Two hours later.

Martin Stewart had sniffed every corner of the base and finally found where the intruder's scent reappeared: the ability fruit storage room!

Inside the small compartment, the evolved apricot tree and leek plants were thriving. However, the ability fruits that had been hanging from them were now gone!

Soon, Erics Peterson arrived at the ability fruit storage room with his team, his face dark with anger. "Where are the fruits? Can anyone tell me where the ability fruits have gone?!"

The high-ranking ability users present all looked grim.

The ability fruit storage wasn't a resource belonging to one person but rather to all ability users. Now, someone dared to steal those ability fruits, a slap in the face to all of them!

Moreover, in the era of the violet mist, ability fruits were invaluable. Losing two such precious resources was a huge blow!

The head of security for the warehouse section wore an expression of sheer despair as he nervously reported, "It's confirmed, it was done by an ability user!"

He played a surveillance video.

In the footage, a mysterious hand emerged from the floor of the small compartment and swiftly plucked two ability fruits.

Teresa Taylor's mouth twitched slightly.

This was James Lone!

So it was indeed him who did it!

But how did he know there were ability fruits here?

The ability users were enraged. "It was indeed a little mole digging around!" "Bastard!" "Don't let me catch you!"

The base was turned upside down in a frantic search for the intruder, but they had no luck finding the stranger.

The eight-hour space blockade came to an end.

Still, no one had been found.

The loss was theirs to bear.

The troubling part was that this method of infiltration posed a significant threat to many previously secure defense measures in the base.

If the mysterious intruder could come in once, they could come in twice.

This time, they only stole two ability fruits and abducted Olivia Brooks. What if they throw in some grenades next time?

What about gas bombs?!

Erics Peterson and the other leaders were starting to worry deeply.

They realized the magnitude of preparations required to cover these defense gaps.

In fact, it might be impossible to completely defend against such a method!

Who could stop an enemy that emerged silently from underground?

The thought of such a repulsive and formidable intruder lurking nearby made Erics Peterson's skin crawl.

How can you guard against a thief every day?!

With a determined heart, he decided: "General Stewart, I order you to halt all ongoing tasks and immediately form a 20-member elite ability user search team. We must capture this rodent. Once a trace is found, the base will spare no effort to support you and eliminate them completely!"

Martin Stewart, aware of the threat posed by this person, solemnly replied, "Rest assured. Burrowing must consume enormous stamina, making long-distance travel impossible. This person is likely hiding in a nearby survivor enclave. I will find him!"

Teresa Taylor watched the determined expressions of the crowd, worrying internally for James Lone: "This is serious. You must hide well, don't reveal yourself!"

Lily Green was the first to consume an ability fruit.

James Lone saw the notification:

[Ding! Lily Green consumed 1 Enlightenment Fruit - Physique Enhancement, yielding 1,100 fruits! Added to personal space.]

Another physique enhancement fruit?

James Lone felt a bit disappointed.

He glanced at the notification:

[Enlightenment Fruit (Physique Enhancement): 2 Star. Consumption enhances physique. Repeated consumption may increase star rating.]

James Lone was stunned.

The previous physique enhancement fruit had been 1 star.

So, there were 2-star physique enhancement fruits too?

So even the same type of fruit can have different star levels!

I couldn't increase star level with 1-star fruits, but with 2-star fruits?

James Lone was intrigued.

"I'm—I feel my body getting stronger?" Lily Green stared dumbfounded at her hands.

James Lone chuckled: "Yes, physique enhancement means your physical strength is now more than twice that of a normal person! Give it a try."

So strong! Lily Green looked around, grasped a solid wood chair, and easily lifted the hundred-pound object!

Excitedly, she tried lifting a bedside cabinet and found she could hoist it effortlessly.

Lily Green was overjoyed: "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"

She then noticed some black substances excreting from her skin, looking dirty and emitting an unpleasant odor.

"Ah! What's this?!"

James Lone replied calmly: "Physique enhancement expels toxins from your body. It's beneficial to your health. Just wash it off."

"Okay!" Lily Green cheerfully hurried back to her room for a bath.

Elsa Thomas, envious, watched Lily Green before swallowing her own fruit.

[Ding! Elsa Thomas consumed 1 Enlightenment Fruit - Flexibility, yielding 1,100 fruits! Added to personal space.][Enlightenment Fruit (Flexibility): 1 Star. Consumption increases body flexibility. Repeated consumption may increase star rating.]

Instantly, Elsa Thomas felt her ligaments and joints loosen considerably.

Not only flexible but also strong.

Unconsciously, Elsa Thomas bent backward, her waist flexibly allowing her head to reach the ground—something she couldn't do before.

She finally formed a surprising contortionist's triple fold.

However, Elsa Thomas was not happy.

Compared to Lily Green's comprehensive physical enhancement, her flexibility ability seemed much weaker.

"Master..." Elsa Thomas said with a grievance: "My ability feels too weak."

But James Lone's eyes shone: "No! This ability is fantastic! Hahaha!"

At the entrance of the New York Trump Tower.

All the survivors gathered to send off Jashen Gonzales, Edgar Hughes, and others.

The short-statured Jashen Gonzales stood in front of the crowd, delivering a passionate speech: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am going along with Colonel Hughes and Professor William to the base to set the path and persuade them to send help to you all as soon as possible. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger, I do not mind the risk for your well-being. Worry not..."

The crowd was moved to tears: "Director Gonzales! You can't leave us!" "Director Gonzales! What will we do without you?" "This is too risky! Let us go in your place!" "Director Gonzales..." "Director Gonzales..."

Even Edgar Hughes, Henry, and Professor Hector William were visibly moved: "Now that's a good official!" "For the people's sake, willing to take risks without hesitation!"

Sofie Barnes felt a chill run down her spine.

Over the past few days, she witnessed Jashen Gonzales's bizarre maneuvers firsthand.

He gave several grandiose speeches.

Every word was bureaucratic nonsense and lies.

Yet, inexplicably, everyone believed him!

Even the well-versed Professor Hector William was taken in, obeying Jashen Gonzales and harboring deep trust in him.

Everything mentioned had to reference Director Gonzales.

Every action reported first to Jashen Gonzales.

Amidst everyone, only Sofie Barnes remained composed and unaffected by Jashen Gonzales's influence.

Sofie Barnes knew something was off with this man's abilities!

Jashen Gonzales seemed aware of her uniqueness, having spoken ill of Sofie Barnes to Edgar Hughes and Hector William multiple times.

As a result, Sofie Barnes faced constant ostracism from everyone.

Were it not for her special ability to aid in transporting materials, Sofie Barnes suspected she might have been killed already!

After delivering his rousing speech, Jashen Gonzales sat atop a metal platform, confidently declaring: "Let's go! First to the New York Pearl Tower, then to the base!"

Before Edgar Hughes could issue any orders, his soldiers obediently followed Jashen Gonzales's commands.

Frighteningly, such absurd, disobedient actions didn't raise any concerns in Edgar Hughes!

Soldiers of the original unit and researchers, along with the ten loyal followers Jashen Gonzales took, all obeyed his orders completely!

Sofie Barnes was powerless to resist and could only enter the forest per Jashen Gonzales's directives.

Hopefully, Director Peterson can handle this strange man!