Knock-knock-knock!
While the group was discussing, the main door rattled under urgent knocks.
Long Zhengqing looked up, authority flashing across his face. "Come in."
The door swung open with a click. A young man in a suit hurried in, glancing at the three present. "Director Long, Team-Leader Wan, Team-Leader Zhao—the Monster Association has surfaced! They're launching a full-scale assault on every major city in Anna Country!"
Long Zhengqing's head snapped toward him. "A full-scale assault on Anna Country? Do they want to declare war on the whole world?"
The Monster Association could no longer be counted as a human faction; in appearance, genetics, even mindset, Monsters differed from humanity.
For such beings to openly attack a nation meant open war against the human camp.
The other two instantly turned grave; the implications were enormous.
If Malgoth and the Monster Association had appeared separately, the situation might not feel so dire.
But their simultaneous emergence proved the two parties were undeniably linked.
And the Bureau had plenty of unfinished business with the Association—only yesterday they'd plastered its President all over the internet.
There was no room left for reconciliation.
Long Zhengqing shot to his feet. "Looks like Dragon God Margoth is involved with them too—damn it, how could they unleash something that terrifying!"
Wan Tianhong rose as well, eyes glinting. "The Monster Association has inflicted heavy casualties on our Nanwu Country time and again. Now that they've shown themselves, our Xuanjian Division will never let them go, no matter their strength."
Zhao Zhenyi stood and looked at Long Zhengqing. "Zhengqing, let's move. The Xuanjian Division has yet to meet an unbeatable foe—past or present—let alone a Monster Association that only skulks in the shadows!"
Since ancient times Nanwu Country had been Blue Planet's foremost nation, the world's center; its Awakened outnumbered all other countries combined.
Seeing his two companions back him so firmly, the usually powerless Deputy Director suddenly felt genuinely in command.
'Maybe wiping out the Monster Association will show those arrogant big shots what I'm made of, so they'll stop looking down on me.'
At the thought, his solemn face shifted, growing almost light-headed.
Peace had lasted so long that this Deputy Director had lacked chances to build a grand, formidable, awe-inspiring image; now the team-leaders who ignored him would learn his might.
"Hey, hey—Zhengqing, what are you thinking?" An untimely voice shattered his daydream.
Across from him, Wan Tianhong eyed him oddly.
"Ahem—I was deciding which personnel to dispatch to Anna Country." Long Zhengqing coughed, instantly regaining his dignified air.
He turned to the young operative, face stern. " Transmit my order immediately: assemble all Level Three-and-above members and team-leaders of Teams Two, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, and Ten at the capital of Mbutang Country!"
"Yes, sir!" The young man saluted, spun about, and left to relay the command.
Wan Tianhong narrowed his eyes at Zhao Zhenyi, leader of Team Ten. 'Didn't expect this sly woman to join the fight—I wonder what her ability is.'
Zhao Zhenyi had taken over Team Ten only a year ago; aside from the two Bureau directors, no one knew her power.
"I'll notify the Director; you two get ready." With that, Long Zhengqing hurried out.
"Deploying so many people—the Monster Association ought to feel honored. This lineup could wipe out the Bureau of Gods." Zhao Zhenyi watched Long Zhengqing leave, eyes glinting.
Among the leaders being mobilized, each ranked among the strongest Level Fives… Meanwhile, the internet was in an uproar.
Countless Monsters were storming Anna Country; live videos flooded every platform.
Trolls who had been cursing Jiang Yan and the Monster Association felt their legs go weak, a chill rushing up their spines.
Some even deleted their accounts overnight, praying they wouldn't be tracked down.
Yet no one was more terrified than Huo Tian in the neighboring Anna Country.
Inside the casino, Huo Tian's face was gloomy as he watched online footage of Dragon God Margoth on his phone.
'Destructive power on that scale is beyond any Level Five.'
Unease surged within him; just two days ago he had ordered his men to round up every Monster Association member in the vicinity.
Tonight the enemy had surfaced in the neighboring country—but the being that appeared made his scalp tingle.
Click! The door burst open; One-Eyed Dragon rushed in.
"What is it?" Huo Tian, already in a foul mood, glowered at him.
One-Eyed Dragon spoke at once. "Master Huo, the Xuanjian Division contacted us—they're on their way and want you to join them against the Monster Association."
Huo Tian's eyes lit up. He sprang to his feet. "Are you serious? Where are they now?"
"On military transport; ETA roughly ten hours," One-Eyed Dragon replied.
The straight-line distance here from the Nanwu border was at least seven or eight thousand kilometers, and the fastest military transport flew only 870 kph; it would still take considerable time from bases inside the country.
"Ten hours? What if the Association attacks before then?" Huo Tian's excitement sank back into gloom.
He paced, hands behind his back, face twisted in indecision.
After a moment he looked at One-Eyed Dragon. "Arrange for our people to evacuate at once; we'll return once the Xuanjian Division arrives."
Fleeing before a fight would be humiliating, but for the sake of his life he chose caution.
After all, from the videos Margoth's range was enormous; just watching made him break into a cold sweat.
"Understood!" One-Eyed Dragon exhaled in relief.
He found no shame in the decision—what use was pride if you were dead?
Under cover of night, Darth Group's Awakened vanished from their stronghold within five minutes.