In the Lighthouse's Energy Core Zone, a faint blue glow dyed every inch of metal with a layer of icy chill.
A massive spherical device hovered in mid-air, the circuits on its surface flickering erratically, emitting a terrifying energy fluctuation.
Ian sat lazily in front of the control console, propping his chin up with one hand while casually swiping across the control screen with the other, as if playing a boring game.
"A nice little toy," he murmured.
Marc and the Lightbearer, who wore a complex expression, stood behind him. They silently watched 4068, who was being escorted by the guards and had already collapsed to the ground in terror.
4068 finally understood why he had been chosen.
He wasn't some lucky protagonist; he was the bait placed on the altar to attract vicious demons.
"No... No!" he struggled frantically, roaring with snot and tears streaming down his face. "Why me! I'm different!"
His voice was sharp and piercing, filled with unwillingness and bitter resentment.
"I have more value than those useless Dustminers! I can do more for you! I can—"
Ian dug at his ear, his face full of impatience, coldly watching 4068's performance.
"Oh? I thought everyone desired a new life," he said.
He stood up and slowly walked over to 4068, looking down at him from above.
"Since you think you're so 'unique,' then use this distinct value of yours to contribute to the new world."
Meanwhile, the purge in the Central Plaza was nearing its end.
A heavy stench of blood permeated the air. The ground had been washed, but dark red stains remained embedded in the cracks.
All Citizens who publicly opposed the new laws had been ruthlessly suppressed, their wails and curses completely silenced.
Marc stood in the former center of power, pools of coagulated blood beneath his feet, yet his heart was completely calm, holding only a firm resolve for the future.
He knew this was the necessary growing pain required to reach a future of true equality.
Ran Bing walked up beside him. Without a word, she quietly held his bloodstained hand.
That warmth was the only truth he could feel in these cold ruins.
*Rumble—*
The massive engines let out an unprecedented roar. The entire airborne fortress trembled violently, as if a giant beast that had slumbered for ten thousand years was finally awakening.
The Lighthouse began its slow descent.
All the survivors gathered by the portholes. Their faces displayed a mixture of fear, tension, and a trace of anticipation that had been suppressed for far too long.
They gazed at the approaching golden earth, a sight both familiar and alien.
It was the homeland from which humanity had been exiled for generations.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, at the other end of the Energy Core Zone, 4068 and the unconscious Charles were ruthlessly thrown into the Emotion Amplifier.
The heavy alloy doors slowly closed, cutting off 4068's final pleas for mercy.
"No! Let me out! I was wrong! I'm willing to be the lowliest Dustminer! I'll do anything! I beg you!"
In the endless darkness, he cried out and roared in despair, pounding against the cold metal walls.
Ian crossed his legs and casually snapped his fingers.
"Begin," he ordered.
The device activated.
An invisible energy instantly enveloped 4068, infinitely amplifying the deepest fears, resentments, and unwillingness in his mind.
Agony and despair tore a soul-piercing, inhuman shriek from his throat.
The emotional energy manifested into a tangible energy storm.
On the Lighthouse's strategic map, a red halo representing a massive Life Source Essence reaction violently expanded outward with the Emotion Amplifier at its center.
The ring of light expanded at a terrifying speed, instantly covering an astonishing range.
At the same time, on the edges of the map, hundreds upon thousands of light dots representing Pola Beasts began to flash frantically.
As if catching the scent of the most delicious feast in the world, they converged from all directions into an unstoppable black torrent, stampeding madly toward the Lighthouse's designated landing zone.
...
Hundreds of kilometers away, inside the base established by Bai Yuekui, a shrill alarm tore through the silence.
"Boss! Boss!"
Xia Dou, a somewhat immature-looking young girl with twin tails, slammed open the doors to the command room, her face written with panic.
She rushed toward the command console, where a breathtakingly beautiful woman with short, snow-white hair stood with her back turned.
"We've detected a massive emotional energy reaction! No, wait! It's... it's a super-massive emotional energy reaction! It's like a single person's emotions have been amplified tens of thousands of times!"
Xia Dou's voice trembled. "At the same time, a giant unknown construct is descending from the sky!"
Bai Yuekui turned around, her stunning face completely devoid of expression.
She looked at the screen, observing the countless red dots swarming like a tide toward a single coordinate, along with that colossal energy source.
"An unknown construct? Wait, could it be the Lighthouse?" she muttered.
Her gaze sharpened. Without a moment of hesitation, she decisively issued an order.
"Everyone move out. Let's go see what's happening."
Outside the base, the engine of a heavily modified off-road vehicle had already started, letting out a low growl.
A burly team member sat in the driver's seat, just about to floor the gas pedal.
However, Bai Yuekui yanked the car door open. "Let me do it! You drive too slow."
Under the terrified gazes of her team members, Bai Yuekui directly hoisted the massive man out of the driver's seat and tossed him into the back of the vehicle.
She hopped in herself, a hint of an excited smile curling the corners of her lips.
"Hold on tight," she warned.
Xia Dou and the other team members instantly turned pale.
They desperately grabbed onto any fixed handles inside the car, letting out cries of despair.
"Slow down, Boss—!"
The engine roared like a wild beast, the tires tearing two scorched black marks into the ground.
The off-road vehicle shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, instantly turning into a blur as it drifted and sped madly through the ruins and wilderness in a completely physics-defying trajectory.
The other vehicles chasing behind were left in the dust in an instant, completely outpaced.
Relying on Bai Yuekui's miraculous yet extremely dangerous driving skills, they were the first to arrive at a towering ridge.
The wheels kicked up a cloud of dust as the vehicle executed a beautiful drift, coming to a halt right at the edge of the cliff.
Looking out, the distant scene left them in shock.
Before them, the colossal Lighthouse in the sky was slowly touching down. Its metallic body blotted out the sun, casting a massive shadow.
And all around it, a black tide of beasts was converging from every direction.
The earth trembled violently under their stampede, dust billowing into the air like the descent of the apocalypse.
Bai Yuekui ignored the beast horde that would have caused any Hunter to break down in despair.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze seemingly piercing through the kilometers of distance to accurately lock onto the descending steel fortress.
What she sensed wasn't just the infinitely amplified, agonizing soul acting as bait.
There was also...
A will as dazzling, domineering, and unfathomable as the sun.
"There is something incredible hidden on the Lighthouse."
She spoke softly, the smile on her lips growing even more pronounced.
"This trip wasn't in vain."