Forty-Nine Doomsday Chapter 159: Considerations and Decisions of a Fragment Hold

Tropical region, Larkan.

Larkan was a backward country to begin with, its citizens living in extreme poverty. Only a few warlords, by monopolizing some of the region's rare resources and selling them to other developed nations, managed to live like local emperors.

But after entering the era of the Doomsday Rules, several rules directly devastated this country. Over 98% of the population perished, with less than 2% still clinging to life.

Extinction seemed like a fate ordained by heaven for those living on this land. The warlords who monopolized the resources had either been wiped out alongside everyone else or fled to other countries, leaving only scattered remnants of ten thousand or so people dispersed across the land, waiting for death to come.

This death arrived faster than imagined, because after the Ninth Rule ended, the fog over this land had never dissipated. The surviving people continued to become food for the fog, eroded and transformed into new Nightmare Beasts.

But today was different from before. An aircraft carrier sailed to the outer sea, and along with heavy transport aircraft, jointly deployed numerous armed soldiers and combat vehicles onto this land.

The protective gear of these soldiers and their combat vehicles bore the emblem of a "Scepter and Crown," precisely the royal symbol of the Suroma Empire.

As one of the world's most powerful nations, even nearly a year into the era of the Doomsday Rules, the Suroma Empire still maintained global transport capabilities. It could deploy large armed forces to any corner of the world in a short time.

However, after entering the era of the Doomsday Rules, the Suroma Empire, like other major powers, had fully contracted strategically for self-preservation. During this period, it had never once dispatched troops to other countries. All military bases deployed abroad were completely shut down, with personnel recalled.

This sudden, uncharacteristic deployment of a large armed force to Larkan by the Empire naturally had a specific target.

Adam, wearing protective gear, stepped out of a combat vehicle. Gazing at the fog before him, his eyes held a hint of anticipation.

He knew that somewhere within, there must be a puzzle fragment that had not been collected by an Ascendant.

This was undoubtedly the reason the fog had not dispersed after the rule ended.

"The soldiers are all in position," the armed forces Commander walked over and asked Adam, "What's the next course of action?"

Although the Commander was somewhat annoyed by Adam's effeminate demeanor, he had no choice. The king's orders were for him to fully obey Adam's command during this operation. No matter how displeased, he could only endure it.

"Have the soldiers disperse and enter the fog," Adam said. "The objective is to find a fog gate. Notify me immediately once it's found."

"Yes, sir."

The Commander went to deploy the operation. Adam's four female teammates and wives also descended from the combat vehicles at this moment, standing beside Adam.

"That fragment hasn't been taken, probably because this country is completely finished. They can't even organize a proper army, nor would there be any powerful individual Ascendants," Amanda spoke up.

"Yes," Adam said. "Out of the total five fragments, I have one here. Another is in Sakura Prayer Country, one in Beixing Country, one in Andai State, and the last one is here in Larkan. Without a doubt, Larkan as a country is on the brink of extinction, lacking the necessary strength to explore the fog and obtain the fragment."

Adam continued, "That's also why, among the five fragments, only the one in Larkan has remained stationary. Coupled with the fact that the fog here hasn't dispersed after the rule ended, it further proves the fragment hasn't been taken."

"From what you're saying, Adam, the locations of the other three fragments are changing?"

"Yes. The most interesting is the one in Beixing Country. Just today, that fragment's location moved to Andai State. Do you know what that means?"

The four women were taken aback. Alisha was the first to speak, "The fragment holder from Beixing Country wants to go get the fragment located in Andai State?"

Adam nodded approvingly. "Correct. Beixing Country and Andai State are adjacent. If I were the fragment holder in Beixing Country, I'd also go for the one in Andai State first."

Claire frowned. "So, the fragment holder from Beixing Country wants to collect all five fragments, just like you, Adam?"

"That's right."

"Hmph, competing with you, Adam, is definitely asking for trouble."

"Not necessarily. But let's not think about that for now. Let's secure the one in Larkan first."

Approximately two hours later, a notification came through the walkie-talkie.

"Super-giant Nightmare Beast sighted! Repeat, super-giant Nightmare Beast sighted. We are under attack, requesting support!"

Adam's eyes lit up. "The fog gate should be nearby there. Let's go."

The four women nodded in unison. Near the fog gate in the Suroma Empire's fog, there was also a super-giant Nightmare Beast, as if guarding the fog gate.

Back then, the Suroma Empire had to deploy heavy forces to repel that Nightmare Beast. However, Adam had suddenly remarked at the time that it wasn't a "Nightmare Beast," though he didn't explain further.

The five immediately set off for the location of the fog gate.

...

Early morning. Guan Tong had already arrived at Bandzhen, the capital of Andai State.

There weren't many people on the streets here, probably because it was very early, and people were still sleeping in their houses.

Guan Tong took out the fragment and glanced at its location. Since the fragment in Andai State changed location yesterday, it hadn't moved again up to now.

The fragment's trajectory was from the east of Bandzhen to somewhere in the north. Its straight-line distance from Guan Tong's current position was less than a hundred kilometers.

As Guan Tong advanced, he pondered.

He remembered the characteristic "Fragment holders can sense the location of other fragments" very clearly.

He could sense the locations of other fragments, and other fragment holders could also sense his location.

This meant that as long as the fragment holder in Andai State wasn't a fool, they would realize another fragment holder was approaching.

What this implied went without saying.

"If I were the fragment holder in Andai State, I would definitely realize another holder is coming to seize my fragment. So, I would certainly prepare for a fight, not only to protect my own fragment but also to turn the tables and snatch the newcomer's fragment."

In that case, it's best to use the old routine.

Guan Tong thought to himself. The so-called old routine was to keep his main body in a safe location, send Shadow ahead first to scout and test the waters, gather intelligence about the target location, and then plan the specific action.

Meanwhile, in a certain town east of Bandzhen, a massive estate stood in the town center.

This was Basong's private estate, his residence, and his "barracks." His numerous mercenaries all lived in the outer areas of the estate, while he himself, along with some trusted subordinates, mistresses, and others, lived in the inner area.

The windows and doors in the inner area were all designed with steel plates, appearing impregnable. Attacking from the outside would come at a great cost.

Of course, this level of defense would be utterly useless against real heavy firepower; just a few missiles could completely destroy this place. But Basong knew very well that his enemies would not possess weapons like missiles. He would regularly pay tribute to the people and factions that did have such weapons, buying their willful blindness.

At this moment, in a hall within the inner area, Basong was talking with a few trusted subordinates.

"When I hold this thing, I can see a map in my head," Basong said, clutching the puzzle fragment with one hand and tapping his forehead with the other.

"There are four other bright spots on the map. One of them is in Bandzhen, and it's getting closer and closer. It's clearly coming for the fragment in my hand."

"Isn't that just asking to die?"

"Boss, don't worry. Anyone who dares to try and take your stuff, we brothers will definitely chop them to pieces alive!"

Hearing this, Basong grinned, his expression cunning. "I'm not stupid. If someone dares to come, it means they have some skill. But I called the official intelligence department and asked. They haven't detected any signs of armed forces entering Bandzhen. What does that mean? It means at most a small team has come."

In a place like Andai State, no one who managed to rise to a certain position was a fool. Basong might seem like a dumb, dark, and burly guy, but he was actually rough on the outside and sharp on the inside. Far from dismissing the fragment holder approaching him, he took it seriously and specifically obtained intelligence from the Andai State authorities.

Since the authorities hadn't detected a large-scale armed invasion, it meant only an individual or a small team of a few people had come. This undoubtedly put Basong's mind more at ease.

"Listen," Basong said. "Spread the word to the people in the town. In the next few days, if anyone sees a new face appear, report it to me immediately. No punishment for false reports, rewards for correct ones!"

"Also, just waiting for them to come to my doorstep isn't my style. Since they dare to come to Andai State, I should also send people to greet them."

Basong looked at a lean, long-faced trusted subordinate among those present. "Mara, I'm leaving this to you."

"No problem," Mara agreed immediately. "But boss, where should I take the men? Is there a specific location?"

"Hmm..." Basong closed his eyes, carefully observing the map in his mind. "The location is north of Bandzhen, not far from Antu. Can't see the details. Just take men to that general area and look for foreigners. I'm sure the person came from outside Andai State."

"Got it, boss. I'll take the men over right now." Mara immediately got up and left.

Basong continued to the two remaining trusted subordinates. "You two, don't just sit around either. Tighten up the estate's security. Starting today, arrange patrols 24/7. Even if a hawk flies in, I want to know if it's male or female, understand?"

"Understood, boss!"

After the two left, Basong looked at the fragment in his hand, muttering, "This thing is good, but it's a hot potato. Besides the one coming for me, the ones holding the other three are probably not easy to deal with either..."

Basong had self-awareness. He was just a local tyrant in Andai State, with two to three hundred men under him and a few hundred guns. His power was decent enough, but compared to the real major warlords in the Tulip Federation, he was just a little grasshopper.

Not to mention if the other fragment holders were from official factions, whether it's the Suroma Empire or Sakura Prayer Country. These national powers were entities even Andai State couldn't afford to provoke, let alone him.

"This thing in my hand is probably more trouble than it's worth. It's best to sell it on the market. Selling it for over a million Ascension Coins shouldn't be a problem..."

Basong thought, feeling a faint sense of unwillingness deep down. This extremely special puzzle fragment, only five existed in the entire world, and one of them was in his hand. It gave him a somewhat heady, elated feeling.

But he quickly remembered the four young men he had ordered executed. Those four kids were guilty of possessing a treasure, and they died miserably in the end. To the official powers of those strong nations, what difference was there between his own faction and what those four kids were to him?

The moment he thought that the same miserable fate that befell those four might happen to him, cold sweat broke out on Basong's forehead, and he instantly sobered up.

"Right, I can't let greed cost me my life. I can't hold onto this thing; I need to get rid of it as soon as possible... Just wait until I get the other fragment in Andai State. With two fragments in my hand, I should be able to sell them for an even higher price!"

He couldn't afford to provoke others, but in this part of Andai State, having confirmed that the other fragment holder wasn't a large force but at most a small team, he was confident he could seize the fragment by relying on his numerical advantage.

He wasn't even afraid if the other party was a powerful Ascendant. Because he himself had significantly increased his Mind Power upper limit by passing the Eighth Rule, and his strength was quite formidable.

Having thought it through, Basong clenched the fragment and made a decision. "After obtaining two fragments, sell them together as a package. Must sell for at least five million Ascension Coins. This one deal will secure enough for all future use!"