"Commander, do something! I'm scared!"
Anis clung to Mo Chen's arm, shaking it nervously.
Meanwhile, Syuen overheard their conversation as she clutched the mop, secretly sneering.
Scared already? Just wait until I return to the Ark—I'll make sure you all pay for this.
As she fantasized about her revenge, she suddenly caught snippets of Anis's hushed voice.
"To eliminate future problems, why don't we just… you know… and bury her?"
Syuen froze, immediately turning to look back at them.
The two of them were throwing lines back and forth like a comedy duo.
Something about "burying her in the schoolyard" and "getting it over with."
Syuen's face turned paler and paler as she listened.
Mo Chen and Anichanged a glance, barely holding back their laughter.
The room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere—well, for everyone except Syuen.
Fortunately for her, her ordeal finally came to an end.
The reason? The arrival of troops from the Ark.
But it wasn't the Missilis Industry forces this time.
Instead, it was troops from Elysion.
And the one leading them was someone Mo Chen actually knew.
Ingrid.
If it had been Missilis forces, Mo Chen wouldn't have hesitated to beat them down again.
But Ingrid? Mo Chen didn't feel like roughing her up.
After all, he didn't have any particular grudge against her.
Mo Chen invited her into the command center for a proper reception.
The place, originally designed as a tactical headquarters, had been expanded by Mo Chen and now doubled as a guest lounge.
After serving tea, the two sat down.
The first thing Ingrid said was—
"You've gone too far."
Mo Chen picked up the teacup on the table, gently swirling it. The brown liquid rippled softly.
"She's still breathing, which means I haven't gone too far yet."
Ingrid didn't touch the tea in front of her. Instead, she focused intently on the young man before her.
This young commander likely didn't realize just how much of a stir he had caused within the Ark.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not here to plead for Syuen."
"Oh?"
Not here to plead for Syuen?
Mo Chen set down his cup, now even more curious about Ingrid's purpose.
Instead of answering directly, Ingrid shifted the topic.
"Missilis Industry is currently one of the Ark's most vital core corporations. If we forcefully replace the CEO, it's very likely that Missilis will no longer be able to function properly."
"If Missilis collapses, the Ark itself could easily follow."
Mo Chen chuckled lightly, clearly unconcerned.
"That doesn't seem like my problem."
The Ark was nothing more than a rotting relic, its upper echelons clinging to comfort, unwilling to act while leeching off what remained. Its mere existence was already a testament to decay.
And the Ark was precisely what Mo Chen intended to reform in the future.
But not yet.
Ingrid spoke with conviction. "I'm sure you've already realized that the Ark has no capacity for growth or evolution. The absence of a single CEO is enough to bring its operations to a halt."
"If this continues, it will remain stagnant, and any chance of reclaiming the surface will be next to impossible."
Mo Chen was well aware of the Ark's corruption.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have spent over a century being pummeled by the Raptures.
Seeing Mo Chen stay silent, Ingrid decided to stop dancing around the issue.
"So the reason I'm here is to propose that someone break free from the Ark's influence. To act as a new force and bring real change to humanity."
On her way to the outpost, Ingrid had seen the remarkable transformation that had taken place.
The once-ruined outpost was now filled with bustling construction and activity. The Nikke were working hard, and their attitudes had completely shifted from despair to hope.
The sight left her both impressed and uneasy, making her realize that Mo Chen had ambitions far greater than he let on.
Mo Chen kept his expression neutral, calm as still water.
But inwardly, he was already analyzing Ingrid's words.
Is she trying to start a rebellion?
Though her words were veiled, the intent was crystal clear.
"The Ark's internal dynamics are complex. It's not just the three major manufacturers—there are plenty of other factions as well. Any shift in power could ignite a full-blown conflict."
Seeing him remain unfazed, she continued.
"As for the attack on your team during your first mission, the investigation has been concluded. The Nikke in your squad were already infected before leaving the Ark."
"In other words, there's a mole within the Ark. And a high-ranking one at that."
Mo Chen suspected Ingrid was deliberately revealing this information.
She already knew about the traitor.
But what she likely didn't know was that the real traitor wasn't just anyone—it was the Ark's top-level AI, Enikk.
"And the other reason I'm here—my primary reason—is to deliver the Ark's official verdict regarding your actions."
Verdict?
Mo Chen's brows furrowed.
It was Syuen who came here to cause trouble, yet now the Ark wanted to judge him?
Clearly, they weren't here with good intentions.
This only made Mo Chen look down on the Ark even more.
He smirked inwardly, curious to hear what kind of ruling they had come up with.
"Go ahead."
Mo Chen's tone was indifferent. He already had little regard for the Ark.
"The verdict requires the presence of Missilis's CEO."
Ingrid stated formally.
Mo Chen used the communicator to call for Syuen.
In just a short while, she arrived.
When Ingrid saw Syuen's "simple" and plain attire, coupled with her unadorned appearance, she paused in surprise.
In her memory, Syuen had always been a fashionable and stylish girl.
Syuen noticed Ingrid's surprised look.
Appearing so disheveled in front of Ingrid made Syuen feel deeply embarrassed, adding yet another layer to her resentment toward Mo Chen.
If it were possible, she would have torn him to pieces.
Yet outwardly, she kept her head slightly lowered, not even daring to look at him in the eye.
"What are you standing there for?"
Mo Chen glanced at Syuen.
She shuddered and obediently sat down beside him.
"H-Hello."
Ingrid looked at Syuen, who now resembled a timid schoolgirl, then turned to Mo Chen, who was leisurely sipping his tea. She was utterly astonished.
Syuen had always been known for her arrogance and disdain for others.
But now, seeing her as a meek and well-behaved girl was almost unrecognizable.
What Ingrid didn't know was that Syuen was already grinding her teeth inwardly.
Though Ingrid's arrival had given her a glimmer of confidence, her fear of Mo Chen ran deep, leaving her no choice but to silently curse him in her heart.
"Ahem."
Ingrid cleared her throat.
"I will now announce the Ark's official verdict regarding both parties."
Hearing that the Ark's verdict was about to be read, Syuen immediately perked up, sitting straighter.
She even sneaked a glance at Mo Chen, smirking inwardly.
Let's see what you'll do now.
"The verdict for Commander Mo Chen is as follows—"