Chapter 284: The Entire City is a Death Trap

"Sorry, Lin Team Leader, thank you for entrusting me with something as vital as the Hell Black Chrysanthemum, and please forgive me for using it in this dangerous experiment. Though I secured it on the co-pilot's ejection seat with protective shielding, I know this journey may be my last…"

"I don't have the courage of General Zhang or Group Leader Bai. I didn't survive by crawling out of piles of corpses. When we evacuated the Wei River, as a core scientific technician, I was actually among the first Group Leader Bai arranged to relocate. I saw your fearlessness at Yubei Airport, so I didn't want you to think I'm a coward. I'm terrified of watching too many people die around me—that's why I made this reckless choice. I know this might just be my cowardice, my escape…"

"The world has ended. I don't know if I'll ever see dawn again. Maybe you will. If you receive this recording, please tell my teacher I'm sorry. This unworthy student never had his courage."

In the laboratory temporarily converted from the Xilan Airport command center, a computer played Wei Kexue's recording—found on the Hell Black Chrysanthemum's protective casing, after it was ejected and fell into the valley of Fenglan Mountain, eventually recovered by Ding Junyi and Lin Xian.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

Many members of the research teams had red eyes.

Guo Sicheng stood at the front of the crowd, his entire figure seeming to have aged years in an instant.

Because it was an emergency, apart from Fenghuang Hui members like Zhao Yu, He Zhen, Wen Zhuo, and Xiao He, only Lin Xian and Shi Diyuan's few personnel assisting in the search were present.

Lin Xian sighed inwardly—he hadn't expected Wei Kexue, who had just chatted with him two days ago, to be gone so suddenly. He pulled out the iron box from his pocket, opened it, and saw the three Blood Essences still resting quietly inside—Wei Kexue's "payment" for borrowing his Hell Black Chrysanthemum for research. Lin Xian never intended to gain anything; he simply knew that accepting it would ease Wei Kexue's conscience.

Perhaps Wei Kexue never imagined he would die for this theory, mere hours before evacuation.

The Hell Black Chrysanthemum sat on the table, glowing with crimson light, while Yu Yuheng, disheveled and exhausted, sat nearby.

This meant he too had been marked with a Level 5 tag.

Zhao Yu's expression darkened slightly: "So the situation is this—the research team found evidence of the Dark Mark, but also discovered other anomalies?"

Guo Lao adjusted his glasses and nodded: "The ultra-pure germanium detector captured a weakly interacting massive particle. This particle forms a dark matter bond with human cell membranes. Dark matter flows can penetrate any barrier, turning the marked into 'lighthouses in the dark.' It's an unprecedented discovery. If we're given time to develop a dedicated sensor, everyone could detect their own marking status."

Wen Zhuo, leader of Xinghuo Group, turned to the visibly shaken Yu Yuheng: "Group Leader Yu, could you detail exactly what happened? Why did you say that creature was merely a scout? What was your basis for that judgment?"

All eyes now fixed on Yu Yuheng—everyone was intensely focused on this question.

Yu Yuheng's gaze was distant. He looked up at the group, the horrifying scene from two hours ago replaying endlessly in his mind.

Two hours earlier.

Yu Yuheng's aircraft had just plunged out of a cloud layer; the sudden weightlessness nearly blanked his mind, but the autopilot quickly stabilized the craft.

With no real piloting experience, he immediately checked the instruments and the Chuangwai view.

But when he looked up, he saw—within the previously hazy cloud layer to the right—a massive shadow, completely obscuring the already dim moonlight.

It was a monstrous creature covered in countless giant limbs, each limb possibly over a hundred meters long, like a floating black sea urchin, bristling with countless red compound eyes. Dense cilia on its legs swayed violently in the blizzard. The small aircraft carrying Yu Yuheng and Wei Kexue looked terrifyingly tiny before it.

Didi didi—the aircraft's alarm sounded.

"Professor Wei, it's above us!!" Yu Yuheng gasped.

"Climb! Climb!" came Wei Kexue's shout over the comm.

"Is the Plague Plant lit?"

"No."

"How is that possible?!"

Didi didi—the aircraft's instruments began triggering fault alarms.

"The detectors are active—this thing is watching us!"

"It's been hiding here all along!"

"Forget it—fire directly at it! See what this monster's up to!" Wei Kexue gritted his teeth, adrenaline surging, his fear and panic instantly suppressed.

"Ahh!!"

Ziiii—chhh!

The aircraft's dogfight missiles launched from their bay, their exhaust trails arcing swiftly toward the floating compound eyes.

Boom!

An explosion flared—but the monstrous entity suffered no damage. The missile seemed to hit an invisible wall mid-air, detonating violently. A semi-transparent halo rippled before the "urchin," then vanished.

"What was that?!"

"Some kind of shield???"

"Damn it."

"What do we do now?"

Wei Kexue glanced back at the Hell Black Chrysanthemum—still inert. He clenched his jaw: "Group Leader Yu, I'm going closer. Professor Ding's report says the Plague Plant's coverage is only 500 meters. Maybe getting nearer will trigger it."

"Five hundred meters is too close!" Yu Yuheng shouted.

"There's no other option—this is our only chance!" Wei Kexue took a deep breath, sharply veered the aircraft, and flew straight toward the monster.

"Professor Wei!"

"Don't follow me—stay at a safe distance to receive the capture signal. If I eject, watch where the Plague Plant lands—I promised Lin Team Leader I'd return it intact!!"

Wuuu!

The Tongxing aircraft's turbofan engines spooled up. Wei Kexue pierced through the clouds, teeth clenched, flying straight at the colossal creature.

Di… di…

The radar's detection signals screamed incessantly.

At that moment, the countless red compound eyes turned toward the approaching aircraft. A strange crimson light began to pulse. Instantly, the sky turned blood-red. Yu Yuheng felt a chill run through him—he looked up and saw the monstrous entity now entirely crimson, like a blood moon hanging overhead, while Wei Kexue's aircraft charged forward without hesitation.

"Professor Wei!!"

Didi didi didi didi.

Yu Yuheng's eyes bulged. Visions of grotesque imagery flashed before him—crimson ripples surged endlessly. His pupils trembled, reflecting shattered visions: tens of thousands of pale eyes coalescing into a single colossal compound eye, surrounded by swirling black clouds forming a storm's eye.

He frantically tore off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, searching for his computer's calculation module on the aircraft.

"Faster! Faster! Faster! Faster! Faster! Faster! Faster!!"

Yu Yuheng frantically refreshed the detector's feedback signals.

Didi didi didi didi.

Hum!

"It's lit!! The Plague Plant's lit!!" Suddenly, Wei Kexue's shout echoed in his ear.

Di—simultaneously, the ultra-pure germanium detector's monitoring unit glowed green—capture successful!

"Professor Wei, quick—"

Boom!

Before Yu Yuheng could finish, a terrifying shockwave struck. All instruments on the aircraft went dark. Instantly, a massive sensation of weightlessness surged upon him.

In that instant, he looked out the window—the tiny flash of fire before the blood-red monster was Wei Kexue's aircraft!

"Professor Wei—!!"

Hum!

Before he could scream, overwhelming dizziness crashed over him. His world spun wildly. He didn't know how long passed—then, alarms began blaring around him.

【Altitude alert. Altitude alert.】

【Taking over flight control.】

【Frontal terrain. Frontal terrain.】

【Lift failed. Lift failed.】

Dazed and half-conscious, Yu Yuheng snapped back to awareness and lunged for the aircraft's control stick…

…

"This monster is unlike any we've encountered before. Conventional weapons seem ineffective against it, and it possesses some form of group attack capability."

In the lab hall, Yu Yuheng recounted his experience in detail. He removed his glasses, pinched his brow, and sighed: "In that instant, every instrument failed. I saw something horrifying in my mind—but it was different from this creature. I felt… it was communicating. Guiding. The sensation was overwhelming…"

He Zhen frowned: "So you mean there's more than one S-class monster?"

Zhao Yu murmured: "If there's a hierarchical relationship, then the other one may not be merely S-class."

Hearing this, everyone's hearts sank.

"Regardless of whether it's S-class, it means greater danger for us." Zhao Yu exhaled slowly, then turned to He Zhen and Wen Zhuo: "Since the monster tide has withdrawn, we'll initiate early evacuation. Accelerate the pace. All casualty reports and readiness plans proceed en route. Xiao He, bring Han Jun and Qin Xueming to discuss ammunition supply."

"Yes!"

"Wait." Lin Xian suddenly spoke, breaking his silence: "Director Zhao, I know the evacuation is scheduled for tomorrow, but don't you find everything we've encountered since yesterday deeply strange?"

Shi Diyuan, unable to hold back his suspicions, added: "I feel the same. One S-class monster hiding without attacking—isn't that too odd?"

"Indeed," Wen Zhuo nodded, looking at Zhao Yu: "If this is truly a scout, sent by some dark entity to find prey, why did I get attacked by the monster tide tonight? If the entire city is dead, what's the point?"

"Because this wasn't an attack."

At that moment, a woman's voice rang out in the hall. All turned to see Ding Junyi step forward from the crowd.

"Professor Ding, what do you mean 'not an attack'?" Zhao Yu frowned at her.

Ding Junyi glanced at Yu Yuheng, then spoke:

"Professor Wei was right—the monster didn't come solely for the Hell Black Chrysanthemum. Discovering it was accidental. The reason no one in Xilan City had any mark is because all snow wraiths and snow demons have stopped emitting Dark Marks. Only S-class aberrations can apply Level 5 marks. And this creature seems to have realized we're researching the Dark Mark—so it placed the mark first on the Falcon Team patrolling outside the city, triggering tonight's assault."

He Zhen looked confused: "Didn't you just say it wasn't an assault?"

Ding Junyi looked at the Hell Black Chrysanthemum: "Now, apart from high above, no aberration is emitting Dark Marks. This creature is surveilling Xilan City. It didn't mark anyone earlier precisely to keep the city safe—to draw more people to gather here!"

Her gaze turned icy: "Because Xilan City has strong defenses. Perhaps to minimize casualties—or simply to induce chaos and fear—tonight wasn't an attack. It was a Quli —a forced evacuation."

"But our original plan was to evacuate tomorrow!" another female researcher blurted out.

"Exactly! Now we're evacuating even sooner—giving us a better chance to escape the Eternal Night and the Fifth Star Abyss. Isn't that better?"

Everyone looked puzzled.

Then Lin Xian stepped forward and said: "What if, before we evacuate, we mark the entire city with Level 5 tags?"

At once, everyone felt a chill run through them.

The atmosphere in the hall froze for a heartbeat.

He Zhen's eyes narrowed as he recalled the Falcon Team's fate, and spoke slowly: "You mean…"

Lin Xian looked at Zhao Yu: "Director Zhao, I recommend summoning all team leaders from every vehicle group and checking each one for marks. When I brought the Hell Black Chrysanthemum here, I checked our own team—every vehicle in our convoy has been marked with Level 5. I suspect this is connected to that sky-shaking event earlier. If so, then the reason the monster tide withdrew aligns perfectly with Professor Ding's theory."

Zhao Yu frowned at Lin Xian, fell silent for several breaths, then declared decisively: "Fine, we'll do it your way. Wen Zhuo, move everyone to Michel Church, gather all the team leaders, don't reveal the reason yet, then conduct individual tests—wait until we confirm the results before discussing further."

"He Zhen, first organize casualty statistics, replenish ammunition along the defense lines, and under no circumstances relax the lines until evacuation is confirmed."

"Understood." He Zhen nodded.

Zhao Yu checked the time, then addressed everyone: "Time is critical—everyone move now. By dawn, it'll be too late. We must finalize the evacuation plan by 5 a. ."

"Got it."

The night's battle had just ended; no one had caught their breath before sensing an even greater crisis. Panic spread instantly, as if the entire West Lan City were smothered beneath a suffocating weight.

Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.

At 4 a. ., the square before Michel Church buzzed with frantic figures. Dozens of surviving convoy leaders had been urgently summoned. The square, littered with mountains of monster corpses from the night's battle, had been hastily cleared by Nightwalkers, yet the overpowering stench of blood and decay still made heads spin. Beneath the blinding floodlights, Ding Junyi and numerous researchers were dispersing to conduct marking tests on each team leader.

"What's going on here?"

"No idea—just cooperate."

"They say they've confirmed the Guiyiti 's attack pattern—it's called Dark Mark. Anyone tagged will attract monsters at night."

"Ah? So that's why…"

"So this test means more attacks are coming?"

"We haven't even dealt with our convoy's casualties yet."

"At least Phoenix Society is distributing ammo and supplies…"

"Are we evacuating?"

At one side of the square, Zhou Wuer, Peng Peng, and several Nightwalkers stood in the corner, watching with complex expressions.

"So many tagged… our evacuation plan's got to change," Peng Peng said, arms crossed.

Zhou Wuer, having fought all night, wore an uncharacteristically serious face: "Who knows? Hope everything goes smoothly."

"Chit. Chit."

At that moment, his communicator beeped. He waved behind him: "Let's go in."

04: 5

Inside the makeshift command center of the church's Gospel Hall, a crowd had gathered.

Leading them were Zhao Yu and He Zhen of Phoenix Society, along with researchers Guo Sicheng and Yu Yuheng, plus convoy leaders from Nightwalkers and Crimson Phoenix Order: Lin Xian, Shi Di, Qian Dele, Han Jun, Qin Xueming, Zhang Tianfang, Chen Xiao, and others.

"Tests complete. Of the city's 1, 36 convoys, 786 team leaders carry Level 5 Dark Marks," Xiao He reported grimly.

"Why aren't all of them marked?" He Zhen frowned. "Do these monsters pick their victims?"

"I think Yu's team and Professor Wei's actions affected that creature," Ding Junyi said. "That's why some weren't marked—and why the monsters retreated early."

"64%," Zhao Yu muttered, frowning. "I don't know whether to call this good or bad."

He looked up at everyone. "The details have been explained. I want to hear your opinions."

"We have to evacuate immediately—otherwise we're just waiting for that S-class Guiyiti to kill us!" Qin Xueming, from Universe Convoy, was battered from battle. Hearing the news, he spoke up at once.

"Same here. What other choice do we have?" Chen Xiao, of Torch Alliance, whose losses tonight were heavy, looked around bewildered. "Does this even need discussion?"

"Didn't you hear the researchers? Anyone with a Level 5 Mark is dead the moment they step outside!" Zhang Tianfang spoke up.

"Then what can we do? Kill the S-class?" Qin Xueming shouted in disbelief. "Or kill whatever's even worse than the S-class? With what?"

Han Jun of Arctic Wind Alliance remained the calmest. He turned to Lin Xian: "Lin's team, you've had the most experience with Dark Marks. Could we reduce our mark concentration—and maybe enter a silent state—by slaughtering large numbers of snow wraiths and snow demons?"

He Zhen nodded: "Exactly. I thought the same. This mark isn't permanent—if we can clear it, we don't need to kill the S-class Guiyiti."

At this, everyone nodded in agreement.

But Zhao Yu said nothing. His gaze shifted to Yu Yuheng, Ding Junyi, and Lin Xian from the research and Infinite Convoy teams.

"Research team. Infinite Convoy. What's your opinion?"

Yu Yuheng spoke first: "I… I just feel this isn't as simple as it seems."

Ding Junyi nodded: "Have you considered why the monster horde retreated the moment we were marked?"

"Uh…"

Qin Xueming's eyes widened: "Holy shit—that's devious."

Han Jun's face darkened. This suggested the creature watching West Lan City possessed intelligence—and this attack was premeditated.

Clear the marks, let survivors grow more confident, then strike suddenly—spreading terror, marking the entire city, and forcing everyone to flee!

If we evacuate now, those with Level 5 Marks won't survive to Quancheng. If we stay, we die anyway—facing the terrifying sound-beings above… and something even worse.

Right now, what lay before them seemed to be…

A city-wide death trap.

At that moment, every spine chilled.

"Lin brother," Shi Di whispered, frowning beside Lin Xian. "What do we do? Are we just… eaten?"

Lin Xian's expression was complex. He, too, felt a deep unease—for the first time, he feared being controlled by dark creatures.

"Ah~ Looks like these monsters are really wrapping us up like dumplings," Qian Dele sighed deeply, patting his fur coat. "Fine. Let's go drink two cups, then make one last gamble."

Lin Xian heard this, turned to Qian Dele—and his expression changed.

"You're right. A gamble might still give us a chance."

As everyone stood helpless, Lin Xian suddenly spoke out loudly—every eye snapped to him.

"If we fight back, there might still be a way out!"

Beside him, Qian Dele looked confused and leaned in quietly: "Hey, when I said 'gamble,' I meant just charging out—no real chance."

He Zhen, Wen Zhuo, Han Jun—all stared at Lin Xian.

Zhao Yu spoke: "Lin, tell us your idea."

A wild thought was growing in Lin Xian's mind, making his chest heave. His eyes flickered, then hardened as he growled: "What if… we don't evacuate tomorrow?"

"Not evacuate? Just wait to die?"

"Exactly…"

Chen Xiao and others started to protest—but Zhao Yu raised a hand to stop them. His gaze fixed on Lin Xian: "Continue."

"If we don't evacuate tomorrow, the worst we face is the Eternal Night. But is Eternal Night truly terrifying? If we remove our marks and enter silent state, we might still safely cross the edge of Star Abyss No. 5!" Lin Xian looked up at Zhao Yu urgently. "We've tested this before—without marks, we have a high chance of encountering nothing in darkness, unless we're unbelievably unlucky and stumble into a monster's territory."

Zhao Yu frowned: "You mean using one day to clear the marks? But the monster won't give us that chance—and it's still guiding another, even…"

"Then what if we kill it?!"

Before Zhao Yu could finish, Lin Xian shouted: "If this creature is marking us like we're its next meal, let's just kill it outright—erase all Level 5 Marks. The Eternal Night gathers the day after tomorrow. That bigger creature likely arrives via tides during Eternal Night or the Extreme Cold Vortex. The gap between now and then? That's our window!"

At these words, everyone's expressions shifted.

"You mean kill an S-class Guiyiti?" Han Jun frowned.

"But wasn't it just a scout?" Qin Xueming added.

"Right. Even if we wanted to kill it, if it won't show itself, how do we reach it?" Zhang said.

Yu Yuheng nodded: "It's been hiding in the clouds, impossible to locate. It's just watching us…"

"Not necessarily!"

!

Lin Xian spoke sharply: "First, if it's truly a scout, its goal is to mark the entire city. But we've only marked 64%—its mission isn't complete. So if we don't evacuate tonight, it'll strike again—and that sea-urchin will repeat its tactic."

"You mean strike when it releases the next wave of marks?" Wen Zhuo, leader of Starfire Group, frowned.

"But if it's airborne, our options are limited," He Zhen said. "Our aerial units have no experience hunting S-class Guiyiti. And as Yu's team said—missiles are useless. If we can't eliminate it quickly, the whole city is trapped."

He Zhen's analysis echoed most people's fears: fleeing now might still offer a sliver of hope. But if we wait until tomorrow night's attack, can we even hold the line? And now we must also destroy an S-class Guiyiti with some kind of shield?

The odds seemed negligible. Fail, and the entire city bears Level 5 Marks, facing Eternal Night and Extreme Cold Vortex—total annihilation.

"There's a way to make it come down," Lin Xian suddenly said.

"What way?" Zhao Yu asked.

"This." Ding Junyi slammed her palm onto the Hell Black Chrysanthemum's cultivation chamber. "Have you ever wondered how an S-class Guiyiti could be fooled by two tiny aircraft?"

"Exactly."

Lin Xian spoke sharply: "It can attract A-class Abyss Worms in minutes—it can attract that creature too!"

Yu Yuheng stood up at once: "Yes! Yes! When that thing turned completely red, it wasn't just because of our two aircraft attacking—it realized Professor Wei's aircraft carried the plague plants!"

Zhao Yu's face shifted rapidly. He Zhen fell into deep thought.

Lin Xian turned to He Zhen.

"He Tuanzhang, if we begin full-city defense now—using West Lan City's steel plant, arms factory, radar station, and rail station to set up fortifications—turning all convoys from chaotic escapees into pre-positioned traps and defensive outposts, organizing proper war deployments, turning ambushes into defense or blocking battles—wouldn't our situation be better than last night?"

He Zhen's eyes sharpened: "Of course. Thick walls, deep moats, superior weapons, well-trained troops—last night we were rushed and didn't account for inner-city collapse. With a fortified city and prepared troops, casualties would drop drastically."

"And one more point—what Professor Ding just said."

Wen Zhuo added: "West Lan City has massive fixed defenses and base weapons. We can't take them if we evacuate. If the monster truly wants to drive us out, maybe it fears these weapons."

"Exactly!" Shi Di nodded in agreement. "Vehicle-mounted weapons can't match fixed emplacements. If we flee like this, aren't we turning into soft targets? I support Lin's plan!"

"I agree too," Qian Dele crossed his arms. "Fortified city with heavy artillery beats fleeing through blizzards. And with Level 5 Marks? The road becomes a moving hunting ground for monsters."

Their words swayed Qin Xueming and others. He glanced at Han Jun.

"Hey, Han Zong, what do you think?"

Han Jun's face was grave: "Breaking the cauldron, sinking the boat, shedding the cicada's shell—it might be a good strategy. But…" He looked to Zhao Yu. "Arctic Wind Alliance follows your orders."

On this side, Zhao Yu and He Zhen exchanged glances.

"Old Zhao," He Zhen said, studying Zhao Yu's expression. "When you said 'good news, bad news' earlier—you meant this, didn't you?"

Zhao Yu exhaled slowly and nodded.

64%—that means 30% of people carry no mark and can survive. If we choose not to evacuate, we can't force those people to stay—so our defenders will be 30% fewer. Defense pressure will rise sharply.

64% means that 30% of people actually have no markers and can survive; if he chooses not to retreat, he cannot force these people to stay, which means the defenders are reduced by 30%, and the pressure on defending the city is undoubtedly greater.

But if these people choose to stay, they are staking everything—every possession, every life—on Zhao Yu.

If they fail, the entire city loses.

He dared not gamble, nor did he have the right to send those who could live into death.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yu scanned the crowd and said:

"Strategically, I endorse Lin's and Professor Ding's plan: hold the city, eliminate the markers. Though difficult, it's far more viable than evacuating with a Level 5 marker—whether in weapons, walls, or morale, we're acting proactively rather than reactively. From a military standpoint, He Zhen, you agree, right?"

He Zhen nodded: "Correct. Turning passive into active, turning crisis into opportunity—that's truly the superior strategy."

"Then it's settled!"

Zhao Yu spoke firmly: "In my capacity as Phoenix Society's Governor of Xilan City, I approve holding the city!"

"Additionally, I need to hear from over a thousand other convoy leaders first—make sure everyone understands the true gravity of the situation, confirm which convoys will stay or leave, then immediately implement the Fortification Plan!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

05: 0

At Michel Church Square, figures blazed like torches; over a thousand convoy leaders, heads, deputies, and key personnel surrounded the square, filling it with thousands.

The cold wind howled as Zhao Yu, the overall commander, stood on the raised platform and broadcasted the truth about the Dark Markers, the city's current crisis, and the Phoenix Society's new strategy: defend the city.

Instantly, wails filled the square, thick with despair and suffocation.

"What… we've all been marked Level 5? Does that mean certain death?"

"I heard a patrol squad yesterday—no chance to escape…"

"Oh my god, I thought we'd leave tomorrow!"

"When we were scanned earlier, we didn't have any markers…"

"Staying to defend the city, evacuating during the Eternal Night… is this even possible?"

"If that's true, we'd rather stay here—at least we've cover, cannons. On the road, our vehicles couldn't withstand a wave of that level."

"Exactly—we're already marked. What else can we do but fight?"

"Right! Follow the Phoenix Society—fight them! Maybe we still have a chance!"

"Defend the city? I think it's doable. I love tower defense games—I've got tons of experience. Can I lead?"

"Get real—you think He's squad, who's led troops for years, needs your gaming tips?"

"…"

The crowd buzzed with heavy murmurs.

Zhao Yu scanned the square: "That's the situation. No time to waste. From now on, every convoy may declare its choice—whether marked or not, you may evacuate. I've already arranged emergency supplies and ammunition at support points. Evacuation must be completed before 6 a. . All remaining ammunition and supplies will be shared citywide. I'll draft a detailed defense plan: organize tactical squads based on convoy vehicles, weapon ratios, and ability types, and establish a temporary Fortification Command Center—all preparations to be complete before nightfall."

As soon as he finished, the crowd fell noticeably quieter.

"Um…" a convoy leader raised his hand: "If we have no marker, we can really leave? Does that mean we're safe?"

His words drew attention from other unmarked convoys—all eyes turned to Zhao Yu.

"Correct. Unmarked convoys may evacuate. As for safety—I trust our research team's judgment. At minimum, the danger will be reduced to the lowest possible level. This will likely become the global standard for dealing with Dark Beings." Zhao Yu replied sternly.

"Then… we choose to evacuate." The leader clenched his teeth—his convoy had suffered heavy losses last night and had lost all will to fight.

"We're leaving too."

"Looks like our convoy wasn't marked… then it's not our problem." It was Long Dhei of the Blackie Convoy—he glanced at the Phoenix Society members on stage with a complex expression: "I don't know what to say… thanks for your support. Hope you make it."

With that, he exhaled deeply and turned away with a few subordinates.

Meanwhile, more convoys quietly departed; the square grew silent.

"We trust the Phoenix Society's decision—we stand with you, to the death!" A firm female voice broke the silence.

"Right! Fight to the death defending the city—let's go!!" Her voice ignited something.

Those who'd lost everything, those whose families were torn apart by the waves, those consumed by rage at their hopeless fate—more and more emotions flared!

"Fuck! They treat us like pigs and slap on markers? Then let's fucking fight!" A burly man roared.

"I've never killed an S-class yet—maybe killing one will evolve the whole city! What do you say, guys?!"

"Hey, yeah!!"

"What's to fear? We didn't even get to finish last night! This time we're prepared—we'll wipe out these beasts completely!"

"Exactly! Don't think humans are easy prey—I'm at the top of the food chain!!"

"Fight!"

"We're unmarked—but we're standing with the Phoenix Society!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Dingli Convoy signs up first!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—the square erupted in noise; the will to fight surged.

"Xiao He, tally the final numbers, inventory weapons." Watching this, He Zhen turned to his deputy with firm resolve.

"Yes."

Soon, the tally was complete. In the command center hall, everyone began discussing the Fortification Plan.

"Report: 1, 36 convoys survived. 1, 72 chose to stay and defend; 164 evacuated—all unmarked. We're now counting total personnel and weapons." Xiao He reported.

"The Nightwalkers are also compiling previous ability data. Group deployment will take more time." Wen Zhuo added.

"Good."

"Then let's finalize the Fortification Plan. He Zhen, outline the defense layout."

A holographic tactical table stood at the center of the hall. Zhao Yu stood at the front; around him were the Recon Corps, Nightwalkers, and leaders of representative convoys—all staring solemnly at the holographic map of Xilan City.

"Alright."

He Zhen raised his pointer and indicated the northern and eastern city walls.

"The northern, eastern, and southern city walls are permanent fortifications. But now, with monsters already breaching the city, defending only from outside leaves us exposed from behind."

"So my plan: abandon city-area defense. Link the northern defense line with the passenger rail station and Xilan Airport into a triangular strategic position. Link the eastern defense line with the steel industrial zone and arms manufacturing plant into another triangle. The southern defense line will rely on the mountains and the Dugale Radar Array. The western side has no defensive points—Fenglan Mountain and the mines offer no viable defense, so we abandon it. Finally, deploy high-mobility, high-ability assault teams at Michel Square and Zhongyang Avenue to lure and flexibly engage Level A Abyss Worms and Level S Cloud Black Thorns. These three key zones can coordinate tightly—and if needed, form pincer attacks to concentrate force against internal threats."

Everyone listened, nodding in approval. Concentrating core forces around the city's defensive zones rather than scattering them inside was indeed the ideal solution.

This way, the walls weren't just outward-facing—they could link internally into island-style defenses.

"Commander He has thought this through thoroughly. Once the passenger station, airport, steel plant, and Dugale Array are fortified, they'll be extremely defensible." Zhao Yu nodded at the hologram.

Xilan City's special buildings far surpassed ordinary residential structures in strength. Originally constructed with strategic warfare in mind, average residential wall thickness exceeded 80 cm; these special fortifications surpassed 100 cm. Combined with convoy steel defenses, their durability was greatly enhanced.

"Now, the second question: how do we kill the Level S Cloud Black Thorn before dawn on September 1st?" Zhao Yu turned to Wen Zhuo.

Wen Zhuo replied solemnly: "We currently have 112 Rampage-class and 1, 01 Diamond-class abilities. Following Commander He's plan, I recommend selecting elite units with suitable abilities, forming five-man hunter squads under my command. First, attempt to eliminate the Abyss Worm. If the Level S Cloud Black Thorn appears, initiate contact attacks to identify its weaknesses, then use the hunter squads' high mobility to lure and divert it across the three defensive positions, using fixed defenses and aerial firepower to eliminate it."

"Sounds plausible—but overly optimistic," Qin Xueming spoke up. "If the S-class entity directly attacks one position, the other two can't assist—we'll be picked off one by one."

"Valid point," Shi Di said sternly. "But we can't cram all 40, 00 people into one spot. The firepower won't fit—and we'll collapse from internal chaos first."

Wen Zhuo added: "My idea is to use high-tier abilities for bait—fire, laser, telekinesis, Han Jun's water, my magnetism…"

"Then the entire burden falls on the ability hunter squad," Han Jun frowned. "We'd have to move across the entire city. Stamina's a huge issue—Xilan isn't a small town. The three positions are dozens of kilometers apart. Not everyone can fly."

"If all forces concentrate at three points, the city interior becomes empty. Even the hunter squad, without heavy fire support, won't survive against that level of monster," Zhang Tianfang said grimly.

"I can deploy Fearless-class units for aerial support," He Zhen said. "But aerial support has its limits."

"Yeah…" Qian Dele nodded. "We're talking A-class and S-class monsters. Even our best abilities might be one bite away."

"Any other ideas?"

He Zhen frowned slightly: "We could concentrate heavy weapons and missiles—might help."

"We still don't know how well that monster resists missiles. If, as Group Leader Yu suggested, it's some kind of ability shield, then conventional weapons may be useless," Han Jun said.

"Exactly. I agree. If it's some extraordinary defense mechanism, all our preparations could be wasted," Qin Xueming added, troubled.

Lin Xian stood at the far edge of the crowd, grim-faced. Hearing Han Jun's words, he immediately recalled his AT Field Shield.

If the monster had such a defense, it would be extremely hard to defeat.

"Hey." A quiet voice nudged Lin Xian's side. He turned—Zhou Wuer.

"I saw in your mission log—you used a power to generate sunlight outside Xilan City. Might be an unexpected advantage."

"That was because daylight already existed," Lin Xian whispered. He wasn't sure if his gravitational lens could work like it did against the Red Light Head.

"No problem. I think your idea is bold—maybe it can turn this dead end around. Excellent insight."

Lin Xian sighed. In his view, relying on Xilan's defenses and collective strength to eliminate the scout, then evacuate, was best. But that didn't mean it would succeed. Even the Phoenix Society had no confidence against an S-class anomaly—no successful case had been reported anywhere in the world.

Lin Xian looked around. The discussion had stalled. The defense strategy was manageable—but the core problem remained: how to kill the S-class anomaly. Without that, all defense was meaningless.

The three defensive lines couldn't concentrate to face the S-class. And 40, 00 people couldn't all gather in one place—that would abandon the advantages of the walls and base weapons.

Wen Zhuo's plan—concentrating elite abilities for internal harassment—seemed the best. But everyone knew: even with over a hundred Rampage-class, defeating an S-class was nearly impossible.

Many had never even encountered an S-class, let alone knew how to fight it.

As the group remained locked in stalemate,

Bang.

The great hall's doors suddenly swung open. A tall man in a military overcoat strode in, loud and clear:

"If we had a war machine capable of suppressing the monster tide inside the city and handling the S-class anomaly, this problem would become simple."

Lin Xian recognized the man—he was Chen Wei, from the Trakama Ice Valley camp.

"Chen Wei, you're here? Your injuries…" Yu Yuheng began.

But Chen Wei didn't respond. He kept walking, speaking to the crowd:

"Project Emperor: Pan Gu Unit 01. Height: 125 meters. Total weight: 8, 65 tons. Twin fusion reactor turbines. Dual-neural interface cockpit. Ultra-carbyne alloy composite armor. Multi-aperture photonic radar. Hydraulic power distributors on legs. 500kt gyroscope stabilizer. KKG-class high-agility torque drive. 4, 38 muscle units, each equipped with two magnetically controlled engines. Armaments: right arm I-19 plasma cannon, folding high-frequency blade chain-sword, twin ultra-high-pressure pulse hammers, left arm rail-burner cannon, chest-mounted 4x8 vertical missile launch system, rocket boosters on elbows…"

"Also, the worm in the north? My brother and I killed it with the chain-sword. If we can reboot the Ice Valley Unit 01, it can serve as a strategic anchor in the central district. I can demonstrate again how to kill a worm!"

At this, Han Jun and others stared in shock.

"What? There's a mech like that?"

Zhao Yu's expression shifted. As Xilan City's governor, he knew of Project Emperor. Not just him—Shi Di and Qian Dele had both seen that war beast in the ice valley.

"But the EVA-01's cockpit, the symbiotic drive, and the left arm..." Yu Yu immediately understood Chen Wei's intent and responded at once.

"I can fix it!"

At that moment, Lin Xian, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his gaze tinged with madness: "I can't fully repair it, but this time is enough for me to resolve several core issues. Also, I recall the core tablet you brought back—it's itself a spare intelligent control core, isn't it?"

Chen Wei's appearance suddenly made Lin Xian realize: his mechanical ability had already reached Level 5. If he could return before dawn tomorrow, he'd have over twenty-four hours to repair it. And that mech was originally designed to combat S-class anomalies—if he could get that mech, the success rate would rise dramatically.

Yu Yu's expression grew complex: "But even if repaired, it would still require two Level 5 symbiotic coefficient pilots, and..."

"I am a Level 5 symbiotic coefficient pilot," Lin Xian said before Chen Wei could speak.

At this, not only Yu Yu, but Chen Wei and He Zhen of the Investigator Corps also turned to him in shock.

"You're serious?" Chen Wei's gaze sharpened with doubt as he addressed Lin Xian.

"Yes. I'm a mechanical adept—you shouldn't doubt my control over machinery," Lin Xian said.

"Good!" Chen Wei's expression hardened, then broke into a smile: "I don't much like adepts, but having a Level 5 symbiotic coefficient adept isn't something I can refuse to work with."

Lin Xian looked at him: "Your temper's awful, but I admire you stepping forward now. This plan's solid."

Chen Wei smiled, turned to the group, his demeanor turning solemn as he gave a formal military salute: "Director Zhao, Commander He, Director Yu, Geweishouzhang, Chen Wei formally requests permission to deploy!"

Zhao Yu turned to Yu Yu: "Director Yu?"

Yu Yu's expression shifted rapidly—growing ever more urgent, ever more excited.

"That's right, that's right! If Commander Lin can repair the cockpit, the symbiotic drive, and the left arm, and use the core tablet's intelligent control system, we can definitely reboot EVA-01!"

"Then it's decided!" Zhao Yu's eyes flashed with resolve as he spoke to Lin Xian.

"Commander Lin, you'll lead the team to retrieve the ultimate weapon of the Emperor Project!"

"I couldn't ask for more!"

Lin Xian's gaze ignited with fierce battle-lust. Through the stained-glass window of the Gospel Church depicting the Holy Father, he gazed toward the southeast of Xilan City—seven hundred kilometers away, deep within the Trakama Ice Valley, a colossal war mech slumbered atop an ice peak.

Its twin fusion reactor turbines, long extinguished, seemed to wait—for the moment they'd be reignited with searing heat!

(End of Chapter)