Ark Chess Player.

"I am Amiya, Doctor."

Amiya gave a somewhat helpless yet heartbroken smile as she helped the shivering Lin to his feet. She carefully brushed the charcoal off the Doctor's body, the faint cracking sounds of the charcoal breaking off faintly audible. It made one wonder what lay beneath the hooded coat; one could probably pry off a piece of charcoal with the slightest touch.

“The Doctor must have his reasons for doing this, and I believe in him.” Amiya smiled brightly. This time, she was genuinely not jealous. Rather, considering Ifrit’s situation, she believed that the Doctor had not made a mistake this time.

Amiya also knew something about Ifrit.

Amiya was present when Rhodes Island welcomed Himeru, Whitey, White Owl, and Ifrit. She didn't actively activate her mental domain, but she could still feel Ifrit's emotions surging like a tsunami.

It was an extreme distrust, a fear of the unknown, and a sense of despair with nowhere to escape.

Even though Himeru had repeatedly told Ifrit that Rhodes Island was a great place, Ifrit remained in a state of extreme tension, as if she were on the verge of falling off a cliff. For the first period after boarding the ship, Ifrit dared not see anyone except Himeru and White Owl, until... the former head of Rhine Lab's Defense Department, Saria, arrived at Rhodes Island.

During the special meeting arranged by Kal'tsit, Saria and Ifrit had a brief exchange, a fact kept secret from Himeru. This was because Dr. Himeru didn't want Ifrit to see that person, fearing she would be hurt again.

At least after the two met, Ifrit opened up a little to Rhodes Island, becoming less resistant to regular checkups and more willing to eat properly. Although Ifrit was still somewhat reluctant about compulsory education for teenagers at Rhodes Island, with Himer's encouragement, she was willing to set aside time to study every day.

Everyone present knew that Kal'tsit, Amiya, and even Ifrit's guardian and guarantor, Himer… they all understood that this was merely a facade of peace, and Ifrit's inner turmoil couldn't be resolved so easily. She needed an opportunity, someone who could truly understand her, someone willing to break free of her prison.

"Amiya..."

The autistic doctor, who had suffered physical and mental trauma, felt he had been healed, and this time he was genuinely sad.

The data-driven spiritual realm clearly shows that Ifrit's trust level has increased to around fifty, which is the trust value of a soulmate! She should be in a state where even a good morning kiss wouldn't cause any problems, let alone a hug!

Why!

Why did Ifrit choose to self-destruct?!

Is this Rhodes Island's little sun? And the physical kind at that?

A master of flower gardening.

Passing through a sea of ​​flowers, every petal clings to my body.

From Kal'tsit, whose age is unknown, to Wu Lianlilan, they are all trained.

The target is Dr. Lin Lu, a scoundrel with a trust level of 1210% among all Rhodes Island operators, who is experiencing defeat for the first time.

—Today's outcome is Ifrit's victory.

"Doctor, I have a request."

Amiya waved, signaling Lin Lu to lower his head.

Lin Lu obediently complied, and Amiya whispered in his ear, "It's a deal. From now on, if you hug another girl once, you have to hug me ten times. Otherwise, I'll get angry."

Mr. Lin exclaimed, "Then wouldn't I be making a killing?"

"How many more times do you want to hug other girls?!"

Amiya didn't hold back and slapped the Doctor on the head, shaking out a bunch of carbon dust from under his mask.

In a sense, this is probably what a physics idiot doctor is like.

"My office..."

Kal'tsit sighed and rubbed her forehead. If she hadn't had a short rest last night, she would have been so worried about her blood pressure that she would have rushed to the medical room on the spot, looking at the black charcoal scattered on the carpet and the wall that Lin Lu was leaning on as he staggered along.

"What happened, Teacher Kai?"

Lin Lu sat casually on the sofa, completely ignoring the murderous look in the other person's eyes.

Kal'tsit stared silently at the incredibly difficult-to-wash and clean chair, then at the stains on it, and finally sighed in despair.

Fine, at worst we'll just deduct it from the PhD student's salary.

If you do the math, the large amount of weapons and equipment the Doctor bought from Kroos's purchasing department, the gifts for each member of the Rhodes Island rescue team, the maintenance costs of Noah's Heavy Machine, the repair costs of the musketeers... plus the debt from just now, the Doctor would have to work for Rhodes Island for at least seven years without pay to pay it off.

After all, PhD students are currently in the internship phase of leaving their jobs and seeking new employment, so a pay cut is normal.

Rhodes Island truly lives up to its reputation as a ruthless corporation; even the highest-ranking leader's salary is exorbitant.

What's even more despicable is that Dr. Scum has no intention of paying off his debts.

It's not that diplomacy is powerful, but rather that diplomacy is powerful.

"While you were fighting in Lungmen, I had an urgent mission, so I called in some people to do reconnaissance before we discussed it."

Kal'tsit activated the PRTS system, dimming the office environment. A crystalline blue glow constructed a virtual tactical map on the desk. Rhodes Island became a small icon, and the map continuously zoomed in, revealing the entire Lungmen. Even the city signals of Chernobog were marked, and scattered mobile city blocks could be seen all around.

Chernobog was attacked by the Reunion Movement just as a natural disaster was about to strike.

Although it is unknown how the Reunion Movement managed to keep Chernobog, which should have been incorporated into Ursus territory, in the desert, some of the islands managed to escape during the Chernobog incident.

These towns are often abandoned in the wilderness due to natural disasters, energy shortages, lack of supplies, and food shortages. Most residents choose to abandon the town and flee to the nearest city, just like the refugees from Chernobog who fled to Lungmen.

"Among these abandoned urban areas, there is one that is particularly different."

Kal'tsit waved her hand, and the virtual tactical map changed according to her will.

Scattered abandoned urban areas each reveal their own numbers; these are real figures from Chernobog, provided personally by Attorney Lin.

The abandoned city of No. 14 lit up, and the map captured the central icon, zooming in to display the simulated terrain in 3D modeling. This was a scene reconstruction filmed on-site by a reconnaissance team carrying specialized equipment, and then synchronized to the Rhodes Island system.

"Our team tasked with exploring the refugees lost contact in this area. The last communication was during our regular report around 8:30 PM last night. Since then, there has been no further news..."

Kal'tsit's expression darkened, because this team was no ordinary operator; it was the elite operator Scout's squad.

"Slynk, Putl, Longscorpion, and Rafa, these four are the missing squad members. Scout Squad has twelve members besides the captain. They are divided into three groups of four for reconnaissance. These are all experienced veterans of the battlefield, and they have extensive experience in stealth missions. Doctor, I believe you are quite aware of this when you were in Chernobog."

Kal'tsit waved her hand, and the PRTS system projected the operator's file.

Each operator's avatar and information, including their most recently completed missions, are displayed in front of you.

"Scout Squad members have one of the highest mission completion rates on Rhodes Island, which shows that something unusual must be going on."

Kal'tsit calmly expressed her thoughts, maintaining a composed demeanor even when things were going badly.

“I think it’s necessary to search this area, uncover more information, and… rescue our operators. If it’s a more serious situation, such as the Reunion Movement being hiding in the area, it will have a greater impact on our subsequent work.”

Chapter 362 We Can't Go Back (3K)

"I agree."

Amiya, of course, supports it.

Lin Lu nodded, his attention focused on the Scout team members.

These operators are the backbone of Rhodes Island and the elite force involved in the Chernobog rescue operation.

Even by the standards of the Army Without Borders, these operators are at least B-rank mercenaries, only lacking Sentinel and Arno.

What could have happened to cause the entire team to lose all communication and become completely disconnected?

"This is the plan I made after the emergency occurred." Kal'tsit mobilized the projection data and shared the temporary command operation plan with Amiya and the Doctor. She frankly said, "I am not as good as you in commanding operations, so this is for your reference only."

Lin Lu needs no introduction. He lay in the stone coffin for three years, and upon waking, he was able to command the Rhodes Island rescue team. They repeatedly broke through enemy lines outnumbering them twenty to one, achieving a return rate of over 90%, and nearly managed to kill Talulah, the leader of the Reunion Movement, on the spot. They also casually abducted a Reunion Movement cadre and executed a Sarkaz mercenary leader—a truly remarkable achievement.

From a young age, Amiya received strategic training from Lin Lu, academic instruction from Theresa, and intellectual cultivation from Kal'tsit—it was practically the world's top-tier education for gifted children. During the Babel era, except for the days of frequent battles, Lin Lu would tell Amiya stories almost every day about his interesting experiences traveling around Terra over the years.

After Lin Lu was peacefully laid to rest, Amiya, in order to help Kal'tsit share the heavy responsibility, worked tirelessly towards becoming the leader of Rhodes Island. She showed no slackening in either corporate management or mercenary leadership. Even in terms of personal strength, Amiya's power was worthy of her status, as evidenced by her performance against the Bone Henchmen.

"After escorting you back to the ship last night, Scout went to Abandoned District 14 and successfully met up with the other two groups. This is a critical matter, so I also arranged for a temporary mobile search team to go to the scene to provide assistance. The search team consists of Meteorite, Frostleaf, and Jessica. Their main task is to pass on intelligence and ensure communication."

“Jessica…”

Lin Lu murmured to himself.

When he stormed the Silverwing Security Contractors in Lungmen, he transformed into Jessica using the Ark Driver. It's unknown whether the bloodshed of the battle was transmitted to Jessica through their mental connection; hopefully, the cat-headed character won't suffer any psychological trauma.

Kal'tsit keenly noticed Lin Lu's mutterings and asked, "What's wrong with Jessica?"

"No, it's nothing." Lin Lu shook his head and gestured, "Please continue."

Kal'tsit wrinkled her nose, but she didn't dwell on it. She continued, "At 8:03 AM, we received a report from the mobile search team. The three-man team successfully reached the designated target area, but failed to make contact with Scout Squad. No information left by Scout Squad was observed at the scene, only signs of battle. According to their account..."

Kal'tsit took a deep breath, couldn't resist taking a sip of coffee to ease the headache caused by the complicated matters, and sighed deeply.

"The thing I was worried about has happened..."

"The Reunion Movement, right?"

Lin Lu raised an eyebrow. His gaze was far-reaching, so he understood the possibility behind it almost instantly.

First, the Reunion Movement had a premeditated plan to infiltrate this area, using it as a transit point for their soldiers' attack on Lungmen. After all, logistics are the most vital element; as the saying goes, an army marches on its stomach.

However, there is a question here.

The Reunion Movement seemed to have no intention of using the transit station for resupply. Every battle involved throwing living infected people into a meat grinder-like battlefield. Everyone was a suicide squad, and no infected person was willing to stop and think about whether their actions were meaningful. In just a few days, countless infected people perished in Lungmen, and almost none of them were able to successfully retreat.

Secondly, Chernobog, an industrialized mobile city ravaged by natural disasters, has had its already limited resources devastated.

The Reunion Movement was overwhelmed with its own problems, facing food shortages and resource scarcity. Despite this, they still managed to broadcast a call to action through city channels, urging infected individuals worldwide to join them in fighting for their future.

Therefore, the Reunion Movement expanded its forces several times over in a short period of time—which undoubtedly made matters worse. If Lungmen can hold the city, countless members of the Reunion Movement will starve to death within a month.

Therefore, raiding the areas where Chernobog fled to plunder resources is a fairly common tactic. While it may not completely eliminate future problems, it can at least address the immediate crisis.

However, there is a question here.

Why could the abandoned district of Chernobog have moved such a long distance after the natural disaster? It's so close to Lungmen; could it be that someone premeditated this, separating the district before the Reunion Movement's attack? That's too much of a coincidence. Unless there's something special about this district, or someone important is involved...

For example, the former mayor of Chernobog.

third……

This is the possibility that Lawyer Lin is most worried about.

He took a deep breath to calm his agitated emotions.

"Chernobyl Upper Town".

Lin Lu looked at Kal'tsit and Amiya, and even through the hood, one could feel his seriousness.

"The worst-case scenario is that this Ruins of Number Fourteen, like Upper Chernobog, has become a nest for Mephisto, a cadre of the Reunion Movement. Perhaps the skeleton kidnappers who tried to abduct Misha, and the skeleton raiders who wreaked havoc in the Lungmen slums and nearly tore open the gates of Lungmen City, hatched from this mother nest."

Amiya and Kal'tsit exchanged glances, both recalling what had happened in the upper town of Chernobog.

It was a hellish place, an abyss that should never have existed on earth, a tragedy born of one man's malice. The entire upper town of Chernobog was like a nightmare; in that vast town, there were no more than ten survivors.

Amiya slowly began, “When I was fighting alongside Gavial, I couldn’t sense any emotion from the monsters. But I’m certain… this smell is exactly the same as what I smelled that night in the Upper City.”

“If it’s the worst-case scenario, then… both Scout’s elite squad and the mobile search team are in danger.” Lin Lu took a deep breath, took over the PRTS system, lit up the virtual tactical map, and began calculating the shortest route.

"Drip drip."

Just then, the search and rescue team sent a contact signal.

Lin Lu's hand speed instantly increased to its peak, and he directly clicked "confirm".

"呲呲..."

The sound of signal interference was heard, but fortunately, the mobile squad was equipped with a communication device of the highest battlefield standard. After a brief period of communication static, the sound quickly returned to normal.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The sounds of explosions continued to rise and fall, but judging from the sounds, the mobile squad was still some distance away.

"Frostleaf, go check on the situation."

"And Jessica, cheer up! You did a great job just now, but you can't let your guard down now."

"Okay, okay! I know about these things."

"well."

A clear conversation came through the communicator; the mature woman's voice paused slightly before continuing.

"Dr. Kal'tsit, can you hear me?"

“I heard that very clearly, and... Jessica, there might be an enemy behind you.”

"Yes, I understand!"

The sounds of gunfire and metal blades clashing against each other echoed with a dull thud, similar to the splattering of iron ore, followed by a chilling roar from a monster. The sounds of battle lasted for nearly thirty seconds before finally ending.

"Report, everything is alright for now."

Meteorite did not participate in Jessica and Frostleaf's joint operation; her weapon was a ballista specifically designed to fire high-caliber projectiles. At such close range, her reckless attack could very well result in collateral damage to both of them.

She also believed that her two teammates would definitely be able to defeat the enemy.

Even if... the enemy's appearance is terrifying.

"Frostleaf, you're really fast." Meteor remembered that Frostleaf had left in the other direction, and suddenly appeared behind the enemy behind Jessica. She couldn't help but exclaim, "I didn't even see how you sneaked over there, and you came back so quickly."