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

Marian was a bit confused at first.

However, after Mo Chen's explanation, she finally understood what he meant.

She agreed to follow his instructions and wait for him to come find her and promised not to wander off on her own.

Mo Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

He was worried it would turn out like last time.

When they arrived at the Ark, it was time to part ways.

"Commander, when we meet again, don't forget about me, okay?"

Emma waved enthusiastically at Mo Chen.

She seemed to have a good impression of him, often taking the initiative to speak with him, and the topics of conversation usually revolved around Rapi and Eunhwa.

Vesti was as shy as ever, hiding behind Emma.

Mo Chen had wanted to greet her, but seeing her shy like a little rabbit, he decided not to press it.

As for Eunhwa...

She was as cold as ever.

"If you have time, we can spar."

She coldly threw out those words before turning around and leaving in a graceful manner.

Leaving Mo Chen standing there, a bit taken aback.

"Spar?"

Mo Chen snapped out of his daze, his lips twitching.

A human versus a Nikke? Wasn't that just clearly bullying?

Although with the skills Mo Chen had now, in a real fight, he might not lose.

Still, Mo Chen couldn't help but feel confused.

Had he done something to offend her?

Anyway, he had been thinking about finding a place to rest. It had been a tiring time out there, and while it wasn't exactly a constant state of fear, he certainly hadn't been able to sleep well.

But before he could get some rest, Andersen called for him to head to the operations command center.

"You did well."

Andersen got straight to the point with a compliment.

"The energy generated from the power plant's materials and resources is enough to sustain the Ark for two months. It's an extremely important mission for the Ark."

"Yeah, it's so important that they sent three Nikkes for it," Mo Chen replied without hesitation, sitting down on the sofa.

Andersen picked up on Mo Chen's sarcastic tone and took a seat in his chair.

"I know you have complaints about the arrangement. It's true, sending a regular Nikke squad to handle this task is a bit dangerous."

Mo Chen nodded.

"Yeah, it's 'a bit' dangerous."

If it had been another unit, they'd probably already be reduced to bones.

Andersen smiled slightly and tossed a pack of cigarettes to Mo Chen.

"But for an outstanding commander like you, completing this mission isn't that difficult."

"Flattery won't work," Mo Chen scoffed at Andersen's mind games, casually putting the pack of cigarettes aside.

"Give me something practical."

Andersen was stunned.

This was the first time he had met such a direct commander.

"You don't need to worry about that. The application has already been submitted to the higher-ups. With your achievements, it's a major accomplishment, and I believe a reward will be coming soon."

"I brought energy to the Ark, wiped out all the Raptures within a 10-kilometer radius, and solved a major ground issue. A reward is well-deserved," Mo Chen said slowly, "What I'm talking about is something beyond that."

Andersen, not being stupid, quickly understood what Mo Chen meant and smiled.

"So, what do you want?"

"The Outpost," Mo Chen snapped his fingers.

Talking to smart people was always easy.

"The Outpost?" Andersen froze for a moment.

The Outpost was the area where the Ark connected to the surface. It was the battlefield of the fierce battle with the Raptures decades ago.

Although it seemed similar to the actual surface, the land had been polluted by years of bombing, with no vegetation left.

It was not only deserted, but also suffered from food shortages, insufficient water, and difficult supply lines.

More importantly, it was a critical point for the Ark's connection to the surface, and also the frontline of humanity's defense against the Raptures on the ground.

Rapture raids were a frequent occurrence. Casualties were also a regular thing.

Not even the Nikkes wanted to live there, let alone commanders.

Yet, Mo Chen was the one asking to go.

Was there something wrong with him?

"That place is no good. It's dangerous, barren and far from the Ark. I'd personally advise against going there," Andersen said.

He found himself curious about this young commander.

"But why do you want to go there?"

Mo Chen smiled.

"For humanity. Does that reason work for you?"

Andersen naturally didn't buy Mo Chen's words.

He knew the other party wasn't planning on telling him, so he didn't press further.

"So, you're voluntarily requesting to be reassigned to the Outpost, right?"

"Not reassigned," Mo Chen extended a finger and waved it slightly, "What I want is the highest authority over the Outpost."

"Highest authority?"

"Exactly."

"That means full control over the jurisdiction, personnel decisions, resource allocation, and command of the troops?"

The Outpost was already a desolate place where even birds wouldn't want to go. Only commanders who had made serious mistakes were sent there.

In the original story, the protagonist was also exiled there.

Mo Chen wasn't foolish enough to make such a request without other plans in mind.

His goal was to use it as a stronghold and expand outward.

But the Outpost was under the Ark's control. While things were still small, no one would care, but once he expanded, it would be hard to say that no one would want to "pluck the fruit."

At that point, he'd face restrictions from all sides.

So, he wanted the highest authority over it.

Andersen was stunned, even the cigarette in his hand was frozen mid-air.

"That's asking for a lot!"

Although the Outpost was barren, sparsely populated, a bit distant, and had poor living conditions, frequently attacked by Raptures, it was still one of the few strategic points between the Ark and the surface.

Mo Chen wasn't just asking for a base; he was essentially requesting a self-governing territory detached from the Ark!

"I can't make this decision," Andersen didn't agree, but didn't reject it outright either.

There had never been such a case before in the Ark.

"Then you can ask the higher-ups, the central government."

Mo Chen made a gesture as if to say, "Go ahead."

He was determined to get it.

Even if it didn't work this time, he'd find another place to establish a base. But creating a new base would be far more troublesome.

"Mm."

Andersen nodded, silently took out his phone, and walked out of the office.

Ten minutes later, he walked back in.

It seemed like it hadn't worked.

Mo Chen thought to himself.

But this was expected: unless the central government was really foolish, they wouldn't just hand over such an important area to him.

"They agreed."

"Then forget it... Huh?"

Now it was Mo Chen's turn to be stunned.

What? They agreed?

"Mm."

Andersen put his phone away. "I submitted your request to the higher-ups. They've already approved it."

Mo Chen was momentarily dumbfounded.

This worked?

He had still underestimated the stupidity of the Ark's higher-ups.

After Mo Chen left the office, Ingrid walked in from outside.

"What about the battle data from the power plant?"

Andersen was thinking about having a cigarette. He patted his pocket but realized it was empty. Then he remembered that he had given his pack to Mo Chen.

He couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

He had only meant to give him one, but it seemed that Mo Chen didn't treat him as an outsider and had casually taken the whole pack.