Ark Chess Player.

"No, what you said makes a lot of sense. May I give you a round of applause?"

W has a habit.

She always takes action before speaking.

W immediately applauded for Talulah, her face full of sincerity, as if she wanted to present Talulah with a wreath, well, the white kind.

Talulah's expression changed slightly. She could sense W's sarcastic tone. This was the first time in her long life that she had been mocked to this extent.

“W, if my frankness can clear up the misunderstanding between us, I will not hesitate to spend my time. In order to ensure a long-term win-win situation for both of us, I can invite you to work together to formulate a plan for the future of the Reunion Movement. Would that increase your trust in me a little? W, we need to support each other to have a chance to solve more problems. We will inevitably encounter attacks from Lungmen, or even Rhodes Island. I need your strength, W.”

"really?"

W wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and choked out, "I'm so touched, sob sob sob."

“Of course it is—” Talulah smiled and extended her hand, as sincere as an Iberian monk, and said softly, “Really.”

Before Talulah could finish speaking, an invisible flame slashed out like a blade. At that moment, Talulah was like the most cunning assassin, every move aimed at killing her target. It was an attack that even the Sarkaz mercenary leader's W attack could not match—how perfect! Anyone else would probably be dead by now.

"Hey, I just said a few careless things to you. It's not like it's enough to make you so angry that you want to kill me, is it?"

Do you think I didn't see your little toy?

"Oh, it really is true."

W secretly threw out a miniature Originium explosive device, which detonated, and flames erupted, instantly engulfing the two people present.

Compared to Talulah's flames that could silently destroy everything, W was even more grateful that the heatwave hitting her was her Originium Blasting Device. The only pity was that the Originium fragments hidden inside seemed to have been melted by Talulah, otherwise they could have exerted their maximum effect.

W wasn't very knowledgeable about magic, but she knew perfectly well that no matter what kind of spell it was, its power couldn't compare to the purest form of energy use. Explosions were art, heat was justice, the range of shrapnel coverage was truth, and shockwaves spread good news wherever they swept through. This was what a man she hated to death had taught her at the Tower of Babel; that terrifying upright ape had once said... No matter who the enemy was, as long as they were blown to pieces, that was enough.

As the flames died down, Talulah stood unharmed, looking at W with some surprise.

"Your little toy... can actually neutralize my Originium Arts. It seems I underestimated you, W."

"Haha, go to hell! This little toy you're talking about took me hours to make, can't you show it a little respect? And also, can you please not hit people when they're talking?!"

W rolled over awkwardly, trying to make himself look like he was tying his shoelaces, and then calmly stood up.

The spot where she had just been was instantly melted, leaving a large hole, and the sweltering air made her throat itch.

So that's how it is. You wanted to use this to shut her up?

She doesn't!

"Remember to aim properly next time," W said cheekily.

Talulah raised an eyebrow slightly, her patience was wearing thin and she was about to explode, but she still told herself to stay calm.

"W...why did you choose to stand against me? What good would it do you to become an enemy of Reunion?"

"Huh? You're the one who struck first! I call this self-defense, that's right, I have to kill you before you can kill me."

Talulah sighed, "It seems we have nothing more to say."

"You're only just realizing this?" W took a deep breath. "Why didn't you think of this when you targeted my people?"

"I see. I misunderstood your character and thought you were like that old dragon, someone who could arbitrarily weigh lower-level fates on a scale. I didn't expect you to be so considerate. You really are a lovable demon with flesh and blood," Talulah said with admiration.

"That's right, I'm so cute."

“Playing the fool can indeed conceal part of your true intentions, and it’s quite effective.” Talulah nodded, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. “However, your true thoughts are even more absurd than I imagined.”

"Oh? I can take that as you thinking you know me very well? Wow, your little head, so engrossed in weaving schemes, isn't just filled with water and flour. I thought you'd turn into a sticky paste if you shook your head!" W exclaimed in shock.

“W, you want to stop me from attacking Lungmen with the Core City,” Talulah said calmly.

"—"

W's expression changed.

Seeing this, Talulah smiled smugly.

"If you simply wanted revenge, why choose this time? It would have been wise to strike when Lungmen and I were locked in a life-or-death struggle, both severely weakened. You're a mercenary, a seasoned one; even the demons would follow your orders. You're perfectly capable of understanding the situation. To be honest, I'm starting to like you, W. You bring me a certain pleasure. Your foolishness is almost charming, and the thought of losing you would diminish my enjoyment fills me with regret. Are you really the crazy, desperate man you portray, W?"

"...What's going on? Are you interested in me? Sorry, think about it calmly, there's absolutely no way we can be together, it's hopeless, give up."

W made a disgusted "Ugh" sound, looking at Talulah and suppressing the urge to vomit.

Talulah was unfazed. She slowly took out a two-handed greatsword and stood it in front of her.

"Ugh! You're ready to pull out a knife the moment someone rejects you? Someone like you will be single forever!"

"I've already laid it all out, yet you still refuse to drop your mask of hypocrisy. I truly admire you, W. Although I don't know how you got in touch with the people at Rhodes Island, I've seen through your little tricks all along; I just haven't said anything."

Talulah gazed out the window behind W and spotted Rhodes Island's transport plane.

"Enough with the nonsense. When you're reduced to pieces of flesh, I'll have someone collect your remains, build a grave, and come chat with you from time to time—if you still have any scraps of flesh left!"

W pulled out the remote control from his hand, struck a pose like Yoshikage Kira, and pressed the red button deeply with his thumb!

A simple Originium switch, remotely operated, with a chain reaction explosion and a diameter of fifty meters, making it the top choice for suicide bombers.

W never considered escaping unscathed. To think that she could defeat a monster like Talulah without sacrificing anything was wishful thinking. W wouldn't mind sacrificing a part of her body to kill Talulah; at worst, they would both die.

however--

There were no flames, no burning, and no massive explosion that shook the command tower.

W stared wide-eyed as she pressed the remote control buttons repeatedly, but nothing happened.

The hundreds of Originium bombs she had painstakingly set up, which she had painstakingly twisted and turned to burrow into the steel foundation, all went unresponsive.

Goodness, she knows why now.

The places where the Originium was originally buried have all become deformed, melted, and sunken.

Molten iron dripped down, igniting the surrounding scrap and emitting a foul stench.

Talulah infused Originium Arts into the greatsword, channeling heat into the steel foundation. The radiation spread in a circular pattern, directly melting the structure and properties of the Originium device. Even if it still possessed power, it could not be detonated remotely.

A reasonable judgment, as expected of me, great job.

It's that simple to figure it out. If you can't make it in the mercenary world, then become a detective.

W nodded slowly. Very well, it seems this time it's completely over.

"Don't rush, I'll give you time to try slowly."

Talulah placed her hands on the greatsword, the blade plunging into the ground, and smiled, "Sarkaz W, come on, try it again."

"Try and die."

W raised his hand and threw the small device to the ground, laughing wildly, "Third bomb, Eat the Dust!"

Talulah narrowed her eyes, but it wasn't a bomb at all; it was... a smoke bomb.

W did not escape.

She actually launched an attack on Talulah while riding the smoke!

The matte-finished dagger silently sliced ​​through the air, heading straight for Talulah's nape!

"interesting."

Talulah chuckled softly.

The flames swept through, clearing away all the dust.

W, who was thrown into the sea of ​​fire, tumbled several times in the air before landing on the ground, her body reeking of burning.

"Do you have any last words?"

Talulah, holding her longsword, looked down at her and asked.

"You...cough cough!!"

W coughed violently, lifting her head as if she were about to cough up her lungs.

"Who...who are you?!" W suddenly raised her head, glaring at Talulah. "You're definitely not that boring, idealistic woman! Taking over someone else's body, pretending to be someone else, and consuming their life—are you a pervert?"

Talulah stopped in her tracks, her greatsword, which she was about to swing down, paused, and slowly lowered.

“So this is your true face, W.” Talulah looked at the disheveled Sarkaz girl with interest. “Since you’re so eager to know, then I’ll let you have a glimpse… I always have respect for the dead.”

Talu stretched out her left hand and placed it on W's head, revealing a corner of her proud and majestic true self.

"Ah ah ah ah ah!!!"

Flames engulfed W's entire body, devouring her soul; this pain was far more than just a physical injury.

"You, you are—"

Amidst the flames, W saw a pair of pupils.

Eyes that stand upright like a snake.

Chapter 443 My Father-in-Law is a Patriot (Bonus Chapter)

"W, you should lose weight."

Lin Lu held W, who was covered in burns. More importantly, the Originium crystals on her body seemed to have been reinfected, and her condition was not optimistic.

"How could it be you..."

W struggled to jump out of Lin Lu's arms, but she had no strength left.

Lin Lu helplessly held her with one arm, gesturing, "Stop fooling around. I gave up the chance to land directly on the top floor of the command tower to save you. Now we have to climb back up. Don't be ungrateful!"

"Tch! I don't need your help!"

"Oh, whatever you want."

Without hesitation, Lin threw W to the ground.

W's last sliver of blood was almost rubbed away by the gravel on the ground. Cursing, she sat cross-legged on the ground, her hands trembling as she took out medicine from her pocket to treat her wounds. As a mercenary, it was perfectly normal to carry some life-saving items with her.

Lin Lu ignored her and instead raised his hand to greet the figure that was walking towards him like a small mountain.

"Hi, father-in-law!"

W nearly tore the bandage off. She suddenly looked up at Lin Lu, then turned to look ahead.

"What do you call the old man?!"

"Father-in-law, what's wrong?"

"Hold!"

W cursed loudly, glared at Lin Lu, and angrily shouted, "Scumbag!"

"?"

Lin Lu slowly typed out a question mark.

How was he a jerk? He only hugged Frostnova! At most, he kissed her on the lips, touched her hand, and rubbed against her a little outside. I, Lin, am pure and chaste, and will not tolerate W's unwarranted accusations!

"I never expected... that you would still be alive."

As the patriot's imposing figure drew closer, each step he took gave the illusion of a collapsing building.

It's hard to imagine the power of a landslide or tsunami when he goes all out.

As soon as Lin Lu spoke, Patriot recognized who he was.

"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."

Lin Lu flicked off his mask, revealing a scholarly face that looked quite harmless.

Of everyone present, only Patriot knew how troublesome this seemingly effeminate guy could be when he went crazy.

He had punched a hole through Lin Lu's chest just yesterday, but... today Lin Lu is running around alive and kicking, seemingly unharmed.

Patriot's injuries from being beaten by Lin Lu haven't even fully healed yet!

"My daughter, she—"

"Yelena is receiving a joint consultation from eight medical experts at Rhodes Island. Please have her family pay the emergency room fee."

"..."

"Don't look at me like that, okay, okay, I was just joking. How could I let my father-in-law pay for my wife's hospital bills? I've already asked that woman Kal'tsit for two years' salary in advance, so even if Yelena spends four or five months in the ICU, it's no problem! I'll pay for it!"

Lin was filled with pride, since he had no intention of taking Rhodes Island's salary anyway.

Whether you owe for a month or a year or two, it's still a debt. If you're so capable, Rhodes Island can starve him to death!