NIKKE: The Apocalypse Arrives, But the System is 100 Years Late

Mo Chen was wary of waking up Anis, so he hesitated, uncertain about his next move.

Neon had initially been shy, but Mo Chen's refusal only fueled her competitive spirit. There was no way she was backing down now.

"I'm serious!"

"Serious?"

Mo Chen asked again, trying to confirm.

Was he really about to 'ruin' this innocent girl?

"Yeah!"

Neon nodded firmly, her emerald eyes shining with determination, her pale jawline slightly raised, exuding pride and courage.

Seeing her unwavering resolve, Mo Chen's last bit of reason finally collapsed, like a dam breaking, allowing the flood to rush forth.

A little lamb offering itself up—how could he possibly turn it away?

"Then as your master, I'll have to do a proper inspection…"

What Mo Chen didn't notice was the subtle glimmer of triumph in Neon's eyes.

Between hunter and prey, who could truly tell the difference?

A sleepless night ensued.

By the time morning arrived, the luxurious hotel had already prepared breakfast.

Everything was made with real vegetables, meat, and dairy—ingredients that cost an outrageous amount, but at least there were no synthetic Splendamin substitutes.

After all, those who could afford to stay here were either rich or powerful. If the hotel got caught using Splendamin in their food, its reputation would be ruined.

Not that they needed to cut corners—profits were already sky-high.

Breakfast included fried dough sticks, soy milk, steamed buns, and pastries.

Fried dough sticks weren't originally on the menu, but since Mo Chen had requested them a few days ago, the hotel made the effort to learn.

They were easy to prepare, and with a few attempts, the kitchen staff had mastered the recipe.

Mo Chen had woken up early, as had Rapi. She placed the dishes on the table before heading to wake up Anis and Neon.

It took a while, but eventually, the two girls stumbled out of the room, their movements sluggish like overcooked noodles.

They yawned non-stop, eyes bleary with exhaustion.

Last night had taken a toll on them.

"Come eat," Rapi called.

The four of them sat around the table, eating breakfast, but the atmosphere felt… off.

Anis, still feeling guilty about what had happened, kept sneaking glances at Neon, worried that she had noticed something.

After all, they had slept in the same bed—and she had been gone for quite a while.

Neon, on the other hand, was just as nervous. She absentmindedly stuffed fried dough into her mouth, barely tasting the usual richness of the milk.

Seeing Anis eating quietly with her head down only made Neon more anxious.

Did she figure it out?

Even though she and the Commander had moved to another spot quickly, they had started off right next to Anis.

Even if they had kept their voices low, there was no telling whether she had overheard something.

As for Mo Chen? He felt the guiltiest of them all!

After all, he had "wronged" two girls in one night—one of whom was his own disciple.

Neon took a bite of her milk-soaked fried dough, the creamy liquid trailing down the corner of her lips.

Mo Chen opened his mouth, wanting to say something—anything.

But the words wouldn't come.

And so, the awkward silence stretched on.

The air was thick with an unusual tension.

Only Marian was eating heartily. Lately, her appetite had skyrocketed—where she used to eat enough for three people, she could now devour food meant for ten, and her intake was still increasing.

He glanced at Marian's flat stomach.

Where the hell was she putting all that food?

Before long, she had already finished her portion of fried dough. Seeing this, Mo Chen casually handed her his own. Marian's face lit up, and in return, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

Everyone treated her like a child, so no one thought much of it.

"Anyone want a burger?"

Rapi went to the kitchen to grab more food, but Mo Chen beat her to it, taking the plate from her hands.

"I got it."

Rapi gave him a puzzled look.

Mo Chen had never been this considerate before.

She then turned toward Anis and Neon. "What's with you two? You've been quiet all morning. Did you get into another fight?"

Anis and Neon were always bickering about something, but they usually made up pretty fast.

"Nope!"

"Of course not!"

"Heh heh heh…"

The two exchanged glances, both visibly uneasy. Their awkward laughter only made it more obvious that something was up.

Just then, the morning news played on the TV.

"This morning, during a routine patrol, A.C.P.U. forces apprehended a case of public indecency involving one male engaging in relations with multiple Nikkes. This incident is a serious violation of the law and a disruption of social order. The suspect was arrested on the spot, and the case is currently under further investigation."

"If convicted, the punishment starts at a minimum of three years, with a maximum penalty of death."

Mo Chen's heart skipped a beat.

It almost felt like the news was talking about him.

Marian, still stuffing her face, suddenly turned toward him and asked through a mouthful of food, "What does 'indecency' mean?"

"PFFT—!"

All three of them, mid-drink, simultaneously spat out their milk.

Anis shot up from her seat.

"I'm full!"

"You barely ate anything."

"I'm on a diet!"

A Nikke dieting?

Before anyone could question her further, Anis bolted from the room.

Right after, Neon abruptly stood up.

All eyes turned to her. She clutched her stomach and stammered, "I… I overate. I need to use the bathroom!"

In a way, she was indeed 'overstuffed.'

With two out of five people now gone, Mo Chen cleared his throat and quickly stood up.

"Uh, I've got some stuff to do. You guys finish eating."

Marian was delighted—now she had enough food for three people all to herself.

Meanwhile, Mo Chen went to meet with Andersen to discuss the upcoming operation.

He also communicated with the CEOs of the other two major corporations.

This mission wasn't just about eliminating Material H: it was also a rescue operation for the previously deployed forces.

However, unlike the last two operations, this time, the elite troops were minimal. The majority of the units being sent were mass-produced models, and even those were second-line forces. This alone was enough to show the decline in the Ark's overall strength.

For Mo Chen, though, this didn't make much of a difference.

"This operation is critical," Andersen said with a deep, thoughtful expression. His brows furrowed slightly, as if weighing the gravity of each decision. His sharp eyes carried a penetrating clarity, as though he could see through to the heart of the matter.

"Commander, I urge you to remain cautious. Do not act recklessly. If the situation turns dire, you may retreat at your discretion—no need to wait for approval."

"Above all else, protect yourself. To put it bluntly, right now, you are the Ark's last hope."

Mo Chen responded with a slight smile. The sunlight filtering in through the window cast a soft glow over his face, making his expression appear warm and reassuring. His lips curled upward just enough to reveal a row of clean, white teeth—confident yet approachable.

Even Andersen was briefly taken aback.

"Don't worry," Mo Chen said casually. "The Ark is bound to blow up sooner or later."

Andersen: "..."