In recent days, Kitsune underwent its largest mobilization ever. All containment personnel were completely redeployed from headquarters.
Only some D-class personnel and logistics security remained at headquarters, tasked with maintaining the operation of each containment facility.
One, no, two Kitsune S-class personnel were also left behind.
The first was Nightmare, the second was Gluttony.
This intelligence quickly reached the Monster Alliance.
"It seems our plan succeeded."
Night King heard this and thoughtfully remarked, "Not success. This is the White King planning to counter our strategy."
"This clearly shows he intends to turn our own stratagem against us."
009 sat on a rock. "Although he's dug a pit waiting for us to jump in, I wonder if this pit he dug is substantial enough—if it can hold so many of us?"
One person stepped forward. "No matter what, the opportunity has been presented to us. Whatever lies ahead, we must go and ascertain the facts."
Another person sat cross-legged. "Last time, when the Queen led the team, that squad hasn't returned to this day. This proves that the Mother-Child Coffin isn't entirely reliable."
"So I feel a direct assault is inappropriate. It would be better to send another team ahead to scout."
009 turned his head. "Having witnessed previous failures, you still advocate sending another team? Sending them in waves like that is simply a tactical reduction of our own combat capability."
"Being so hesitant, you'll let the opportunity slip away instead."
Night King stood up. "Coincidentally, your thoughts align with mine. This time, I also favor launching a direct general offensive."
"However, besides Kitsune's preparations, I'm actually concerned about one more matter."
"The Gold King and Kitsune's recent attitudes have been somewhat ambiguous. If Mad Hatter participates in this punitive expedition, the outcome of success or failure is truly difficult to predict."
This Mad Hatter organization, seemingly a neutral faction that offends no one, paradoxically possesses extraordinary operational capabilities.
Among the many monsters outside of Night Watcher, the Gold King is considered the most formidable challenge.
He can almost match 009 and 024 Great Serpent, and can autonomously produce Objects, yet his Objects almost completely lack negative side effects.
According to the latest rumors, the Gold King possesses three divine artifacts.
Among them, the most renowned is the Sword of Damocles.
Everyone claims that those three divine artifacts can pacify all ages, and Mad Hatter will even trade them.
"As for Mad Hatter, as merchants, we might be able to invite them to assist us instead."
"But the prerequisite is that you need currency."
For monsters, currency was merely paper under a credit system; most of them showed no regard for this paper whatsoever.
Because of this, if you asked them to procure money, they would likely rummage through their pockets and not find a single coin. Their only recourse would be to state that, at worst, they would simply rob someone.
At this moment, Reinhard, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"I have confirmed the Gold King's stance. They will not intervene in this incident."
"Whether it is us or Kitsune who prevails is irrelevant to him. He will simply align with whichever side achieves victory."
"Therefore, I endorse launching a full-scale assault."
...
Kitsune Headquarters.
Gluttony and Nightmare stood before Byakuya. One held the Horse Stone, the other held the Sheep Stone and the Pig Stone.
It's worth mentioning that Byakuya had confiscated the Earthly Branches Stones before handing the Sheep and Pig Stones over to Nightmare.
"All preparations are complete; all that remains is the grand feast for our guests."
"I've had enough of this endless cycle of 'you come, I go'—this game of containment and subsequent breakout. I'm rather fatigued by it."
"Let this game conclude here."
Byakuya slowly stood up. Those monsters were correct; he was indeed facing the consequences of his own scheme.
Just then, a logistics staff member rushed over.
"Chief, two rats have infiltrated."
Two rats?
Byakuya frowned. This did not quite align with his calculated timeline. Those monsters could not have arrived that swiftly.
Nor could this signal the vanguard.
"Who are they?"
"They are two ordinary individuals with no records in the files."
Ordinary people?
Strange.
Variables outside the plan had materialized. So...
"Terminate them."
"But..."
"Intruding into Kitsune headquarters during this critical period, they are either robbers or spies."
...
Within the United Nations territory, Kitsune Headquarters.
Yang Lin and Jihen ran straight into the containment zone.
"There's actually no one guarding this area?"
Yes, they infiltrated so easily?
Jihen's gaze shifted. "Kitsune's main forces have all been redeployed. Headquarters is currently in a state of minimal staffing."
"Theoretically, this might be your sole opportunity."
"If you intend to locate a certain Object, you must seize this moment now. Once you leave this locale, there won't be another opportunity like it."
However, there were numerous containment zones within Kitsune headquarters: one subterranean facility at HQ, two in North America, and four spread across South America.
How could Yang Lin pinpoint the location of the specific Item he sought?
"There is an archives room within the headquarters containment sector. It contains summary data for all corresponding Objects housed in the containment areas. Wouldn't reviewing that solve the problem?"
Yang Lin ignored Jihen.
This individual knew the layout and operational status here almost as intimately as the back of his own hand. He even knew precisely which routes led to which locations. Someone operating covertly behind him must have provided him with a substantial amount of insider intelligence.
There were a few guards stationed along the route. Yang Lin swiftly subdued them and reached the primary entrance of the low-intensity containment zone.
Yang Lin inserted the key he had previously taken from a guard into the lock, gently turned it, and bypassed the first security measure.
However, the main gate did not swing open.
"The computer protocols established four years ago fundamentally altered the structural mechanics here. All critical access points now utilize double-lock and multi-lock sequencing."
"And this is a double-lock system."
Jihen explained. "This entryway requires an iris scan and fingerprint verification, or a Kitsune white card, for electronic release, alongside the physical key to open the mechanical latch."
"These are two entirely separate systems."
Yang Lin heard this and turned his gaze toward Jihen. He already knew this information. Therefore, Yang Lin found it improbable that Jihen hadn't prepared contingencies.
Feeling Yang Lin's scrutinizing stare, Jihen flicked his sleeve and produced a white card.
"Ah, coincidentally, I happen to have a white card right here."
"You came quite prepared."
Jihen inserted the white card, then slid it down to unlock it electronically.
But at this moment, dense footsteps suddenly echoed from behind the two!
Yang Lin abruptly spun around, only to see a troop of armored soldiers wearing specialized masks and carrying weapons, completely surrounding them from the rear!
And leading them was a cyclops sporting bangs.
The cyclops also wore a mask, but this one only covered the lower half of his face—it was a specially constructed gas mask.
"A-class operative Hellbell, commence rat containment."
The gate opened. Jihen and Yang Lin, without exchanging a word, instantly dashed into the containment zone!
Hellbell waved his hand. "Do not deploy sub-air bombs within the containment area. You all secure the gate, and you go activate the maze to secure the nodes. I will personally apprehend them."
"Yes!" xN
Hellbell ripped off his eyepatch, revealing his mechanical right eye. His right eye scanned back and forth like a sophisticated camera.
"Let me see where those two little rats are hiding."
Hellbell's right eye functioned as a thermal camera. He rolled up his sleeve, determined a direction, and directly stomped the ground, charging forward!
Yang Lin and Jihen ran desperately, rapidly traversing the containment zone.
"Who is that cyclops?"
"Kitsune A-class operative, Hellbell. That guy possesses an Object called... Big Mushroom in his hand."
"Big Mushroom?"
"Don't worry about the name. That's just what I call that Object, since I don't know its specific designation."
"Just tell me what's actually useful!"
"It releases poison gas!"
"Isn't that like Weezing?"
"Oh, what it's officially called isn't the important part!"
"That device can emit three distinct types of toxic gas. One causes the loss of strength, one damages nerves, and one induces hallucinations."
"Won't he suffer the backlash himself?"
"Didn't you see him wearing a gas mask? Besides, he's a cyborg. He can seal his breathing even without the mask!"
"We can't outlast him. We have to run!"
The two ran at full speed, only to slam into a dead end.
Jihen stared at the wall before him, stunned. That wasn't how it was depicted on the map. Wasn't this supposed to be the passageway leading down?
Thump, thump!
Footsteps echoed from behind. Hellbell had arrived behind them.
A heavy voice emanated from beneath the gas mask. "The little rat found a very clear path, didn't he? But do you realize this entire facility is enveloped by the Space-based Maze."
"Once the Space-based Maze is activated, this place becomes a one-way trip."
The Object Space-based Maze could randomly reconfigure walls and internal structures within a certain radius, but there would always be one route that maintained its original configuration.
Jihen gritted his teeth. The black single-leaf clover pattern on the back of his hand shot out directly, transforming into Kael!
However, Hellbell unexpectedly tossed a purple, spherical Object, resembling a spray can, from his sleeve. "Little rat, eliminate the other rat!"
That spherical Object spun mid-air, beginning to furiously spray out a heavy cloud of mist!
Kael instantly closed the distance toward Hellbell. His weapon swept across, heavily striking Hellbell!
Boom!
A light shield materialized!
Hellbell immediately deployed the shield, successfully blocking Kael's assault, but the light shield shattered upon impact and failed!
"Not an Object listed in the existing files. Is this your Object, or rather... is this your innate ability?"
Hellbell remarked with a sinister laugh.
Jihen covered his mouth and nose, but his consciousness rapidly began to disintegrate.
He felt an overwhelming wave of helplessness; his legs instantly buckled, and he slumped to the ground. "It's the debilitating... poison gas."
And Kael also suffered the influence accompanying Jihen's state.
As Jihen lost functional strength, Kael also entered a state of weakness.
Yang Lin activated the qi within his body to seal his orifices, and simultaneously, the Hierro's Spear imprint appeared in his palm!
'If it truly comes to a desperate situation, I can only use this.'
But Yang Lin's initial objective was not to engage in lethal combat. Moreover, this Hierro's Spear could only be invoked once per day. If he encountered an overwhelmingly difficult foe...
"Hey, kid."
Hm?
A shrill voice echoed around. Yang Lin suddenly turned and looked around, but he saw no one.
Who had spoken?
"I'm here, look down!"
Yang Lin suddenly looked down, only to see a small mouse within a containment cell to his right. Its two tiny paws rested on the glass, its eyes brimming with tears as it looked at him.
"Help the little mouse! The little mouse is locked up here, not getting enough to eat or wear, and every day it's hit with cuffs and subjected to experiments!"
Yang Lin's brow furrowed. A mouse that could speak?
Before he could respond, Hellbell suddenly charged. His mechanical leg, infused with full power, kicked toward Yang Lin!
"Who taught you your cultivation method?"
Yang Lin suddenly bent sharply at the waist. The metal-clad thigh, imbued with raw kinetic force, swept past him, striking the metal wall with a single blow!
Thud!!
A deafening clang echoed, and the metal wall instantly buckled inward!
Clearly, there wasn't much inherent energy in his punches and kicks, yet the resulting power was so terrifying?
Was this the potent force of technology?
"Quite a quick reaction time, little vermin!"
Hellbell retracted his leg. His frame was incredibly heavy, yet possessed unbelievable agility. The mechanical integration granted him the lightness of a swallow, combined with the brute strength of an ox!
Yang Lin dared not delay at all, instantly unleashing his full power to meet the impending attack!
Hellbell observed this and displayed an amused expression. "Do you realize, the research department's latest super-powered chassis, the Y9, is engineered to match the capabilities of a 3rd Step lower-tier human."
"And this Y9 integrated onto my body is the true, finalized version. My mechanical integration currently stands at 79.6%. Lacking only a supreme Light-brain, all my primary stat configurations are presently top-tier!"
"I don't know the source of your cultivation method, but even if you practiced for ten years, you still couldn't compensate for my inherent structural advantage!"
Hellbell asserted fiercely, pressing his assault. His fist slammed heavily into Yang Lin's chest, followed by a violent wrist twist that unleashed a terrifying energy shockwave!
Thud!
This single blow directly shattered Yang Lin's protective snake scales!
A faint green light wave flickered, and a snake scale on Yang Lin's body disintegrated.
'No, my body cannot withstand this opponent's attacks!'
The Dragon Stone slid down his sleeve into Yang Lin's palm, but Hellbell's offensive pace was relentless. He immediately moved closer and delivered a crushing kick to the glass of a nearby containment cell!
Crack!
The thick, reinforced glass shattered. Hellbell twisted his torso, then turned and hurled another punch!
Opportunity!
Yang Lin abruptly raised his hand and activated the Dragon Stone!
Explosion!
Boom!!
A pillar of fire erupted from Yang Lin's hand, striking Hellbell directly, and simultaneously piercing through the containment cell behind him!
However, before the explosion fully dissipated, Hellbell reappeared, delivering a powerful kick to Yang Lin's abdomen simultaneously!
Thud!
Yang Lin was sent flying backward, his back slamming heavily against the wall!
Hellbell looked down at Yang Lin. "So the dragon resides in your hand, haha, it truly was a fruitless search that led right here."
Another snake scale on Yang Lin's body shattered, but he couldn't comprehend it.
"Why are you unharmed?"
Hellbell had taken a direct impact from the Dragon Stone. How could he emerge unscathed?
Hellbell advanced. "Almost unscathed. But I am a cautious individual. I typically favor equipping five or six light shields before undertaking any mission."
Hellbell said this while ripping a discarded light shield device from his back and tossing it to the ground.
Beneath Hellbell's outer clothing, over ten light shields were affixed in total.
These light shields were layered onto his mechanical structure like a series of redundant components.
Yang Lin possessed protective snake scales, but who ever went into a fight without a few tricks up their sleeve for self-preservation?
"The little rat always brings surprises. This 'gift' of yours, I accept!"
Hellbell had just finished speaking and was preparing to attack when, at that exact moment, countless pairs of green eyes suddenly flared to life from within the containment cell behind him!
In an instant, dense swarms of rats poured out!
Hellbell had just turned his head when a colossal claw suddenly struck, grabbing his head!
"Mouse, mouse, may I ask if you have any input regarding me?"
A gigantic Rat Man emerged from the containment cell behind him. His eyes glowed virulent green, and his body was thickly layered with muscle.
A violent sweep of his tail left a deep indentation in the metal wall.
"Get acquainted. I am the rat you spoke of!"
Number 035 - Plague Rat King.
He did not align himself with the Night Watcher. Three years prior, he instigated a massive rat plague across Southeast Asia, introducing a novel type of contagion.
He was contained by Kitsune three years ago.
Life Level: 3rd Step mid-tier. Kitsune had repeatedly attempted to eliminate the Rat King, yet failed every single time.
The Rat King possessed no fixed physical form and enjoyed pseudo-immortality.
Once the Rat King's body was dispersed, his consciousness would immediately descend into any rat within the effective scope of his domain.
Because of this nature, the Rat King had successfully breached containment six times before finally being restrained using a specialized method, which also guaranteed the Rat King's core consciousness remained intact.
The Rat King exerted immense force, attempting to crush Hellbell's head, but Hellbell once again activated his protective light shields!
He spun, breaking free from the Rat King's restraint, and simultaneously, another purple, circular spray bottle materialized in his hand.
No, the Rat King himself was nearly immune to disease and potent poisons. He even seemed to thrive on toxic gas, meaning the attack from the 'Little Rat' wouldn't be effective.
Hellbell took a step back. He didn't care about Jihen and Yang Lin, but the Rat King was different.
Hellbell had just taken a step back when he suddenly felt a wave of profound discomfort!
He abruptly rolled up his sleeve, checking the display screen integrated into his arm. As he looked, the screen immediately flashed green symbols!
Infected?
He clearly utilized a respiratory gas mask system, and his skin was encased by machinery without any external wounds. How did the Rat King manage to infect him?
Watching Hellbell's face gradually turn green, the Rat King slowly advanced, casually wagging his tail.
"Humans ascend to high places; water flows to low places. As you advance and evolve, why wouldn't my specialized diseases do the same?"
"Even through this layer of metal, my toxin can seep in. Surprised?"
Thud.
Hellbell knelt on one knee on the ground. His eyes and nose began to bleed spontaneously, and his limbs became incredibly heavy.
"Pfft... I..."
Splat!
The Rat King grabbed his neck, then, using both hands, twisted sharply, directly wrenching off Hellbell's head!
Puff!
Blood sprayed out, mixed with countless mechanical circuits. The Rat King tossed the severed head to the ground. Immediately after, a multitude of green eyes began to flicker in the darkness!
The next second, dense swarms of rats began to surge like a tide towards Hellbell's corpse!
These rats, with their razor-sharp teeth, gnawed straight through the reinforced metal, directly devouring Hellbell.
The Rat King turned his head. Countless rats fell from his body. His appearance, at this moment, began to shift.
His Rat Man exterior receded, revealing a pale human face beneath.
His pupils were dark green, but his body still maintained its half-rat, half-human muscular physique, along with a slender yet incredibly powerful tail.
The Rat King looked at Yang Lin. "Thank you for your assistance. How may I repay you?"
The Dragon Stone had successfully blown open the Rat King's containment cell. Although Yang Lin had the intention to act, the situation seemed a bit different from the pitiful, tearful little mouse he had previously encountered.
A scent of rotting flesh assailed his nostrils. This was the distinct odor emanating from the Rat King.
However, on the other hand, Yang Lin was no longer surprised that the elder rodent could speak.
When exactly did it begin, that Yang Lin slowly started to view these extreme abnormalities as commonplace?
"...No need to thank me. But I am here searching for someone."
"To find someone, here?"
The Rat King considered this for a moment. "If you are looking for someone, I can actually assist you with that. So, who specifically are you seeking?"
"004-1."
The Rat King heard this and his expression suddenly turned peculiar. "004-1? If I recall correctly, that designation hasn't been recorded here for at least three years."
"However, when I previously reviewed the archives, I did locate a modified file entry for a 004-1 designation."
"It appears to have been reclassified as 021-7."
"What does that signify?"
"021 stands for Swordsmith. Anything related to that classification would surely involve a sword."
The Rat King waved his hand dismissively. Dense swarms of rats instantly poured into the containment zone. "Go, find this Number."
The rats dispersed, directly carpeting and meticulously searching every containment cell.
"This location will soon become a battlefield. If you locate what you seek, depart immediately."
The Rat King looked behind him, then heard Yang Lin's voice. "May I pose a question?"
"Speak."
"Are you human?"
Hearing this, the Rat King paused in surprise. "At the very least... I once was."
"Who transformed you into a monster?"
"Perhaps to humans, I am now a monster, but this is, in fact, a form of evolution," the Rat King stated.
"As for who initiated our evolution, the ability to ask that question means you haven't reached the altitude where you can glimpse the Truth."
"So I cannot tell you."
"However, that individual beside you, he is similar to me."
Hearing this, Jihen leaned against the wall and slowly stood up. "I am 069. I have long heard of the Rat King's esteemed reputation."
The Rat King glanced at him, then silently turned his head away.
"I have seen you before. You are not 069."
What did that imply?
This single sentence completely baffled Yang Lin. What did he mean, he wasn't 069?
At this moment, Yang Lin's forehead suddenly felt a throbbing pain!
He then heard a voice suddenly explode in his mind.
"He is not 069. He can only be considered half of that entity."
Whose voice was this?
That... octopus from the dream?
"069 Resurrected Soul. The entity standing before you is merely a resurrection."
Merely a resurrection?
Theoretically... there is still a departed soul existing separately?
Before Yang Lin could carefully inquire about the voice in his head, he heard the Rat King suddenly say, "Found it. Follow that one."
The Rat King tossed a small mouse from his hand. The mouse stood upright, glanced at Yang Lin, then pointed in a specific direction.
The little mouse led the way. Yang Lin and Jihen hastily followed.
The two departed. The Rat King's dark green pupils gleamed ominously. "Those others will be here shortly. I should depart as well."
The Rat King had just finished speaking and was about to leave when a figure suddenly materialized not far away!
It was a long-haired man clad in a black robe. Half of his hair was pitch-black, the other half streaked with gray.
In just two or three strides, that person, as if utilizing teleportation, appeared directly before the Rat King!
Byakuya!
How did he get here...
Thud!!
The Rat King had no time to react. A white phantom appeared, directly seizing his face and slamming him against the wall with a single powerful palm strike!
Byakuya glanced at him dismissively. "Little rat, release the elder rodent."
The Rat King's dark green pupils flared. His tail moved slightly, whipping directly towards Byakuya!
Facing this fierce attack, Byakuya casually reached out and caught the tail. Unexpectedly, the Rat King's tail moved again, and a burst of poison gas spewed forth from within!
Byakuya was enveloped in the poison gas, but he remained entirely unharmed.
An invisible light cloak shimmered across his body. "Still the same old tricks. In all these years, haven't you learned any new ones?"
The Rat King heard this and suddenly laughed. "I can't best you, but what about him?"
Hm?