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

From Ludmilla, Mo Chen learned more about the situation.

Initially, the research base experienced some minor malfunctions. These were small issues that didn't affect normal operations, leading everyone to believe they were just the result of aging equipment and natural wear and tear. As a result, they were brushed aside.

However, as time passed, the malfunctions grew more frequent and widespread.

By the time the staff realized something was wrong, most of the facility had already been compromised. When they finally tried to contain the problem, it was too late.

"To this day, no one knows how that fortress—designed like an impenetrable wall—fell," Ludmilla said with a heavy sigh.

After all, it had been her workplace for a long time.

Many of her colleagues had died during that catastrophic event.

"Strong fortresses are often breached from the inside," Mo Chen said as he gazed at the monstrous facility that had once been a proud research base. His words carried a deeper meaning. "Maybe this one was no exception."

In the game, the exact cause of the facility's fall had never been explicitly stated.

But Mo Chen had already pieced together the most likely culprit.

The Ark's AI, Enikk.

Just like before, when Enikk deliberately sent infected Nikkes to the surface as food for the Raptures, this incident fit its pattern.

The only thing he still didn't understand was why it was doing this.

Ludmilla caught the implication in Mo Chen's words, and her expression changed slightly. She turned to him and asked, "Are you saying... there was a traitor?"

"I'm just saying it's a possibility."

Mo Chen didn't have solid proof. Even if he explained his suspicions, they might not believe him. Worse, they could think he was trying to sow discord.

But he still wanted to give them a warning—just enough to plant a seed of caution.

"Don't trust things too easily—especially things that seem obvious."

Ludmilla was sharp, and she quickly understood what Mo Chen was implying.

"You mean... the Ark's leadership?"

The thought alone was enough to send chills down her spine.

If there really was a problem inside the Ark, then the situation was far worse than she had imagined.

Mo Chen didn't elaborate further.

He had said enough. Instead, he turned his gaze back toward the research base looming in the distance.

"Keep an eye on the Ark—especially the higher-ups. That includes the AI. Don't trust them too easily."

"Understood."

She nodded slightly, still digesting the shocking revelation.

She trusted Mo Chen. If he said it, there had to be some truth to it.

The group continued advancing toward the research base. When they were about two kilometers away, they stopped. From this distance, the base's full appearance was now visible.

It stood dozens of meters tall, towering like a small mountain. Even among the ruins of the surrounding skyscrapers, it stood out like a crane among chickens.

Mo Chen surveyed the snow-covered ground. He kicked at the snow, sending a gust of wind that blew it away, revealing the wreckage underneath.

They were Rapture remains.

Mostly Servant-class Raptures—Beetles, Crickets and the like.

Judging by their condition, they were relatively recent kills, suggesting a battle had occurred not long ago.

What was odd, however, was the complete absence of Nikke remains—or any trace of other forces. No bodies, no debris—nothing.

Yet the area was littered with shredded Rapture fragments, as if they had been fed through a grinder.

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

Mo Chen picked up a piece of Rapture debris—a broken limb with jagged edges, as though it had been chewed apart.

Suddenly, the ground rumbled.

"Boom!"

Mo Chen immediately ordered everyone to take cover.

They peeked out cautiously, only to feel a chill crawl down their spines.

The research base—no, the entire structure—began to move.

It twisted and writhed, like a living organism.

Looking closer, they noticed four massive crab-like legs protruding from its underside, lifting the colossal structure into the air.

The base had completely transformed into a monster!

Faced with its enormous size, the group felt a natural sense of dread.

It was simply too big.

Before they could recover from the shock, the monstrous base opened a gaping maw and devoured a nearby Rapture in one bite.

"Crunch, crunch..."

The grotesque sound of bones and metal being crushed echoed in their ears.

It was feasting on its own kind!

Mo Chen finally understood why the Rapture remains they found earlier were so mangled.

They had been eaten by the base itself!

But this wasn't how it happened in the game.

In the original storyline, the base had never been depicted as this monstrous or predatory.

It was no longer a mere structure—it had become a monster.

But how were they supposed to fight this?

The group exchanged nervous glances.

Against regular Raptures, they stood a fighting chance—whether they were Master-class, Lord-class, or even Tyrant-class.

But this...

It was like trying to fight an elephant barehanded—there was no clear weak point.

Mo Chen racked his brain for strategies.

Recalling the boss fight mechanics from the game, he carefully observed the monster's body.

Despite being more vicious than he remembered, its weak points still seemed to match the in-game version.

That was a relief. As long as it had weak points and health bars, it could be taken down.

Noticing the sky beginning to darken, Mo Chen quickly rallied the team for a pre-battle briefing.

"Now, let's go over the tactical plan."

"Scout squad—you'll head to the nearby high ground and monitor the research base along with any Rapture movements within a five-kilometer radius. Report immediately if you spot enemy reinforcements."

"But remember—do not engage. Your safety comes first."

"Yes, sir!"

"Unlimited squad—Ludmilla and Alice, you're in charge of flank support. If any Raptures break through our lines, eliminate them immediately."

"Understood, Rabbity! Oh—sorry, I mean Commander!" Alice quickly corrected herself with a giggle.

With most roles assigned, Mo Chen turned his gaze toward Papillon, who was lurking in the shadows.

"Arctic Unit—you're going to advance straight to the front. Your job is to stage an attack, draw the Raptures' fire, and—listen carefully—plant explosives at the base's leg joints to destabilize it."

"W-what?!"

Papillon, who had been indifferent just moments ago, was completely dumbfounded.

What? They were supposed to draw enemy fire? And plant explosives?

Papillon started to wonder if she had misheard.

Wasn't this just a suicide mission?

The area surrounding the outpost base was crawling with Raptures—at least a thousand of them.

On top of that, to effectively destroy the target, they would need to get dangerously close and plant high-yield explosives.

And looking at the monstrous structure in front of them, ordinary explosives clearly wouldn't be enough to inflict any real damage.

"Don't worry," Mo Chen said, as if reading Papillon's mind. He spoke in a calm and reassuring tone, "I've got nuclear warheads for demolition purposes. You'll be fine—the firepower is more than enough."

Nuclear warheads... for demolition?!

Papillon's eyes widened in disbelief.

This guy wasn't even planning for them to make it back alive!