Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Chapter 374: Chapter 8: Who in the World Doesn’t Recognize You (Combined Chapter)_2

”This tastes better than what we had earlier.”

Upon hearing Wen Yu’s praise, Claus immediately smiled. ”Of course, this is my best bottle! Also, my brothers here are concerned about my safety. You two wouldn’t mind, right?”

”No problem. It’s a small matter. Let’s get down to business. Allow me to introduce my friend, Lin Kuangliu, a super-powerful expert from Cathay’s military. He’s also Sequence Number 3. By the way, you know about Sequences, right?”

This was a simple communication tactic. If you want to sit down calmly and properly to discuss certain matters, you must possess the qualifications to do so! And Sequence Number 3, in the eyes of those who understood, was definitely a qualification that embodied extreme strength!

As for hiding one’s true strength, engaging in pointless arguments with Claus, and then making a stunning reveal—to put it bluntly, wasn’t it just troublesome? If they wanted to do that, Wen Yu and Kuangliu might as well have just steamrolled this entire settlement!

Claus didn’t know the extent of their strength, so it was better to be upfront about it to avoid any unpleasantness.

And Claus, as it turned out, did know about Sequences...

”Sequence Number 3? You’re ranked third?”

Claus stared at Kuangliu, his expression one of utter shock, his mouth agape. After a moment, he hesitantly addressed Wen Yu and Kuangliu.

”Pardon my impertinence.”

With that, he retrieved a pair of oddly shaped glasses from his space ring. After putting them on, he gazed intently at Kuangliu.

A BEEP BEEP sound persisted. After a moment, Claus removed the glasses and spoke to Kuangliu and Wen Yu with profound respect.

”My apologies, sirs. Please forgive my earlier impudence.”

The glasses Claus wore were likely some sort of device for detecting power levels. It was indeed rather impolite to abruptly probe someone’s strength, but Wen Yu and Kuangliu weren’t bothered by such details.

Because neither of them had ever considered hiding their strength or playing the game of ’a pig pretending to be weak to prey on a tiger.’ They were, in fact, colossal, world-shaking tigers themselves!

”Let me see that.”

Wen Yu, as if he’d discovered a new toy, extended his hand toward Claus, asking for the glasses.

Claus respectfully handed over the glasses and, at the same time, waved to his subordinates.

”All of you, leave. Inform the kitchen to slaughter that Early Stage Level 4 mutant bull and prepare a few of their specialty dishes. Also, keep everything you’ve seen today strictly to yourselves.”

Claus’s capabilities weren’t bad; at least his control over his subordinates was quite strict. Upon hearing Claus’s command, his five subordinates immediately turned and left the room.

Claus, regarding them with utmost respect, then asked in an unprecedentedly humble tone.

”I’m not sure how I can be of service to you, gentlemen, but I will do my utmost to fulfill any request.”

His attitude had changed so quickly! It was so fast that Wen Yu and Kuangliu were both somewhat caught off guard.

The two exchanged a glance. Wen Yu then waved his hand, gesturing for Claus to sit down and speak.

Even though Wen Yu was powerful, he certainly didn’t possess the airs or awareness typical of a high-status individual.

”Have you met other Sequence members before?” Kuangliu asked first.

Claus, perched on the edge of his chair, nodded slightly.

”The most powerful man in Sin City, Yang Hong, is a Sequence—Sequence Number 36. When he visited previously, I didn’t know what a Sequence was, and then...”

The rest was a sorrowful tale.

Hearing Claus’s words, Wen Yu and Kuangliu nodded in understanding. At the same time, Claus’s statement hinted at something more.

It seemed that in Sin City, the situation might not be as Old Sam had described—a triumvirate of kings ruling together. Claus’s attitude towards Yang Hong even contained a hint of fear.

However, none of this mattered much to Wen Yu and Kuangliu.

Kuangliu briefly organized his thoughts before speaking.

”Due to certain special circumstances, we were teleported here from Cathay. I need to get some news from Cathay and also relay the message that we’re still alive. Therefore, I need to get in touch with Annie’s Special Ops Team within the American forces and, through them, contact the higher-ups in the United States military.”

Hearing Kuangliu’s request, Claus nodded.

”Understood. However, Annie hasn’t been in Sin City for some time, and I’m not sure where she has gone.”

Hearing this, Kuangliu raised an eyebrow.

”When will she return?”

Claus shook his head. ”I don’t know. But...”

”The captain of her Special Ops Team is still around; he’s a frequent patron here. If you two gentlemen wish to meet him, I can send someone to fetch him immediately.”

Hearing this, Wen Yu and Kuangliu exchanged glances.

”That would be very helpful.”

Claus was efficient. In less than 30 minutes, he had the man brought over.

In the meantime, the three of them chatted in Claus’s private quarters. From Claus, they learned a good deal of information that Old Sam hadn’t known.

According to Claus, although he was nominally one of the ”Three Kings” of Sin City, he was, in reality, more like a caretaker. He handled all the miscellaneous affairs in Sin City, while Yang Hong and Annie were more like lofty Emperors, enjoying the services of the entire city.

Yang Hong’s position was due to his strength, while Annie’s was due to her connections.

Indeed, according to Claus, Annie had some sort of unspoken understanding with the American military. This was why the Special Ops Team dispatched by the American forces followed Annie’s orders, rather than being bought off as Old Sam had suggested.

”By the way,” Wen Yu interjected, his interest piqued. ”I heard the American forces sent two contingents of troops, but they all perished in their camp. Do you know anything about that?”

Wen Yu wasn’t particularly concerned about establishing communication with Cathay; this other matter, however, had captured his attention.

Claus shook his head, indicating he didn’t know. ”Annie has always handled that matter personally. Truthfully, despite my apparent standing, Annie and Yang Hong manage all the truly important affairs. To be frank, I’m only in this position as a result of a compromise between them. Being the boss under these circumstances is incredibly stifling!”

Claus took a gloomy sip of red wine. To Wen Yu and Kuangliu’s keen senses, Claus’s heartbeat remained steady, indicating he wasn’t lying.

Then, a knock on the door broke the ensuing silence.

The captain of the Special Ops Team dispatched by the American forces was a Caucasian man in his thirties named Jake.

An incredibly common name, Wen Yu mused.

After entering, Jake first nodded at Claus. His attitude wasn’t particularly respectful, and Claus showed no reaction.

This further corroborated Claus’s claim—his status in Sin City truly wasn’t among the highest tier!

Then, Jake shifted his gaze to Wen Yu and Kuangliu. The very next second...

”Greetings, honored sirs.”

”Oh? You know who we are?” Wen Yu and Kuangliu exchanged a look, asking with mild surprise.

”Yes, sir,” Jake affirmed.

”Our military has compiled a list of known Sequence members and distributed it to the troops. Naturally, I recognize the faces of Sequence Number 2 and Sequence Number 3. In fact, as you are the most powerful Humans currently known, it’s standard procedure for all national militaries to have dossiers on you.”

Hearing Jake’s explanation, Wen Yu and Kuangliu had a moment of realization.

They had made numerous appearances in the outpost treasure land, so it was indeed easy for people to remember what they looked like. Information regarding Sequence members was undoubtedly something every nation would actively collect!

And there was no reason to conceal such information.

Establishing idols and heroes was a common practice among the higher-ups in various national militaries.

”Do you have the current list of known Sequence members?” Wen Yu asked.

Hearing Wen Yu’s question, Jake decisively retrieved an exquisite album from his space ring and handed it over.

Kuangliu, however, showed no interest in the list of Sequence members. He directly stated his need to contact the higher-ups of the American military.