In the next moment, Lukas saw the familiar dark space again.

A beam of light shone down in front of him.

The Leader appeared from within and said, "I've heard from Sherry what you've done on your own.

"Glad that I've made the right decision, putting my faith in you.

"And of course, my deal with you is still valid.

"It'll be a $10 million reward for you.

"I must say though, I didn't expect you to become so much stronger."

The Leader then scanned Lukas from head to toe.

"Like you said the first time we met, we all have secrets of our own," Lukas replied with a shrug and continued, "However, I do have some questions for you."

The Leader lowered his head and nodded slightly, "I'm all ears."

"Why was this Apex demonic beast able to think and speak?

"And why would it want to fight together with us against something else?

"Lastly, it called my summon beast 'Elder', do you have any ideas about it?" Lukas asked all the questions he had in mind.

The Leader put his hands behind his back, closed his eyes and pondered for a moment.

Throughout the years of him fighting against the demonic beasts, he had never encountered demonic beasts reaching out, trying to negotiate.

This was a first, even for him.

The Leader looked up and let out a sigh.

"It's unheard of that an Apex demonic beast could think and speak.

"And for it to be more intellectual, maybe that's why it wasn't as powerful as the other Apex demonic beasts.

"One thing for sure is that they might be more varied than what we've previously thought.

"As for what it wanted us to fight against, I have no idea.

"It might be the Apex demonic beast coming up with an excuse or it might be the truth.

"And about your summon beast, I have no idea either.

"Maybe the National Archives would have something for you there.

"You shall be granted access to it."

The Leader said and glanced at Lukas.

Lukas frowned as he didn't expect the Leader to be just as clueless as he was.

The next moment, he was back in the living room again.

"Well done, Lukas. And that's the same for every one of you," The Leader said and glanced at the other awakened teams.

Terry and Kevin's team stood up straight, being proud of the moment.

The Leader sat back onto the sofa again, and Sherry came out from the back, pushing a cart with glasses of red wine on it.

"Come, let's have a toast for the success of the mission," Sherry said and handed out the glasses of red wine.

Everyone took a glass of red wine and toasted to the mission's success.

After he finished the red wine, the Leader put down his wine glass and said, "However, it's not over yet.

"I will be sending troops to try and gain more territories now that the Apex demonic beasts in the West and South Battle Administration Areas are gone."

Lukas, Riley, Rex, Emma and Harianto were delighted when they heard this.

This would be the start where mankind turns the tide.

Over the decades, mankind had been defeated and forced to give up much of the land to these demonic beasts.

And as a result, resources dwindled, and life became harsh.

It was especially so for the South Battle Administration Area, with the least number of mines and arable land.

Gaining back control of more land would allow their friends and families in the South Battle Administration Area to have an easier life.

"In the meantime," The Leader stopped, glanced at the awakened teams and said, "I need your help to get rid of the Shadow Lotus.

"I can't risk the operations being jeopardized by them.

"Go and investigate Lin Fan's connections with the Shadow Lotus in the East Battle Administration Area.

"Find out where they are and eliminate them.

"The reward shall be the same, $5 million for the success of the mission."

Terry and Kevin's team opened their eyes wide and relished the possibility of another $5 million on top of what they had gotten.

Lukas glanced over at Riley and the others.

They were also just as enthusiastic about the mission.

After all, they'd encountered the Shadow Lotus so many times and each time they got better against the Shadow Lotus.

"You can count on us."

It didn't take long for Terry, Kevin and Riley to agree to the mission.

The Leader was glad, and he glanced over at Sherry.

Sherry handed them each a folder with information she had gathered from Lin Fan's teammates.

"Inside the folders is information that might help with your investigations," she said.

The awakened teams were eager, and they started to flip through the documents inside.

The Leader saw this and waved at Sherry, gesturing it was time for them to go.

Sherry then led them out of the Leader's Residence.

When she came back into the living room, the Leader let out a sigh and said, "I'm sorry I had to make you do it.

"I don't have much time left before my month-long sleep.

"I need someone capable enough while I'm gone.

"Hope it wasn't too difficult for you, making pragmatic choices."

Sherry lowered her head and nodded.

She understood what the Leader was saying, and it was one of those pragmatic decisions the Leader had to make.

Now, it would fall on her shoulders as the Leader's sleep got longer, and his waking hours got shorter.

"And I need you to make another difficult decision soon," The Leader said.

"Another mission?" Sherry wasn't sure what the Leader meant.

The Leader stood up and walked over to the group photo hanging on the wall.

He placed his hand onto the surface and pointed at one of the people in it.

"I need you to wake Derrick up," The Leader glanced back with his finger pointing at the photo and said.

"Derrick?" Sherry asked.

"Yes, Derrick hibernating in the North Battle Administration Area."