Ark Chess Player

"Hehehe! Go ahead and hit me, you idiot."

Anemone stuck out her tongue, glanced at Faust who was on the verge of a mental breakdown, and the smile on her face vanished instantly. She sighed softly, her slender figure dissipating with faint particles, her consciousness returning to the deep spiritual realm.

Lin Lu stared at the light particles drifting in the air, his hand frozen in mid-air as he was about to strike, and it took him a long time to withdraw it.

Are you awake, or are you still dreaming?

Lin Lu recalled the first words Kal'tsit said to him when they reunited today.

Now, savoring those words more closely, one can almost sense a different meaning; it seems as if Kal'tsit is... wary of him.

—Be wary of his past self.

Lin Lu sighed softly. He didn't know if there was truly a connection between Anemone and Elmoni, but he gleaned a clue from Anemone's reaction. The panic and helplessness she showed in that instant proved that she didn't want to talk about it... at least not now.

Since that's the case, Lin Lu won't force her; he'll wait for Yin Lianhua to bring it up herself.

At that time, Lin Lu might find himself in a dilemma again.

The past of Elmoni.

Anemones as they are now.

And I.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Faust".

Lin Lu raised his hood to cover his face.

At this moment, he was not Lin Lu, who was casually chatting with Faust, but rather extending a formal invitation to Faust as the Doctor of Rhodes Island.

"Are you willing to leave Reunion and join Rhodes Island?"

Lin Lu looked at Faust, who was clutching his head in astonishment, and couldn't help but smile. "Our Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals is committed to creating a society where infected people and ordinary people can coexist peacefully... Never mind, I don't want to talk to you about unrealistic, grandiose ideals. Let's get practical. I admire your character and strength, and I also know that your Oripathy infection in your lungs is already terminal. With the current medical conditions of the Reunion Movement, even if you can live a peaceful life and absolutely restrain yourself from using Originium Arts... you won't live for more than two years."

"—!!"

Faust's hands trembled, and his dazed mind felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it, a chill running from head to toe. The flow of his blood seemed to slow down, and his heart let out a feeble wail.

It's like a terminally ill patient whose life is being counted down by a solemn announcement from a doctor.

Faust was well aware of his physical condition, and he knew that recently when he cast spells, his infected organs would throb with excruciating pain. It felt like a burning brand was firmly imprinted inside his body, and his nasal passages were filled with the smell of burning. But he hadn't expected it to be this severe. How old was he? Still a boy, he hadn't seen any scenery outside of Ursus, and his only memory was of endless snowfields.

"so what."

Faust's hoarse voice sounded like a baby crying. He suppressed the buzzing in his head and stared straight at Lin Lu.

"I am an infected person. I was destined not to live long, it's just that I had less time... that's all."

"What if I told you Rhodes Island could add ten years to your life?"

"--What?!"

Faust's pupils contracted, wondering if he had misheard.

Lin Lu straightened his back, put his legs back down, and adopted a proper sitting posture. He said solemnly, "Rhodes Island has never regarded Oripathy as an incurable disease. As doctors, we consider it to be a disease for which there is currently no effective treatment. Although we cannot yet develop a solution that can cure the disease, at least in terms of controlling and delaying Oripathy, Rhodes Island's medical technology is the best in the world!"

"Even Rhine Lab, in the field of Oripathy treatment, if they hadn't treated the people of the Colombian Federation as guinea pigs for experiments, luring those ignorant masses to quarantine zones under the guise of providing free Oripathy vaccines to observe the side effects and aftereffects of injecting experimental drugs... they wouldn't even have the chance to carry our shoes now, let alone be compared to us."

"Faust, if you're willing to join Rhodes Island, we're also willing to accept your Phantom Crossbowman squad. I can promise that each of you will receive the highest priority medical care, and your treatment will absolutely not be delayed. You'll receive your salary on the 15th of each month, with room and board provided. Expenses incurred while on duty can be reimbursed, and you'll have twelve days off per year. There will also be compensation for any failure in combat."

Tell me, what are your intentions?

Lin Lu quietly watched Faust's wavering eyes, placed his arms on the table, and crossed his hands to hide his wicked smile.

Commander Ikari's classic pose.jpg

Lin Lu was attracted to Faust's physique... no, he was attracted to Faust's potential and his exceptionally high attribute stats. Furthermore, Faust's Originium Arts, combined with his Phantom Crossbowman skills, could form a dedicated special operations squad.

If he could recruit them, Lin Lu was willing to turn this team into his own direct squad, and he would personally be responsible for training and developing them. Just like Kal'tsit's SWEEP Guard Team that she formed on Rhodes Island, he needed his own armed squad.

Lin Lu will never forget it.

When he opened his eyes, completely naked, from the liquid tank in Rhodes Island's central control room—the elite Rhodes Island operators looked at him as if he were a monster.

Having said all that, Lin Lu had fully explained the working conditions at Rhodes Island Corporation; the rest was up to Faust's personal will. He was like a corporate headhunter, specializing in poaching promising young people from rival companies, luring them over with high salaries, and once they were there… then what happened next was no longer their choice.

"Take your time to think it over; we have plenty of time."

Lin Lu did not urge Faust to reply immediately; he leaned back in his chair.

If Faust agrees, Lin Lu can take Faust away from the Guard Bureau on the spot, and no one can stop him.

However... Lin Lu was unsure whether Faust would agree.

If Faust were alone, he might have accepted it readily. But an indelible figure lingered in his heart, which would be a major factor influencing his decision.

Faust pondered for a long time, then looked up and asked, "Where is Ino?"

really……

Lin Lu sighed inwardly.

"Sorry, our company does not accept people with malicious intentions."

Even though his efforts to persuade Faust might be in vain, Lin Lu immediately rejected any lingering hope in Faust's mind.

Without any hesitation, Lin Lu said in a deep voice, "No matter how outstanding Mephisto's personal abilities are, as long as his mind is not used for the right thing, we will never accept him. His talent is a disaster for everyone, and his fate was already sealed."

Upon hearing this, Faust's furrowed brows immediately relaxed, and he no longer hesitated.

“...I will not abandon Ino.” He replied calmly.

"Even at the cost of one's life?" Lin Lu said calmly.

"I will not abandon Ino."

Faust repeated himself verbatim, then closed his eyes and slowly lowered his head.

He gave up resisting, and no matter what Lin Lu planned to do next, he would not betray Mephisto.

"is it?"

Lin Lu placed his hands on the table and slowly stood up.

It's like a mountain rising high, its silent oppressive force shaking the earth.

Lin Lu stared at Faust, and after a long silence, he slowly said, "Next time we meet, I will not show any mercy."

Faust's name was marked with a red mark on the list in his heart. Whatever happened from now on, it would be Faust's own choice, and he would have no regrets.

Lin Lu gave him a chance, but he wasn't willing to cherish it; it can only be said that they weren't meant to be.

Rhodes Island would not force any operator to do anything against their will, so Lin Lu had no intention of knocking Faust unconscious and taking him away. The Army Without Borders also didn't need someone like Faust, whose heart was filled with attachments; free mercenaries couldn't be confined to the worlds of others.

Goodnight, Sasha.

"Lawyer Lin said softly, then turned and left the interrogation room."

At the door of the interrogation room, Alexander Swell, impeccably dressed and with a calm expression, respectfully greeted Lawyer Lin.

This once-pretending-to-be-mediocre playboy to avoid certain death has now shed his old habits, standing ramrod straight with eyes as sharp and focused as a hawk's. The uniform buttons he used to undone to project an air of nonchalance are now all carefully fastened, and even his short hair is meticulously styled with hair gel. The air of a spoiled brat has vanished; this is his true self.

When Swell led Lawyer Lin to the interrogation department to interrogate the prisoners who attacked the witness hall, the officers in the interrogation department didn't even recognize that their superior was the senior inspector they had secretly mocked. They thought that the higher-ups of the Guard Bureau had received word and were coming to severely punish them.

Swell no longer needs to hide himself.

Swell's greatest enemies, his grandfather Alexander Sodan and his half-brother Alexander Anlondor, are both dead. Now, he is the only direct descendant of the Alexander family, and no one in the collateral branches can compare to him. Even though the family has fallen on hard times, and almost all the achievements of his elders have flowed into Lin Lu's hands, he will not harbor any ill will towards Lin Lu.

Swell had foresight, unlike his grandfather and brother who were ignorant and short-sighted. They were single-mindedly focused on preserving the Eagle Pulse Group, even resorting to desperate measures like drinking poison to quench their thirst, attempting to cooperate with the Colombian Federation. They viewed Lungmen as a steak on a table, a gleaming knife cutting into the bones of the Lungmen, hypocritically sharing food like wolves in formal attire, raising their glasses to drink Lungmen's blood.

Swell couldn't help but lament that his grandfather, Alexander Sodan, had wasted all those years learning about the Great Yan culture. He didn't even understand the principle that "when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact."

Were those Colombian federal citizens really that kind?

After Wei Yanwu stepped down, the fragmented Longmen was not in Suo Dan's hands, and only the people of Longmen suffered.

Now that most of the shares of Eagle Pulse Group are in Lin Lu's hands, it may not be a bad thing for Eagle Pulse.

Mr. Lin was concerned about the world and worried about the country and its people.

Swell felt enlightened after talking with him.

—A great undertaking.

Unbeknownst to him, Swell's path had become wider and wider.

Chapter 307 True Wolf Guard (4K)

"Mr. Lin, our intelligence department has obtained the latest information."

Swell nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Lin Lu's shoulder as a sign of respect.

Lin Lu didn't deny the new recruit's enthusiasm; he liked young people who recognized the value of opportunity. He was optimistic, positive, and willing to work hard. Such talent was perfect for being exploited... no, he should be nurtured! Keep up the good work, Swell, the entire Eagle Pulse Company will be yours someday! You're the star of tomorrow!

"explain."

“Yes.” Swell then raised his head to meet Lin Lu’s face, which was hidden under his hood, and said seriously, “The Rhodes Island team is stationed in the fifth district of Lungmen Outer Ring, about five kilometers away from the ship docking area in Lofty State. They are currently being attacked by a large-scale Reunion Movement. The Guard Bureau is sending people to provide support. The Special Operations Inspectorate will be in place in about twenty-four minutes.”

"Twenty-four minutes to get there? What's the point of going then, to wash the floor?"

Lin Lu's impression of the Guard Bureau plummeted again. Beset by internal and external troubles, and utterly inefficient, they were practically like the police in classic old movies—always appearing at the last minute, their sole purpose being to clean up the mess left by the protagonist. Aside from that, they only made a few cameo appearances in scenes where everyone seemed incredibly busy, highlighting how difficult the main characters' lives were and how cunning and ruthless the villains were.

This is roughly what the new Dragon Gate Police story is all about.

Lin Lu curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a clear mocking smile: "If you really expect the Guard Bureau to play a role, it'll be too late."

“Mr. Lin, if you need, I have a specially modified vehicle in the Guard Bureau’s garage. At full speed, it takes about twenty minutes to get from here to the fifth district of Lungmen Outer Ring. Please give me the opportunity to be your driver.” Swell said respectfully, confident in his driving skills and hoping to show his sincerity.

Swail made many efforts to survive.

Swell had imagined countless times what methods his brother, Anlondor, would use to assassinate him. He had envisioned countless ways to die, playing out in his mind again and again. This agonizing self-destructive thinking was like being a death row inmate imprisoned in a mental cage, every day a torment. When Swell tried to fall asleep, he always felt that if his limbs left the warm blankets, they would be dragged away by invisible hands. Even when he got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he dared not look in the mirror, instinctively choosing to avoid it.

I don't know if it's lucky or unlucky.

Swail ultimately conquered his fear, tearing it apart and swallowing it whole, turning it into fuel for revenge.

This meant that all other options in his life were shut out, and his future days would be spent in cold, damp darkness. He had to secretly develop his own power and secretly accumulate strength of his own. Swell knew very well that he only had one chance, because his enemy was his grandfather, whom he regarded as almost omnipotent—Alexander Sodan.

From that moment on, Swell was on guard every moment. Even when he was trying to maintain the facade of a playboy and spending his days after get off work partying with his subordinates, he would always check the background of the entertainment venues he was going to beforehand, make sure of the escape routes, and know the backgrounds and relationships of the people there.

Not only that, Swell also diligently studied various fields of knowledge, strengthening himself in every aspect. Whether driving two-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, or even flying vehicles... Swell could easily handle even a unicycle! Fully loaded with ammunition, he was like a carefree person who laughed at life, or a fighter who resisted cruel fate, charging towards maggots.

"Well, let's go."