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

However, Mo Chen had other matters to attend to at the moment.

With a wave of his hand, he declared, "That's all I have to say. Now, listen up! All Nikkes stationed at the western front line, withdraw to the base immediately for resupply and rest!"

Dismissed!

The Nikkes were taken aback by the order.

Withdraw?

Even though the Raptures had been defeated, there was still cleanup to be done!

And what if the Raptures launched another attack?

"What's the holdup? Get moving!" Mo Chen snapped, his tone leaving no room for debate.

He waved his hand, as if herding sheep.

Despite their hesitation, the Nikkes obediently retreated like little lambs to the rear lines. After enduring an entire day of battle, even their mechanical bodies were beginning to falter.

Mo Chen exhaled deeply, preparing for the imminent battle.

If his hunch was correct, this fight would be the most dangerous yet.

It was time to spend his accumulated points on the system. His total had now reached a staggering 50,000 points.

He had refrained from using any points so far, saving them for a critical moment like this.

His first priority was personal enhancement.

In a world dominated by machines, a mere human body was far too fragile. Even with a dodge chip, one misstep could still reduce him to ashes.

Initially, Mo Chen had considered upgrading the Punishing Virus. It could not only strengthen his body but grant extraordinary powers. In its later stages, it was a force to be reckoned with—unstoppable, invincible.

However, the required points were astronomical. He didn't have enough.

His eyes then fell on another option: the Blacklight Virus.

As a weaponized virus, Blacklight was incredibly versatile. Its infected hosts far surpassed the infected in games like Resident Evil or Left 4 Dead. It was a virus designed for rapid evolution.

Its primary function was to accelerate evolution by creating fast material transport pathways within the body.

Simply put, it entered, altered, and assimilated each cell. The transformed cells activated dormant non-coding regions, triggering drastic physiological changes, expanding genetic capacity, and modifying the body with superior genes. It enhanced cellular activity, enabling the host to consume and merge with other organisms to evolve.

It could absorb the genes of the dead. The more it absorbed, the faster it evolved.

In Prototype, Alex Mercer evolved from infection to superhuman levels in mere days, gaining the ability to rip apart tanks with his bare hands and withstand nuclear explosions. His physical prowess was absurd.

The Blacklight Virus cost 30,000 points.

While the cost wasn't exorbitant, Mo Chen considered a practical issue: the virus required consuming flesh to evolve.

But in this nearly extinct human world, there wasn't much flesh left to absorb.

The Ark housed the largest remaining population—over ten million humans.

But traveling to the Ark wasn't feasible; it was too far away. Moreover, Mo Chen wasn't willing to harm innocent people.

Wait a minute.

He suddenly remembered the system.

If the system could convert dead bodies into points, could it also make those bodies usable for the Blacklight Virus?

It seemed plausible.

However, Mo Chen wasn't one to take risks without confirmation. He decided to test the waters.

Instead of asking outright if ash-turned bodies could fuel the virus, which was obviously impossible, he rephrased his question.

"System, can salvaged bodies be absorbed by the Blacklight Virus?"

System Prompt: Yes.

As expected. Mo Chen exhaled in relief.

However, he had one more concern.

"The Blacklight Virus won't take over my consciousness, right?"

In the original lore, the Blacklight Virus had its own consciousness. After Alex Mercer's infection, he was consumed by the virus. While Alex appeared unchanged, his core identity had become the virus itself.

System Prompt: No. Abilities will not harm the user.

If that was true, the Punishing Virus shouldn't backfire either.

Reassured, Mo Chen made his decision.

He tapped on the Blacklight Virus option.

"Exchange successful. Blacklight Virus acquired. Remaining points: 20,965."

Instantly, Mo Chen's body was engulfed in a crimson-black glow, resembling a sinister, misty blood cloud.

"Whoosh—"

A gust of wind blew through.

The blood mist dissipated, revealing Mo Chen's figure.

Outwardly, he appeared unchanged. But only he knew he had undergone a complete transformation—literally and figuratively.

He stretched out his hand.

With a slight exertion—

"Shing!"

Several sharp spikes jutted from his hand.

Mo Chen casually swung at a Rapture carcass nearby.

A cold gleam flashed.

The Rapture's remains split apart cleanly, the upper half sliding diagonally off the lower half. The cut was as smooth as a mirror.

Such sharpness! Even the Rapture's durable armor was sliced like tofu.

Now, all he needed was enough bodies to fuel the virus and evolve further.

Mo Chen smirked at the thought.

Just as Mo Chen was about to act, he noticed the Blacklight Virus's experience bar skyrocketing. System notifications flooded the screen in rapid succession.

"Absorbed 3,520 people, gained 3,520 experience."

"Absorbed 14,721 people, gained 14,721 experience."

"Absorbed 7,513 people, gained 7,513 experience."

"Absorbed 11,191 people, gained…"

Even with his strong mental fortitude, Mo Chen couldn't help but freeze in shock at what he was seeing.

"Evolution complete. Ability unlocked to 81.3%."

"Blacklight Virus advanced to Stage 8. Note: Maximum level is Stage 10."

"Title earned: Devourer."

In just a brief moment of distraction, the Blacklight Virus had already reached Level 8!!

What was going on? Was this a system bug? Or some kind of hidden buff?

Suddenly, Mo Chen recalled the system's earlier response.

So, all those rescued individuals he had converted into points… Were they now being counted as absorption targets for the virus?

A giant question mark slowly formed in his mind.

He was stunned.

Was that even possible?

As realization dawned, Mo Chen couldn't suppress his joy.

It felt like stored energy that had been building up for ages had finally found its explosive outlet.

This level of rapid progression felt like using cheats in a game.

He had initially assumed he would need to scour the battlefield for corpses, but now, that wasn't even necessary.

This virus seemed custom-made for him.

Mo Chen began experimenting with the various forms unlocked by the virus.

Claws: for slashing and tearing.

Blade: for cutting through armor.

Tendrils: for pulling and restraining targets.

Hammerfist: for raw, overwhelming force.

Whiplash: essentially bladed chains.

Each form was incredibly practical and versatile.

Beyond that, his physical resilience, defensive capabilities, reflexes, perception, and speed had reached unprecedented levels.

To put it simply—he was no longer human.

As he moved around, testing his enhanced body, a sense of exhilaration coursed through him.

He felt invincible!