Chapter 80: A Wretched Life, Utterly Mad

"Next... is the moment to witness a miracle."

Alvin’s gaze locked onto the arc traced by the Divine Mechanism Beetle, until it landed precisely atop the unfinished “Demon Engine.”

CLANG!

A sharp collision sound drew the attention of the Chaotic Machine Servants, who sluggishly shifted their revolting flesh-mechanical bodies like tiny ants, climbing onto the Demon Engine to investigate the source of the noise.

"Are you sure... that thing will actually work?"

Despite Alvin’s demeanor suggesting the device held immense power, Winnie simply couldn’t believe a metal disc no bigger than a palm could destroy the indestructible “Demon Engine.”

"When did I say I was sure it would work?"

Alvin’s attention remained fixed on the Divine Mechanism Beetle, too annoyed to respond to the Judge beside him: "If all else fails, I’ve got a backup plan!"

Though Plan B would create far greater commotion!

That meant traveling to the Marvel universe and directly retrieving a few atomic bombs from S.H.I.E.L.D.—he refused to believe the Demon Engine, even with the Blood God’s blessing, could withstand it, let alone the foundry itself.

When pushed to the brink, who cared about the methods?

Alvin no longer cared about scale—even if he couldn’t destroy the Demon Engine, he’d make sure the cult paid dearly.

In short, just one rule!

If anyone makes his life hard, he’ll make theirs harder.

As he pondered, the Chaotic Machine Servants spotted the Divine Mechanism Beetle lying on the Demon Engine’s hatch, picked it up, and stared at it in confusion—what exactly was this thing?

"Hey, are you even capable?"

Seeing the device do nothing, Winnie grew impatient.

"See, you’re getting anxious again."

Alvin shook his head, signaling her to calm down: "Don’t rush. Let the bullet fly a bit longer."

"?"

Had it not been for Aluman’s background, Winnie would’ve drawn her gun long ago; she rolled her eyes at Alvin and turned back to observe the situation below.

As the Chaotic Machine Servants examined the flat, ink-green metal disc, its core suddenly cracked open, revealing a delicate metallic beetle.

The metallic beetle seemed to have just awakened, vibrating its two ink-green iron wings, its emerald core at the forehead igniting with a piercing, buzzing hum.

ZZZZZ—!

The Chaotic Machine Servant still hadn’t realized the danger of the metallic beetle and attempted to grasp it directly with its palm.

But the instant it made contact!

The ink-green metallic beetle emitted a sound utterly incomprehensible, then instantly burrowed into the Chaotic Machine Servant’s body!

Along the flesh-mechanical structure of its arm, it decomposed the servant at near-terrifying speed—within less than a second, reducing it to nothing, not even a trace left behind!

After decomposing the Chaotic Machine Servant, the Divine Mechanism Beetle used the harvested bio-energy to initiate its self-replication program.

One Divine Mechanism Beetle became dozens!

And this was merely the beginning!

The replicated Divine Mechanism Beetles locked onto the foundry’s numerous casting machines, Chaotic Machine Servants, and the unfinished “Demon Engine.”

ZZZZZ!

Like a storm of death, the holy beetles devoured and decomposed energy at astonishing speed, replicated themselves, and endlessly repeated the process.

The Chaotic Machine Servants offered no resistance!

Even the cult’s defense systems, before the creations of the Necrons, were as primitive as Stone Age savages!

This was a one-sided massacre!

"What... what on earth is that?!"

Winnie, watching the scene, nearly screamed aloud.

"I’ll explain after we get out. Right now, we need to run." Alvin, staring at the Divine Mechanism Beetles below, which had multiplied into an overwhelming swarm within half a minute, felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Without waiting for Winnie to speak, he slung her onto his back and flew toward the foundry’s exit.

"They’re catching up!!!"

Suddenly, Winnie screamed in utter horror.

The piercing buzz behind them surged like an ocean tide.

Yet in this dire situation, Alvin remained eerily calm: "Hold tight—I’m accelerating!"

At his words, Winnie clung to his armor like an octopus, pressing herself tightly against him.

BOOM!!!

All of the armor’s energy was channeled into the flight system!

Intense energy blazed like flames, forming interlocking Mach rings that erupted from the armor’s palms and soles.

Speed surged instantly to a whole new level!

The deafening sonic boom echoed throughout the foundry like thunder, sending violent shockwaves rippling outward.

"No! We can’t shake them off!"

Amid the fierce windstorm, Winnie barely opened her eyes and saw the terrifying metallic beetles still trailing them.

Alvin’s mind remained as still as a calm lake.

After all, these were Necron creations—how could a Mark V armor, even at triple the speed of sound, be easily shaken off?

"Deploy heat decoys!"

From both sides of the Mark V, high-temperature guided missiles shot out like falling meteors, illuminating the foundry like dazzling fireworks.

But this meant they had fully exposed themselves!

"Aaaah—!"

Suddenly, a furious roar erupted from above the foundry, laced with chilling malice and hatred.

"Who?!"

"Who the hell is this?!"

"Damn it! How dare you ruin my plans!"

The enraged roar reverberated through the entire foundry.

The enlarged image showed a young man in a black robe standing atop the foundry’s upper level, glaring at them with fury.

Alvin recognized that man.

Rashid Hadley, the cult’s leader.

The true mastermind behind all of this!

"Stop him!"

"Kill him!!!"

Rashid quickly spotted the fleeing armor—its commotion was too great to go unnoticed!

Several laser arrays immediately locked onto Alvin.

"Warning! Target locked!"

"Cannot shield! Cannot shield!"

"Impact expected in three seconds!"

BOOM!!!

The defense systems above the foundry unleashed a deluge of crimson laser beams—dense as rain, they instantly sealed every possible escape route.

"We’ve been spotted. What’s your plan now?"

Looking back at the relentless metallic beetles and the dense rain of lasers above, Winnie’s icy expression twisted into a bitter grimace.

This time, it truly seemed there was no escape!

"Wanna take a gamble?"

Alvin suddenly spoke.

"What are you betting on?"

Winnie was stunned—she thought the guy had lost his mind!

What kind of time was this to be gambling?

"I’m betting..."

Alvin looked up at the dense rain of lasers, a faint smile curling his lips: "That we’ll survive and escape. How about it?"

"You..."

Winnie froze.

She had never met anyone like Alvin.

At the brink of life and death, he could still smile!

"I won’t die."

Alvin spoke as if to himself, his eyes filled with terrifying madness: "So, wanna bet? Bet we won’t die. The stake? If you lose, you go on a date with me, Judge."

"Fine!"

Thank you to patrons 20200517213916140 and LosingJoyfulFox for your generous donations—immensely grateful! Another chapter should be up soon. A daily ten thousand words? As long as you subscribe, I’ll deliver it for you!