Chapter 189: The Death of the Overconfident Doban

At the same time, near the Central Government.

The area was cordoned off with security lines, Nikkes stationed all around. Every ten steps had a guard post, with checkpoints every five steps. The perimeter was layered with mass-produced Nikkes, and even the rooftops of nearby buildings were occupied by snipers aiming at surrounding streets.

The level of security looked as if they were preparing to face a Tyrant-class Rapture.

The streets around were completely cleared and the air was thick with tension.

Inside the operations command center.

Every corridor, every corner, even every room had Nikkes on duty, with countless patrols reinforcing security. The entire command center was like an impenetrable fortress—so tight that not even a fly could slip through.

"We can't keep going on like this!"

BANG!

A fist slammed hard onto the office desk!

Doban's face was dark, his sharp, sinister gaze flashing with a dangerous glint. His muscular body was tense, like a fierce beast cornered and roaring in a last show of bravado.

"This is our final chance. If we let him continue to act recklessly, the damage won't just be to the Ark—it'll threaten all of humanity!"

Doban's voice was low and growling, like a beast finally baring its fangs.

Just moments ago, he had received news of the mission's failure.

The Perilous Siege Squad had failed.

Even worse, according to the intel that came back, the assassination squad had been captured.

And there was a high possibility—they'd defected.

He'd always said it: you can't trust and rely on those 'things' that aren't our own kind!

Doban was both furious and terrified.

Those Nikkes definitely spilled information to that guy. Even if they didn't talk, the data could be extracted directly from their brains.

In other words, he was likely already exposed.

More than anger, he felt fear.

He'd long heard of Mo Chen's ruthlessness.

It wasn't just the Central Government's Deputy Chief, Burningum—even Syuen, the CEO of Missilis Industry, reportedly hadn't been spared.

Mo Chen was the type who always took revenge.

If he found out, there was no way Doban would be let off easily.

This was exactly why the Central Government's operations command was on such high alert.

"Mo Chen is arrogant and reckless. He defies orders, opposes law enforcement, sets himself up like some warlord, and doesn't even respect the Central Government! His audacity knows no bounds. If we let him continue, the next ones he'll come after will be us—Burningum!"

Doban growled, gritting his teeth as he addressed Burningum, who sat across the table, his tone filled with frustration and bitterness.

But Burningum remained silent, his expression stone-cold, small eyes glinting ominously.

Seeing Burningum unresponsive, Doban's already grim face grew darker, his voice dropping to a menacing growl.

"Or have you forgotten what Mo Chen did to you? The beatings, the humiliation—he even stole your Nikkes right from under your nose! The man's lawless!"

These were all widely spread rumors circulating within the Ark.

Doban's words were meant to provoke Burningum.

Burningum still didn't speak, but his face darkened, his breathing growing heavier.

He wasn't entirely confident, but the darkened expression on Burningum's face told him everything he needed to know—those rumors were true. Seizing the opportunity, he pressed on.

"Think about it. Mo Chen is just some clueless brat. In less than half a year, he's climbed over our heads. If we let him keep going, he'll be shitting and pissing all over us!"

"And Burningum, you and I—well, we've done plenty of things together. You've had your share of the spoils too, like that fundraising gala we hosted. If that brat Mo Chen finds out, it'll be trouble for both of us."

Burningum's face darkened, his expression clouded as if wrestling with himself.

Doban sneered inwardly. Burningum's hands were just as dirty as his—if not dirtier. If anyone dug too deep, Burningum wouldn't walk away unscathed either.

But Doban knew better than to push too hard.

Flashing a grin, he stepped closer, slapping Burningum's shoulder with his thick arm like an old comrade.

"Don't worry. We're on the same side. I'd never screw you over. As long as we join forces, Mo Chen's nothing but a grasshopper after autumn—won't jump for long."

"And once we take care of Mo Chen, I guarantee the funding for Admire will be secured immediately. You'll never have to worry about budget issues again."

Admire was the navy's most powerful battleship, boasting unmatched firepower and defenses—a symbol of humanity's strength and pride.

However, with no oceans near the Ark, Admire had become useless, reduced to floating in oversized pools for drills—a laughingstock. Maintaining it drained funds like a bottomless pit. The government had even considered scrapping it entirely if not for the navy's relentless protests.

Even then, the government slashed half its funding, leaving the navy to scrape together the rest through fundraisers targeting the wealthy elite.

Doban knew exactly what Admire meant to Burningum, the Deputy Chief of the navy. His words carried an unspoken threat—if he didn't cooperate, that funding might just disappear forever.

After a long silence, Burningum finally spoke in a low, gravelly voice.

"How… how can you be sure you'll kill Mo Chen? He's the strongest human alive. You saw it yourself during the Ark Defense Battle."

Hearing Burningum waver, Doban grinned—hook, line, and sinker.

"Relax. We're not the only ones fed up with Mo Chen. There are plenty of people upstairs who'd love to see him gone. Plus, the Heretics are after him too. Once we lure him out of the Ark, killing him will be a piece of cake."

"Her… Heretics?"

Burningum's eyes widened in shock.

Doban's face twisted into a grotesque grin, his cold laughter filling the room.

"As long as we work together, no matter how tough Mo Chen thinks he is—"

BANG!

A gunshot echoed through the room.

Doban froze.

Slowly, he looked down at the gaping hole in his chest, dark crimson soaking through his uniform.

Burningum stood across from him, pistol raised, the barrel still smoking faintly. His previously conflicted face was now eerily blank.

"You… you—"

Doban staggered backward, his face twisted in shock and fury as he stared at Burningum. Clutching the bullet wound in his chest, he roared in disbelief, "You're insane—"

He could never have imagined that Burningum would actually turn on him!

Just as he struggled to say something more, Burningum pulled the trigger again with an icy expression.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"