Chapter Thirty-Five: Reset

“I truly didn't expect you to finish the commission so quickly, ‘Doctor.’” The old man couldn’t help but murmur as he gazed at Faren before him. After that monstrous creature died, the force field shielding the node was lifted. Upon receiving Delin’s message, the “Emperor” personally led his team into the building. Although there were still many mutant beasts and zombies inside, with the “Emperor” at the helm, these creatures didn’t even cause a ripple before being thoroughly wiped out.

There are indeed advantages to having numbers on your side.

“I was simply doing my duty, ‘Emperor.’”

Hearing the old man's words, Faren smiled and nodded. The old man said nothing more, only reaching out to pat Faren gently on the shoulder.

“Indeed. To be honest, I always had confidence in you. If even you couldn’t handle it, we really would’ve had to pack up and go home... You’ve worked hard. Leave this to us now; you can return to headquarters for some rest. Your reward is prepared—just pick it up once you arrive at the camp... Fernando.”

“Yes, sir, what are your orders?”

Upon hearing the “Emperor’s” call, the middle-aged man who had previously appeared at the old man’s side immediately stepped forward.

“Escort ‘Doctor’ and his team to headquarters to rest. I’m leaving this in your hands.”

“Yes, sir.” Fernando nodded, then turned to Faren with a faint smile. “Well then, ‘Doctor,’ please follow me...”

“Alright…”

Faren nodded to Fernando, then narrowed his eyes, regarding the man with a half-smile. Under Faren’s gaze, Fernando grew visibly uneasy, dabbing sweat from his brow with a handkerchief before managing another nervous smile.

“Um… ‘Doctor’?”

“You don’t look well,” Faren remarked, his smile unchanged as he patted Fernando’s shoulder. “If you’re ill, you need treatment. Forcing yourself will only make things worse, will it not?”

“Yes… you’re absolutely right…”

Fernando’s face was stiff. When Faren touched his shoulder, it almost felt as if a chill sliced through his body, cold enough to cleave his heart in two. The string of blood-soaked, deadly tales surrounding this terrifying young man were every bit as ghastly as the demons of hell. If he could help it, Fernando would have gladly avoided meeting him altogether.

Unfortunately, it seemed he had no choice.

Faren, unconcerned by Fernando’s discomfort, simply withdrew his hand, turned to the old man behind him, and said, “It’s good to have subordinates—it’s enviable. I’ve never had such luck.”

“Haha, aren’t Delin and those three girls doing a fine job? You’ll understand in time—a team is always stronger than a lone wolf… Well, I have business to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”

With a nod to Faren, the old man leaned on his cane and made his way step by step toward the elevator. Faren merely glanced at his retreating figure, then turned and walked out of the building. As soon as they exited, a contingent of heavily armed soldiers rushed past, sealing the entrance behind them.

“Really, why are they so tense…” Eluca muttered in annoyance, casting an unhappy look at the soldiers. The three sisters had all survived the previous battle. Faren had used them as bait to lure the monstrous fool, who, true to expectation, had taken the bait and, through spatial linkage, teleported the remaining monsters to the sisters’ location. This allowed Faren and Delin to defeat their opponent with relative ease. Otherwise, facing a monster that could blink at will, in addition to hordes of mutants and zombies, would have been a challenge even for the two of them together. In a sense, the three sisters guaranteed their victory.

Yet, these heroines received no warm welcome. As soon as the Blackstone Group entered the building, the sisters were all but shoved aside without a hint of courtesy. Eluca, her teeth clenched in frustration, looked as if she was ready to unleash another round of “fierce firepower” on the soldiers.

“Enough, let’s leave them be. Time to collect our reward,” Faren said calmly, in stark contrast to Eluca’s indignation. He understood why the Blackstone Group was so on edge. Since the “Cataclysm,” humans had made several attempts to reclaim the ruins, but each ended in failure. If Blackstone could control this node, it would mark the most crucial step in humanity’s reclamation—akin to the moon landings of the last century.

A small step for me, but a giant leap for mankind.

For Blackstone, securing this node was every bit as significant as humanity’s first moon landing. Their vigilance was therefore not unwarranted. Should they succeed, they would, like the first lunar nation, not only gain worldwide renown but also the allegiance and attention of neighboring settlements. With careful management, ruling these wastelands would simply be a matter of time. Considering the stakes, Blackstone’s caution was justified. After so many losses, they needed results. A last-minute failure would drive many here to despair.

But that was no longer Faren’s concern. He wasn’t one of them, merely an outsider hired by the “Emperor.” What followed would be Blackstone’s highest-level secret, and outsiders like him would not be permitted to linger. Though he was one of the Seven Giants of District 9, he was still a lone wolf, never as powerful as an organized force.

The Blackstone command center was set up in a plaza not far from the building, fully occupied by their soldiers. Gunfire and monster shrieks sounded in the distance, but the heart of the camp remained secure.

The “Emperor” had clearly made arrangements. Upon Faren’s return, they were swiftly led to a clean, tidy tent for rest. There, steaming dishes, as well as luxuries like black tea and chocolate—rare in the apocalypse—awaited them. Ravenous and exhausted, Eluca wasted no time in devouring the feast, soothing her wounded pride.

“Hello, ‘Doctor,’ this is from the executive director, just as agreed. It’s all been checked—no issues,” said a middle-aged man, more white-collar than soldier, standing respectfully before Faren and presenting a delicate suitcase. His manner was vastly more polite than the soldiers at the node, showing that Blackstone knew whom to treat with courtesy.

“Very good.” Faren opened the case, glanced at its contents, smiled, then closed it and handed it to Delin before turning back to the man.

“And the other item?”

“Here.” The man produced three purple ID cards. “As per your request, the group has assessed them… The data isn’t complete, but for now, no one will object.”

“I knew Blackstone would be generous,” Faren replied with a smile. Hearing this, the man’s tense face relaxed at last. He exhaled, then spoke.

“Of course, ‘Doctor.’ Blackstone has always been reputable… Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

He bowed respectfully and left the tent. When he was gone, Faren narrowed his eyes, walked to the three sisters, and tossed the ID cards to them.

“Here, your reward.”

“What are these?” Eluca and her sisters paused, setting down their food to examine the cards curiously. Their names were printed on them, but as wasteland dwellers, they knew little of such things.

“These are your identification cards. For your outstanding performance in the node battle, Blackstone is awarding you honorary citizenship of District 9. Once you activate your cards, you’ll have the legal right to reside in District 9, protected by the group’s army and law. As honorary citizens, you’ll receive a monthly stipend for living expenses. As long as you don’t stir up trouble or District 9 isn’t destroyed by some gang or rival power, you can live peacefully for the rest of your lives.”

“…Huh?” The three sisters were stunned by Faren’s words. Eluca’s surprise was plain, and Chris and Corona stared wide-eyed at the cards. After a moment, Corona glanced at her sisters, then timidly looked up at Faren and asked, “Excuse me, Commander, does this mean… my sisters and I can have our own home now?”

“That’s right.”

“We won’t have to fight in the wilds anymore, and can live in peace?”

“That’s right.”

“Even if we do nothing, we’ll have enough money and food to get by?”

“Exactly.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. For Blackstone, controlling this node is paramount. You played your part and deserve this reward. It’s the result of a strict evaluation, not given lightly. Accept it with a clear conscience.”

“Then…”

Corona was clearly tempted. She hesitated, studying the card and glancing at her sisters. Eluca and Chris, however, frowned and exchanged a look. Chris turned to Faren.

“What about you, Commander?”

Though her question was brief and vague, Faren understood. With a shrug, he replied, “You seem unaware—I’m not a Blackstone member. I took over the Black Dog Squad only at the ‘Emperor’s’ behest, as an interim commander. Once Blackstone activates the node, my contract with them ends. When we return, I’ll erase your activation data so you regain your freedom. After that, you’re free to do as you please.”

As he spoke, Faren smiled and waved to the three. “Some parting words: it was a pleasure working with you, though frankly, you’re still too weak to survive in these ruins. Keep striving—you may yet grow strong enough. Perhaps we’ll meet again… Until then, fare well.”

With that, Faren turned to leave with Delin. Watching them go, Eluca hesitated, then leapt up and called out, “Commander—!”

“Boom!!”

Before Eluca could finish, a thunderous roar split the air. In the next instant, a dazzling beam of light tore through the darkness, erupting from the rooftop of the small building and shooting straight up into the black sky.