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

At that moment, not only Rose but also a dozen other Nikke in similar attire emerged from different directions. Under the dim moonlight, their graceful figures became visible. They were the vanguard unit.

Likewise, they had all undergone enhancement through the Red Tide.

Their strength had now reached the level of elite Nikke.

All the Raptures that Indivilia had summoned had already been completely eliminated by them.

The Nikke stood in formation on both sides as Mo Chen walked through the center, approaching Indivilia.

By now, Indivilia's body had been completely destroyed, forcing her back into her humanoid form. Her delicate figure swayed, barely able to stand.

The battle had left her attire in tatters, much of it burned away by the flames, leaving only a few scraps that she clutched desperately to cover herself. The exposed skin, unlike the fair complexion of other Nikke, had a distinctive wheat-colored tone.

Her long black hair had come loose, cascading onto the cold, scarred ground like a flowing waterfall. A few strands brushed against her pale yet exquisite face, casting faint shadows beneath her long eyelashes under the moonlight.

Compared to other Nikke, Indivilia had a striking exotic beauty. Her nearly flawless supermodel proportions, her long legs occupying much of her height, and her alluring body carried an intoxicating allure, like poisoned honey—irresistible yet dangerous.

As for her previous bewitching and dominant queen-like demeanor, it had now vanished, leaving her as weak and delicate as a little lamb. That defiant expression, however, evoked a primal urge—to conquer and ravage without restraint.

Indivilia gritted her teeth in fury. Her delicate brows knitted together in a thin veil of anger, a trace of frustration flickering in her elegant yet sharp gaze.

She wasn't mad at Mo Chen.

She was mad at Chatterbox.

Originally, they had successfully lured Mo Chen into the trap. However, Chatterbox had not acted according to plan. Instead of launching an all-out attack, it had vanished shortly after the battle began.

It was as if it had disappeared from the face of the earth.

"Commander! Commander—!"

At that moment—

Accompanied by a crisp and melodious voice, as clear as silver bells ringing in the air, a graceful figure came running from the distance. Her hair swayed behind her, her beautiful face radiating happiness, her bright eyes curving into cheerful crescents.

It was Marian!

Before Mo Chen could react, Marian had already thrown herself into his arms like a dove returning to its nest.

"Commander!"

Mo Chen was taken aback.

"What are you doing here?"

He had brought Marian along for this operation, but because of her prolonged sleep cycles—sometimes lasting over ten hours—he had decided to leave her at the Outpost base. He hadn't expected this girl to catch up to him on her own.

"I missed you, Commander!"

Marian beamed with visible joy, bouncing like a blooming peony in full bloom.

That reason—

Left Mo Chen momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, Indivilia looked at Marian in utter shock. Her crimson eyes widened in disbelief, as if she had just witnessed something truly unimaginable.

Or rather, she wasn't staring at Marian—

She was staring at what Marian was holding.

Marian suddenly remembered something.

"Commander, I caught something."

Marian presented what she had caught like a prized treasure, holding it out to Mo Chen with an expression of pure satisfaction. Her chin lifted slightly in pride, and if she had a tail, it would have been wagging high in the air.

It was the kind of look a kindergarten child would have when wearing a bright red ribbon for good behavior.

At first, Mo Chen didn't take it too seriously. In his mind, she had probably caught a dragonfly or a grasshopper—something rare in the Ark but quite common on the surface.

However, when he actually looked at what was in her hands, even with his composure, he froze.

What the hell is this?!

In her delicate yet soft hands, she held an enormous severed head. The grotesque face was twisted in agony, its jagged fangs resembling those of a megalodon. The torn neck stump was uneven, as if the head had been violently ripped off rather than cleanly severed. 

Blood still dripped from it, warm and fresh, indicating that it hadn't been long since it was removed.

This head—

It was Chatterbox!

Wait, let's see… it's really Chatterbox's head!!!

Mo Chen was dumbfounded. He looked up at Marian, then pointed at the massive head.

"You did this?"

"Yep!" Marian nodded like a pecking chick, puffing out her ample chest as if she were reporting an achievement. "It was lurking in the dark, trying to ambush you, Commander. It was bad, so I caught it."

"It tried to run, so I grabbed its head. But… I guess I accidentally pulled too hard, and its head came off."

What is this, pulling radishes?!

Mo Chen couldn't help but want to comment.

Looking at Marian's expression of regret, he was at a loss for words. Who would have thought that Chatterbox—a Tyrant-class Rapture, a future Heretic—would meet its end in a child's game of pull-the-radish?

Just like that… it was dead?

Of course not.

Mo Chen, knowing the original storyline, was well aware that this thing's survivability was comparable to those flying cockroaches that refused to die even after being cut in half.

Chatterbox was infamous for being nearly impossible to kill—bash it, crush it, and even if it was reduced to spare parts, it would still find a way to resurrect itself and cause more trouble.

Still, the rate at which Marian's strength was growing was beyond absurd. It was faster than a rocket launch, even catching Mo Chen off guard.

When they first met, Marian was just an ordinary Nikke—not even at the level of an elite. But after being infected by the Punishing Virus, her power had skyrocketed.

Her appetite and sleep duration had increased dramatically, and along with it, her strength had advanced at an alarming rate.

Now, she had single-handedly defeated Chatterbox.

And she did it barehanded!

That was practically on the level of a second-stage transformation.

Mo Chen reached out and ruffled Marian's hair, feeling a mix of emotions.

The kid had grown up—she was even helping out with housework now.

Marian purred like a kitten, closing her eyes in delight and nuzzling against his chest. Her adorable behavior made him want to pinch her soft little cheeks on the spot.

Meanwhile, Chatterbox's eyes were wide open, as if it had died with unresolved grievances.

Just ten minutes ago—

Marian had stood before Chatterbox, blocking its escape.

Unlike her usual innocent and carefree demeanor in front of Mo Chen, at that moment, Marian's expression was cold and noble, like a piece of eternal ice, radiating a chilling and profound aura.

Her eyes were like a frozen lake—clear and transparent, yet unfathomably deep.

Her long hair fluttered in the wind, flowing like water yet as resilient as steel, shimmering with a faint silver glow.