North American riot police: Start by arresting P. Diddy!

Chapter 247 Sudden Changes and the Beginning of Riots

The lights in the lobby suddenly went out.

The sudden burst of symphonic music and the dim lighting instantly put everyone on edge.

You should know that every one of these big shots present was accompanied by a dozen or so battle-hardened elite bodyguards.

As soon as the incident occurred, the bodyguards immediately surrounded the employer, and many of them had already drawn their guns and cocked them.

Especially after they learned that Rorschach was present, their nerves were on edge, and many guests even considered leaving.

After all, who knows if this madman might be carrying a deadly weapon like the VX poison gas bomb, which could lead to mutual destruction?
Fortunately, a spotlight soon shone on the central platform.

A young man who has been repeatedly studied by various forces in recent days slowly makes his appearance.

The creator of the Staff of God - Walter.

The shy young man, who looked like a recent graduate, smiled and looked around at the crowd, but when he saw the dark muzzles of guns below the stage, his smile stiffened slightly: "Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor for you to participate in this special auction. I am the developer, Walter."

He cleared his throat and began to introduce the project. Luo Xia only glanced at it casually, and after confirming that it matched the information, his attention turned elsewhere.

In a corner of the hall near the emergency exit, Jack stood with his arms crossed, observing coldly.

But Rorschach keenly noticed that he kept glancing at his watch, as if waiting for something.

On stage, Walter's technical demonstration continued.

This young man, like Harold, was an internet genius, but their personalities were completely different.

If it were Harold, he would never have been able to talk and laugh so casually under so many guns.

"Based on our actual testing, we have verified its effectiveness against various top-tier firewalls and computer defense systems worldwide. The slowest is the quantum encryption system recently deployed by the US Federal Counterterrorism Bureau. From initiating the attack to gaining complete control of the firewall, the [Staff] only takes—"

Under the tense gaze of everyone, Walter proudly announced: "0.8 seconds! The [Staff] breached the core system of the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, as if entering an empty field!"

Before he finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar and discussion.

But Rorschach frowned thoughtfully.

Whether it's ignorance or something else, this kid dares to bring up the Counterterrorism Bureau. Is he going to fight the U.S. federal government to the death?

Rorschach looked at Jack, and to his surprise, Jack remained unmoved by the provocation, only giving Walter a cold and piercing look.

It's like watching a dying person.
"Most amazingly, thanks to the tireless efforts of Leo and me, the entire supercomputer array that originally required an entire garage to be housed has been condensed and integrated onto a single chip the size of a playing card, which is tonight's main attraction—the [Staff]."

On the screen behind the platform, the scene changed, and a palm-sized transparent card slowly rotated and was displayed.

Through a high-definition close-up shot, one can clearly see the faintly visible nanoscale circuitry and flowing blue light spots inside the card, which flicker and flow like sealed electronic life.

The rumors on the dark web were indeed true; the [Staff] chip was indeed only the size of a card, making it an incredibly portable ultimate hacking tool. Everyone present revealed greedy and burning eyes, even Rorschach couldn't hide his desire.

"If it can break through the counterterrorism bureau's firewall in 0.8 seconds, doesn't that mean we can hack into any machine at will?"

“In theory, that’s true.”

Gen adjusted his glasses and added meticulously, "However, we still need to locate the host machine. Simply breaching the outer firewall is of limited significance. Once we find the host, insert the chip, and have Harold input the erasure code, we can erase the machine's main consciousness in a maximum of thirty seconds, allowing our backdoor program to take its place and become the ultimate weapon lurking within the Federation."

Rorschach smiled with satisfaction.

Once they succeed, all of the Federation's actions will be exposed to them!

Regarding the [Scepter]

"Alright, enough with the chit-chat, let's get started!"

Just as Walter was about to continue explaining the technical details, he was interrupted by a sudden voice from the audience.

He looked in the direction of the voice with displeasure, but when he saw who it was, the anger on his face froze instantly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"So it's Mr. Butcher."

Walter forced a fawning smile and coughed twice: "Since all of you distinguished guests are so impatient, I won't waste your precious time any longer."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and pointed to the large screen behind him.

The scene shifts, and a room heavily guarded by fully armed mercenaries appears before everyone.

The room was spacious and clean, with lead plates covering the walls to block radiation. Inside the glass shield in the center, a transparent card with a faint blue glow lay quietly.

The moment the actual object was seen, the entire room fell silent.

"As you can see, the [Scepter] is currently stored on the top floor of the building, guarded by a professional security team. For security reasons, it cannot be brought to the auction site. But rest assured, the successful bidder will also receive an activation code—a code known only to my partner Leo and me worldwide."

Walter gestured, "Come say hello to everyone, Leo!"

The scene shifts, and a young man with short brown hair appears in front of the camera, waving shyly: "I hope all the distinguished guests will participate in the bidding, and the highest bidder will win."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly boiled over with the first strike of the auction gavel.

Representatives backed by intelligence agencies of major powers or oligarchic organizations raised their paddles in bidding.

Although there was no starting price, the price instantly soared to astronomical figures.

"One billion US dollars!"

"Three billion!"

"Two billion, plus two oil fields!"

"A cash payment of 10 billion!"

In just a few rounds of bidding, the price of the [Staff] broke through the astronomical threshold of 10 billion US dollars.

This may be the craziest auction in history—no one is worried about the buyers' ability to pay, because almost every bidder present has the financial backing of a nation!
Although the figure is staggering, considering its terrifying ability to crack the firewalls of any computer system in the world, tens of billions of dollars is just the starting bid.

Rorschach did not immediately join the bidding, but instead turned his attention back to Jack.

His "father-in-law" remained aloof, showing no interest in bidding.

".interesting."

He couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Prior to the operation, they had intercepted the federal action plan through a backdoor in the machine.

To acquire the "Divine Staff," Congress even held an emergency meeting, an unprecedented move, and approved a special fund of 50 billion.

The majority of these are readily convertible government bonds and gold reserves, with a total value exceeding 50 billion.

The federal government's primary strategy should have been to bid high prices, so why has it suddenly stopped taking action?
"15 billion US dollars."

Just as Rorschach was pondering, Root suddenly raised a sign beside him.

Harrods urgently mobilized working capital from multiple companies and mortgaged high-quality assets, scraping together over 10 billion in cash. Adding to this the 10 billion he embezzled from the World Bank, their cash reserves were probably the highest in the world.

The bid drew many surprised glances, but when they realized it was from Luo Xia's camp, many people looked annoyed and reluctantly put down their bidding paddles.

However, many guests present were completely unfazed by Rorschach's formidable reputation and continued to raise their paddles, causing the price to soar and quickly surpass the 20 billion mark.

Caitlin, disguised as a waitress, was so excited by these astronomical figures that her legs went weak.

She couldn't earn even a fraction of that money even if she stole for several lifetimes!

But then he thought about how all that money would ultimately end up in the pockets of those two unremarkable young men on stage, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly. All that pure silver going to the poor—what a tragedy!
However, just as the bidding was reaching its peak, a sudden change occurred!
Leo, who had been calmly observing the auction on the big screen, suddenly changed his expression and walked blankly toward the glass display case containing the scepter chip.

In full view of everyone, he shattered the protective glass with a single punch!
The shards were deeply embedded in his fist, and blood gushed out, but he still maintained mechanical movements, like a manipulated puppet.

"This is."

This sudden turn of events caused an uproar throughout the venue.

Luo Xia frowned and immediately turned to look at the corner.

Sure enough, Jack, who was standing there, had disappeared!
Only the emergency exit door swayed slightly, indicating that someone had just passed through quickly.

"John!"

Rorschach shouted into his headset, "Eastern emergency exit, follow Jack! Find out what tricks he's up to!"

"Roger that!"

John, dressed in a black suit, cocked his gun swiftly and quickly weaved through the crowd into the passageway.

At the same time, Rorschach strode toward the stairwell.

Throughout his run, his gaze remained fixed on the screen—in which Leo, after removing the chip, disappeared from view under the escort of several masked mercenaries.

Walter, on the platform, panicked: "Leo! Are you crazy?! Fuck! What are you doing?! This is the result of both of us! Fuck! Are you trying to take it all for yourself?!"

But the other party ignored his calls and mechanically left with the chip.

Seeing this, Luo Xia no longer hesitated and rushed towards the stairs.

In a 100-story building, the elevators are too slow and may have been damaged; climbing the stairs would be much faster.

Just as he turned the first corner, he suddenly felt his wrist being grabbed.

Turning his head, he saw Gen Zheng following closely behind, panting heavily.

Rorschach said in a deep voice, "You stay down here, Anna will protect you."

"No!" Gen shook his head resolutely. "Without my verification, even if you manage to get your hands on a chip, you won't be able to tell if it's real or fake. You must take me with you!"

Luo Xia stopped insisting, grabbed Gen's arm, and sprinted up as fast as he could, heading straight for the top floor.

At this moment, everyone in the hall finally realized what was happening.

One of the creators of the staff has suddenly betrayed them and is leaving with the chip.
Everyone suddenly realized what was happening, and instead of panicking, they rushed towards the stairs and elevators like Rorschach.

If you can intercept Leo, you can get this priceless treasure for free!
Thinking of this, everyone tore off their masks, loaded their weapons, and rushed towards the upper floors like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey!
Inside the stairwell, Luo Xia used a pole to quickly climb, sprinting upwards at a rate of almost two steps per floor.

As he ran, he urgently asked into his headset, "Can you pinpoint their location?"

“Ninety-sixth floor.” Clyde’s calm voice came through the headset. “They’re taking the east staircase, just like you. If you keep this speed, you’ll run into them sooner or later.”

"That's good." Luo Xia nodded slightly, then suddenly remembered something: "By the way, did the surveillance cameras capture Jack?"

Clyde quickly switched between the building's surveillance footage and replied regretfully, "No. He seems to be just like you, instinctively avoiding all cameras and walking in blind spots."

"Understood." Luo Xia's eyes sharpened, and he quickened his pace.

At this moment, chaotic footsteps could be heard behind them, indicating that the others in the hall had also realized what was happening and were desperately chasing after them upstairs.

However, compared to Rorschach, who had undergone multiple enhancements and possessed superhuman abilities, their speed was more than half that of ordinary people.

He tightened his arms around Gen, looked up at the spiral staircase above, and suddenly said, "Hold on tighter."

Gen blinked in confusion: "What's wrong?!"

boom!
Luo Xia picked her up and leaped into the air, grabbing onto the railings one by one as he flew upwards.

This scene is exactly the same as when he carried Mia down the apartment building, except that the previous time it was downwards, while this time it's upwards, requiring more arm strength and physical strength.

Meanwhile, inside the hall.

Looking at the chaotic auction scene, Walter, one of the creators of the staff, desperately clutched his head.

He couldn't understand why Leo's personality had suddenly changed so drastically.

The two had agreed to use the proceeds from the auction to start a company specializing in computer defense systems.

That's right, they have just created the most terrifying attack program. After the scepter is sold, the whole world will be swept up in a craze for computer defense. Then they will develop a quantum defense system, taking advantage of both ends!

But now.
He didn't believe those thugs would obediently pay after they got the chips.

Just then, a crisp "click" of a bullet being chambered rang in his ears.

Walter looked up nervously and saw a group of men in black surrounding him, guns pointed directly at his head.

"What do you want? The chip isn't with me!" His voice trembled.

"Nonsense, of course we know it's not on you."

The leader grinned and touched the trigger. "But after those guys up there finish fighting, who knows if that Leo guy will be riddled with bullets? By then, you'll be the only one in the world who knows the activation code. If I take you now, no matter who ends up with the chip, they'll have to be prepared to come and negotiate with me."

"You...you f***ing idiot! What you said makes perfect sense."

Walter was speechless, unable to find any reason to refute him.

"Those who know what's good for them will come with us!"

The man in black grabbed Walter by the neck and was about to drag him away when suddenly, with a "bang," a bullet pierced his temple with pinpoint accuracy.

Blood and brain matter splattered all over Walter's face instantly, terrifying him so much that he collapsed to the ground.

But this is just the beginning.

Immediately following was a burst of rapid gunfire. He huddled in fear and saw a blonde woman in a black tactical uniform rapidly moving and firing an automatic rifle. Using a stone pillar for cover, she spat fire and reaped lives with unerring accuracy.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Walter broke free of his restraints and scrambled toward the back door of the building.

After bursting through the door, he rushed into the corridor in a panic.

But after running a few steps, another figure blocked his way—it was a woman.

"Fuck! Get the hell out of here!" Walter roared hysterically.

The next second, the cold muzzle of a gun was pressed against his forehead.

Caitlin gave a sly smile: "Trading you and Rorschach for a hundred million dollars should be a good deal, right?"

Meanwhile, in the hotel corridor.

John, who was cautiously making his way forward, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

At the end of the corridor, Jack was calmly adjusting the time on his watch.

He glanced up at John and said casually, “John Wick, former top hitman at the Continental Hotel in New York, 36 years old, widowed. Three months ago, he was saved by Rorschach Butcher and joined the Ghost Party, a terrorist organization founded by Butcher, to repay his kindness.”

John was tense. In his eyes, the man in front of him was like a beast ready to pounce, exuding a deadly aura.

Jack slowly unbuttoned his cufflinks, revealing a dangerous smile: "Hurry up, I'm in a rush."

(End of this chapter)