"Is this… the Ark?"
Belle couldn't help but gasp in awe as she looked at the row of colossal vessels. Each one was larger than an aircraft carrier, a true marvel of human engineering.
"Yes," Fenric replied calmly.
"Can it… really save us from the disaster?" she asked, her voice filled with both hope and uncertainty.
"Yes. We'll be living here for a while once we get on board," Fenric answered with quiet confidence.
Belle nodded slowly, her beautiful eyes lingering on Fenric with a mix of admiration and curiosity.
To be honest, both of the missions she had completed alongside Fenric had felt absurdly easy—as if she had simply "laid down to win."
This man could see and predict things others couldn't. He was like a walking enigma, and the more time she spent with him, the more mysterious he seemed.
At the entrance to the Ark Base, chaos reigned.
The area was jam-packed with elites from around the world, all clutching their precious tickets, clamoring to board.
But the Arks weren't ready for boarding yet. Security had completely sealed off the entrances.
An hour passed.
Suddenly, the piercing wail of a siren erupted, echoing through the entire base.
"Attention, all staff, leave the Ark immediately!"
The booming broadcast reverberated across the steel structures, sending a ripple of panic through the crowd.
Hearing the announcement, Fenric's eyes narrowed. So the plot is still following its original course.
In the original sequence of events, the tsunami struck a full day earlier than predicted. This forced the Vice President of the U.S.A to convince other world leaders to launch the Arks ahead of schedule.
Those elites who hadn't yet boarded would naturally be abandoned—ruthlessly.
Eventually, an important supporting character would rise to persuade the leaders to open the gates, allowing others to board. But by then, panic and conflict would cost countless lives.
Fenric wasn't about to waste time waiting for that.
Seeing that the Arks were already preparing for launch, he turned to Belle and said, "Come with me."
Without hesitation, he strode forward.
Belle quickly followed behind.
The entrance, of course, was blocked by layers of security personnel.
"Sir, please step back! Boarding is not allowed at this time!" one guard barked.
Fenric didn't even spare him a glance. With a casual wave of his hand, he unleashed a surge of mental power.
The middle-aged bald guard in front of him was hurled backward, screaming as he flew several meters through the air.
The violent display drew immediate attention from the crowd.
"Sir! Stop right there or we will open fire!" another guard shouted, pulling his weapon.
Countless security officers now had their guns trailed on Fenric, their hands trembling slightly as they stared at him.
The leader of the security team received instructions through his headset and bellowed, "Kill him!"
Bang!
Gunfire roared in the cavernous base. The echoes were deafening.
The crowd screamed in terror—many people dropped to the ground, covering their heads. Women and children shrieked in panic.
But the next moment, silence fell.
Everyone froze, their eyes wide with disbelief.
The bullets—fired at point-blank range—had stopped midair.
They were floating.
A bullet fired from a gun moves at supersonic speed. Yet here they were, suspended in the air, as if the laws of physics no longer applied.
"Da… Da… Da…"
The only sound left was Fenric's footsteps as he walked forward calmly, Belle close behind him.
Then Fenric casually waved his hand.
The bullets shot back, one striking the security chief right in the forehead.
Puff!
The man dropped like a puppet with its strings cut, dead before he hit the ground.
"Fire! Kill him!" someone roared.
The remaining guards immediately pulled their triggers.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Hundreds of bullets rained down like a deadly storm.
Belle's face turned pale for a moment, but she trusted Fenric. She followed him closely, step for step.
Once again, the bullets froze in midair, all of them suspended just inches away. Hundreds of rounds hovered like a glittering, metallic wall.
Everyone could clearly see this time.
"My God… what am I seeing?"
"Is he a devil?!"
"What… what kind of power is this?!"
"Superman… he's like a real-life Superman!" someone whispered in awe.
Fenric ignored the terrified whispers.
With a flick of his hand—
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
The bullets shot back, striking down the guards who had fired at him.
Some were killed instantly; others were wounded and collapsed screaming in pain.
Then Fenric raised his hand again. A shockwave of pure mental force exploded outward, sweeping aside every security guard who blocked his path.
The crowd stared in stunned silence. Fenric's power was overwhelming—beyond anything they could imagine.
Fenric didn't hold back. He wanted the world leaders inside the Ark to fear him.
Without a ticket, he'd likely be shoved into the lowest quarters with the rest of the commoners.
Traveling is supposed to be comfortable. How could I let myself be treated that way?
He planned to take the best room and enjoy the finest resources. Who could stop him?
"Stop him! Stop the monster!" a trembling voice shouted from the command station.
The real soldiers were mobilized. Heavily armed troops, carrying large-caliber rifles, surrounded Fenric and Belle.
Fenric finally stopped, assessing them calmly.
Large-caliber guns were far deadlier than pistols. Even with his mental power, blocking them would be risky—and there was always the chance Belle could be injured.
Fenric considered whether to switch tactics.
But before he made a move, he felt a gentle hand press against his back.
A warm energy surged into his body.
Fenric's eyes widened as his mental power suddenly doubled.
He turned to see Belle smiling softly.
"This is an auxiliary ability I got from a Silver Treasure Box yesterday—Boost," she explained. "It enhances the combat power of my teammates. Let me assist you."
"Nice ability," Fenric said with a grin. "Hold on to me, because I'm about to show off."
Buzz!
A terrifying storm of thought power erupted from him, sweeping across the entire battalion like a hurricane.
(He couldn't use Savage Charge—if the scientists and engineers operating the Ark were hurt, that would cause bigger problems.)