Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 1082: Chapter 837: The Shadow Over Helios

A moment of thought, calm analysis, and careful consideration.

Huai Shi suddenly discovered... was there some sense in what Garandor was saying?

After all, he wasn’t interested in anything else, just fixated on those few Rejuvenation Crystals in their garage.

Before setting off, he had already planned to pull off a job at Helios.

Could hardly be considered a good person.

For a moment, the anger in Huai Shi’s expression froze, and after a few deep breaths, miraculously transformed into a shy yet innocent smile:

”What are you saying, everyone knows that I, Huai Shi, have always been trustworthy, my words are deeds, and actions definitive, a rare role model in Current Circumstances.”

Such shameless boasting, Garandor seemed to believe it, not doubting anymore.

”Then, since matters have come to this, I believe you all do not require any pleasing lies.”

The elder solemnly announced the conditions: ”Those unwilling to assist me can surrender their credentials, wait inside the Child of Leviathan, whether it’s complaints after the fact or announcements to the four corners, I will not defend my actions in any way.

But if unable to accept these terms, you may challenge me here—”

As he said this, a grim specter slowly emerged behind him, countless Source Fluctuations and complex Mystic Rituals converged into that dignified and solemn outline, sketching out sacred features and eyes.

Contained within the resemblance to Garandor in his youth was an ineffable Divine Nature and radiance, eternal tranquility, a smile flickering at the corner of the mouth, carrying a mysterious flavor.

Seemed like a sculpture not belonging here.

The moment it appeared, it burdened everyone’s hearts, filled with oppression. There was no doubt, it was Garand’s creation, the Miracle Imprint establishing the Great Grandmaster’s name.

Might even harbor authority...

Huai Shi couldn’t sense any Death Perception.

Yet he could not muster any hostility or desire to attack, his mind was peaceful, filled with tranquility, so much so that he felt like throwing up.

Even the negative energy engine stalled.

Only the Godly Nature in the Great Priestess was vibrating violently, resisting that pervasive impact, maintaining its own existence. If it was other Stigmata lacking Divine Nature, it might instantly collapse and purify under that sculpture’s gaze?

Everyone’s expressions in the lounge underwent fierce changes, but soon, without exception, calmed down again.

Truly serene.

Even if one suddenly died, the corpse would undoubtedly bear a smile of relief.

Subsequently, Garandor slowly said: ”Alchemists willing to assist in the investigation, I naturally welcome, during this period, any Alchemy questions can be directed to me.”

Besides providing necessary protection, I can promise: everything discovered during the exploration... as long as it doesn’t involve crucial items, will belong to you.”

”Even in recovery, I will represent the Stone Pot Society to exchange equivalent relics.”

Huai Shi’s eye twitched.

This old man opened a tutoring class, having people invest in him, directly hiring with Helios’s money to sell themselves... Where had he seen this operation routine before?

Yet everyone was tempted...

Difficult to resist.

A Great Grandmaster’s guidance and treasures in Helios Workshop.

The former is an irresistible honey for an Alchemist, while the latter is an irresistible temptation for every opportunist.

Treasures from the Age of God.

The source of worldly Alchemy...

Aside from innumerable valuable materials, Border Relics, and rare Miracle Imprints preserved inside, there might even be authority... Even just the items, notes, and works left behind by the alchemists are priceless treasures beyond measure.

Even Huai Shi’s heart was moved for a moment.

Soon, he regained composure.

With the backing of the Ivory Tower and the Astronomical Society’s background, once status is attained, what should be theirs will not lack, as for more... as long as he dares to assume more responsibility, he can gain even greater rewards.

No need to envy these things.

It’s just the existence of Rejuvenation Crystals that made him uneasy.

But now, everyone’s breathing grew heavy, even the remaining sacred aura in the air couldn’t erase this greed emerging continuously from the heart.

Only the old sacrificial priest Emara raised her eyes, suddenly asked: ”Is the Stone Pot Society planning to completely annex Helios Workshop?”

Garandor did not answer.

Merely waited quietly.

”Come on, fool, what’s dazing.” Tong Ji’s demonic whisper rang in his ears again.

Yet the little angel in Huai Shi’s heart also stirred, nodding in agreement: ”Right, right.”

”It’s just fear of danger!” Huai Shi was alert.

”Are you stupid, as dangerous as it gets, can it compare to the danger in the Element of Destructive in your embrace!” Tong Ji looked at him sideways: ”Speaking of danger, right now you are far more dangerous than Helios...”

Seems to make some sense!

”Besides, think about it, isn’t it quite good!” Tong Ji said: ”The Stone Pot Society supports you in excavating Helios’s grave, what you find is yours, others don’t have the convenience of your space backpack, you bring a few more bags, the Tanbo economy will soar ahead of schedule!”

The future of hybrids depends on you to dig graves!

Go for it!

The more Tong Ji spoke, the more unreliable Huai Shi felt, his expression gradually turning skeptical.

But Tong Ji rolled her eyes at him: ”Think about the Rejuvenation Crystals, think about the technology on them, why can’t your brain turn the corner! It’s just a raid, what’s there to be afraid of!”

No, I’m not afraid of the raid... I’m afraid of you, okay!

Huai Shi shivered with anger.

While he was talking with Tong Ji, people were already stirring and getting up to sign the contract.

With the first person taking the lead, the majority of people followed suit, signing their names on Garandor’s contract relic, joining the tools-and-socks army.

Ragnar, Valery, and others were among them.

Of course, some knew their own limits, and after signing another contract, handed over their credentials and left.

When it was Iz’s turn, the man smoking a cigar looked at Garandor’s contract with a half-smile: ”As for me, I’ll pass, okay? I don’t want to ruin your good thing.”

Garandor glanced deeply at him, and after a long silence, he actually allowed him to retain his credentials and move freely.

For a moment, many people showed angry expressions, but they couldn’t say much.

Elder Priestess Emara was silent for a moment, and eventually wrote her name on the action participation contract. However, her name quickly disappeared, leaving only a remnant.

It was the divine blessing within her bloodline that shielded her from the contract’s constraints, granted by the grace of the Cat God, though she was still not free from its scope of influence.

Huai Shi watched enviously.

Being a God N’s descendant is so good,

even those oppressive contracts have no restraint.

Even now, with Huai Shi’s divine nature as the Great Priestess, he couldn’t resist the contract’s compulsion.

When Huai Shi’s name was written down, there was a brief spark of fire, which quickly extinguished, reducing merely a radical element.

This meant that if he violated any prohibited clause in the contract, he would face backlash.

In a way, Garandor already held a crucial aspect of his fate.

Seeing Huai Shi cooperate so willingly, Garandor was momentarily stunned, while Huai Shi retreated to the corner, smiling and stroking the Book of Fate within his soul without speaking.

He simply wasn’t worried at all.

No matter how strong the backlash, can it suppress his destiny in the Book of Fate?

At most, it’s just a small hassle.

Come on, could it be any more formidable than what’s contained within his Ruins?

As long as I have enough explosives tucked away, no one can harm me!

With this understanding, Huai Shi’s mood grew more pleasant.

In the end, those who signed the contract accounted for four-fifths of the original number, seeming that the collections in Helios and the guidance of the Great Grandmaster were more valuable than Huai Shi had imagined.

Unexpectedly, the alchemist Rachelle was also listed among the exploration team members.

Sweating profusely, his face pale, he was trembling in the corner.

Detecting Huai Shi’s gaze, his expression suddenly turned fierce, casting a gloomy look over.

As if he had been offended.

”Wow, so scary, so scary...”

Huai Shi sighed, shrugged, and looked away, turning his gaze to the dark space outside the resting room window.

Directly above Jupiter’s Demon’s Eye, Helios silently spun above the storm, its battered and perforated body reflecting the distant dim sunlight.

A phantom-like wail vanished into the darkness.

.

.

About a few hours later, around three o’clock in the afternoon in Current Circumstances time, the Child of Leviathan, which had been circling around Helios repeatedly, finally confirmed the damage state of Helios from a distance.

”Not only has it lost parts that have been repaired and improved over these years, but even its original structure has been damaged.”

After the projection, Garandor raised his cane, introducing the situation above to the first group of exploration team members: ”Over the years, the outer residential areas built by alchemists have collapsed, and the production lines on both wings have not been spared.

The observation and experiment areas have suffered the most severe damage, while the circulation and material reserve zones are no longer existent, and most parts of Helios now fail to maintain a normal ecosystem.

In the worst estimation, over seventeen of the thirty-two Source Substance pathways inside Helios Workshop have been scrapped...”

The loss is undoubtedly grievous.

Who knows what kind of attack or disaster could have resulted in such a dire consequence.

As the Sun Chariot of yore, Helios Workshop itself symbolized the sovereignty of the sun, a relic of authority.

Aside from its functionally divided zones, its essence was also laid down according to the basics of Alchemy, divided into four framework layers of activity, creation, formation, and outflow.

Of course, depending on various translations and interpretations, it also carried aliases like divine nature, matter, etc., but that’s not important.

What’s important is that of the four realms keeping Helios Workshop operational, one is completely scrapped, two are severely damaged, and the remaining core formation realm cannot be observed externally.

The tri-pillar balance has been disrupted, and over half of the thirty-two vein-like Source paths have been lost... one can imagine the adverse conditions inside.

To ensure the safety of the first batch of alchemist explorers, Garandor has made preparations, from action routes to specific contingency measures, all in place.

But what Huai Shi was more curious about...

With so much information that would be considered top secret even within Helios, how did you come to know it?