Qlipoth Fort.
"So this is the Corporation's headquarters."
Having crossed the galaxy in his mortal body, Leon thought it was truly spectacular, reeking of capital.
He just wasn't sure where to hang the capitalists later.
"A pity there aren't any conspicuous lampposts."
Damn it, without lampposts, how are we supposed to defeat capital!
"Welcome."
The sound of perfectly synchronized footsteps came from ahead.
"We have long admired the great name of the Galaxy Rangers. Today, we are finally fortunate enough to meet you.
To avoid affecting the ecosystem of Qlipoth Fort, seven department heads and two known Emanators of The Preservation had all come to the entrance to greet him. It was a reception of the highest order.
"A capitalist admiring a Galaxy Ranger? You should probably change your username."
Leon certainly wasn't going to be polite to these capitalist dogs.
"Haha, I know why you've come."
Taravan wasn't angered by his words.
"However, there may be a small misunderstanding between us. I too regret what happened to Chadwick, but the Corporation never forced him to surrender his technology."
"Back then, during the implementation test of the 'Imaginary Collapse Pulse,' upon seeing the horrific casualty numbers, the Corporation immediately decided to permanently shelve the project for this superweapon."
"You can still find the statement of accountability we published.
Taravan began to whitewash the Corporation's actions.
"Before that, we had already dismissed all experimental personnel, promising them they would be honorary staff of the Corporation for life. This included Dr. Chadwick."
"But who could have known..."
Taravan said with just the right amount of regret.
"This group of researchers who followed Dr. Chadwick were unwilling to see their work shelved. They contacted the Doctor privately and began to swindle and deceive others abroad using the Corporation's name.
Anyway, when something goes wrong, blame the contractors. A trick that never fails.
"Not only did they conspire with the Family, they also committed the atrocious act of extracting his consciousness, tarnishing the Corporation's reputation.
Taravan perfectly acted out his own surprise.
"To pull something like this off without any flaws would surely require the backing of a high-level executive from the Corporation. I investigated, and sure enough..."
After speaking, Taravan stepped aside.
Several well-dressed men and women, who looked like successful individuals to any observer, stepped forward of their own accord.
"Linden, a P40-level executive, was also the one providing them with support from the shadows. You can still look up his file."
You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing the child. Truth within lies, lies within truth—that's the best kind of falsehood. Taravan understood this principle well.
To make a woven illusion seem real, the stakes offered must be high.
The man before them was a genuine P40-level executive. Under the halo of his presence, this group of fake researchers suddenly seemed more real than the real thing.
Although it was quite regrettable, sacrifices were unavoidable for the greater good of the Corporation.
If it were just an ordinary Emanator who had come today, the Corporation certainly wouldn't have mobilized to such an extent.
But Leon's track record was worthy of Taravan's respect.
It was best not to make an enemy of someone favored by an Aeon, unless there was a truly deep-seated hatred between them.
The Corporation was a business; naturally, it had to avoid letting its interests get into deep trouble.
"Now, the Corporation entrusts this executive and these researchers to you. We hope you can bring justice to Dr. Chadwick and allow his soul to find true peace.
After he finished, the eight people stepped forward in silence, not daring to resist.
But faster than their footsteps was a purple arrow of energy!
Whoosh!
The zero-frame arrow was about to strike the seven department heads.
But a deafening clang resounded!
An invisible force of The Preservation that had been concealed around them suddenly appeared. The arrow struck a tangible barrier, creating amber ripples!
"What is the meaning of this?"
Shielding everyone behind him, Taravan frowned slightly. Seeing how decisively Leon had acted, he instantly sensed trouble.
He hadn't expected Leon to be the type who wouldn't yield to either hard or soft tactics.
"What's the meaning? You're asking despite knowing the answer.
Leon felt that these people were more presumptuous than the last.
"Oppression never comes from the grassroots laborers, but from the leaders at the very top.
Come on, he wasn't an idiot. How could he not know who his target should be?
"Imaginary Collapse Pulse"
Who proposed this weapon project, who needed it, and who was the origin of it all?
It was the Corporation, not the employees.
Whether they were employees or "researchers," they were, in the end, also the oppressed.
Leon knew this very well.
The capital that had acted against Chadwick's original wishes and stolen the rights to his work—that was the target of his revenge.
"I'll give you one chance."
Leon raised his bow, and everyone present could feel an immense pressure.
"This time, I've come only for Chadwick's revenge."
"I'll leave your other deeds for another time. Bring out the executive who came up with the plan to steal Chadwick's consciousness.
Leon stood alone before the seven department heads.
He was just standing there holding a bow, a man of normal stature, one might even say diminutive in front of the seven, but...
Yet this was the man who, in the instant he raised his bow, radiated such a murderous aura that it was as if they were facing The Hunt Itself...
As Emanators, Taravan and Diamond knew better than anyone what this meant.
There was an insurmountable gap between them.
At their level, this gap was especially pronounced.
This Arbiter-General was, without a doubt, a top-tier Emanator.
He was arrogant, and he certainly had the right to be.
But this time, the Corporation couldn't just obediently do as he said.
"Imaginary Collapse Pulse"
The ones who decided on this project were the seven-member Board of Directors.
Taravan was one of them.
They were P48-level existences in the Corporation. One must know that P49 was a level reserved for the Corporation's founder, and P50 belonged exclusively to the Aeon of The Preservation, Lord Qlipoth.
One could say that P48 was the pinnacle of the Corporation.
Absolute power, the highest of the high-level executives.
To have them obediently hand over such a core figure to be killed by Leon?
Are you kidding!
What kind of joke is that? If word of this got out, how could the Corporation maintain its standing?
If they couldn't even guarantee the safety of their most important core personnel, what right did they have to call themselves followers of The Preservation!
If the Xianzhou Alliance dared to make such a demand, the Corporation would immediately turn against them, warning them that the Corporation was not to be trifled with, and any further provocation would mean war!
If they would do that to the Xianzhou Alliance, what more for a single Leon.
As a business, the Corporation respected every powerful faction, but that respect didn't mean they could be stepped on!
The Interastral Peace Corporation feared no one.
Be it a Lord Ravager, the Family, or this eighth Arbiter-General who was currently in the spotlight!
What hadn't they seen? What storm hadn't they weathered?
Favored by an Aeon? The Corporation had personally witnessed the fall of an Aeon during the Swarm Disaster!
We're giving you face, don't throw it away!
Leon's demand was simply too outrageous. If they backed down today, they would be unworthy to face Qlipoth afterward!
"Enough talk."
Leon's attitude was one of indifference.
If they were willing to hand him over, he'd just kill that one person. If not, it just meant one more fight.
Fight!
"Call out your Emanators. Two aren't enough to stop me. Show me what you're really made of."
As his words fell, Phantylia also revealed her power, making everyone present clearly realize that his claim about two Emanators being insufficient was no empty boast.
"Phantylia?" Diamond's brows furrowed.
She wasn't dead, and she was completely subservient to Leon...
What unknown change had occurred during that battle of Emanators not long ago?
"I don't kill the rank-and-file. I only kill the top brass."
Stubbornness doesn't matter. I'll just beat them into submission.
"If you truly care so much for the people, how about we take this to subspace?"
The amicable expression on Taravan's face grew uncharacteristically grim.
"Fight wherever you want. But it's best to find a secluded place. After all, I don't want to involve innocent civilians.
Leon still had some principles.
The problem was with the Corporation, not its employees. Every grievance has its source, every debt its debtor.
He certainly wasn't going to slaughter them all.
"By the way, which one of you is the Head of the Market Development Department?"
After asking, he immediately began to size up the seven individuals.
"What is it?" replied Oswaldo in a deep voice, standing to the right.
"So it's you.
Leon nodded. "Show me what you've got. You'd best play all your trump cards."
"But let me be clear: if you lose, I'm coming for this man and whoever decided to extract Chadwick's consciousness.
The Hunt comes for vengeance.
Leon was a very moral person.
He came this time mainly to vent the anger that Chadwick was unable to repay, and also to avenge Boothill along the way.
As for anyone unrelated to those two, he wouldn't kill them.
To be more precise, he wouldn't cause trouble for them this time.
Killing them now wouldn't advance his progress on the Path. Better to wait until he met their victims in the future, uncover the corresponding grudges, and then settle the scores one by one.
Isn't that moral enough? It's perfectly moral!
"And what if the Corporation wins?"
Oswaldo couldn't stand his arrogant demeanor.
"That's not a possibility."
A casual remark, yet filled with confidence in his own stats.
"Don't speak too soon.
Could Leon really get away unscathed today?
Oswaldo didn't think so.
Youthful recklessness was understandable, but overconfidence was just arrogance.
Subspace... the Amber Lord was in there, building the wall. If Leon caused too much of a scene, He couldn't possibly ignore it.
No matter how strong an Emanator he was, he could not withstand a casual blow from an Aeon.
From the very beginning, the Corporation was in an invincible position.
Subspace.
Following the Corporation's guidance, Leon entered this sacred place.
He felt a grim and oppressive atmosphere.
Looking up, he saw a sky densely packed with fleets. Countless galaxy-class weapons on the ships were all aimed at him, ready to fire.
The scene was magnificent.
The forces deployed against Leon were in no way inferior to those used against any Lord Ravager.
Clang, clang, clang!
A rhythmic, earth-shaking hammering sound echoed in his ears.
That sounded like a master at work; perhaps it was the Corporation's astounding secret weapon.
Leon followed the sound to its source.
A strange, silent, colossal figure, ochre in color, was solitarily forging a wall that spanned the galaxy, bringing its hammer down again and again.
"Lord Qlipoth, forgive us for this intrusion in your sacred domain."
Taravan bowed low to the giant figure.
"But today, someone seeks to trample upon the dignity of the Corporation and The Preservation. We have no choice but to demonstrate our strength.
Taravan straightened up and said with great seriousness.
"Please watch us. We will uphold The Preservation to the very end. All for the Amber Lord!"
The giant figure glanced over.
Then it said nothing, merely continuing its work.
"It seems you've finally decided to get serious."
Leon looked at Qlipoth nearby.
Having an Aeon backing you up is indeed more useful than anything else.
"Leave now, and the Corporation will let bygones be bygones. We'll pretend today never happened."
It was best to avoid a fight if possible. Fighting would benefit no one. It was enough to let this Arbiter-General know that the Corporation could not be insulted.
"Retreat? Why should I retreat?"
Leon sneered, gripping his bow and aiming it straight at them.
"You have your 'Amber Lord,' but what makes you think 'Lan' isn't with me?"
As his voice fell, an energy rivaling that of any Emanator erupted from his bow!
The immense power of The Hunt flooded the entire subspace. Even the laboring Qlipoth couldn't help but pause its movements, casting its gaze upon them once more.
"Come, let me see the bonds of your shared destiny. Who among you will bear the fate of the Corporation?"
Leon declared in a clear voice.
"I originally thought we could be good allies.
Diamond said as he stepped forward to confront him face to face.
"Do you expect me to empathize with capital?"
Hearing this, Leon couldn't help but chuckle.
"Haha, then you're invincible.
Leon told him to cut the crap.
"Enough with the pleasantries. The only reason I can stand here now and get any respect from you is because of my stats.
He wouldn't listen to their nonsense anyway.
"Naturally, whoever has the higher stats rules!"
You're right, but words are meaningless without the numbers to back them up. Your total damage isn't high enough to impress anyone.
"The strong are meant to mercilessly plunder the weak and humiliate the weak who talk tough!"
The Corporation thinks it's strong, so it does whatever it wants. But that's only because it hasn't met him yet!
They are nothing but common mortals born in an era without him!
With his absolute power, he would teach the Corporation a lesson!
"Care to buy some accident insurance?"
Hearing this, Diamond also completely gave up on the idea of a peaceful resolution.
"The payout is quite generous. You do nothing but cause trouble for the Xianzhou Alliance day in and day out. You should at least leave something behind for them, right?
The subtext was clear: If Leon got himself killed, there'd be no one to complain, right?
"Did you buy any?" Leon asked.
"I did."
"Good enough."
Leon's words were no less sharp than his.
"You talk a big game for a mid-tier scrub. What championship did you win to talk to me like that?"
"Good thing you bought insurance, then I have nothing to worry about. Consider these credits your severance package for early termination."
Leon partially drew back his outstretched arm, turned sideways, brought his bow to his chest, and drew the string!
Diamond took a deep breath and said nothing.
He silently raised a hand. Ten different cornerstones appeared in the air around him, forming a circle.
A dazzling light suddenly burst forth!
In an instant, under the cover of the white light, the ten cornerstones merged into one. The light dissipated, and a crystal-clear gemstone appeared before everyone's eyes!
The Koh-i-Noor Great Diamond was revealed to the world!
______
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