Chapter 1256

Safe Zone

Heavy Wu Yun hung like leaden dusk, low and shrouding the sky above Gangshan.

Wind lifted their robes, thousands of low-rank Awakened Ones gazed longingly at the core of the Safe Zone, their eyes full of anticipation and desire.

Overall in gray tones, the Safe Zone built solely of concrete now resembled a pre‑World War II military camp, extremely crude.

He pulled his blanket tighter; though an Awakened One, the leader who had knelt on the ground still instinctively shrank his body, his eyes locked fixedly on the return point.

Whether it was the damp chill of the sea wind under the island climate or his own lingering unease, he felt that today's temperature was much lower than before.

Second Level

Mutant

Survivors

Former high-level officials of the Tokyo Guard Bureau and a host of cabinet ministers kept craning their necks, their eyes locked on the open space before them.

Hill Mountain

Eastern Ocean

Since it was calculated two days ago that the Eastern Ying War Zone would soon return, ending the confrontation, all the survivors of Gangshan halted their outings in unison, awaiting the return of their heroes.

Eastern Ocean Awakened Ones

Eastern Ocean Survivors

But if their people could return, then no problem would remain a problem; the Eastern Ying War Zone, squeezed to its limit, could also rise with vast resources and turn the tables in the upcoming trials.

Zhenyi

Tokyo Guard Headquarters

Pacified Country Shrine

Great Harmony People

An Eastern Ying Awakened One kneeling on the ground had a fiery gleam in his eyes; even if hunger made his head swim, it did nothing to dampen his ardent fighting spirit.

Yeah! The system announced it, right! Asia War Zone is first!

If the Huaxia Military and we were to engage in battle, how could they possibly have the strength left to take first place!? It must be that our plan succeeded, achieving an overwhelming victory!

It's a very simple logic.

For this confrontation match, they have already given everything.

All mobilizable Second Level fighters in the entire war zone have gone; even the First Level Awakened Ones were forcibly power‑upped and sent into the confrontation match together.

Better to be shattered jade than to survive intact.

If it weren't that during the confrontation match monsters never actively attack humans, the forces they left behind would be tantamount to seeking death.

Just a single Third Level mutant charging in could perhaps destroy this place.

As the Supernatural Incident continually mutates and consumes, the Safe Zone they can defend keeps dwindling. Speaking without exaggeration, they are already on the brink of national extinction. This defeat would be their burial ground, with no hope at all.

Therefore, for them, staking the nation's fate is utterly normal.

Such things have already been deeply etched into their bones.

Hearing the consolation from behind, Yuanye, the highest‑level person in the field, nodded slightly and silently clenched their fists.

That's right, it should be like this! They've already tested the terror of the Heavenly Ghost; such an extreme event, no Awakened One could possibly solve it! Moreover, they had early on allied with other war zones; he simply can't imagine what reason they would have to lose!

"Wait for our heroes to return!"

"After bringing them back, for every fallen soldier, we will bury them with state honors!"

Watching the countdown to the return about to end, Yuanye's emotions gradually rose; thinking of their war zone's sacrifice, they couldn't help but feel their eyes well up.

Who would have thought, he is only Second Level strength, yet he is already the strongest in their war zone...

Those warriors who sacrificed for the plan, each one deserves respect.

It's a pity that the Peace Nation Shrine has been occupied by a group of mutants; otherwise, we would definitely have to bury those warriors there...

But everything will get better.

Waiting for Lord Zhenyi and them to return, we believe they will surely bring back vast amounts of supplies! Once there are more Third Level fighters, they will be able to retake the lost cities!

Moreover, perhaps we could even catch a glimpse of that continent, and never again have to face these Supernatural Beings of extreme terror.

Time trickled by.

Amidst the unknown who led the whole field, voices of return rose like shouts.

All that could be seen was everyone watching the ten‑second countdown, excitedly clapping and shouting.

"Return! Return! Return!"

The shouts rose like a mountain‑calling, sea‑roaring tide; they seemed to have already seen, seen their war zone's Awakened Ones descending from the heavens, bringing hope back.

A few seconds later, with a loud buzzing, a dazzling milky‑white light pillar instantly connected the horizon.

Everyone abruptly stopped their shouts, the expressions on their faces turning to ecstasy.

Just a transport light pillar!

Feeling this terrifying pressure, it is obvious that the system is sending their war zone's Awakened Ones back!

In an instant, Yuanye, who had been kneeling at the front, suddenly rose, raising their arms and shouting:

"Everyone! From this moment on, the fate of the Yamato people will be completely rewritten! Let us welcome...!"

Midway through the speech, Yuanye's address suddenly stalled.

The reason is simple.

After the light pillar appeared, the imagined large troop that should have been transported never showed up; the imagined smug faces of Lord Zhenyi and company, who would proudly announce their return, were nowhere to be seen. That empty light pillar was just like a flashlight—nothing but light.

Where are the people!?

Just like him, the crowd instantly panicked, a strong sense of unease instantly spreading through everyone's hearts.

Looking down from high altitude, the survivors of Eastern Ocean at this moment seemed like frightened ants, everyone instinctively standing up and staring fixedly at the sky.

However, no matter how they looked, the light pillar showed not even a trace of a person.

As if realizing something, the entire Safe Zone's High Level exchanged glances, and in each other's eyes they saw fear pushed to the extreme.

No.. impossible..

"It must still be in transmission! It must be!"

Their whole body trembled.

Yuan Ye had imagined countless scenes of welcoming the return, had imagined countless possibilities. At this moment, Yuan Ye seemed to be on the verge of collapse, unable to stop crying out in fear.

For some reason, he always felt the light pillar had begun to dissipate; this transmission, basically no one would come back alive.

Lord Yuan Ye!

It won't happen!

Even if something happened, it's impossible that not a single person would return!

It must still be in transmission! It must be!

Just like giving themselves a pep talk, the last dozens of High Level Awakened Ones all shouted with manic expressions, while those with somewhat fragile minds instead collapsed to their knees, begging.

People must come back! Even if just a few Third Rank return, that would be fine!

Without high-end combat power, they're completely done.

However, heaven seemed to have no mercy.

In the midst of panic and chaos, the light pillar descending from the sky showed no pause, vanishing suddenly after a brief appearance.

At the same time, a cold system notification rang in the minds of every Japan Awakened One:

Transmission ended.

This Japan War Zone survivor count: 0

Hum

The buzzing ceased.

Those few short words, like a heavy hammer, instantly made everyone present feel dizzy and light-headed.

Thud

His body swaying, Yuan Ye, the strongest extant, plopped down onto the ground, as if gone mad, his eyes widened in despair, while some High Level unable to accept this fact simply blacked out and fainted outright.

That empty transmission point, devoid of a single person, seemed to have utterly destroyed all their hopes.

Why!? Why did no one come back!!

What on earth happened!!

Ahhhhh!!

Unwilling roars and wails echoed from within the Safe Zone, but unfortunately, no one could answer their questions.

At the same time, as the entire Safe Zone sank into despair, an intangible system ripple spread rapidly.

110 li outside, in the fallen city, the large numbers of Mutants and corpse tides restricted by the system all turned direction at once, shrieking as they looked toward the Safe Zone.