True Apocalypse Game

(Still a 4,000-character Chapter today. I’ve been swamped these past few days. I’ll get back to two updates a day next week, with occasional bonus Chapters. Please bear with me!)

~

"Motherfucker!" The voice on the other end of the line couldn’t be bothered with code words anymore and just erupted:

"What the hell is going on at Incirlik Base!? Over a thousand people are dead! And I only told you that the Purification Society might be making a move on the tactical nukes at Incirlik Base, that you should use it as a chance to get one out—so why were all fifty warheads taken!? Do you have any idea what this means? The countries on the Security Council are going crazy, especially the man in the White Palace! He’s about to declare war on Persia!"

If the world hadn’t already grown numb from the recent string of major events—the Petrification Disease plague, the Arctic supercavitating nuclear torpedo explosion, the Evil Spirit Virus pandemic, and so on—the massacre at Incirlik Base and the theft of fifty nuclear warheads would have been one of the most significant events of the century.

Fifty tactical nuclear warheads, stolen in the Middle East, right near the chaotic Syrian warzone!

Even movies about evil organizations trying to destroy the world wouldn’t dare use a plot like this!

Kavan glanced at Ivanovic, who was trussed up before him, and let out a soft laugh.

"This is the Purification Society’s plan. They’re preparing to steal fifty nuclear warheads, sell the low-yield warheads on the black market to large criminal organizations to cause panic, and then crack the high-yield warheads to use in suicide bombings in the Holy City, triggering a new war in the Middle East. If they’re lucky, there’s a very high probability it could directly start World War Three..."

"Motherfucker, those lunatics... Are you just going to let them get away with it? You helped them move fifty nukes to the damned Southern Mountain Area? Are you trying to build a new Eagle’s Nest and let the Assassin Sect rule the Middle East again? Are you fucking crazy!? This is a blatant violation of my orders!" The voice on the other end continued to curse, "I should call for Eagle Country air support right now and have you all blown to bits in those mountains!"

Kavan snorted coldly.

"Nick, don’t forget, we are partners. You are not my superior... If I didn’t do this, the Purification Society would have just found someone else. Besides, those damn bastards seem to have mastered some kind of mental awakening method that can instantly rouse their long-dormant comrades. And another thing—our Assassin Sect has long had no connection to the historical Elder in the Mountains or the Eagle’s Nest. We are merely a group of people who have inherited the name. What we revere is the sublimation of our own lives—martyrdom!"

After a pause, Kavan continued, "Your Central Intelligence Agency has propped up bases, trained other armed groups, and built up the Kurds to be strong and well-equipped over the years. I’m just one more on the list... And do you really think I kept these fifty nukes for myself? I intend to offer them to the supreme Heroic King, the guide of human civilization! I want one of your slots!"

Hearing this, Nick on the other end of the line fell instantly silent. His shock was palpable, and only the sound of his heavy breathing came through.

After about half a minute, Nick finally spoke again, his voice slow and calm.

"What slot? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Nothing can happen to those warheads. I hope you’ll keep them safe. If you need money, I can have the Eagle Country Government buy them back from you."

"Hmph, still playing dumb? A slot for that game! The slot that lets you meet the Heroic King! Or perhaps you call this god-like figure... the Commander? The history of the Assassin Sect far surpasses that of your country and your people. We have our own power. You don’t need to ask how I found out. You just need to know that I know." Kavan’s tone grew agitated, and his voice trembled slightly when he mentioned that person.

He then continued:

"His glorious achievements far exceed those of any emperor or great figure in human history. The legacy he has built is enough to be immortalized for ages. I want to meet this Heroic King and become one of the Commander’s subordinates!

Furthermore, I have something very important to report to the Commander. The Purification Society has obtained a serum that the Eagle Country military is secretly developing. After injection, it grants strength and speed far beyond that of an ordinary person, but the subject’s entire body rots and they die two days later. It’s likely a hybrid developed from the Stone Statue Virus and the Evil Spirit Virus."

"Motherfucker..." Nick swore again and asked, "How do you know?"

After the Petrification Disease and Evil Spirit Virus outbreaks, it was inevitable that various countries and factions wouldn’t just let these two viruses disappear completely.

Continuing to court death with research, especially trying to use their properties to create new and terrifying things—that was human nature.

And if this stuff underwent a significant mutation, it could trigger another terrifying pandemic.

’This has to be reported to the Commander.’

Kavan said calmly, "My men and I just injected this serum last night. I need the Commander’s salvation, and I am also presenting the Commander with a gift."

’A lunatic... This guy’s a lunatic!’ Thousands of kilometers away, Nick rolled his eyes. This was one of the reasons he hated dealing with people from the Middle East.

’The way people do things here is just too fucking extreme!’

This Assassin Sect contact was a personal connection of his, one he had never used before. He had only activated it this time out of desperation, but he never expected it to cause such a massive mess. On top of that, the other party had even gotten wind of the "True Apocalypse Game"!