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

"That's right," Mo Chen walked up to her, patted her on the shoulder, and said with deep conviction, "Do you know why humanity couldn't defeat the Raptures and reclaim the surface?"

"Why?"

Neon was still processing what had been said earlier.

"Because their firepower wasn't strong enough!" Mo Chen declared firmly.

"But... but..." Neon tried to argue. "Back then, humanity was at its peak, and even the strongest Goddess squad couldn't…"

"Not enough!" Mo Chen interrupted seriously. "One Goddess squad wasn't enough, so what about five? Ten? One battleship wasn't enough, what about ten?"

Neon was stunned.

This theory was something she had never heard before.

"When resources are scarce, use tactical infiltration; when you're rich, blow everything up!" Mo Chen placed his hand on Neon's shoulder and said with deep meaning, "Remember, there's nothing in this world that can't be overcome. All fear comes from insufficient firepower."

What Raptures? What Queen? It's just a lack of firepower. If the firepower's strong enough, you can blast them out of the sky.

"Insufficient firepower, fear..."

Neon muttered to herself, her eyes gradually glazing over, as if she was beginning to understand, just barely.

"Firepower... insufficient."

"Firepower..."

She repeated it over and over again.

Her expression was vacant, her eyes hollow, staring blankly at Mo Chen as if she were a puppet with its strings cut.

She seemed completely entranced.

Rapi furrowed her brow, realizing something wasn't quite right, and quietly stood in front of Mo Chen, blocking Neon's gaze.

Anis noticed that Neon's complexion was unusually pale, and her worry deepened.

"Commander, is she alright?"

After all, Neon was one of her closest sisters. But she still didn't respond.

Anis walked up to Neon and waved her hand in front of her face, but still, no reaction.

This was bad… The girl had snapped!

"Commander, she..."

"Let her be," Mo Chen gave a slight nod, "I've said everything I needed to say. The rest is up to her."

"Huh?"

Anis couldn't understand.

She recognized every word, but when put together, the meaning suddenly eluded her.

At that moment, Neon seemed to suddenly snap awake, her eyes wide open.

Clap!

She clapped her hands together!

"Ah! I get it now!"

Mo Chen jumped in surprise, Anis was also startled and Rapi, standing nearby, almost fired a shot in surprise.

"I get it now!"

Neon seemed to have awakened, ecstatic, "I finally understand."

Her jade-like eyes shone so brightly that they were nearly blinding.

"Hey, stop making a scene!" Anis snapped, "Don't you know that on the battlefield, the exclamation 'ah' in the Nikke dictionary means 'being eliminated'?"

Nikke dictionary? What the heck was that?

Neon clenched her fists and ignored Anis.

"Commander, you've made me realize something."

"?"

"In the face of firepower, all enemies are paper tigers!"

"Ah?"

"Firepower is the truth!"

Neon spoke passionately, not at all bothered by Anis' confused stare.

"Good, you've understood it. You're a child who can be taught," Mo Chen was pleased with Neon's epiphany, "But I still have something to say to you."

"Yes! Commander!"

Neon saluted excitedly, her eyes sparkling with joy, and her pale face turned bright red with excitement.

Mo Chen's gaze was intense, his voice as solid as iron.

"In the struggle against our enemies, strength is always the foundation of justice. National defense is the true backing of diplomacy, dignity lies only on the edge of a blade, and truth only within the range of artillery!"

His words were firm and resolute.

These weren't Mo Chen's words, but those of a philosopher he deeply respected.

His views were sharp, hitting the core of the matter.

Though Mo Chen had read them many times before, every time he thought of them, he still felt a surge of pride and inspiration.

"To liberate humanity, it's not just about shouting slogans—it requires real action!"

To Neon, those words were like a thunderclap, a wake-up call that hit her like a strike of lightning.

"I get it now!"

"Thank you so much, Commander!" Neon said, her face flushed with excitement, her eyes sparkling like stars as she tightly clenched her fists, "You've cleared the fog in front of me and showed me the way forward."

"In the future, I will follow your guidance, marching forward on the great path of firepower! I will fight for the liberation of humanity!"

Mo Chen nodded in approval.

"Very good."

He was pleased with Neon's understanding.

This was how a true Nikke should think, someone who had transcended petty concerns!

As he praised Neon, he also reminded her.

"Remember your mission. Never forget your original intention. Always keep in mind the great cause of human liberation. Only then will you be fearless in the face of danger and march forward without hesitation!"

"Yes!!!"

Neon's excited little face turned bright red. She had finally found her direction in life!

Meanwhile, Anis, who was standing nearby, could only think: 

"( ô ‸ ō )....?????"

Seeing the scene unfold, she really didn't know what kind of expression to make. She felt completely out of place compared to them.

"Commander!" Neon, as if she had made some significant decision, stood tall and firm, staring at Mo Chen with determination, "I want to become your disciple!"

Rapi: "?"

Anis: "?"

Anis froze.

What kind of bizarre thought process was that?

While Anis and Rapi were still stunned, Neon performed a deep bow towards Mo Chen.

"Please take care of me in the future, Master!"

"Wait!"

Anis snapped out of it.

Why had she suddenly decided to become his disciple?

This was bad! She had to stop this!

But it was already too late.

Mo Chen patted Neon on the shoulder and said with a pleased smile.

"If you can understand the principles, it will benefit you in the future. I, as your master, am already content."

"Why are you suddenly accepting a disciple?!"

Anis felt like she was going to lose her mind.

These two—are they crazy?

On one side, a furious person was still ranting.

On the other side, Rapi had already started polishing her gun.

"By the way, Neon, there's one more thing."

"Master, speak. I will always remember your teachings!"

"Life is full of setbacks and hardships. If one day you encounter a hurdle you can't get over..."

"Master, don't worry! I will charge forward and never give up!"

"Ah, that's not what I meant."

"Apprentice is dull-witted. Please enlighten me, Master!"

"What I mean is, if you ever get into trouble in the future, don't go throwing me under the bus."

"…"

To prevent the power plant incident from being exposed, Mo Chen had actually given orders to the Raptures, right before Anis and Rapi arrived, to have the internal environment, equipment, and core systems of the plant "repaired" again.

Some less important facilities were blown up, some machines were damaged, a large hole was blasted through the surrounding wall, and bullet holes were sprayed on the walls.

Raptures corpses were placed along the road they would pass, while random gunshots were fired and bullet casings scattered around, creating the appearance of a fierce battle having taken place.

In addition, other paths within the power plant were also handled similarly.

All of this was to serve as a disguise.