James Lone pondered for a moment and said, "Let's head to the New York Pearl Tower first, and then we'll see."

He was debating whether to head to the television station base or directly to the National Guard outpost outside New York City.

James Lone hadn't made a final decision yet.

What mattered was going to a place with more people. That way, when the tentacle monsters came, there'd be plenty of "meat shields" to facilitate his escape.

Should he bring Wot Andrew? He hesitated for a moment.

Now that he had Tailsa Evans, Wot Andrew's value had diminished somewhat.

But Tailsa Evans was just a medical student, specializing in Western medicine.

In this environment, she couldn't compare to an experienced medical professor like Wot Andrew.

Better to bring him along.

James Lone instructed the women to pack their belongings while he phased through the floors and arrived at Wot Andrew's home.

Wot Andrew was still studying a mutated plant when he looked up curiously and asked, "Mr. Lone, what brings you here?"

Without delay, knowing the tentacle monsters could arrive at Sunshine Garden Towers at any moment, James Lone said quickly, "Dr. Wot, I'm leaving. Do you want to come with me?"

Wot Andrew was startled. "What happened?"

James Lone didn't hide the truth. "A powerful species of tentacle monsters has emerged from the Hudson River—thousands, maybe tens of thousands. The New York Film Academy is already overrun by them, and I plan to avoid them."

Wot Andrew was a smart man and knew James Lone wouldn't lie to him.

If even James Lone was avoiding these creatures, there was no way he'd dare stay behind.

Without hesitation, Wot Andrew stood up. "Alright! If Mr. Lone is willing to take me, I'll go!"

James Lone nodded. "Pack your things and meet me on the 33rd floor. I'll be back shortly."

"Understood."

James Lone flew to the roof of Building B, then descended to the 33rd floor.

There were even fewer survivors left here—just a few dozen.

Each one was emaciated and gaunt, their faces hollow.

All of them had congregated on the top floor.

A creature that had been attacking humans through the sewer pipes and toilets had appeared here as well, killing two people.

Everyone was too terrified to leave the top floor.

They only dared go downstairs to dig for weeds and didn't dare get close to the toilets anymore.

When they saw the healthy and energetic James Lone, they recoiled in fear and huddled in the corners, silently watching him.

James Lone glanced at them and said calmly, "A creature has crawled out of the river and is heading toward Sunshine Garden Towers. If you can run, run. If you can't... when you encounter the monster, it's better to kill yourselves—it'll at least be a painless death. That's my last piece of advice to you."

Having said that, James Lone turned and walked up the stairs, flying toward Building A once he was out of sight.

Unless absolutely necessary, James Lone disliked showing his abilities in front of others.

The survivors were left dumbstruck, soon descending into panic.

"Is the monster real?" "Who was that?" "Wasn't he the convenience store clerk outside the complex? I think his name is James Lone!" "So he's James Lone! How is he still so healthy? He must have a stash of food!" "He's the one who 'collects slaves'!" "Forget James Lone! The monster's coming!" "It's such a tall building—the monster can't climb up, right..." "Let's run!" "No! I don't believe him! James Lone must be lying!"

...

James Lone gave a similar warning to the survivors in Building A.

This was his last gesture of goodwill as a human.

Once extraterrestrials reached the moon, humanity's future would grow unimaginably bleak.

So, as long as there was no conflict, James Lone didn't mind saving a few people—it might come in handy in the future.

Of course, it was only when it was convenient.

If it required extra effort or cost him something, he wouldn't bother.

After notifying the survivors in Building A, James Lone flew back home.

Wot Andrew was already on the 33rd floor.

The women were ready as well.

"Let's go," James Lone said, opening a blue portal.

At that moment, something felt wrong.

The usual ease with which he created portals seemed to have become sluggish.

"Huh? What's going on? Wait here, I'll check it out."

Frowning, James Lone stepped into subspace.

As always, the surroundings were bright yet filled with void-like darkness.

But within the void, a chaotic and violent energy seemed to be brewing.

The blue portal appeared to be under attack by some force. Its normally stable surface now rippled violently.

James Lone was shocked.

Suddenly, in the infinite distance of the void-like subspace, a dazzling green light appeared.

No, it wasn't just light—it was an enormous, grotesque eye!

The eye resembled a massive wooden knot, staring at James Lone from afar.

The blue portal trembled violently.

Then, a thunderous voice echoed in James Lone's soul: "￥&#￥@！！"

His head buzzed, and a metallic taste filled his mouth as blood began dripping from his nose.

"Damn! What the hell is that thing?!"

His heart pounded as he fled the subspace, closing the blue portal immediately.

The green eye disappeared.

The women were startled when James Lone returned, pale-faced and shaken.

"Master, what happened?" they asked.

James Lone's ears were ringing badly. He wiped away the blood from his nose and said gravely, "We're in trouble. The portal can't be used for now. April Jones, don't use your portal either—there's something really powerful inside."

If he, with his strong constitution and willpower, couldn't withstand a single glance, April Jones wouldn't stand a chance.

"Huh? There's a monster in there too?" April Jones was stunned.

The women panicked.

James Lone's expression darkened. Without the portal, he could escape through underground passages, but what about the women?

Just then, the sound of helicopters roared in the distance.

Everyone looked out the window to see three armed helicopters approaching!

At the same time, two fighter jets roared overhead, seemingly escorting the helicopters.

The military had finally acted?

After being silent for so long, the army was now mobilizing?

James Lone was surprised.

Why now?

The purple mist had risen to the 23rd floor.

From the windows of the surrounding buildings, countless heads peeked out, excitedly watching the military aircraft.

The armed helicopters flew closer, dropping red leaflets while broadcasting loudly:

"Citizens, the National Guard will soon begin the New York City rescue operation. The plan is as follows:

"1. Starting at 8 a.m. the day after tomorrow, we will conduct 24-hour continuous bombing along St. John's Road, Peace Road, Baker Road... Survivors must avoid these areas.

"2. The bombing will clear 8 survival routes, 20 to 100 meters wide and 30 to 50 kilometers long. Temporary supply and guidance points will be set up along these routes, every 5 kilometers.

"3. The National Guard will maintain these survival routes for 7 days. Survivors are advised to use this time to reach the National Guard's base for shelter.

"4. After 7 days, all supply points will be withdrawn."

...

The armed helicopters flew slowly, repeating the broadcast.

A 24-hour bombing to create survival routes, a mass evacuation of survivors...

The flood of information stunned everyone.

The women had mixed reactions.

The military had finally taken action.

But their approach was far from what they had imagined.

Instead of entering the city to rescue civilians, the military was using firepower to blast open paths, leaving the survivors to escape on their own.

Could this even work?

James Lone phased through the floor and flew to the rooftop.

Leaflets had already fallen there.

He picked up a couple and returned home.

The women crowded around him.

James Lone carefully read the leaflet. It matched the helicopter broadcast but was more detailed.

Traveling with other survivors along the cleared routes would reduce the risk of being attacked by forest creatures.

After some thought, James Lone made a decision: "Alright. We'll wait one more day and then leave through the military's route. But before that, we need to make some preparations."

...

Washington D.C.

In a park stood a massive banyan tree, reaching into the sky.

Its canopy pierced the clouds, stretching for kilometers, casting an unimaginable shadow over the Washington area and plunging it into darkness.

At the same time, where the canopy extended, the space around it seemed to tear faintly.

Various animals thrived on the banyan tree, creating a unique ecosystem.

The tree was still growing rapidly.

Its massive roots constantly burst from the ground, only to burrow back into the earth.

The roots writhed like giant serpents, greedily absorbing nutrients.

Suddenly, the thickest trunk of the banyan tree revealed a giant, green, wooden eye, eerily resembling a human eye.

The wooden eye trembled violently.

The entire banyan tree began to shake.

Countless birds took flight, forming a dark cloud as they screeched in terror.

The ground beneath trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

Buildings in Washington D.C. collapsed, and countless survivors screamed in agony.

Numerous roots burst from the ground, reaching hundreds of meters into the sky, spreading ominously toward New York City.

Wherever the roots reached, new banyan trees sprouted, extending even more roots toward New York.

Extending endlessly...



The first part of "Purple Fog" ends here.

The second part will return soon!