike to his abdomen, followed by a close-quarters iron lean, turning his body into a tattered rag doll, and finally flicked his forehead.

The three-hit close-quarters combat technique was an experience that many soldiers of the Army Without Borders longed to have again but never had, and this person truly experienced it.

Lin Lu marked the fallen youth with a special mark, and at the same time drew his Benelli M4 shotgun and smashed the mercenary who picked up the weapon in the waist.

Even the strongest fortress will crumble into scrap metal before the power of etched bullets.

"I'll give you one chance. You can still get out now."

Lin Lu stood in front of the mercenaries, and in front of them, he placed the shotgun on his shoulder in a violin-like posture, loading the etched bullets one by one into the magazine.

The emerald green eyes swept across the crowd. There were two people with orange markings present, but the rest were all insignificant.

Lin Lu simply didn't want to waste his time on these ants.

Unfortunately, some people always see Lin Lu's advice as a sign of weakness and believe that they still have a chance.

These are the three great illusions of life.

One of the mercenaries responded by drawing his bowstring taut and firing another arrow.

Lin Lu tilted his head slightly, easily avoiding the curl, but the ends of his long hair were still curled up a little.

"So, this is your answer."

Lin Lu cocked the Bernelli M4, and the sound of metal clashing rang out.

He looked directly at the mercenaries, no longer intending to say anything more.

As smoke rose, Lin Lu narrowed his eyes slightly, and cobalt blue flames rose from his emerald green eyes.

Jessica's innate skill is activated.

"Bengfengfeng!!"

Flames erupted from all corners of the Silverwing Building's main lobby on the first floor, with some mercenaries even spontaneously combusting, screaming and rolling on the ground, yet the flames only multiplied. It was like a living hell, the intense heat continuing to rise. However, the damned fire suppression system was malfunctioning, utterly ineffective.

The mercenaries felt a chill run down their spines. Not everyone was as daring as the young, fearless ones, willing to shoot an arrow at death. Some had already considered retreating, but now… the best opportunity had passed. A moment's hesitation could lead to their eternal demise.

“Watch closely, Jessica.”

Lin Lu calmly felt this power; his current perception even surpassed that of Melantha, who had transformed before.

"This is what you can do, this is your...power."

Lin Lu suddenly appeared behind a mercenary, using the smoke as cover to move almost instantaneously.

The Benelli M4 shotgun emitted a roar like a dragon, and the etched bullets, infused with Originium Arts, burst into a pillar of fire, blasting it into mangled pieces.

The mercenaries howled and charged forward, prepared to die.

Within the thick fog, flames kept emerging, accompanied by deafening roars.

The only difference was that the mercenaries' roars grew fainter and fainter...

Chapter 260 Iron Block (4K)

Thick fog obscured the sun, while firelight illuminated the earth.

Gunfire roared incessantly, like a living hell.

The old crossbowman sat quietly on the ground. His beloved crossbow had been damaged by a stray bullet and could no longer be cocked. Unskilled in close combat, he could only sit there quietly, watching the gods fight. No, to be precise, watching the gods utterly crush mortals.

If he had any doubts before, he was now 100% certain that this person was his idol, a legend in the mercenary world.

BIG BOSS.

Even if he suddenly turned into a girl, his belt, his cobalt blue eyes, and his unparalleled fighting skills were undeniable.

The old crossbowman felt his life had been worthwhile.

It's unclear how much time passed, but the thick fog finally dissipated. The main hall on the first floor, which had been full of people, now housed the mercenaries lying quietly on the ground. The air was thick with the smell of burning, the faint scent of blood becoming unbearably pungent amidst the smoke. Amidst the billowing smoke, only one man stood firm.

Lin Lu was covered in blood, and the Benelli M4 shotgun in his hand was full of knife marks. Its durability was nearing its limit, and it dissipated into shattered lenses.

"I'm exhausted now. Don't you two want to give it a try?"

Lin Lu smiled and said that he had deliberately left behind the two mercenaries with orange markings on their heads.

One was a seasoned crossbowman with extensive combat experience, and the other was a skilled gunner mercenary adept at stealth.

However, showing off one's stealth skills in front of Lin Lu would be like trying to teach a fish to swim. When Lin Lu infiltrated the Mage Tower of Letania alone, the gun-wielding mercenaries were probably still making a living somewhere in Ursus.

"Don't dare, don't dare."

The bespectacled mercenary, probably in his early twenties, carrying a sniper rifle, emerged from a rather concealed corner with his hands raised. He was extremely sensitive to people's gazes, and when Lin Lu smiled and turned to look at him, he knew he had nowhere left to hide.

"What about you?"

Lin Lu looked at the old crossbowman.

The old crossbowman trembled and quickly lowered his head.

Lin Lu smiled with satisfaction and asked, "Are you two interested in switching jobs? I'm hiring here. We offer five social insurances and one housing fund, generous salary, free meals and accommodation, four days off per month, and you can apply for consecutive days off. You'll receive a little red flower as a reward for a full year of service, and you can apply for double salary if you collect three little red flowers."

Before the two could reply, Lin Lu smiled and pulled out a climbing axe from the side of his backpack, saying amiably, "Of course, you also have the right to refuse."

The gunslinger, yearning for freedom and dreaming of traversing the continent of Terra, clenched his fists, trembling with anger. Could this world possibly be any better?! He never imagined Silverwing Corporation would face destruction, much less that he'd barely escaped one hell only to be plunged into the abyss of corporate slavery. How could this be? All he wanted was to travel the world alone with his gun—was that so hard to achieve? Shouldn't he fight for his ideals against reality?!

"I do!!"

The gun-wielding mercenary saluted at lightning speed.

He thought about it carefully and realized that dreams can't put food on the table, and the most important thing in life is to follow your heart.

"how about you?"

Lin Lu looked at the old crossbowman.

The old crossbowman shuddered. He had been mentally prepared to die here, but he never expected to have a choice.

"Can I?"

The old crossbowman asked somewhat uncertainly.

After all, for an older mercenary like him, even if someone hires him, the salary is pitifully low.

However, now, a legend in the mercenary world has extended an invitation to him, asking if he would be willing to join his team.

What an honor, what a glory!

"of course."

Lin Lu nodded slightly in agreement.

The old crossbowman was overcome with tears; despite his advanced age, he couldn't hold back the tears from wetting his face.

He was not happy because of survival, but because he was moved by the recognition he received.

Looking at him, Lin Lu suddenly understood what the swindler had told him.

The Army Without Borders' original intention has never changed; the purpose of creating this paradise is singular—to provide a safe haven for outlaws with nowhere else to go.

"Boss, do you need me to go up and cover for you?"

The gun-wielding mercenary was the first to ask, displaying the shameless face of a traitor who had served three masters.

For mercenaries, changing their backers is perfectly normal.

To survive long in this line of work, one either needs exceptional ability or exceptionally thick skin.

“No need. You and he stay here. Someone will come to pick you up later. Do me a favor and take good care of him.” Lin Lu turned and walked up the stairs without looking back. “Your task from now on is simply to survive. That’s enough.”

"Okay, boss! No problem, boss! Take care, boss!"

The gun-wielding mercenary watched Lin Lu's departing figure, his tense shoulders slowly relaxing, his eyes behind his glasses trembling deeply.

"Chichichi..."

The malfunctioning fire suppression system suddenly activated, unleashing a curtain of icy water from above. The fire safety valves installed on the ceiling spewed water, startling the gun-wielding mercenary into instinctively raising his sniper rifle. His rifle was already loaded with armor-piercing rounds; he was prepared to fight to the death, even if it meant a spectacular one.

However, it seems unnecessary now.

"What...it's just water..."

He leaned back against the supporting pillar, watching the earth gradually turn red, then looked at the flames rising all around him, and the countless scattered limbs.

Finally, his gaze settled on the reinforced gap in the door, a neat rectangle that would make any obsessive-compulsive person exclaim "Yay!"

Should we run away?

The gunslinger gripped his wet musket tightly. As a sniper, his vision and hearing were exceptional. He was certain that the ruthless female demon had already left; the footsteps grew fainter and fainter until they disappeared completely.

Now, he has a new option.

Walk out the gate with your head held high, away from this damned place, away from corpses, away from this bastard mercenary profession. It's that simple, isn't it? With the savings I've accumulated these past few days, while it's not enough to travel the entire Terra in a mobile city, at least I can get far away from Ursus and live my ideal life.

But why can't I take that first step?

Mercenaries should be free, after all.

The gunner mercenary remained calm for a long time. He adjusted his dew-covered glasses, ignored the blood on the ground, and sat down next to the old crossbowman.

“Uncle, you know who she is, right? Judging from your reaction, you seem to have seen her before.” The gun-wielding mercenary moistened his hoarse, dry throat. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Could you… tell me about her story?”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Silver Wing Building, 12th floor.

Lin Lu walked forward step by step, leaving bloody footprints on the ground with each step, which lingered for a long time.

"Doctor, a high risk level has been detected."