After fusing the Tyrant-class Raptures Alteisen MK.VI and Grave Digger, not only did their combat power skyrocket and energy double, but under Mo Chen's orders, their mechanical structure was also modified.
The internal compartments no longer stored various missiles, shells, or high-powered strategic weapons; instead, they were converted into private rooms and lounge corridors, all decorated in the style of the luxurious trains from Mo Chen's previous world.
Not only were there sofas, tables, beds, and other essentials, but they also added a kitchen, storage room, and a massive stockpile of food—mostly from ecological farms—in case of emergencies.
More importantly, there were also the twin girls.
Of course, don't expect them to give you a foot massage—unless you've broken a bone or are looking to get your back shattered.
Boom—!
The armed train let out a deafening roar like a beast and began to move. Its wheels spun rapidly, and within seconds, it had accelerated to over 100 kilometers per hour before howling its way across the wasteland.
Naturally, the loud noise caught the attention of the Raptures.
Countless Raptures swarmed from the horizon's ruins like a flood, kicking up a storm of dust as they charged toward the thunderous train.
But the newly fused train combined Alteisen MK.VI's devastating firepower with Grave Digger's heavy armor and shielding.
As soon as it entered the Rapture swarm, it began bulldozing its way through without even needing to fire—just its armor and shields alone scattered the Raptures like flies, sending bodies flying.
After a violent rampage that left the Rapture forces in tatters, the train blew its horn and sped off.
No one noticed, though—a pair of eyes in the shadows had been watching its destructive path all along.
The train tore across the land, crashing into anything in its way, like a reckless brute. It only took an hour to plow through half the wasteland before reaching the vicinity of the Ark.
Originally, Mo Chen considered drilling the train directly into the Ark. But to avoid causing a panic, he decided to disembark first.
The entrance to the Ark was through elevators scattered across the surface.
These elevators were camouflaged to fool Raptures. If ever discovered, the Ark would immediately detonate the explosives rigged to them.
Mo Chen found one such elevator and swiped his card. A hidden iron door in the ruins opened, revealing the shaft below.
After nearly half an hour of descent, he finally arrived inside the Ark.
But the moment he stepped out of the elevator, he was greeted by a dozen gun barrels pointed straight at him.
"Don't move!"
Mo Chen was stunned.
What the hell?
Did he break some law? Or were the Ark's higher-ups making a move on him?
That'd be pretty stupid of them.
"Wait—!"
Just then, a familiar voice rang out. A Nikke with a fluffy head of curly hair stood up and signaled to her teammates.
"He's not a terrorist! He's the Commander—the Commander's back!"
It was Poli.
Mo Chen recognized her immediately by that lion-dog-like curly hair.
Poli ran over to him cheerfully.
"Commander! You're back!"
The other Nikkes around them, hearing it was Mo Chen, relaxed instantly. Some even got excited and wanted his autograph, but their squad leader scolded them, and they reluctantly backed off.
Mo Chen joked, "Yeah, though your welcome was a little over the top. Am I really that popular with you guys?"
Poli blushed and quickly slung her rifle behind her back.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. It's just that... lately there's been terrorist activity."
A few days ago, the Ark had experienced a riot caused by Heavenly Ascension. Fortunately, the response was swift, and no major damage occurred, but the entire Ark had been placed under lockdown to prevent any survivors from slipping through.
"What, terrorists dropping down from the surface now?" Mo Chen teased.
Poli, the fluffy Nikke, was just too cute—Mo Chen couldn't resist messing with her.
"N-no! It's not like that!" Poli waved her hands. "But there were reports that the terrorists plan to blow up the elevators."
"Blow up the elevators?"
Mo Chen frowned.
Why would they want to do that?
For people living underground, that seemed pointless.
"Yeah," Poli scratched her fuzzy head in confusion. "I don't know why either. But there have already been several attempts, so HQ assigned troops to guard them."
Mo Chen fell silent, thinking.
Heavenly Ascension, while a terrorist group, was extremely organized and methodical. They had goals, plans. They wouldn't do something meaningless.
Just then, a woman with the mature curves of a ripe peach walked over from the distance. Nikkes along the way saluted her, and she returned each salute before heading toward Mo Chen.
Mo Chen recognized her at once.
It was Ingrid.
"Commander, long time no see."
Mo Chen smiled and greeted her back.
"Yeah, long time."
He hadn't met Ingrid many times—maybe three or four at most. He wasn't sure what she wanted with him now.
After a few words of small talk, Ingrid lowered her voice.
"This isn't the place to talk."
Mo Chen immediately understood.
Ingrid brought him to her office.
Her office was surprisingly minimalist—no, it was downright bare. Aside from the bare necessities like a desk and a couple of chairs, there was nothing else.
It was hard to believe this was the office of the CEO of Elysion.
When they both sat down, Ingrid seemed to notice Mo Chen's gaze.
"The fewer things in a room, the fewer places there are to hide bugs. That makes it relatively safer."
Mo Chen got the message: she was guarding against eavesdropping.
As expected of Elysion's CEO, her vigilance was top-notch.
"I brought you here because I want your help with something."
Ingrid's style was efficient and to the point. She didn't waste time with pleasantries and jumped straight to the issue.
Mo Chen nodded.
"Go ahead."
"I'm sure you're already aware of what happened with Heavenly Ascension," Ingrid said. "They launched riots across the city. It looked like it was just to cause chaos, but in truth, they had another agenda."
Mo Chen nodded slightly.
There was little meaning in just stirring up trouble across the city. If something seems irrational or idiotic on the surface, there's usually a deeper motive behind it.
Ingrid continued, "Their true target is the Navy's charity fundraising event taking place tomorrow."
"A charity event?"
"Yes. Many high-ranking officials and political figures will be attending. That's likely what they're really after," Ingrid said. "If those officials are harmed, Ark could plunge into chaos."
"So why come to me?"
Mo Chen was puzzled.
Those high-ranking parasites… what did they have to do with him?
If one died, so be it. Not many of them were innocent anyway.
Ingrid looked directly at Mo Chen and said slowly, "Because those officials… all support you, Commander."