36: Ito Hidetaka's Countermeasures (Part 3)

"Lose control?"

Ito Hidekazu gritted his teeth, feeling somewhat dazed.

He took a box of cigars from his pocket, his hands trembling as he cut a cigar open and took a deep puff.

The second objective of this instance, "Economic Overtake," was to be achieved by Challengers controlling the NPCs on Great Harmony Island.

Given the economic situation of Great Harmony Island itself, it would be impossible to surpass Eagle Country through natural development alone.

Moreover, the task description for Objective Two was to manipulate Great Harmony Island to achieve an economic overtake; if control was lost, what was there left to play for?

Didn't it mean the task was declared over?

"No! We absolutely cannot lose control of Great Harmony Island!"

"This task must be seen through, no matter what."

It was easy to say, but Ito Hidekazu knew he was in a dilemma.

If he continued with the previous approach, facing various sanctions from Eagle Country, the possibility of achieving an economic overtake was already very low.

Furthermore, it could lead to public resistance and the loss of control over Great Harmony Island.

But if he conceded now, completing the task would be even more impossible.

"Lin Ye! Lin Ye!!"

Ito Hidekazu cursed Lin Ye a thousand times in his heart.

He had been careful enough, yet he still fell for Lin Ye's trick.

"Ito-kun, please give us instructions. What should we do next?" Yamashiro Kojiro asked anxiously. "The task time has been significantly shortened; we don't have much time left."

Ito Hidekazu let out a long breath, stroked his chin in thought for a moment, and then said coldly:

"These troublesome commoners can only be suppressed by force."

"Yamashiro-kun, you are to directly sail our warships to the nearest port on Great Harmony Island and arrest all domestic media spreading negative news!"

"And as for those rioting citizens, send troops to suppress them directly."

"The entire Great Harmony Island must enter a state of full alert!"

Listening to Ito Hidekazu's arrangements, Yamashiro Kojiro could only shake his head helplessly.

He thought to himself that Ito-kun must be muddle-headed with anger; where were there any warships in the current instance?

All weapons had long been completely blockaded.

"Uh... Ito-kun, our current instance is a non-combat instance; there are no warships we can deploy."

Ito Hidekazu slammed his head twice, then realized that he had no military weapons to use.

Initially, he was relieved by the weapon blockade within the instance, but now he yearned for his warships.

Because besides military suppression, there really was no better way.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it!"

"All of this was calculated by Lin Ye from the beginning. The reason it's a non-combat mode is to prevent our military intervention."

He squeezed his temples hard, his brain working at high speed.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration appeared in his mind.

Although they, the foreign Challengers, had no military weapons, the NPCs on Great Harmony Island did have institutions like police, courts, and security teams.

While they still had control over Great Harmony Island, they could order the Great Harmony Island police to suppress the unrest!

"Yamashiro-kun, immediately order the police, courts, and other security agencies on Great Harmony Island to go into the streets and arrest people!"

"Anyone spreading negative news or passively slacking off is to be arrested without exception!"

"Additionally, have these police officers supervise at all major factories. If anyone is found not working hard, arrest them directly! Then have the courts convict them and confiscate their money to replenish the national treasury!"

Hearing Ito Hidekazu's such strong-arm tactics, Yamashiro Kojiro couldn't help but gasp.

"This... Ito-kun, your plan should be reasonable, but... but the security agencies on Great Harmony Island might not cooperate with us."

"Currently, there is a lot of opposition to our rule on Great Harmony Island, not just from the populace, but from official institutions as well."

Ito Hidekazu waved his hand, his eyes unusually cold, and said directly:

"If they don't comply, then bribe them directly!"

"Anyway, all the funds on Great Harmony Island are under our control; it's simply a matter of transferring from one bowl to another."

"Man dies for wealth, birds die for food! As long as the funds are in place, they will definitely work for us."

"This..." Yamashiro Kojiro still hesitated.

Because Ito Hidekazu's method of handling things was simply too ruthless.

It even gave people a feeling of cold-bloodedness.

It was really hard to connect this furious person in front of him with the famous Great Harmony Clan's instance design genius.

The recent remarks made Yamashiro Kojiro feel somewhat trepidatious.

"Hmm? Does Yamashiro-kun still have concerns?" Ito Hidekazu noticed Yamashiro Kojiro's hesitation.

Yamashiro Kojiro hesitated for a moment, then finally stammered out.

"Ito-kun, because of our previous extreme actions, we have already been subjected to various sanctions from Eagle Country..."

"If we continue like this, internationally we are very likely to face heavier penalties, and domestically it might trigger riots."

Hearing this, Ito Hidekazu shook his head helplessly.

Ultimately, young people like university professors, who had always lived in a sheltered environment, were still too merciful.

"Yamashiro-kun! You are too weak!"

"We are in an instance. Failing this task will cost us 500 points. From the moment the task changed, for most Challengers, it's a battle for survival!"

"Not only must we continue, but we must even intensify our efforts, because either Lin Ye dies, or we perish."

"I... want... Lin... Ye..."

"To die!"

At this point, Ito Hidekazu's previously somewhat gentle tone was now almost a roar.

He had truly had enough of this endless torment.

Lin Ye and his instance had now become Ito Hidekazu's inner demon.

As long as he could complete the task and conquer the instance, he would do anything!

"Continue to exploit the people of Great Harmony Island. From now on, make them work 24 hours a day, while also ensuring work efficiency! Anyone causing trouble will be severely punished without leniency!"

"Hmph, there's an old saying in the Tenglong Settlement: 'A wise man submits to circumstances.' This is true in reality, and it's equally true in the instance."

Ito Hidekazu stood up, patted Yamashiro Kojiro's shoulder, and secretly applied pressure with his fingers.

"Yamashiro-kun, the instance is not a place for you to be merciful. We have only one goal, and that is to complete the instance task and obtain the technology within Raging Sea."

"As long as we can achieve an economic overtake, what does it matter if the populace riots the next second, or if Great Harmony Island is completely ruined?!"

"This is just an instance. As long as the task is completed, we can leave safely!"

Yamashiro Kojiro dared not refute Ito Hidekazu anymore. He respectfully bowed to Ito Hidekazu.

"I understand!"

"Ito-kun, I will do my utmost to carry out your arrangements."