True Apocalypse Game

Sophie’s face was etched with shock. She could hardly believe this was real.

She had seen news about the "True Apocalypse Game" and the "Salvation Army" online before, but those reports were mixed in with a flood of rumors and seemed completely unreliable at a glance.

Although they were hyped for a while, they were quickly drowned out by all sorts of other gossip.

The official stance from various governments regarding past major global disasters was that the member states of the United Nations had worked together, pooling the world’s strength, to save the Earth on multiple occasions.

Compared to rumors about the five permanent members of the Security Council creating a special military force through a "Super Soldier Program," the talk of a "Savior" and their "Salvation Army" was clearly far more ridiculous.

So, basically no one believed it.

Some people who claimed to be rejected candidates for the Salvation Army were met with merciless ridicule, with others believing they were just crazy for money.

And now, this "True Apocalypse Game" had appeared right before her eyes. The fact that her superior, Team Leader Gerard, the man she had always admired most, was actually a member of the Salvation Army made Sophie’s brain temporarily short-circuit.

She took a deep breath, staring at Gerard with her amber eyes, and said slowly:

"Sir, is this some kind of prank? Or is it an infiltration, like something from the Hydra Organization? The Russians? Or the Hua Country People?"

As a senior FBI agent, her first thought was still of infiltration by other countries.

After all, Eagle Country’s own Prism program was constantly conducting global infiltration and surveillance, so it was only natural for other countries to do the same.

The joint investigation team itself was composed of members from the five permanent Security Council nations. Sophie wouldn’t even believe it herself if someone claimed their intelligence agencies hadn’t planted any moles.

Gerard, still smiling, slowly shook his head and said:

"I know this is all hard to believe. But compared to the ultimate goal of the Commander and our Salvation Army, Eagle Country’s national interests are trivial. Of course, the safety of Eagle Country’s citizens is also part of the Salvation Army’s duty... Perhaps this is difficult to accept in such a short time, but I think once you enter the game and explore it for yourself, you will naturally understand what kind of person the Commander is, and what the Salvation Army means for all of humanity."

As he spoke, Gerard took an "Other Shore" Virtual Reality Headset from behind his desk and placed it in front of Sophie.

"Of course, for a qualified Salvation Army Warrior, the virtual reality version of the ’True Apocalypse Game’ is the most thrilling. This is a brand-new Virtual Reality Headset. I highly recommend you use it to experience the game."

Sophie was speechless.

Seeing the fanaticism flashing in Gerard’s eyes, Sophie couldn’t help but think of her fifteen-year-old nephew, David. The boy had become obsessed with virtual reality games ever since VR devices appeared. Now he was a VR addict, a total shut-in, completely isolated from society. Sophie had tried to talk some sense into David before, but it was no use.

Everything Team Leader Gerard had said, everything that was happening now, this Virtual Reality Headset and this "True Apocalypse Game"—it was all just too absurd...

’What in the world is happening?’

Just then, there was a knock on the office door. The smile vanished from Gerard’s face as he called out in a clear voice:

"Come in."

As soon as he spoke, the door was pushed open, and a man in a suit with salt-and-pepper hair walked in.

Seeing the man enter, Sophie looked surprised and was about to stand up, saying:

"Deputy Director Mick!"

This elderly man in the suit was none other than FBI Deputy Director Mick, the liaison for the current joint investigation team.

Gerard himself was already a high-ranking FBI official, and Mick was Gerard’s direct superior.

Mick smiled slightly, gestured for Sophie and Gerard to sit, and said:

"The joint investigation team’s work is nearly finished. I’m here on behalf of the Director to see how the wrap-up is going. After all, Eagle Country took the lead on this one."

He then looked at Sophie and Gerard, sensing that something was off, and asked Sophie:

"What’s wrong, Sophie, our great detective? Did something happen? Or did this kid Gerard do something to make you uncomfortable? Don’t hide it from me..."

His gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, fixed on Sophie’s eyes, making her tremble inwardly.

Though the old man before her seemed very kind, he was definitely a tough character.

Mick first rose to prominence during his investigation of the Watergate scandal as a young man. Afterward, he repeatedly distinguished himself in various major incidents, making him a true veteran agent.

In front of him, both Sophie and Gerard were like elementary school students, with no room to resist.

’If Mick finds out Gerard is part of the "Salvation Army" and has clearly acted against the national interests of Eagle Country, Gerard will be a dead man!’

’Should I tell Mick or not?’

’No matter how you look at it, what Gerard said just now amounted to treason!’

’But... but from what Gerard said, this so-called Savior and their Salvation Army have never done anything truly evil. On the contrary, they’ve taken it upon themselves to save human civilization, which is truly admirable.’

’But... Gerard clearly infringed upon the public’s right to know...’

’Then again, what he said was also true. The public’s right to know isn’t as important as their lives...’

Sophie was torn by an internal battle, her emotions in turmoil. Her expression changed several times in a few seconds before she suddenly forced a relaxed smile and said:

"Deputy Director Mick, it’s nothing. Sir just saw that I was overworked and gave me a Virtual Reality Headset so I can relax a bit..."

Gerard nodded, glanced at Mick, and said nothing.

Mick also revealed a satisfied smile, seemingly very pleased with Sophie’s answer.

Then, like a father figure, he raised a hand to pat Sophie’s shoulder. He leaned down, his body trembling slightly, and whispered:

"That’s a good thing. I suggest you accept the invitation to the ’True Apocalypse Game’ right now and go see what it’s all about..."

Hearing this, Sophie shot to her feet. Her beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Deputy Director Mick and Gerard, only to see them both wearing calm, open smiles.

"You... you people..." Sophie was beyond shocked. Clearly, Deputy Director Mick was also a member of that Salvation Army!

Mick’s face still held a somewhat affectionate smile as he said:

"I know you have a lot of questions right now. Go on. You’ll find the answers you’re looking for inside..."

Sophie looked at the two men before her, hesitated for a moment, then, no longer wavering, took a deep breath and put the Virtual Reality Headset on her head...

...

「Eagle Country, New York Manhattan Brooklyn District, Rattlesnake Company Building.」

Brendan stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor of the building, a glass of whiskey in hand, gazing out at all of Manhattan Island with a gratified smile.

The struggle for leadership of the Purification Society’s Cheney Line had finally come to an end.

With Cheney’s death and the dust finally settled, this faction shouldn’t be called the Cheney Line anymore. It could now be renamed the Brendan Line.

Ivanovic could have still contended with him, but the two ultimately reached a cooperative agreement. After all, the legendary Antichrist and his Salvation Army were lurking in the shadows, and the other branches of the Purification Society were no pushovers either. Neither of them wanted a third party to reap all the benefits.

The final agreement was that all of the Cheney Line’s original power in America would go to Brendan, while the forces and secret networks that Ivanovic had cultivated in the Middle East and Europe over the years would remain under his command.

For any matters occurring within America proper, Brendan’s opinion would be final.

For matters in the Middle East and Europe, Ivanovic would have full authority. As for events in other regions, the two of them would consult each other.

Of course, on the surface, Ivanovic still had to recognize Brendan as the leader.

At the same time, because Cheney was dead, Brendan had to support Ivanovic’s candidacy in the upcoming struggle for the vice-chairman position.

It was a result that, one might say, pleased everyone.

After all, Ivanovic also had considerable influence and supporters in America; for him not to contend with Brendan now was already a great outcome.

Besides, the Cheney Line’s original power base was primarily within Eagle Country itself; its forces elsewhere couldn’t compare.

As for the vice-chairman position, Brendan never thought Ivanovic had a chance.

Cthulhu had been somewhat dissatisfied with Vice-Chairman Cheney before, so it was even more unlikely that he would grant the position to their branch this time.

Ivanovic was nothing more than a vice-chairman candidate with absolutely no hope of winning.

Overall, everything was still under Brendan’s control.

Besides, other, more worrying things had happened recently, so there was no need for them to fight amongst themselves.

Brendan drained his glass of whiskey, turned to Ivanovic, who was sitting on the sofa, and said:

"Ivanovic, since Cheney’s death, Cthulhu hasn’t sent any new messages. We’ve completely lost contact with him. It’s... a little worrying..."

He was never worried about Cthulhu’s safety. What he truly feared was that Cheney’s death would lead Cthulhu to believe their branch was now worthless and abandon them completely.

If that happened, everything he had worked so hard to obtain would become meaningless.

Ivanovic took a light sip from his glass and said:

"Don’t worry. Our branch controls the most resources. Chairman Cthulhu would never abandon such a powerful force. He probably has other plans."

They had also heard about the previous nuclear bomb incident in Colombia and had even investigated the leads carefully, but they found nothing.

The various branches of the Purification Society were all independent. Only Cthulhu could contact them, so they had no idea what connection the events there had to the Purification Society.

Brendan nodded and said:

"Let’s hope so..."

Just then, the room was suddenly filled with the ringing of cell phones and landlines. His phone and Ivanovic’s phone rang at the same time, and the phones of the other Purifiers in the room also began ringing nonstop!

Brendan and Ivanovic froze for a second, then answered their phones at the same time as the other Purifiers in the room.

The next moment, a mysterious sound like white noise came through, followed by a deep voice they would never forget:

"...Cthulhu has lost contact... can be determined as dead... preparing to select... a new Cthulhu..."

It was... the voice of the Whisperer!