The ostracized Sofie Barnes felt completely out of place amidst the fanatical atmosphere.

She quietly walked to a corner, nibbling on a piece of compressed biscuit while observing everything with worry.

Sofie Barnes was deeply concerned. Could Erics Peterson really handle Jashen Gonzales?

Unless Peterson killed Jashen Gonzales the moment they met, she feared that if Gonzales was given the chance to speak, even Peterson might be "convinced."

Jashen Gonzales's ability was far too sinister!

Wait, why wasn't I "convinced"? What's special about me?

Underground, James Lone also furrowed his brows.

He noticed something very strange about this group.

"Why is it that as soon as that fat guy speaks, this group acts like they're high on something?"

Soon, James Lone picked up some subtle clues.

As the short, middle-aged man gave his speech, invisible waves of willpower rippled outward from his willpower bubble.

These invisible waves, like ocean tides, struck and shook the willpower bubbles of everyone else, leaving them teetering and unstable.

Only the female ability user's willpower bubble seemed sturdy and unaffected.

The short, middle-aged man raised his fist.

The group responded with fervor, waving their fists enthusiastically, their faces flushing red with excitement.

James Lone felt a chill in his heart: "Is this some kind of 'Fanaticism + Berserk Aura' combo?"

This ability's influence on a group was simply unimaginable!

Standing quietly underground, James Lone coldly monitored the group's movements.

Fifteen minutes later, the group started packing up, preparing to move.

The bat man transformed into his bat form, scouting ahead to find a path to ascend the New York Pearl Tower.

James Lone narrowed his eyes: "So you insist on going to heaven, huh..."

Soon, the group discovered that the stairs and elevators were completely blocked.

"There's a survivor upstairs!"

The atmosphere grew tense again.

Everyone instinctively looked up toward the elevator shaft.

It was sealed tight, and nothing could be seen.

Jashen Gonzales frowned: "The people upstairs blocked off the lower floors. How do they come down to collect supplies?"

The group was puzzled.

Edgar Hughes calmly analyzed: "There are probably very few people upstairs, at most two or three, maybe even just one. They likely used some unknown method to gather a large stockpile of supplies and believe they can live up there for a long time, enough to hold out until national rescue arrives. So they sealed off the lower floors."

The explanation felt a bit far-fetched.

In the post-violet mist era, how could anyone gather so many supplies?

Every supply run was a bloody battle.

Sofie Barnes suddenly spoke up: "Could it be that the survivor we saw earlier is the one upstairs? Maybe they've already noticed us."

Although no one wanted to acknowledge her, Sofie Barnes's words made sense.

But this still didn't explain how the person upstairs came down.

Henry scratched his head and said: "Hmm, I think the survivor upstairs might also be able to fly. They could fly down to collect supplies."

The group immediately had an epiphany.

"Right, if Henry can fly, why couldn't others?"

With this explanation, everything made sense.

Edgar Hughes also relaxed.

Typically, ordinary survivors could only acquire one ability fruit.

If the survivor's ability was flying, their combat strength would be negligible.

Henry was a perfect example: exceptional at reconnaissance but almost useless in combat.

The group understood this logic, and the atmosphere lightened considerably.

Knowing the other person's ability reduced the perceived threat.

Jashen Gonzales laughed and said: "A flying ability user could be very useful. If he shows himself, Colonel Hughes, don't kill him too quickly. As long as you capture him, I'm confident I can convince him to become one of us!"

Edgar Hughes chuckled and nodded: "Don't worry, Director Gonzales! Leave it to me!"

The medic Alex Carter relaxed and joked: "Colonel Hughes, be gentle. Don't crush him to death."

"Hahaha. Let's move!"

Only Sofie Barnes felt a faint sense of unease: "Doesn't anyone else think the stuff blocking the elevator shaft looks... odd?"

Jashen Gonzales waved dismissively: "What's odd about it? It's just a pile of junk. Let's move!"

"Yes, sir!" The group immediately sprang into action.

Sofie Barnes glanced helplessly at the debris in the elevator shaft.

She thought she saw a twisted SUV among the pile of junk!

What kind of ability could shove a car into an elevator shaft?

After confirming that the stairs were truly impassable, Edgar Hughes led the team outside to the towering structure of the New York Pearl Tower.

"Blocking the stairs only covers part of it. I don't believe they could block off hundreds of meters of staircase. Big Eyes, fly up first, find an open stairwell, and report back."

"Yes!" Henry transformed into a bat and disappeared into the violet mist.

Soon, a reply came through the earpiece: "Report: it's only blocked for about 20 meters."

The group was overjoyed.

Edgar Hughes grinned: "Drop a rope and let me go up first! The rest, stay on guard here."

A rope was quickly lowered.

Edgar Hughes grabbed the rope and ordered: "Major Barnes, give me a hand."

"Alright." Sofie Barnes grabbed a corner of the rope and activated her ability.

Covered in his metal armor, Edgar Hughes immediately felt his body lighten as if his weight had vanished. With barely any effort, he climbed up the rope at a rapid pace.

Underground, James Lone watched the group's coordination with a frown. He had to admit that he had underestimated them.

The era of ability users was entirely different from before.

This kind of defense might deter ordinary people, but many ability users could easily overcome it.

However...

James Lone smirked coldly.

"You have abilities. What, you think I don't?"

If you're determined to climb up, then prepare to die!

James Lone quickly ascended to just 50 meters below the group, found a large tree, and climbed up.

Perching on a thick horizontal branch, he pulled out a sniper rifle.

He first flicked a camouflaged snake off the branch with the barrel, then sat firmly on the tree trunk.

What was an obstacle for others—the vision-obscuring violet mist—became James Lone's perfect cover.

The group, 50 meters away, had no idea James Lone was there.

In James Lone's perception, however, their movements were crystal clear.

"Why go head-on when you can shoot from afar?"

James Lone smirked and raised his sniper rifle, aiming into the violet mist.

Edgar Hughes quickly climbed through the window. After confirming there was no danger, he instructed Henry to climb another 50 meters and keep watch.

He then radioed the team below: "All clear! It's safe here! Start climbing!"

The group below cheered.

A few soldiers dismantled a metal plate into several smaller pieces and distributed them among the group.

With the group's protection, Jashen Gonzales was the first to grab the rope.

Sofie Barnes grabbed the rope and activated her ability.

Jashen Gonzales felt the weight of the metal disappear as it pulled him upward.

The pull was strong, even lifting his body slightly off the ground.

Jashen Gonzales barely needed to exert any effort; he only had to hold the rope and let himself be pulled upward.

The group cheered him on: "Director Gonzales, you're incredible!" "Director Gonzales is as mighty as ever!"

Jashen Gonzales climbed proudly.

Halfway up, a deafening bang suddenly rang out!

Bang!

At the same time, his chest was struck.

Jashen Gonzales stared at his chest in disbelief—a massive, bloody hole had appeared!

"I... How could I die here?"

"I'm not willing!"

"I'm supposed to become the king of the world..."

Jashen Gonzales's consciousness plunged into darkness. His hands slipped from the rope, and his body fell.