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

Mo Chen had thought before about how to increase his influence within the Ark.

After all, carrying out ideological reforms required a certain level of influence—or more accurately, a degree of prestige.

It was similar to national elections in some countries.

Why did candidates burn through money so desperately to expand their reach? It was all for votes.

Mo Chen, however, wasn't after votes—he sought reputation.

Because soon, he was going to do something big.

By infiltrating the network using the Punishing Virus, Mo Chen traced the records and locations and confirmed that the one pushing his publicity was none other than the central government—the upper echelons of the Ark.

But why were they doing this?

He pondered for a moment before realizing their true intentions.

This wasn't about elevating him—it was about glorifying humanity. More specifically, it was about suppressing the Nikkes.

To the Ark's ruling class, no matter how distinguished or accomplished a Nikke might be, they were still just tools.

Recently, these tools had been hearing radical ideas from the Outpost—nonsense about freedom, equality, and human rights. Some had even dared to rebel. 

To the Ark's leaders, this was outright insurrection.

Now, they were using this opportunity to stamp out the "arrogance" of the Nikkes and remind them of their place.

Of course, the higher-ups were aware that Mo Chen himself was the one spreading these ideas.

But to them, Mo Chen was still human.

They believed that advocating for Nikke rights was just a political maneuver—a way to win the loyalty of the Nikkes and gain leverage in future negotiations.

To them, he was an ambitious schemer.

And as long as someone had ambition, they could be swayed. That was the Ark's logic.

Mo Chen let out a cold chuckle.

Those self-serving, cowardly, short-sighted elites—if they actually understood what he was trying to do, then that would be a miracle.

They were playing with fire. And without realizing it, their attempts to control the narrative had actually helped Mo Chen's cause.

The team had been accommodated at the Queen's Hotel—the largest and most luxurious hotel in the Ark.

The extravagant decor spoke volumes: marble flooring, crystal chandeliers, exquisite murals, gold-plated door handles, and an entire staff of beautiful Nikke attendants.

As soon as Anis and Neon arrived, they squealed excitedly and rushed off to claim their rooms.

Apparently, a single night's stay here cost as much as years of wages for the average worker.

Meanwhile, Marian was being dragged off to take a bath by Rapi. The battlefield had left her covered in dust and grime.

"Commander, I want to bathe with you!"

Marian pouted, pulling on Mo Chen's sleeve insistently.

Bathe together?

Mo Chen's gaze drifted to Marian's figure—her curves accentuated beneath her shirt, her fair skin, her delicate yet well-proportioned physique.

And then, there was that pure, innocent face—untainted by impure thoughts.

A ripple stirred in Mo Chen's heart.

Ever since he'd tasted indulgence, he'd developed an appetite for it.

But when he caught Rapi's strange look, he quickly cleared his throat.

"Ahem… You go ahead first. Be good, okay?"

Hearing his words, Marian finally relented and obediently went off to bathe.

As Rapi brushed past Mo Chen, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "I want to bathe with you too."

Rapi froze for a moment, her ears visibly turning red. Pretending not to hear, she quickly pulled Marian away and left in a hurry.

Only then did Mo Chen notice that the Nikke attendants nearby had overheard everything. Yet, they maintained their polite smiles as if nothing had happened.

The attendants were quite considerate, leading Rapi and Marian to their bath while preparing all the necessary toiletries. They even set out coffee, soda, and an assortment of fruits and snacks.

Mo Chen, however, didn't pay much attention to this. Instead, he reminded Anis and Neon not to eat anything offered here.

Just as he was about to step out, he passed by a line of Nikke attendants. Among them, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure—the one who had been tailing him before!

Without hesitation, he darted forward, his figure flashing as he appeared in front of the Nikke attendants.

"Wait!"

"Sir, how may we assist you?"

The Nikke attendants seemed well-trained. Though startled by Mo Chen's sudden approach, they maintained their calm expressions and professional smiles.

Mo Chen's sharp gaze swept over the group, yet he found no sign of the person he had just seen.

Strange. How could they disappear so fast?

He was sure he hadn't mistaken it. The person had been wearing the same hotel attendant uniform as the others.

That person… must be highly skilled at blending in.

"Never mind," Mo Chen said, waving them off.

But inwardly, he grew even more vigilant.

He walked into the hotel lobby, but before he could sit down, a flamboyant man approached from the other side.

Yes—flamboyant.

Mo Chen couldn't think of a better word to describe him.

The man had a striking punk hairstyle that radiated rebellious rock spirit, coupled with light gray sunglasses that gave him a mysterious depth. A neatly groomed goatee framed his chin, exuding sophistication.

However, the dangling gold earring—delicately feminine—created an almost jarring contrast.

It was as if a peacock had fanned out its tail, putting on an elaborate display.

The ruffled collar around his neck and the high-heeled boots he wore were reminiscent of 16th-century European aristocracy.

His tight-fitting outfit accentuated his masculine contours.

His entire aesthetic seamlessly blended styles across centuries—spanning from the lavish Rococo era to the minimalism of modern fashion. It was a timeless beauty that defied convention.

Mo Chen had seen discussions about this man on forums before.

It was him.

Mo Chen paused for a second.

He hadn't expected to meet him here, let alone see him striding directly toward him—ignoring everyone else entirely.

"Yes! I've found you—Ark's Hero!"

The man's voice rang out theatrically as he struck an exaggeratedly flamboyant pose.

Even though Mo Chen had encountered him in the game before, seeing him in real life was an entirely different experience.

"You…"

Mo Chen got goosebumps all over fromhis exaggerated movements.

In the game, he could tolerate it. But seeing him in real life… the sheer visual impact was overwhelming.

Strangely, neither the Nikke attendants nor the other customers reacted to Mustang's theatrics. It was as if they had long grown accustomed to it.

"Yes!"

"It is I! The one and only! The CEO of Tetra Line, the one responsible for Ark's entire entertainment industry!"

The flamboyant man struck a dramatic pose, one hand raised above his head while the other extended forward across his chest. With a drawn-out, theatrical tone, he declared his name—

"Mustang!"

Mo Chen's face darkened.

Even though he had already anticipated this scene, actually witnessing Mustang in person still made his toes curl in secondhand embarrassment.

Suppressing a shiver, he cleared his throat to shake off the lingering discomfort.

"So, uh… what do you want from me?"

While Mo Chen wasn't exactly fond of Mustang's eccentric style, he didn't outright dislike him either. One reason was that, despite his flamboyant appearance, he genuinely cared for the Nikkes under his company.

Besides, technically speaking, he was Anis's boss.

"And… you know who I am?"

"Oh, no! Mo Chen!"

Mustang let out a theatrical cry of despair.

"It seems our great Hero of the Ark still doesn't realize just how very famous he is!"