Conqueror of the Time Apocalypse

Chapter 4. Collapsing Shadows: Encounter with Viana

“So, Maxwell Sullivan, where are we heading now? Do you have an evacuation plan for a safer shelter bunker? My father has access to an underground facility equipped with advanced, locked defense systems.”

Viana Enderson spoke, trying to keep her voice firm even as her legs trembled slightly. Beside her, Johan followed warily, the axe on his back scraping against the rubble.

“A shelter bunker? Don't make me laugh, Viana. Your father couldn't even protect his own plush seat among the world's conglomerates, much less protect you from your true destiny,” Maxwell replied without turning, continuing down the dim stairs. Dust and debris clung to Viana's elegant clothes, contrasting sharply with her usual pristine image.

“But… that facility is supposed to be bulletproof and earthquake-resistant up to 8.9 on the Richter scale!” Viana countered, slightly provoked.

*Clang! Crash!*

Suddenly, a high-pitched shriek and scraping sound echoed loudly from the corridor below. Something resembling a giant spider with eight glowing red eyes and an iron-hard shell slammed into the stairwell from the twelfth floor, collapsing part of the structure below. The creature radiated an aura of horrific ferocity and filth.

[LEVEL 5: CORPSE SPIDER]

[TYPE: CONTAMINATED HYBRID ALIEN]

[WEAK POINT: CENTRAL EYE WITH BLUISH LIGHT]

“They're coming up fast!” Johan exclaimed, quickly revealing his axe.

“Careful, that's a Corpse Spider. Its body is tough; it can withstand high-caliber fire. And it spits corrosive acid,” Maxwell explained without a hint of surprise, his eyes fixated on the dim, bluish central eye.

“Then why are you so calm? We're going to be eaten! This monster will melt us!” Viana shrieked, her body instinctively recoiling. The fear was genuine.

“Silence. Your fear attracts its attention,” Maxwell hissed.

The Corpse Spider shifted its massive body, its red eyes focusing on Viana, who was still in shock. Its long, serrated legs gripped the wall, spitting out sticky, foul-smelling webbing that quickly filled the stairwell area.

“I can't… my body won't move!” Viana tried to back away, but her gaze seemed glued to the repulsive monster. She recognized the type of fear caused by this monster's 'terror aura,' one of the most primal types.

“Standard mental terror won't work on me,” Maxwell muttered. “And Viana, you need to get used to this.”

Maxwell pulled three blue energy cards from his pocket. These were 'Reserve Mana Energy' cards, looted from a destroyed ammunition warehouse—something that should be impossible to convert and use this quickly. The cards flew swiftly toward the monster's legs, as if pulled by invisible threads.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Three blue energy explosions wounded the Corpse Spider's outer shell. They didn't destroy it, but they clearly slowed its movement.

*Screech!* The monster shrieked in anger, its focus shifting to Maxwell. It fired more acidic webbing, this time in a larger quantity that filled the corridor.

“Johan! Your axe is useful here!” Maxwell commanded. “Small, concentrated area attacks won't damage it, but they'll give us an opening!”

“Ready, Sir!” Johan swung his axe, cleaving through the sticky webs and creating a narrow passage just wide enough for Maxwell and Viana to pass through.

“What are you waiting for, Viana? Don't just stand there like a statue. Move quickly!” Maxwell snapped, grabbing Viana's arm and pulling her through the parted webbing. The pungent acidic smell nearly burned Viana's skin.

They ran down another set of stairs, thankfully out of the monster's reach. But the monster's shrieks from behind indicated it had recovered and was still pursuing them.

“Why didn't you just kill it right away? Its weak point is the central eye! Why did you waste so much energy?” Viana asked, out of breath. She was trained to maintain composure in danger, but this time she felt like a complete novice.

“It's not that I couldn't, Viana. It was practice. Every bit of energy I use must be calculated efficiently. The monster was too large, and its position in the narrow corridor made it difficult for me to approach precisely while you were in shock,” Maxwell explained. “And second, you must observe how power works in this new world. Even in the smallest weakness.”

They continued moving down until they reached the third floor. The atmosphere grew quieter. They saw bodies scattered everywhere—a horrific sight that made Viana nearly vomit.

“This world has truly become a walking graveyard,” Johan muttered, gripping his axe tightly.

Maxwell stopped in front of an iron door labeled 'Reserve Control Room'.

“Absolute Knowledge, how many Awakened are in this area? Have other factions reached Viana's father's fake evacuation point yet?”

*Five low-level Warrior type Awakened (Level 2-4) detected. They formed an impromptu alliance and are hiding inside a restaurant across the street. Their plan is to storm the evacuation room after the majority of monsters are gone, waiting for you to do the dirty work,* the system answered.

“Filthy, cunning lickspittle dogs. Not true Awakened, just losers given new toys,” Maxwell scoffed. “Alright, that means we have a little time to play around.”

“Play around? This room will be hit soon. And the evacuation gate has already been claimed, Mr. Maxwell!” Johan exclaimed, his face showing extreme panic.

“You're too foolish to realize the value of this room, Johan. This isn't just a control room; it's one of the doors to the city's main underground network,” Maxwell stated while examining the console panel in front of the door. “System, open this door. Override all security systems.”

*This manual security gate is locked with four digital seals and a retinal code. Do you wish to bypass it entirely using a shortwave frequency channel?* the system asked.

“Proceed. We don't have time for biometrics,” Maxwell replied.

*Beep!* The door creaked open. A mixture of cold air and damp smells immediately wafted out. Inside were obsolete monitors and several buttons covered in dust.

“Maxwell, I know a lot about city management. Underground channel maps and utilities. My father controls fifty-one percent of Megalopolis City Infrastructure's shares. Is there something I can help with?” Viana finally started to function, her genius brain finding a foothold to perform a useful action.

“Of course. Look at this map, Viana,” Maxwell directed her attention to the main monitor. A hologram map appeared, showing a complex network of pipes and underground tunnels. “Where is the fastest route to Gamma Zone without having to interact with High-Class Awakened checkpoints and fire-type monsters?”

Viana observed the map for a moment, her gaze sharpening. In just seconds, she pointed to a spot. “If we go through sewage channel B-2 and follow the water distribution line, we can emerge exactly at the Gamma Zone subway assembly gate. It's the dirtiest route, but almost completely free of patrols and Grade A monsters during this period.”

“Brilliant. Very efficient, Viana. At least your brain is useful,” Maxwell praised, his tone devoid of emotion but offering an unspoken confirmation. It made Viana feel valued. “Absolute Knowledge, ensure there are no ventilation shafts leading to the open air on the route Viana designated. I don't want to get caught in the middle of a swarm of infected bats.”

Two gas lines with minor leaks detected, but they are synchronized. The route is fully protected from detection by feral creatures. "It will take two minutes and thirty seconds to enter and seventeen minutes to reach Gamma Zone via that route," the system responded.

"So we just ignore those two minutes of small leaks, Mr. Maxwell?" Johan asked.

"I have a tactical breathing mask in the limousine I used before; it should still be in the door pocket," Maxwell answered. "Next mission, Viana. Show your leadership here. There are thirteen low-level mercenaries guarding outside this gate, near the garden ruins."

"You mean the ones in the restaurant across the road?" Viana pointed at the map where the red dots of the Awakened were monitored. "But why did their numbers jump to thirteen? I only saw five earlier."

"They invited some other small-time thugs from neighboring restaurants after hearing the explosion earlier. Greedy people are never satisfied with what's right in front of them. Now, plan the best path to eliminate them all without letting anyone escape. Remember, I won't intervene directly this time, unless you and Johan are literally dying." Maxwell gave a thin smile.

Viana frowned, her brain instantly racing. She analyzed the situation on the map: the distance from their current building to the garden, the wind speed outside, the positions of the enemy Awakened, and the presence of the potentially returning Corpse Spider monsters.

"We have two routes of attack," Viana began mapping, her gestures nimble, showing experience from high-level strategic meetings. "One is a frontal assault, which will lead to bloodshed and monsters coming here from all directions. The second is a trap."

"Explain your trap strategy," Maxwell commanded, leaning against the console.

"These recently arrived thugs probably aren't familiar with the monsters around here, apart from common targets like Scavenger Dogs. I assume the Corpse Spider will return in another two or three minutes to look for prey. So we use them," Viana said, her eyes glinting cunningly.

Johan frowned. "Using monsters to eliminate humans? That's quite cunning, Mr. Viana."

"In this era, morality is a burden, Johan. Use everything: strength, monsters, fear," Viana replied coldly, beginning to show her brutal pragmatic side.

Maxwell nodded slowly, looking satisfied. "Continue."

"We need a diversion," Viana continued. "Someone who can appear from the right angle and create a disturbance. A disturbance that will draw the Corpse Spider back toward them, forcing the Awakened and thugs to destroy each other fighting against the monsters. We also need strange sounds to attract the weaker ones closer, making them search for fake 'treasure'. Amidst that chaos, Johan will move in."

"I'll be the distraction, Mr. Maxwell?" Johan asked with some hesitation.

"Of course, stupid," Viana said bluntly. "If you can clear its acid webs and create enough noise. Our target is the half-burned market area to the south. Ring some emergency bells, blow up the generator there. But don't linger too long."

"Wait. We need to leave 'something' attention-grabbing amidst the noise," Maxwell interrupted. "Some imitation necklaces, fake luxury watches—all easily found in the luxury boutiques over there. Pretend you drop them while 'running in fear.' Those sycophant dogs won't realize it's rotten bait until they bite it."

"Brilliant!" Viana smirked. "Pretend to run away around the corner of that restaurant building. When the monsters approach, leave an open backpack behind a pile of debris, as if it contains gold or rare treasures. Then, as they fight over it, the Corpse Spider and the Awakened will destroy each other. Johan can eliminate anyone remaining without being suspected."

"A conglomerate heiress truly fits the role of a murder mastermind," Maxwell joked. "I'm starting to like this."

Johan, still looking somewhat skeptical, sighed. "Alright, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Viana. I'll do it. But Mr. Maxwell, you have to promise not to let me die in the middle of that swarm of giant spiders!"

"Death will be the most expensive lesson if you fail your mission, Johan. Don't worry; as long as you're loyal, I won't let you die needlessly," Maxwell replied, his voice still devoid of emotion, yet implying a strange promise within it.

Viana grabbed some watches and necklaces from the destroyed boutique display, putting them into her backpack. She glanced at Maxwell, who was silently observing her.

"Why aren't you helping at all? You just stand there and order us around," Viana protested, feeling a hint of annoyance at Maxwell's attitude.

"Because a king's duty is to monitor and make absolute decisions. Not to dirty his hands with low-level work like this. And I want to see how you handle real situations without detailed guidance from me. Now, go. It's time to get rid of the pests." Maxwell pointed to the exit, his expression unchanged.

Viana stared sharply at him. Her eyes searched for a weakness, for hesitation, but all she found was a solid iceberg. There was annoyance, yet also a recognition she couldn't avoid—this man was different from anyone she had ever met. His resolve was unshakable.

"Alright. Come on, Johan. Show those losers who really leads this new food chain," Viana said, shifting from spoiled mode to cold commander mode. She threw a gas mask to Johan and put one on herself. It was the same gas mask Maxwell had taken from the car earlier.

They exited the control room. Johan immediately ran towards the half-burnt market area to complete the mission he had just received. Viana remained still next to Maxwell.

"What will you be doing while we're busy out there?" Viana asked.

"I'll be searching for data inside the city library ruins. Information on certain 'Exotic Classes' or 'Legendary Relics' is scattered there, in places new-class Awakened won't suspect," Maxwell answered. "Perhaps some important data that the apocalypse Creators deliberately destroyed to trap you."

"Creators? What are they?"

"I'll explain later. For now, focus on your first mission as my right hand, Viana. Remember, failure is not an option," Maxwell said, stepping toward the next ruin without waiting for a reply. He disappeared into the mist of blood-red rain, leaving Viana alone at the control room entrance.

Viana took a deep breath. It was cold and frightening, but also intoxicating. Maxwell Sullivan wasn't just a leader; he was a ruler who would reshape this world's history. And she, Viana Enderson, had become part of that enormous project. Like it or not, her destiny was now bound to it.

Suddenly, a small explosion echoed from the market, followed by the panicked shouts of men. Shortly after, the shrill screech of a Corpse Spider followed, along with the distinctive whirring sound of a pistol. A commotion had begun, exactly as Viana predicted.

Viana gave a thin smile. This was her battlefield. Not in an air-conditioned conference room, but amidst blood-soaked ruins. She pulled a spare pistol from Maxwell's backpack lying beside her—a tiny .22 caliber pistol inscribed with mana energy—and aimed at the source of the chaos, preparing for her first move as a pawn on the Absolute King's chessboard.

"Alright, Maxwell Sullivan," Viana whispered, her gaze sharp and filled with newfound determination. "I won't let you down. I won't let myself down either."The chaotic waves of sound from explosions, gunfire, and apocalyptic screams served as a backdrop symphony for the awakening of the dark prince amidst the turmoil, awaiting his empress to be ready to ascend the throne.