The moment Adam stepped out of the hotel, the Global Association's official website erupted like a hive of angry bees.
Forums and social media platforms buzzed with heated discussions about the C-level mission issued by Divine Metal Smelting Company. Speculations flew faster than anyone could keep up with, each more dramatic than the last.
"Did someone seriously accept that mission?!"
"No way! Must be some rookie blinded by greed."
"Don't you know the rumors about the steel meat grinder? This guy's toast!"
"Another fool who values money over life."
"Or maybe—hear me out—he's got the skills to handle it?"
"Yeah, sure. And pigs can fly. What's this guy's name again? Loli Killer? Never heard of him!"
"Newbie alert! Poor guy probably doesn't know what he's walking into. What a waste…"
While the internet boiled over with opinions, in a luxurious penthouse in Crypta City, a completely different atmosphere reigned.
Stella had just stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair cascading over a silk robe as she moved gracefully to the dressing table. She sat down, her elegant fingers smoothing a cooling facial mask over her flawless skin.
Her reflection in the mirror revealed a serene yet alluring expression, a stark contrast to the storm of gossip flooding the web.
Suddenly, the smart computer beside Stella chimed incessantly, its message alerts breaking her momentary peace.
Frowning, she turned to it and tapped the screen, revealing her team's chat group—Crypta City Rose Cavalry Company. Messages flooded the screen, updating in a rapid blur.
Kitty: ╮(￣▽￣")╭ ...I was taking a shower just now. What's going on?
Unable to scroll through the backlog of messages, Stella quickly typed into the chat:
Kitty: What happened?
The group—a close-knit team of five, all women—responded almost immediately.
VixenVibes: Stella, you won't believe this! Someone just took on the steel meat grinder mission!
Kitty: (っ°Д°;)っ ...Who in their right mind would do that?
SweetCheeks: The forums are going insane—it's like Chinese New Year out there!
Bootilicious88: (＞﹏＜) Poor little guy... he's doomed.
VixenVibes: Hey, Sister HoneyBee, haven't you been to that factory before? Can you tell us what it's like?
QueenBee:How many times do I have to tell you? Call me by my name, or I swear, I'll beat you up!
VixenVibes: (°△°|||)...
SweetCheeks: (￣▽￣)...
Bootilicious88: (*╯3╰)...
Kitty: Alright, let's stay on topic. Aurora, what's going on at that factory?
QueenBee: I barely made it out alive last time. I'm serious—I don't ever want to think about that place again!
VixenVibes: If even Sister HoneyBee found it hard to handle, that place must be terrifying…
QueenBee: Damn straight it is!
VixenVibes: ┗( T﹏T)┛ Sorry,Sister Aurora! Slip of the tongue!
Kitty: Focus, everyone! What's the name of the guy who took the mission?
SweetCheeks: Some nobody. What was his name again? Oh, right—Loli Killer!
Stella froze, staring at the screen.
Why him?!
Ignoring the chaos in the group chat, she immediately switched to private messages and began typing frantically.
Kitty: Adam, are you there?!
Adam: …
Kitty: Adam, answer me!
Kitty: Listen to me—you cannot go to the old factory at Divine Metal Smelting Company! It's incredibly dangerous!
Kitty: I know you're strong, but that place is… it's not normal. Too many have died there. Please, Adam!
Kitty: Contact me as soon as you see this! Don't do anything impulsive!
But her urgent messages went unanswered.
At that moment, Adam was already en route to Robert Rays' villa in the luxurious maglev car, blissfully unaware of the frantic warnings flooding his inbox.
---
The car came to a gentle stop in front of an opulent villa. Adam stepped out, taking a moment to marvel at the grandeur before him.
The four-story villa stood tall and radiant under the night sky, its architectural brilliance unmatched. The sprawling garden on the first floor alone stretched well over a thousand square meters, lush with meticulously trimmed hedges, colorful flowerbeds, and stone pathways illuminated by soft ground lights.
"This is wealth on another level," Adam muttered, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. Poverty really does limit imagination.
"Mr. Adam, President Rays has been eagerly awaiting your arrival in the study. Please follow me," Eliana said, bowing slightly before leading the way.
Adam followed her through the grand entrance, noting the security measures in place. Cameras and other surveillance equipment adorned every corner of the villa's walls, their mechanical eyes sweeping the premises. Groups of black-clad bodyguards patrolled the garden and villa's interior, their gazes sharp and calculating.
Each guard was armed with firearms—obsolete toys for a Doom-Breaker like Adam, but still formidable to ordinary people. Despite their vigilance, Adam could tell none of them were Doom-Breakers. Most were likely mercenaries hired to ensure the safety of this lavish estate.
Eliana guided Adam up to the third floor and into a spacious study. The room exuded sophistication, with towering bookshelves lined with leather-bound volumes and a polished wooden desk in one corner.
Seated on a plush sofa, an older man with neatly combed silver hair and gold-rimmed glasses was engrossed in a book.
"President, Mr.Adam is here," Eliana announced softly.
The man looked up, adjusting his glasses as he set the book aside. "Ah, my apologies, Mr. Adam! Please, have a seat."
Adam raised an eyebrow but didn't hesitate, lowering himself into the seat opposite Robert Rays. He maintained a composed demeanor, knowing full well the importance of projecting confidence. As a Doom-Breaker, he had earned the right to command respect from ordinary individuals.
Eliana, ever the efficient secretary, remained in the room, preparing a tea set with swift, practiced movements.
Adam accepted the cup she handed him, the porcelain warm in his hands. Taking a sip, he glanced at Robert Rays. "Mr. Rays, may I ask why you wanted to meet me personally? If it's about the mission, you don't need to worry. Once I accept a demon-killing mission, I see it through to the end."
He leaned back, his tone steady but firm. "The Global Association's rules are clear: failure or abandonment carries consequences. I know the stakes, and I always deliver."
Robert Rays chuckled nervously, a hint of unease creeping into his expression. "No, no, you misunderstand me, Mr. Adam. I'm not here to question your dedication or professionalism."
He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "To be honest, I called you here because I have a… personal request. An additional one, to be precise."
Adam narrowed his eyes slightly, setting the teacup down. An additional request? Something about this mission was starting to feel off.
"Go on," Adam said, his tone calm but laced with curiosity.
Robert sighed, his gaze dropping to his clasped hands. "The situation at the factory isn't just about trapped employees. Among them… is my only son."
Adam's expression remained neutral, but his mind raced. So that's the catch. This C-level mission just got a lot messier.
---