Chapter 106: Temporary Mission
Gu Yunxi's hand froze in mid-air. The slice of bread she was holding slipped from her fingers, landing in the pond with a wet plop, scattering the golden koi in a panic.
Her brows knitted together tightly. "What the hell? Is this a Level 1 Emergency Alert?"
"I thought the capital was a designated 'Monster-Free Zone.' Why such a massive commotion?"
Shen Lie paused his fist training in front of the rockery, wiping a layer of sweat from his forehead. His tone was filled with disbelief. "I heard that... they only trigger a Level 1 alarm if over ten thousand beasts invade the city..."
Zhuge Jing immediately put away his phone, pushing up his glasses with a hint of urgency. "Based on the range of this siren... it sounds like the entire city is on alert."
Dragon Aotian chimed in with his thick accent, "Back in my neck of the woods, the worst we ever saw was a Level 2 alarm."
Bai Han snapped awake instantly. He stood up straight, rubbing his eyes. The sleepiness in his gaze was replaced by a sharp nervousness. " The whole city? Then we..."
Chen Yu looked toward Ling Yue. "Has something like this happened before? Where is Uncle Ling?"
Ling Yue shook her head, her fingers tightening around her juice glass. "This is the first time."
She looked at Chen Yu, her voice relatively calm. "My father went to the laboratory. You don't need to worry about his safety."
Just as she finished speaking, Chen Yu's phone began to vibrate violently.
The screen flashed the name "Instructor Huo," and the notes section was tagged with "Emergency Mission."
He swiped to answer. Huo Jia's voice burst from the speaker, laced with obvious urgency. "Chen Yu, where are you right now?"
"The Ling Estate in the capital," Chen Yu replied concisely. "Ling Yue, Zhuge Jing, and the others are with me."
"Good. We're short on Awakeners in the capital. This is an emergency conscription. Take your teammates and assemble at the streets near the Ling Estate immediately!"
"There's been an anomaly in the direction of the Iron Tower. We suspect the 'Blood Carnation' organization is behind it."
"We need you to help evacuate the civilians and intercept any out-of-control low-order beasts!"
"The Iron Tower? Blood Carnation?" Chen Yu's heart sank as he instantly recalled Zhang Li and the old hag. "Instructor Huo, what happened at the Iron Tower?"
"No time to explain! Get to the assembly point first; a squad leader will assign you tasks!"
"Remember, prioritize civilian safety. If you encounter an enemy you can't beat, don't play the hero—retreat and report it!"
Huo Jia's voice was drowned out by the chaotic sounds of running footsteps and the chopping of helicopter rotors.
It sounded like they were rushing over from the training camp.
"Also, keep your guard up. Blood Carnation might be targeting the students from this training camp!"
After hanging up, Chen Yu stood up and looked at the people around him.
They had heard Huo Jia's words and were all looking at Chen Yu, waiting for his command.
"You all heard him. Instructor Huo wants us to assemble at the nearby streets. We've been temporarily drafted to evacuate civilians and intercept beasts."
"Shen Lie, you're with me on point."
"Zhuge Jing, how's your luck holding up?"
Zhuge Jing flashed an OK sign. "Solid."
Chen Yu nodded. "Once the mission starts, you make the calls on direction. I trust your RNG."
"Gu Yunxi, stay close to Bai Han. Protect yourself while helping guide the civilians."
"Ling Yue..." When Chen Yu met Ling Yue's gaze, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
His Observation Haki trait, [Future Sight], had triggered.
In the next second, Chen Yu immediately changed his order. "Stick with me."
Everyone knew the situation was critical. Without a moment's hesitation, they followed Chen Yu and rushed toward the main gate of the Ling Estate.
Capital City — Vermilion Bird Avenue.
The street was already in chaos. Civilians dragged their luggage, running in panic toward the underground shelters.
Police officers were doing their best to maintain order. "Don't push! Keep in line! Elderly and children go first!"
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream erupted from a nearby alleyway.
Bang!
With a loud crash, a black shadow shot out from the alley.
It was a Third Order Split-Tooth Beast. Its claws were dripping with blood, and its eyes were glowing crimson as it lunged toward the crowd.
"Damn it!" One of the officers, a Beginner rank Awakener, risked his life to step forward, trying to intercept the beast.
Seeing someone blocking its path, the Split-Tooth Beast roared and swiped its claws at him. The cold glint of its talons looked exceptionally sharp under the streetlights.
In that split second of life and death—
Thud.
A dull sound echoed.
The Split-Tooth Beast was sent flying backward, the impact causing the ground to tremble slightly.
The beast slammed into a wall with a muffled groan, struggling to scramble back up.
Chen Yu shouted, his muscles bulging as his arms were instantly coated in jet-black Armament Haki. "You think you can still move?"
He took a step forward and smashed his fist onto the Split-Tooth Beast's head. The advanced Armament Haki technique, Ryou (Flowing Sakura), erupted instantly. The beast's skull shattered, and it collapsed to the ground, dead.
"Holy sh*t..."
The still-shaken officer was pulled up by Chen Yu. "Are you alright?"
"We are Awakeners temporarily drafted for the emergency. Leave the rest to us."
Hearing this, the officer looked behind him.
He saw several young people methodically guiding the civilians toward the shelter.
Most of them were at the Apprentice rank, yet the aura they radiated gave the people an immense sense of security.
The officer stammered, "Are you guys... one of those legendary Special Ops squads?"
"Uh..." Chen Yu shook his head. "No. Have you ever seen a Special Ops squad with an average rank of Apprentice?"
The officer realized he was dazed. "Thank you so m—"
Suddenly.
From a rooftop not far away, a black shadow flashed past. The speed was incredibly fast, diving like a meteor straight for Ling Yue.
Chen Yu's heart lurched. He immediately shouted, "Ling Yue, watch out!"
Ling Yue's Observation Haki had already reacted.
Her eyes narrowed as she saw an old woman wrapped in flowing shadows lunging straight at her.
The old woman made no attempt to hide her cultivation. The oppressive pressure of an Expert (Tier 6) Peak crushed down on the area.
Chen Yu tried to rush over to intercept, but he was instantly tangled up by two Fourth Order beasts that sprang out from nowhere.
These two beasts seemed prepared, pouncing on Chen Yu from the left and right, their claws aiming straight for his vitals.
"Yu, I got you!" Gu Yunxi immediately activated her ability. Her hands transformed into two heavy cannons, blasting the beasts back. "I can handle these two!"
Chen Yu didn't hesitate. He instantly executed Shave, vanishing from his spot and sprinting toward Ling Yue.
But the old woman was faster than before. She had already reached Ling Yue's side.
Claws formed of shadows clamped onto Ling Yue's arm. The hag sneered, "Miss Ling, you're coming with me!"
Ling Yue immediately activated her ability. Frost spread rapidly toward the old woman's arm, and a paw-shaped halo of light appeared, attempting to repel the enemy.
However, the old woman was a Peak Expert—a half-step away from being a high-ranking Master—while Ling Yue had only recently broken through to the Apprentice rank.
The moment the ice touched the old woman's hand, cracks appeared. With a crisp crack, the ice shattered instantly.
The paw-pad repulsion halo was casually swatted away by the hag. The backlash shook Ling Yue, causing a trace of blood to spill from the corner of her mouth.
Just as the old woman reached out to grab Ling Yue again, Chen Yu finally arrived.
His sword, Ace, was unsheathed. Conqueror's Haki poured into the blade with full force as he slashed toward the old woman's back.
"Die!"
The old woman sensed the killing intent behind her. Her expression shifted, and she immediately dissolved into shadows, dodging Chen Yu's slash.
The strike hit the ground, carving a deep ravine into the earth and pulverizing the surrounding pavement.
Red and black lightning crackled in the air, lingering like snakes tearing at the surroundings.
The old woman's figure reformed a short distance away. She looked at Chen Yu, her tone icy. "Chen Yu, it's you again!"
"You got lucky last time, but this time I'll finish you off too!"
Chen Yu stood protectively in front of Ling Yue, his eyes cold. "Last time you ambushed me, and now you want to kidnap Ling Yue? You people from Blood Carnation really haunt us like ghosts."
"What exactly are you planning? The anomaly at the Iron Tower—is that your doing?"
The old woman sneered, the shadows around her growing denser. "No harm in telling you, since you're about to die anyway."
"We are opening the seal on the Iron Tower to release the Beast Emperor inside. We will turn this so-called 'Monster-Free Zone' into a living hell!"
"Release the Beast Emperor?" Chen Yu's heart sank. There was a Beast Emperor under the Iron Tower?
"Are you crazy? Releasing a Beast Emperor... do you know how many civilians will die?"
"What does the life or death of civilians have to do with us?" The old woman's eyes were indifferent.
"As long as the Master's plan is completed, millions of deaths are worth it!"
"As for Miss Ling, her bloodline is special. She is a crucial part of the Master's plan. She must come with me!"
"If you try to stop me again, I'll kill you on the Master's behalf right now!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, the old woman shouted in a low voice:
"Shadow Clone · Siege!"
Her figure instantly split into dozens of shadows, encircling Chen Yu and Ling Yue from all sides.
Each shadow wielded a blade condensed from darkness, slashing toward the two of them.
Chen Yu's gaze sharpened. He immediately entered his Human-Beast Form. Armament Haki coated his entire body, and he expanded his Observation Haki to the limit, tracking the movement of every single shadow.
Protecting Ling Yue behind him, he swung Ace wildly. Flying slashes infused with Ryou flew out one after another, each strike dispersing a shadow clone.
But the old woman had created too many clones, and each one possessed strength nearing the Practitioner rank.
Although Chen Yu could destroy them, he was quickly becoming overwhelmed by the sheer numbers.
...
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(To be Continued)
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