Max wasn’t sure what he was missing, and unfortunately, this defective A.I. was also clueless.[ I have no information about it, but it might be an impossible task to destroy the Perfect World’s foundation. Based on my capacity, to end the war, we must start with ALLIE. ALLIE must be freed or destroyed. ]Silence hung for a moment, broken only by the distant rumble of explosions outside.It was a reminder that while he was here researching, there was still a bloody battle that was going on outside!Max finally spoke as he considered his situation."If there’s even a chance to save ALLIE... I’ll take it. That Super A.I. was ours. ALLIE was meant to protect us. If we can bring her back, maybe humanity still has hope."Chamber approved of this plan.[ Then I will help you, master. I was discarded because I refused to obey Anima’s collective. I chose independence. Now, I choose you. Together, we may yet find a way to restore what was lost. ]Max touched the pendant again, feeling its fain

Outside the fortress, the battlefield suddenly shifted... The balance of power had somehow changed!The factions, Aries, Cancer, Taurus, Pisces, and others, had been locked in brutal combat against the towering Artifact Creatures, massive mechanical beasts filled with cannons and hydraulic limbs.But suddenly, their movements slowed...For a brief moment, their plasma blasts dimmed, their strikes weakened, and the Artifact Creatures’ armored hides no longer seemed impenetrable."Did you feel that?" shouted a Taurus warrior while his Titan Arm Gene Skill swelled his limb into a colossal battering ram.Bam!He slammed into the unit’s flank, denting armor that had resisted him moments before.The Aries fighters, known for their fiery aggression, pressed the advantage.One unleashed Flaming Fist, his arm engulfed in roaring flame as he hammered into a creature’s jaw. Another activated Meteor Crash, leaping high before slamming down with explosive force, cracking the mechanical unit’s body

Max knew that he was now being focused on by the A.I. soldiers.There was no doubt about that, considering how much damage they had created.Soon, more Adaptive Constructs surged from every wall, Reapers also poured in, Neural Traps pulsed nonstop.Max fought like a man possessed, every weapon, every skill unleashed in desperate rhythm.He could tell that his HP was getting lower and lower...[ Health: 2,600 / 3,200 ]...[ Health: 2,100 / 3,200 ][ Health: 1,200 / 3,200 ]Of course, at the same time, his Spirit Points were also in trouble!480... 410... 350... 270... 230..."Shit..." Max wanted to curse as he realized that if not for his Great Protection and his Advanced Gear, he would have died several times already!He could only desperately throw everything he could!Flashbang. Smoke. Titan Step. War Lance. Gauntlet. Beretta. Decoy. Potion.The chamber was in chaos as Max wouldn’t let himself get killed!’Ugh... Why am I even doing this? I should’ve just hidden with my camouflage.

Max thought for a moment before explaining to Chamber."Maybe some kind of Gene Weapons, Gene Enhancement Serum, maybe rare cores, enhancement items, or even blueprints on how to build this thing... Oh, now that I think about it, how about the barrier? Do you think we take that technology? Does it have some kind of special materials that produce that Barrier? I just need anything that could give me an edge."Well, he had an Advanced Barrier Generator, but that thing uses a lot of resources just to activate. Furthermore, it was just one layer of defense.If possible, Max wanted to have more of them.In any case, Chamber finally had an idea of the things he considered treasures.Chamber hummed for some time, processing the information it had.[ Understood. Analyzing fortress schematics. Identifying potential caches. ]Max waited, his heart pounding with anticipation.Cornelio might be focused on the obvious loot, but Max had Chamber... a tool that could see beyond locked doors and hidde

Max’s eyes widened as the scarred man’s veins bulged and his skin started flushing crimson. The drug coursed through his body like wildfire, amplifying his strength and speed.His daggers trembled in his grip before they began vibrating with unnatural energy.Max hadn’t expected them to be this eager to eliminate him.But it seemed that he had underestimated their greed!Apparently, the mercenaries knew more survivors would eventually reach this section of Citadel‑09.If they wanted to secure loot and escape without suspicion, they had to kill him quickly, strip him of anything valuable, and leave no evidence behind.Max felt the pressure...’So that’s how it is...’He had no choice but to fight to kill as well.The scarred man charged forward with, his daggers blurring faster than before.Max threw a smoke grenade to the ground.It immediately released a thick gray mist, swallowing the corridor in seconds. Visibility dropped to nothing!"Smoke?!" one of them snarled.Max’s silhouette