NIKKE: The Apocalypse Arrives, But the System is 100 Years Late

So he's that Commander?

The reflection of Mo Chen shimmered in crimson eyes.

Her fingertips brushed against her lips, curving into a seductive, greedy smile.

"He's even more handsome than the reports said."

She was Papillon.

Whether it was pretending to be attacked by Raptures, disguising herself as an ordinary Nikke, or orchestrating an "accidental" discovery—

Everything had been arranged by her.

The entire Arctic unit was just a cover.

All for the sake of infiltrating this group and gathering more intel.

"What a master of manipulation. No wonder those Nikkes are so loyal to him. What a cunning man."

Papillon let out a soft laugh.

In just the short time it took for them to eat, Papillon had already pried information out of the recon team.

Supplying precious recovery medicine, treating Nikkes with care, sharing meals, sleeping under the same roof, and even granting them personal freedom—

Just hearing it sounded absurd.

But in Papillon's mind, only one word surfaced:

Ambition.

Exactly: it was ambition.

Papillon firmly believed that nothing in this world came without reason.

And what could Mo Chen possibly gain from such behavior?

The answer was obvious—he was building loyalty.

It was evident from the way those Nikkes looked at him.

Papillon had already investigated Mo Chen's records.

Before attending the military academy, his personal history was completely blank. Normally, a person's life—from birth to death—leaves behind traces.

But his background was wiped clean.

Unless he was some alien, there was only one explanation—his records were classified.

This made Mo Chen's actions all the more suspicious.

She didn't know exactly what he was plotting, but she was sure he was up to something.

And these Nikkes? They were just pawns in his game.

Naive girls who were fooled by a little kindness and had no idea they were being used.

Papillon scoffed at their gullibility.

She was going to find out what he was really after and uncover his secrets.

Just as Papillon was staring at Mo Chen's back, he suddenly turned around and looked directly in her direction.

Papillon flinched.

She quickly lowered her head and pulled her hood down.

Had she been exposed?

But she quickly reassured herself.

Even if he did notice, so what?

He had never seen her before. As long as she stayed cautious, there was no way she'd blow her cover.

By the campfire—

Mo Chen glanced at the shadowy figure sitting in the corner and raised an eyebrow.

They really thought he was an idiot, huh?

Trying to sneak in like this? They were underestimating him.

Mo Chen had already noticed something was off about these Nikkes.

At first, he thought Syuen might have sent them.

But after exchanging just a few words, Mo Chen immediately sensed the inconsistencies.

Their answers were vague, their knowledge of the mission was shallow, and when it came to specific coordinates or details, they either didn't know or contradicted each other.

If all Ark units were as sloppy as them, the Ark would've fallen ages ago.

And then, he spotted Papillon among them.

Despite her disguise, Mo Chen—familiar with the original game—recognized her instantly.

Wasn't she one of the Ark's deputy chief's subordinates?

Did that mean they had already taken an interest in this area?

Mo Chen narrowed his eyes.

"Is she that beautiful?"

A gentle voice rang out beside him.

He turned around and met Ludmilla's teasing gaze.

"What?"

"That Nikke," Ludmilla said with a faint smirk, glancing toward Papillon by the campfire. "You've been staring for quite a while. I called you, and you didn't even respond—did she mesmerize you?"

"Not really," Mo Chen laughed. "No matter how pretty she is, she's not as pretty as you. Watching her doesn't compare to looking at you."

"Smooth talker." Ludmilla rolled her eyes. "With how many Nikkes are lining up for you, the line probably stretches all the way back to the Ark. I wouldn't even make it into the lottery. What, are you planning to make me draw lots too?"

"I mean, I wouldn't mind."

"Get lost."

Mo Chen couldn't help but give Ludmilla another look. Whether it was her appearance or figure, she was undoubtedly top-tier.

If Alice was a budding flower, then Ludmilla was a fully bloomed peony—elegant, noble, and exuding the aura of a refined aristocrat. Every smile, every gesture—even her eye rolls—carried a captivating charm.

She was like a ripe, red peach hanging on the edge of a dangerous cliff—perfectly ripened, yet untouched. Suspended there, its fragrance was intoxicating, but it still retained a refreshing hint of innocence.

"Tomorrow, we should reach the research facility."

Ludmilla gazed into the distance.

Under the dim evening light, faint outlines of a small mountain emerged from the snowy plains.

"Yeah."

Mo Chen nodded.

Based on their pace, they were almost there.

"Get some rest early. We've got a long day tomorrow."

The next day, the snowstorm had passed.

The sun rose, casting golden rays across the landscape.

The world was blanketed in endless snow.

Beneath the vast white expanse were the ruins of shattered buildings, some of which still protruded above the snow, revealing fractured walls and crumbled structures.

Even through the decay, traces of humanity's past glory lingered.

The group reached a high vantage point that overlooked several kilometers.

"See that building in the distance?"

Ludmilla stood atop a rock and turned to Mo Chen. "That's the research facility."

He stepped forward and followed her gaze.

Amid the shattered skyline, one building stood taller and larger than the others.

It wasn't just a building—it was more like a fortress.

Surrounding the facility was a dense array of machine guns, turrets, and missile launchers. At the center of it all was a massive high-energy laser cannon, with a barrel several meters in diameter.

It looked exactly like the one in the game.

But seeing it in person—the sheer scale of it—was something else entirely.

"The facility was originally designed with self-defense systems," Ludmilla explained as if recalling memories from the past.

"Its defenses were top-notch, and for over a decade, it fended off countless Rapture attacks."

Her voice carried a hint of nostalgia, tinged with sorrow.

"But now, it's been overtaken by the Raptures. And all those weapons—" she sighed, "they're pointed at us."