Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 499 - 432: From Start to Finish_2

Countless pieces of wreckage crumbled and fell into the churning Endless Sea, disappearing from sight.

Amid the waters, Huai Shi struggled, his head bobbing up as he climbed atop the debris of Group Star. Looking back at the sinking explosion of Osiris, his eyes moistened and tears fell from his cheeks.

"My mecha... It sank on its first deployment." He beat his chest and stamped his feet. "My heart fucking hurts!"

The Steel book in his arms consoled him, "Don't be sad. I've collected Osiris's core components. Once we earn enough money, we can pay to rebuild it."

"How much will it approximately cost?"

"Uh..." Beelzebub awkwardly pondered for a moment. "Don't worry, excluding other accessories and upgrade fees, the main body is still quite cheap—probably just over eighty billion..."

It thought for a second and added, "US dollars."

Huai Shi's vision went dark.

It was as if he could see his lifetime savings sprouting wings and flying out of his pocket—yes, after saving up for a lifetime, blowing out birthday candles while showing signs of aging, then celebrating that he could... finally afford Osiris's heel!

Just thinking about that future was frightening.

Forget it. As a broke guy, enjoying it twice was enough. He shouldn't get carried away craving peaches when he had none at hand.

"But speaking of which, there is some good news..."

Before Beelzebub could finish, Huai Shi heard a hoarse laugh behind him.

Utterly mad.

When Huai Shi turned around, he saw someone emerging from the burning wreckage of Group Star, pushing apart the shattered carriage as a charred, broken figure clawed its way out.

Gasping for air.

Gravely wounded, but not yet dead... after enduring great hardships, escaping from the Rotting Dream, and surviving the subsequent terrifying war beneath the feet of giants.

He had finally... escaped with his life.

"HAHAHA, I'm still alive, I'm still alive!"

Mr. Morlando laughed ecstatically, gesticulating wildly with joy. When he saw Huai Shi not far away, his smile grew even more jubilant.

Utterly hideous.

Licking his dry, cracked lips, he grinned, showing his sharp teeth, "Ahaha, we meet again..."

Huai Shi stood dumbfounded for a while, glanced at him, then looked down at Beelzebub's unfinished good news.

In his hand, the Steel book rapidly transformed, modules shifting up and down, until finally, it became a hefty revolver. The Crocodile-headed God that adorned the grip had quietly morphed into the likeness of The Fly King.

Opening the cylinder, he saw six emerald bullets resting inside, waiting for Huai Shi's call.

And so, Morando's grin froze.

His charcoaled face somehow made him seem paler.

"Um, what's that saying again?"

Smiling, Huai Shi tilted his head and asked the Beelzebub-turned-revolver.

The engraved Fly King on the grip seemed to smile too. "Of course," it said, "what starts must finish."

Morando instinctively took a step back.

"Wait a minute..."

He retreated in panic, trying to explain, "I think... there's been a misunderstanding." His eyes flitted about as he stepped back steadily.

"Mr. Morlando."

Huai Shi observed him and suddenly asked, "Long ago, those preaching priests used to say—humans once lived in a wonderful Heavenly Kingdom, following God's orders and living carefree lives. However, they were not allowed to eat the fruits from the tree. Do you know why?"

A familiar question; it seemed he'd heard it somewhere, but Morando couldn't recall.

However, under the gun's aim, he could not remain silent. With apprehension, he tentatively answered, "Because... the one who ate would carry the original sin?"

"Wrong."

Huai Shi shook his head regretfully and pulled the trigger.

"—Of course, it's because there are no good fruits for you here!"

.

.

In the Jurisdiction Bureau Asia NO.2 Strategy Room, amidst the swirling smoke, a messenger from the Lighthouse delivered the latest analytical results.

"Ivory Tower has confirmed that the unknown armor was built by the once Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy—it's Osiris."

"A Sublimator from Utopia?"

"No, our commissioner has verified the marks on the Boundary Monument—the once Judge of the Underworld, Auden, truly perished during the fall of Heavenly Kingdom seventy years ago. However, Ivory Tower states that the records he contracted have not returned. If a new Sublimator has inherited Auden's will, it is highly likely they could become Osiris's pilot."

"Managing such a feat with broken armor is indeed not easy. A shame that Osiris has now been destroyed." Someone sighed. "Any leads on the identity of the pilot?"

"Comparing intelligence from the Jurisdiction Bureau, the Lighthouse has provided preliminary analysis."

The messenger paused for a moment before placing a photo on the table. "We have reason to believe that the pilot of Osiris is this Inspector who was accidentally left aboard Group Star."

In the photo, a boy stared blankly at the camera, completely bewildered.

"Xinhai law enforcer, Huai Shi, male—"

A long list of extravagant credentials filled the projection screen instantly.

"The Second Stage Sublimator of the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy, Mountain Ghost, Green Day Nemesis, Disastrous Musician, Abyss Kitchen Devil, Legendary Investigator, Prince of Paradise, Asia rookie third place, An Autographed Person of Witch's Night, an S-level Registered Militia..."

Before anyone could react, a whole bunch of messy titles and commendations were dumped on the table, resonating profoundly.