A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1445 - 979 Selection_2

Chapter 1445: Chapter 979 Selection_2

But in the eyes of many Judge Players, organizations like the Salvation Army are basically better off being wiped out directly.

The reason is simple. Today you’re creating mutants to save humans; tomorrow, are you going to corrupt yourself in worship of the Corrupted Foil for the sake of humanity’s faith? Corruption is like addiction—once you start, there’s no turning back. You tell me you’ll turn over a new leaf? Yeah, right, as if I’d believe that.

By the way, Duanmu Huai prefers to throw down an extinction order directly.

Because... it’s efficient.

"Alright, let’s head out."

After Duanmu Huai finalized the strategy, he waved Joel to go ahead. Although Joel felt a bit speechless, this was indeed his mission, so he could only lead Ellie toward the Salvation Army’s gate ahead.

"Hey, who are you? What’s your business?"

When Duanmu Huai’s group reached the gate, a patrolling soldier quickly blocked their path. Duanmu Huai glanced over and found nothing noteworthy about the soldiers themselves. But the mutants behind them—they were actually wearing gear similar to Power Armor!

Oh, great, looks like the Salvation Army is cosplaying as the Enclave now.

Duanmu Huai squinted his eyes and carefully observed the opposing mutants. The ones they encountered earlier at the settlement were essentially cannon fodder—running around the streets wearing nothing but their underwear. Now it seemed those mutants were just disposable grunts, while these guys were the real deal.

Duanmu Huai wasn’t sure if these mutants had any intelligence, but watching them stand obediently behind the soldiers equipped with Power Armor and wielding Fire God Cannons like a trained force... it actually seemed pretty legit.

While Duanmu Huai examined the Salvation Army’s mutant soldiers, Joel had finished his conversation with the gate guard. He handed over something, which the guard inspected closely, then looked at Joel’s companion, the girl beside him.

"Is it her?"

"That’s right."

"Fine, you can go in..."

The guard nodded, then glanced behind Joel—specifically at Duanmu Huai.

"By the way, that mutant’s Power Armor looks unique. Is it a new model?"

"................"

Duanmu Huai thought to himself, "Once I figure out what’s going on inside, I’ll come back and deal with you."

Luckily, the guard seemed to mistake Duanmu Huai for a Salvation Army contractor assigned to Joel to protect Ellie, and didn’t question his identity further. Duanmu Huai was happy to keep quiet and play the part. As for Mary, Ogis, and Gavi, Joel explained that they were companions he’d met on the road. Seeing as they were just a few seemingly frail women, the guard didn’t pay much attention and let them through without issue.

Passing through the imposing, sheet-metal gate, the group entered the Salvation Army’s main base. At least externally, this camp was much livelier than the earlier settlement. People bustled everywhere, and quite a few mutants were busy with work, walking around.

Duanmu Huai observed for a moment and noticed that these mutants were generally split into two groups—mutants in full Power Armor, seemingly doing guard duty, and others in nothing but oversized shorts, mostly engaged in manual labor. They were hauling bricks, carrying lumber, and repairing houses... they were at least productive, he supposed.

"It seems that humans and mutants get along pretty well here?"

Mary made an observation after scanning her surroundings closely, but Duanmu Huai responded with a cold laugh.

"The Star Alliance and humans once united against the Forerunners, and in the end, didn’t they still turn around and sell out humanity?"

"Nonhumans inherently cannot be trusted." Duanmu Huai would never back down on this principle.

Unity across the Milky Way was a problem for politicians; the Tribunal’s responsibility was to enforce that "nonhumans inherently cannot be trusted."

Basically, the Tribunal was the "bad cop" that didn’t sugarcoat anything...

Guided by the guard, the group walked through the streets until they reached a gate deeper within the city—okay, credit where it’s due, this place actually was kind of intriguing. Standing before a thick, heavy door embedded into the center of a mountain cave, Duanmu Huai thought, "If this door were gear-shaped, I’d be hitting up the shelter company for an investment opportunity right now."

Too bad it wasn’t.

"Rumbleeeee———!!"

The heavy door opened, revealing a clean and orderly metallic passage inside. Moments later, several people dressed entirely in protective suits burst out, practically sprinting to Ellie.

"Is it her?"

The leader looked up at the guard. After receiving confirmation, they reached out and grabbed Ellie.

"We’ve been waiting for you. Come with me!"

"Wait, where are you taking her?"

Joel obviously wasn’t willing to let someone take Ellie without explanation. He quickly tried to pull her back, but at that moment, the nearby guard suddenly pulled out a gun, pressed it against Joel’s chest, and shoved him backward. Ellie, on the other hand, only glanced at Joel briefly without saying a word, then silently followed the group through the door.

"Damn it, let go of me! Wait, what are you planning to do with Ellie!?"

Watching Ellie follow the peculiar group through the door, Joel immediately erupted in fury, yelling. The soldier nearly raised their gun to strike Joel, but suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Alright, leave this to me."

With that voice, they saw a black-haired woman with brown skin approach. She seemed to hold considerable authority here; the soldier saw her and immediately saluted before turning to leave.