064, new target: Red River Orphanage

*Zzzzz—*

A blue plasma erupted from the muzzle of the gun.

With an expressionless face, Zaire dropped the plasma pistol from his hand.

The body of the middle-aged man lying a few meters away had been completely melted to ash by the intense heat.

At that moment, David, standing behind Zaire, lifted his metallic head.

Blue light flickered in his eye sockets as he slightly bent forward and said:

"My lord, I have discovered the identity of this unfortunate soul."

"Mm?"

Zaire raised an eyebrow and turned to glance at the Man of iron.

He seemed to accept this statement and nodded, saying,

"Go on."

"Superhuman, male, forty-two years old... commonly known as kil Graves, real name Kevin Thompson..."

The Iron Man's mechanical voice continued slowly:

"His life experience is quite complex. He was orphaned and abandoned at the Red River Orphanage. After becoming an adult, he seems to have worked as a spy for a while before using his superpowers to travel around the world..."

Before David finished speaking, the blue light in his eye sockets flickered again.

Images began to play repeatedly in front of Zaire.

They mostly showed the middle-aged man appearing in various locations around the world, alongside footage of victims committing suicide or killing each other.

Before Zaire, who remained silent, could respond, the Iron Man continued:

"Due to his long-standing habit of wearing a purple suit, the surviving victims refer to him as 'the Purple Man'... He has manipulated people into suicide and murder, shamelessly insulted women, and stolen artworks and gems... Uh, his actions are quite heinous; it can be said that his death would be a relief."

Just as the Iron Man finished speaking, Zaire, taking a deep breath, suddenly asked:

"What are his superpowers? Does he control people through speech?"

Upon hearing Zaire's question, the Iron Man slowly turned his metallic head, and the images playing before him instantly disappeared.

He seemed to ponder for a moment before saying to Zaire:

"Analysis of the autopsy reports from around the world shows that the deceased had unknown viruses in their bodies. This may be the secret behind his ability to control people. The Purple Man is essentially a large, mobile virus incubator..."

After hearing the Iron Man's description, Zaire, with narrowed eyes, slightly nodded.

After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Create a file on this superhuman and put his information in it... I believe similar incidents will become increasingly frequent in the future."

Having said that, Zaire put away the plasma pistol and was about to turn and leave.

However, the David's words once again captured his attention.

At this moment, the mechanical voice seemed to carry a hint of amusement.

He said calmly:

"My lord, this is merely an appetizer... The Purple Man's superpower is not something he was born with; he may have been manufactured."

"Mm?"

With a furrowed brow, Zaire halted, fixing his gaze on David, and asked:

"Is it related to the mysterious compounds of Roxon Industries?"

"Exactly, with an eighty percent probability."

"The Red River Orphanage, where the Purple Man grew up, has long been funded by an entertainment company called 'Water.' This funding relationship can even be traced back to World War II... Although Water Company appears to have no connection to Roxon Industries, I've found some clues."

"I believe this company is a subsidiary of Roxon Industries... Why would an entertainment company controlled by Roxon fund a loss-making orphanage for so long? Unless this orphanage brings greater profit for the capital... Moreover, a superpowered orphan came out of this orphanage."

"My lord, I believe this is not a coincidence... It's worth investigating further."

"Are you saying the Orphanage is a laboratory for creating superhumans?"

"I cannot say with absolute certainty, but I believe we can pry open a corner of the iceberg to discover more problems underneath."

In an instant, with his thoughts racing, Zaire narrowed his eyes.

He fixed his gaze on the Iron Man and asked:

"Where is the Red River Orphanage located?"

"My lord, in Kansas, in a rural town called Smoville."

Zaire fell silent for a moment and then nodded slightly.

"Understood. Continue the investigation."

"As you command, my lord."

---

After leaving the secret base, Zaire did not go to sleep.

He sat cross-legged on his bed.

After hesitating for a moment, he reopened the simulator.

Zaire chose not to continue the simulation.

He feared the simulator would again give him a "spiritual" "cleansing."

Instead, Zaire decided to calm his mind.

He casually navigated to the salvage page.

Without hesitation, he selected ten salvage attempts.

[Salvage Completion Countdown: Nine hours, fifty-nine minutes, fifty-nine seconds]

Gazing at the decreasing salvage countdown, Zaire closed the page and slowly lay back on the bed.

His gaze wandered slightly.

He stared out at the pitch-black night and fell into thought.

Until sleepiness overtook him, Zaire gradually slipped into a dream.

In the following days, Zaire continued his salvaging.

He needed flying vehicles from the Warhammer universe.

This would allow him to conduct long-range rapid strike operations.

However, perhaps due to his last haul of the Solar Void Battle Armor draining his luck, he spent a hundred and fifty hours of cooldown time.

He barely managed to gather a set of Imperial Defense Force armor, along with more miscellaneous items.

[Salvage Rewards: Ten sets of brand new Valhalla Frost Warrior Basic Armor]

Note: Produced by Valhalla, Comrade Bob, don't just stand there—you're about to freeze stiff… advised by soldiers from the Valhalla 246th regiment.

[Salvage Rewards: Twenty sets of brand new Cadian Shock Trooper Basic Armor]

Note: Produced by Cadia Fortress, if you ask me, Cadia never falls… unless the Warp Spiders come.

[Salvage Rewards: Five battle-worn laser pistols]

Note: Produced by the Mechanicus, please don't hold it against them... their machine spirits still linger.

[Salvage Rewards: One hundred Blon-t Specialty Long Swords]

Note: Produced by Blon-t Nest, friend, you call this hunk of metal a sword?… soldiers from the Blon-t Swordsmen 5th regiment give you a thumbs up.

[Salvage Rewards: Ten standard saddles for Attila's barbarian cavalry]

Note: Produced by Attila, if you can endure the smell on them… congratulations, welcome to the barbarian cavalry.

[Salvage Rewards: Ten standard sets of Aghimidoton Orc Hunters]

Note: Produced by Aghimidoton, one head, two heads, three heads… don't be afraid, I just like green-skinned heads.

[Salvage Rewards: Ten standard sets of Mias' Red Cloak Army]

Note: Produced by Mias 15th planet, stinky flames… ultimate enjoyment.

[Salvage Rewards: Ten servings of Astartes Standard Rations]

Note: Produced by the Mechanicus, trust me, mortals should not attempt this lightly... it will shatter your teeth and pierce your intestines.

...

Taking a deep breath, Zaire scanned through the dazzling array of salvage rewards.

He wasn't feeling frustrated.

After all, it wasn't a loss.

At least he wouldn't have to worry about training materials for soldiers in the future.

"Even if I use them until death, I won't wear them all out..."

Zaire couldn't help but sigh as he chose another ten salvage attempts.

Then he stood up from his desk.

He intended to head to the secret base.

However, at that moment, his phone, which he had left on the table, suddenly rang.

"Hello, Aunt, what's up?"

Zaire casually answered the phone.

After listening for a few moments, he couldn't help but furrow his brow.

"Mm? My high school classmate?"

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