Chapter 1035

As the words fell, they struck the ground with a resonant sound.

After a rebuttal, the slightly older high-level officials were momentarily speechless.

After a moment, Tel, who had remained silent, let out a bitter laugh and tossed away the cigarette butt left in his hand.

"No need to argue."

"We will definitely look for him."

"With such a strong person, once we find him, we'll have a trump card; even putting it bluntly, if we ever encounter a scene like the trial tower again, this person will unleash unimaginable value. Think about it—if Lin An were ours, would our war zone have come to such a pass?"

While speaking, Tel couldn't help feeling jealous of the Huaxia war zone.

Relying on Lin An, the Huaxia war zone took the most third-rank slots, waived all catastrophe rewards, and had an extremely strong individual responsible for suppressing high-difficulty missions.

Putting other things aside, if Lin An were theirs, how could a great nation have to seek help from an individual?

The supplies that Lin An ruthlessly cut down amounted to astronomical figures!

Even at worst, if our side had someone comparable to Lin An, Lin An wouldn't dare make such a lion's demand, would he?

In the trial battle, the image of Lin An single-handedly crushing the globe is something he will never forget.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, unable to help feeling sentimental:

"Yeah, if we also had Lin An, perhaps the Red Tower disaster would have been resolved at its outset."

"With so many high-difficulty tasks domestically, plus the military factories occupied by mutants, which one doesn't require a super‑strong individual to take it down?"

"We may have many third‑rank individuals, but we lack a top‑tier strong one to lead everything!"

Overcome with sentiment, as they spoke, they glanced sharply at Tel's expression; only after seeing that Tel had no objection upon hearing them did their hearts ease a little.

There's no way around it—although saying these things to Tel's face is awkward, they are indeed true.

Before, we thought our side's top‑tier strong ones were not bad, but now, upon reflection, they really are a bit weak.

In the heated discussion, Akhilevich maintained his usual hardline stance.

Hearing everyone sigh over Lin An, he couldn't help coldly rebuking them:

"Lin An, Lin An! Why keep bringing him up?!"

"What do you mean 'if we had Lin An it would be good'? Don't we already have him?"

"Although that mysterious person hasn't been found yet, he ultimately belongs to the Soviet war zone! He's one of our own!"

"Once we find him, what's a mere Lin An? No matter how strong he is, can he surpass the mysterious person who slew the Sun Walker?"

"Impressive—Lin An at most merely reaches the intermediate level, as the rumors say!"

"If we find him and that mysterious person agrees to join us, then our war zone will truly be number one in the world!"

As the words fell, the people's listless spirits were instantly lifted, and many nodded in strong agreement.

Although Akhilevich's words were blunt, they were indeed true! No matter how strong Lin An is, he'd probably just be dodging the Sun Walker; but our war zone's Awakened Ones are different! For a moment, everyone's hearts burned with the desire to find that existence, growing increasingly restless.

But while everyone was discussing how to attract the mysterious person's contact, the high‑level official who had previously been rebuked by Akhilevich suddenly interjected again:

"Sorry, I know my opinion is likely to provoke everyone's displeasure, but in fact any discussion needs differing views."

Clearing his throat, the older‑looking, extremely steady former deputy commander looked around and spoke directly:

"First, I don't oppose seeking that strong person, nor do I oppose your hope of attracting him through promises of honor."

"But there's a problem you might have overlooked."

Frowning, Akhilevich coldly asked the middle‑aged man who always opposes him:

"What have we overlooked?"

The next second, the former deputy commander gave a slight nod, without further ado:

"It's simple. Namely, is that mysterious person truly as strong as the outside rumors claim?"

While speaking, seeing Akhilevich again unwilling to counter him, the middle‑aged man waved his hand dismissively and quickly said:

"It's like this."

"The Sun Walker is indeed a high‑level third rank, but does slaying him necessarily require someone above high‑level third rank?!"

"I'm certain the killer isn't fourth rank! Otherwise the system would have already issued a global announcement for fourth rank!"

"Then the question arises: we've just become third rank, so how did that killer reach above high‑level third rank?"

"Putting it bluntly, Lin An may not end up the strongest in the future, but at this stage he is the strongest! If he can't do it, how did that person manage?!"

"I mean, could it be that the Sun Walker was slain because of the killer's special ability, or some special means?!"

"Actually, the killer's strength is probably quite ordinary!"

Seeing everyone suddenly fall into thought, the deputy commander sighed inwardly and continued:

"If the Sun Walker was indeed killed by some special method, then many unreasonable points can be explained away."

"Really, are we going all out, bestowing ultra‑high honor on him, when in fact he lacks that value?"

"Outside survivors can be swayed by emotion into making irresponsible guesses, assuming that person is immensely strong! But we.."

"We, as the military, as officials! Must absolutely not let emotions dictate our actions!"

Having said that, the slightly older deputy commander spread his hands, indicating he wasn't targeting anyone, nor merely playing devil's advocate.

He sighed, somewhat helplessly looking at the most belligerent Akhilevich:

"Akhilevich, often national politics and administration cannot be solved by force alone. You don't consider popular sentiment and national‑level factors, but we do. Do you remember our earlier discussion when we mentioned that the relationship between the Huaxia war zone and Lin An is complex, faintly hostile?"

"Some speculate that the Huaxia military fabricated an illusion, others suspect a rift between Lin An and the military."

"But I can reiterate my judgment once more."

"No matter the era or time, an ultra‑strong individual is forever a regime's greatest enemy! Unless the individual becomes the leader of the power bloc, there will inevitably be conflict—and it will be irreconcilable!"

"Therefore, regardless of whether my judgment of that killer is right or wrong, I hope you won't bestow too much honor on him! For a person can become hope, helping us overcome hardship, yet also destroy our war zone!"

After that speech, Akhilevich fell into a silence. Tel, standing on the outermost edge, felt even more mixed emotions upon hearing it.

Indeed, that's how the world is.

As the top expert of the Soviet war zone, he had no actual authority. In fact, no one dared to give him any.

Either the state's will overrides every individual, or the individual overrides the whole state; between the two, there is simply no way to blend them together.

Just as in his trials, if he personally completed certain tasks he might reap greater rewards, but as an official his identity determined that he must sacrifice his own interests at critical moments for the sake of the collective.

After a long silence, A Qiliefu slowly raised his head and stared straight at the old commander, as if he were saying something else.

"I know. I also understand what you mean."

"But no matter what, that slayer's strength definitely won't be weak! We already have no way to resolve the Red Tower disaster; now we can only, and must, place our hopes on him! As for what comes later, we'll talk about it later!"

"Otherwise, are we supposed to go beg Lin An again? Without even saying whether Lin An can do it, even if he could, what price would we have to pay!?"

Having said that, A Qiliefu turned his body directly, his gaze fixed on the advancing red line in the distance.

Like talking to himself, he gazed at the vast expanse of snow-covered devastation and murmured softly.

"Some things are indeed correct."

"But the world has changed, hasn't it?"

"This... is the Apocalypse..."