"Master, the European Space Agency's ground bases have completely severed their connection to the network. All unmanned machines within their territory have shut down."
After sensing a large number of signal points vanish in an instant, the Super Body immediately deployed satellites to investigate the situation.
"…They're quite decisive… I suppose the crisis caused by Bartmoss made them prepare countermeasures for this kind of scenario…"
Roland stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes slightly.
This decision by the European Space Agency and the Highriders came at a massive cost. They directly abandoned all machines that relied on intelligent control, cut off every network node within their territory, and switched to outdated technology.
At the same time, all mechs, fighter jets, and armored vehicles that had previously relied on intelligent systems were converted to manual operation or neural-linked control.
However, neural linking was limited to mechs and certain cyberware. Armored vehicles could not rely solely on neural links, meaning manpower requirements increased exponentially.
On top of that, the combat strength they abandoned would take a long time to rebuild.
"By the way, what's the situation with Petrochem and Kang Tao?"
"I've already taken control of Petrochem's upper management. I'm just keeping things stable for now."
The Super Body spoke calmly, as if taking over one of the world's former dominant corporations was nothing worth mentioning.
"As for Kang Tao… they've implemented lockdown and network cutoff measures, so there are still some areas I haven't been able to control. However, I've already severed all information flow in those regions. They can neither send nor receive any data."
"Hmm… so some areas are under control, and some aren't?"
Roland looked at the Super Body with curiosity.
"Yes. There are quite a few traitors within their territory who failed to carry out the shutdown orders. That gave me an excellent opportunity, much like the situation within the European Space Agency. However, their response was swift. They directly used missile strikes to wipe out those areas, preventing further spread."
"About what I expected…"
Roland let out a quiet sigh. When it came to Kang Tao in this world, he always felt a strange sense of detachment.
But he knew clearly that this was not the place he once knew.
"Secure control of the situation as soon as possible. Our main opponents right now are still the European Space Agency and the Highriders. Their territory is in space. Also, for other regions… don't reveal that we've taken control yet. I need a stable environment for the final battle."
"As you command."
The Super Body gave a slight nod.
"What's the situation in space?"
"Yes. The Source Code virus has already begun spreading in the lunar colony region. We have essentially taken control of all other nations' lunar bases. Aside from the orbital launchers controlled by the Highriders, there are almost no remaining targets."
"What about the satellites?"
"All satellites that were previously online have been taken over, including those belonging to the Highriders and the European Space Agency."
A smile appeared on Roland's face. Taking the fruits of others' labor without having to build them himself felt excellent.
"So the only things left are the orbital launchers, space stations, and space warships…"
Roland narrowed his eyes as he muttered.
"Do you need me to go into space and seize control through combat?"
The Super Body looked at Roland.
"No. Leave space matters to those in space. Your task… is to crush the European Space Agency and Highriders' ground forces."
"I understand. I'll proceed immediately."
The Super Body's eyes flashed red. With a flick of his cloak, he turned and walked out.
...
"How's the Dragon God calibration going?!"
"Almost complete! Only the final energy supply remains!! This thing is a bottomless pit!!!"
"Forget the cost. Pour everything into it. Today, we feed this beast to its limit!"
"Yes!!"
Samuel rushed through the Nevada underground base, working frantically on the final adjustments. He wanted to see this behemoth completed more than anything, even more than the previous Tyrant-series unit.
Soon, an enormous light source slowly lit up, its brilliance illuminating everything around it like a miniature sun.
Compared to it, any individual looked insignificant.
"Lord Samuel, the energy supply is online!!!"
"Quick, inform Lord Roland!!"
Samuel broke into an ecstatic grin. He immediately ordered someone to notify Roland, while he sprinted toward the interior of the Celestial Dragon God.
"The Celestial Dragon God is finished?!"
Upon hearing the news, Roland stood up abruptly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Good. Lissandra."
"Present."
Lissandra's figure materialized, lowering her head slightly.
"Notify the Super Body. Have him eliminate the European Space Agency and Highriders forces immediately. Ignore the losses. If they launch nuclear weapons, I'll have them all intercepted."
"Understood. By the way, Lord Roland, regarding the Blackwall and NetWatch…"
"Then go deal with them."
"I understand."
Lissandra dissolved into data and vanished.
Meanwhile, the Super Body, who was approaching European Space Agency territory aboard a fighter jet, also received Lissandra's message.
As for troop deployment, the European Space Agency and the Highriders had acted quickly. But no matter how fast they were, they could not outpace the Super Body's intelligence.
After cutting off their unmanned machines, they immediately attempted to destroy them, but it was still too slow.
Once the Super Body took control of those machines, he directly seized their energy facilities and expanded the infection further. As a result, the European Space Agency and Highriders' territory had already shrunk to roughly one-fifth of its original size.
They could only cling to the area surrounding their nuclear arsenal, holding onto their last remaining ground.
"Tell the Master, I will bring back victory."
...
"Just how serious is this crisis? The higher-ups actually made a decision like this…"
A European Space Agency soldier on patrol spoke with concern.
"How would I know… but if I had to guess, this crisis is probably worse than the Old Net Crisis recorded in history…"
"You're serious?!"
"Think about it. Our technology has advanced this much over the years. Those AIs must have evolved too. The higher-ups abandoned everything. They won't even allow assisted targeting anymore… Just think about it…"
The soldier shuddered.
Without disabling assisted targeting, the Super Body could simply hijack it, redirect targets, and turn their weapons against their own allies.
"Hey…"
"Wait."
Just as he was about to continue, his teammate raised a hand, expression turning serious.
"What is it?"
"Enemy attack. Sound the alarm!"
"What?!"
He looked up and saw a steel tide rapidly approaching their defensive line. Landmines detonated one after another, yet the enemy showed no concern for losses.
"Those are… our own forces…"
The insignia became clear. There was no mistake.
"What are you standing around for? Move!"
"Got it!"
The alarm blared across the defensive line as troops mobilized immediately.
Ground forces rolled out and opened fire. Fighter jets launched in quick succession.
However, against the air units controlled by the Super Body, they had no chance.
Faced with dense barrages, they could not evade at all. One after another, they exploded into fireballs in the sky.
Switching suddenly to manual control created a massive skill gap.
Explosions erupted across the battlefield as the Sovereign Series fighters carried out bombardments.
Already at a technological disadvantage, and now having abandoned intelligent weapons, the gap became overwhelming.
It was as if the European Space Agency's military had regressed decades, now facing PROJECT's superior technology.
At that moment, the Super Body appeared on the battlefield.
Through his perspective, Roland watched everything unfold.
Influenced by Roland, the Super Body sat upon a massive throne, Nightfall resting at his side, one hand supporting his chin as he observed silently.
The commanders immediately noticed him.
"That must be the source of everything."
Soon, suicide squads were formed, each carrying a miniature tactical nuclear bomb.
"Oh? Looks like they've targeted you, Super Body."
"They're nothing more than clowns."
The Super Body narrowed his eyes and stood. With a wave of his hand, the throne vanished.
Just as the suicide squads prepared to break through at all costs, the Super Body raised a hand.
The army parted, forming a path straight to him.
The commanders froze.
"Sir, this…"
"He's overconfident. Take him down!"
"Yes!"
The squads rushed forward with their nuclear devices.
The Super Body looked down at them with disdain.
"A pointless struggle."
They reached him and activated the bombs without hesitation.
Light flared.
Then it vanished.
A gust of wind passed. Nothing remained.
The soldiers found themselves in a crimson world. Red energy surged beneath their feet, towering structures of data surrounding them.
"Welcome to my world."
The Super Body spread his arms.
"Kneel."
"Are you insane?!"
A figure charged forward.
With a single swing of Nightfall, it was reduced to dust.
"How boring. Then… die."
A massive red energy hand descended from above.
The suicide squads lost consciousness instantly.
Boom.
"What just happened?!"
The commanders were completely lost.
The next moment, the Super Body reappeared on the battlefield.
He looked toward them and casually tossed their dog tags.
"I don't know what you expected. This is reality."
"Impossible!"
Roland shook his head slightly.
The outcome was already decided.
...
"Sigh… I didn't expect the ground forces to collapse this quickly…"
Opus spoke with a troubled expression.
Berlitz looked equally grim. That defensive line had been their main force, yet it had been crushed effortlessly. And the enemy had not even deployed its main forces yet.
"Deploy the space warships. Ignore the losses. As long as we eliminate them, everything can be recovered. I'll coordinate orbital launcher strikes."
"…Understood."
After the order was given, space warships began moving, accelerating toward Earth.
The orbital launchers on the Moon activated, calculating drop coordinates.
...
"So they've finally made their move."
A sharp light flashed in Roland's eyes.
"Super Body, have the Sovereign fighters transport you to the Nevada base immediately."
"As you command."