Before traveling through time, Ling Ke had seen a movie called The Avengers.
He knew the plot wasn't particularly deep; at its core, it was just a special effects film.
However, there was one small part of the development that he found interesting.
Namely: the evil god Loki intentionally allowed himself to be captured, which triggered internal tension among the Avengers, a temporary rupture, and even led to scenes of mutual surveillance and distrust.
Now, Ling Ke was using precisely that kind of move.
He knew—because he had yet to draw a truly powerful character template from the game, nor did he possess any combat power that reached "lawyer level"—so...
Lacking his own high-level combat power, he naturally had to be cautious of that of his enemies.
For example: Kevin Kaslana.
And — "Since Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent have now formed an alliance, we have to be even more careful that Kevin, the ancestor, doesn't end up being the spark that ignites the fuse in his descendants."
For instance... opening the stigma space for Ti Lauder, allowing her to prematurely carry out the "Tianyuan."
Then there's Raiden Mei... the one from the Elysian Realm, who could grant him an "original" BUFF.
Add to that Xier, whose gentle humanity and harmless demeanor conceal a potential that could rival that of an earthly god.
And... if she's already past her rebellious teenage phase, there's Fu Hua, who is essentially a walking combination of "knows the law + Garuda village collapse"...
And Otto.
Ling Ke was well aware that if he only had to face the main cast from the original story, it would be easy.
All he'd have to do was threaten innocent people.
That "despicable trick," aside from being 100% effective, would at least be enough to tie the protagonists' hands.
The proof was in Walter's earlier decision to make the content of the "Hunt Manifesto," which spoke in favor of their faction, public.
But.
If it was Otto and Kevin instead, things would be different.
Both were the type to act under the premise of: "I know this is unfair, but I must still do it."
They were excessively resolute, and wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice others... or even themselves.
Therefore...
—"As for this game, it's far too simple."
As he took control of the stage, Ling Ke's eyes narrowed slightly. —"It needs this kind of difficulty to be worth challenging, and to feel real satisfaction upon overcoming it."
—"Besides..."
Inside, he kept one thought secret. —"For my 'enemies,' as time goes on, mere killing will no longer be enough to 'kill the heart.'"
In fact—
You only had to look at how Raiden Mei had changed recently.
The first time they reunited, she couldn't bear to see Ling Ke "make things difficult."
But by the second encounter, she had already hardened.
And that wasn't something Ling Ke liked to see.
He wanted those people to suffer forever.
Rather than watch them, one by one, make up their minds to band together to bring him down.
The same applied to Rita.
Her mental state was more mature, making it harder to "break her spirit."
Even if it worked, the impact wouldn't be significant.
So...
—"After all, I still have to prepare the 'main course,' which requires a lot of careful planning and groundwork."
Yes.
Ling Ke had already devised a plan capable of utterly breaking all his enemies, plunging them into eternal, excruciating suffering.
And sending the "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke" was only the first step.
As for the second step...
—"Let's see who'll be the first to lose patience and come to me in secret."
Ling Ke was already looking forward to it.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Ling Ke was undoubtedly a man of his word.
Even though his main objective at this stage had already been achieved—the "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke" had been captured, though he had willingly remained at Schicksal's headquarters—he didn't forget to do one more thing.
Namely: "Launch a large-scale assault on the other nine cities, excluding Manchester."
—"A man must keep his word."
While seizing control of the performance, Ling Ke sneered.
—"Otherwise, some might think I'm just playing house."
—"Besides, the results here might also fray their nerves a bit, make them feel like the 'negotiations' need to happen sooner."
—"I don't want to keep waiting."
—"And you all... won't be able to wait at all."
Apparently, Ling Ke had planned everything out long ago.
As expected.
Right beside Schicksal's headquarters, shortly after the "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke" was captured, the top leaders of the three major organizations arrived together.
It happened so quickly, there wasn't even time to prepare a proper conference room.
They went directly to the holding module, a space sealed with the "Second Key of God."
Upon closer inspection, the place strongly resembled virtual training grounds used for combat.
At that moment, Otto, Walter... even Kevin—the leaders of the three major organizations—along with their subordinates, colleagues, and allies, were gathered on the upper observation platform.
Truthfully...
—"From my point of view, this is quite the spectacle."
The "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke" chuckled and murmured.
And his words, of course, were picked up by the high-precision audio system installed in that massive secret room.
For a moment...
—"Tsk~"
It might not have affected the others as much, but Dr. Tesla couldn't help but be stunned.
Clearly, there were plenty besides Kiana who didn't want to be in the same room as Otto.
Even now, according to Kiana, the consciousness of the "Queen of the Sky" that she had repressed was still more cruel.
What was the saying again?
Ah, yes!
"Enemies are terribly jealous when they meet!"
Once more came the mocking words of the "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke."
—"Let's see..."
His gaze swept over each person on the observation platform.
He even raised both hands, forming a picture frame with his fingers, squinting his eyes.
—"The one whose father was killed by Otto."
—"The one whose mother was killed by Otto."
—"The one whose best friend was killed by Otto."
—"Even someone who was killed by herself thanks to Otto."
—"And yet... you're all here standing with Otto?"
—"Hahahahaha!"
The "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke" couldn't help but applaud with the hands he'd already lifted.
—"What a perfect combination, everyone."
—"It's a pity there's no Polaroid camera around. It would've been perfect for capturing this dark and comical... historical moment!"
—"Yes, that's it. You lost important people, but at least you still have him (Otto)!"
—"He (Otto) can fill that void in your hearts, can't he?"
Upon hearing that, many of those targeted couldn't help but reveal deeply unpleasant expressions.
Though clearly, neither Kevin nor Otto were among them.
At that moment, the face of the "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke" suddenly turned cold.
—"So, I wonder... do the humans of this era really have that kind of virtue?"
—"You're nothing compared to the previous generation."
Like a telegraph operator muttering to himself, the "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke" whispered:
—"In other words, what was the ultimate outcome of human civilization in the last era?"
—"Well, it was destroyed."
His eyes sharpened.
—"So in this worse era, your end certainly won't be better than the last one, right?"
—"Otherwise, it'd be far too unfair."
—"You..."
Dr. Lobster couldn't help but open her mouth to insult him.
But she was immediately stopped by Walter, who had anticipated this and placed a hand on her shoulder.
At that moment, Tesla shot him a sideways glance and saw him shaking his head in resignation.
—"Don't forget why we're here."
Upon hearing that, Tesla took several deep breaths.
She finally managed to suppress her impulsive temper.
But she didn't take her eyes off the "Domination Puppet · Ling Ke."
It was her way of owning up to her responsibility.
She wasn't going to run.
—
As for the rest of those present:
From Schicksal: Otto, Yae Sakura, Rita, and Amber.
From Anti-Entropy: Walter, Tesla, Einstein, Bronya, and their temporary allies—Kiana, Fu Hua, and Delisa.
From World Serpent: Kevin, Raven, Jackal, Gray Snake, and also Raiden Mei, who was temporarily with them.
The "Big Three" had gathered.
But...
—"Otto still hasn't revealed the existence of Li Sushang."
—"Kevin hasn't exposed the 'Feathered Bunny.'"
—"In Anti-Entropy, Xier didn't come with me. Probably because Bronya doesn't want her exposed to so many things related to me."
—"Thunder Dragon Horse isn't here either..."
Ling Ke, observing it all from backstage, had a thousand thoughts racing through his mind.
Finally...
—"Just as expected, there's not much deviation from the plan."
Ling Ke smiled.
—"Since you all like gathering together so much... I'll take this opportunity, while covering the live war in those nine cities..."
—"To bring down the 'Moon' first!"