Boom!!!
Amidst the jetting flames, four motorcycles hovered in mid-air. Below them, monstrous creatures glowing with fluorescent light roared within the inferno.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! With four massive landing sounds, the motorcycles that had been hovering in the air shut off their flames and landed heavily on the ground.
As the sound of breaking Ravager beast bones echoed, the four motorcycles revved their tires and sped into the distance. Around them, patches of fluorescent light began to flicker and illuminate.
"Report to the Lighthouse: The scavengers have successfully landed and will proceed to the designated resource point to collect medical supplies."
With a sigh of relief, Mark raised his hand and turned off the communication channel with the Lighthouse.
A voice came through the headphones tightly pressed to his ear. Mark reached out and switched to Channel 4 on his communicator.
"Mark, are you still planning to leave the Lighthouse after completing this mission?"
Amidst the howling wind and the rhythmic tapping of heavy rain on the vehicle roof, Mark was silent for a moment before replying, "I promised Ran Bing I would get her out of here."
"Give it up! Let's not even discuss how you and Ran Bing might survive on the surface; there's no guarantee you can even leave the Lighthouse."
"Morgan is already old and completely bedridden this time. Even if we find medicine and bring it back, there's no guarantee Morgan will fully recover."
"And the Lighthouse's authority must not fall into the hands of the Shadowlight Council. If it does, Charles will definitely not let you and Ran Bing leave alive."
"As it stands, the only way forward is for you, Mark, to become the city lord! Once you take that position, everything else will follow naturally."
"This…"
Hesitation colored Mark's voice as he glanced at the seasoned scavenger veteran watching him closely. After a moment of silence, the veteran roared, "Mark! Think about your sister!"
The angry shout broke through Mark's lingering doubt. His expression steadied as he nodded firmly. "I understand."
At the same time, a voice echoed deep within his soul:
[Ding! Group Task Released!]
"Good! That's the spirit! That's our little brother! Hahaha!"
"Don't worry, we've already got everything arranged. As long as we bring back the medicine this time, we can stabilize Victor's city defense forces. Then we'll just need to deal with those so-called enforcers from the Shadowlight Council."
"Those enforcers are weak. If we can stabilize Morgan's condition, you're guaranteed to be the next city lord!"
"Thank you."
With a nod of gratitude, Mark ended the call and gestured to the scavengers around him. He then looked up at the mysterious chat group that had appeared after Morgan fell ill. A new task about himself had just been posted, in addition to a previously released task.
Mark: ?? Task?
Hiroshi: Mark, what's going on over there? That city lord named Morgan has fallen ill?!
Hiroshi: The Destiny Replica I uploaded earlier—isn't it related to your past?
Mark: Yes, that reflects my previous experiences.
Mark: Are you all really coming here to help me?
Mark: My world is an apocalypse.
Kazuma Satou: Hey, it's not like we haven't dealt with an apocalypse before.
Kazuma Satou: What's your apocalypse compared to Riku's world? We just wrapped up saving that world.
Kazuma Satou: You should know, Riku's world was a true god-level apocalypse, where the strongest beings could destroy planets with a single punch.
Mark: …
Hiroshi: As you can see, we're currently stuck in Admiral Kizaru's world and can't reach yours for now.
Hiroshi: But the task doesn't seem too challenging. The others in the group should be enough to handle it.
Hiroshi: Once we finish this mission, I'll personally come to your world and help resolve your situation.
Mark: Can you really save our world from the apocalypse? Can humanity truly live on the surface again?
Hiroshi: No problem. I'll come as soon as this mission is over.
Gabriel: Ah~! Ding-ding-ding! So annoying!
Gabriel: Can't you see I'm gaming?!
Hiroshi: Oh, Little Gabriel, you're here.
Hiroshi: Take a look at the new task. Why don't you lend a hand? After all, you're an angel.
Gabriel: Task?
Gabriel: Ugh~ Going to a world without the internet to help someone become a city lord?
Gabriel: I like simulation games, but actually going to an apocalyptic world without internet is way too much trouble.
Hifumi Takimoto: Gabriel-san (^▽^), I want to help, but I'm not strong enough alone. Can you assist me?
Gabriel: … Are you an idiot?
Gabriel: You're supposed to help others, but now you're asking me for help instead?
Gabriel: People like you can't survive in society~
Hifumi Takimoto: Um, Gabriel-san, I've been working for a few years already. ?(????ω????)?
Gabriel: Uh…
Gabriel: Fine. You seem like a nice person, and I'm an angel after all. I can't just let someone like you die in vain.
Gabriel: I just finished my boss fight, so I'll accompany you.
Hifumi Takimoto: Thank you, Gabriel-san! o(*≧▽≦)ツ
Gabriel: Hmph. Let's head out, then.
Gabriel: Mark, remember to get me a holographic console once you become the city lord.
Gabriel: Your world seems to have some fun gadgets. I'll take one back to trick Satania out of her pocket money.
Mark: ???
Gabriel: Alright, no more talking. I'm on my way.
In the apocalyptic wasteland, the scavenger convoy sped forward. Gunfire echoed as a horde of Ravager beasts chased after them.
Mark fired at the Ravager beasts clinging to the vehicle windows, pushing them back. His brows furrowed at the sight of the unrelenting horde. Their numbers were beyond his expectations.
Placing his firearm aside, Mark adjusted his seat's backrest and glanced at the confused Gog beside him.
"What are you staring at? Make some space. Our guests are arriving."
"Guests?"
Scratching his head, Gog glanced at Mark and then at the chasing Ravager beasts outside the window. With a shrug, he began clearing space as instructed.
"Mark, what guests are you talking about?"
As Gog finished clearing a spot, he looked out the window and joked, "Don't tell me the guests are those Ravager beasts."
"You're the monster here."
A lazy-sounding girl's voice suddenly came from behind Gog, scaring him half to death. Whirling around with his gun raised, Gog was stunned to see three beams of white light.
From the light emerged a small blonde girl with a handheld electronic screen, yawning as she tapped away. Behind her stood two adult women.
Hifumi Takimoto shyly waved at Mark. "Mr. Mark, I'm here to help."
Next to her, a woman in armor leapt out of the vehicle with a loud bang.
"Evil beasts, face me, Darkness, your adversary!!!"
Brandishing her longsword, Darkness charged into the horde of Ravager beasts. In Mark's stunned gaze, the beasts formed a moving castle of flesh, disappearing into the wilderness.
"Miss Darkness!"
Hifumi Takimoto covered her mouth in shock, watching Darkness vanish. Meanwhile, Ravager beasts lunged toward the convoy.
With a serious expression, Hifumi Takimoto clasped her hands together. A gentle light radiated from her, enveloping the entire convoy. The Ravager beasts abruptly halted mid-pounce and turned away, leaving the convoy alone.
Maintaining her ability, Hifumi Takimoto ensured the Ravager beasts ignored the convoy as it sped forward. Turning to Gabriel, still engrossed in her game, she whispered, "Gabriel-san, will Miss Darkness be alright?"
Gabriel looked up lazily. "Don't worry. That masochist is tougher than you think. She'll be fine. Just stick close to me, and I'll take care of you."
Gabriel then turned to the stunned Mark and Gog. "Hurry up and find that medicine. I want to finish this task and leave as soon as possible."
"A world without the internet is the real apocalypse."
"Actually, this is the apocalypse," Mark murmured.