217: reaction

The battles that took place in the urban alleys and dead ends were extremely covert.

However, the Demon City is a super metropolis, and even if the Sky Eye system didn't cover every aspect, it could still detect some clues.

Soon, AI big data detected an anomaly during routine monitoring and immediately sounded the alarm.

Because it was a special period of city-wide martial law, the duty officers immediately submitted a report of "unusual activity in a certain urban area" up the chain of command.

After receiving the relevant intelligence, the Director of the Information Assurance Center merely glanced at it before quickly reporting it to Ye Baoguo, the supreme Commander during wartime.

"Reporting, Commander, the Sky Eye system has detected violent tremors in an alley on the southwest side of the city, with surrounding brick walls and buildings continuously being damaged..."

Ye Baoguo, who had been working several consecutive all-nighters, had just laid down to try and catch some sleep.

Upon receiving this intelligence, he immediately sat upright.

He then quickly walked into the washroom and splashed cold water on his face several times.

After a while, he felt a jolt of clarity in his dizzy mind.

Only then did he pick up the intelligence brought by the Director of the Information Assurance Center and read it over and over again.

It wasn't until the fourth read that many of the swirling thoughts in his mind finally settled.

"Immediately dispatch two special operations squads for reconnaissance! Also, notify the troops to prepare for entry and takeover."

The Director of the Information Assurance Center received the order, quickly turned, and left.

Ye Baoguo rubbed his temples, then dialed Ye Chen's number.

It was answered almost instantly, but just as he was about to speak, Ye Chen's pre-set robot voice came through the phone, prompting Ye Baoguo to leave a message.

"..."

Ye Baoguo was silent for a moment, but he understood.

Recently, the secret research institute located beneath the Demon City had made significant breakthroughs in the advancement of the "New Human" project.

As the project leader, Ye Chen was, in some ways, even busier than him, the Commander.

He was probably conducting some critical experiment at this moment.

Shaking his head to clear away unnecessary thoughts, Ye Baoguo began to recount the intelligence he had just received and stated his judgment.

"I suspect that either 'they' couldn't help but turn on each other, or... the 'fisherman' we've always worried about, hidden deeper, has made a move. If your experiment is at a critical stage, continue, but you must raise your vigilance. I will simultaneously order an increase in the security level of the research institute."

After leaving the message on the phone, he turned, put on his coat, and strode towards the command center.

On the huge holographic electronic sandbox in the center of the command hall, the three-dimensional grid map of the Demon City was displayed in intricate detail.

A tiny light point in the southwest area was rapidly flashing, with analysis reports from the Sky Eye system combined with AI big data continuously scrolling beside it.

"Report! The Sharp Blade and War Wolf Squad special operations teams have reached the outer perimeter of the target area! They are establishing observation points!"

A low, clear voice came through the communication channel.

Ye Baoguo immediately ordered.

"Connect to real-time footage and vital sign data."

One side of the main screen immediately split into several shaky perspectives from the special operations team members' helmet cameras.

In the footage, the narrow alley was a mess, as if ravaged by a giant beast.

Large sections of blue brick walls had collapsed, broken bricks and tiles were piled up like mountains, a few old utility poles were twisted and fallen, and electrical wires crackled with sparks.

Even more shocking were the huge cracks on the ground, not caused by sharp objects or bullets, as well as the charred remains on the walls and the eerie traces of frost condensation.

"The target area continues to emit abnormal sounds, and the air contains high concentrations of unknown energy reactions, of mixed types. Preliminary assessment indicates at least thirty different types of primordial matter."

The Sharp Blade Squad leader's voice carried suppressed shock.

"The destruction is concentrated but extremely intense, comparable to the scene after a large-yield TNT bomb explosion."

Ye Baoguo's brows furrowed even tighter.

Just then, another communication connected.

"Commander! The technical department's preliminary analysis of the energy residue is out. Multiple energy fluctuations among them highly match some of the exotic beasts previously recorded in the database. However, there is also one... for which there is no match in the database! Its energy level is very high... AI judges it to be capable of easily resisting an entire special operations squad!"

Ye Baoguo's heart sank.

Special operations squads were all modified "super soldiers," and any one of them was at the peak of human capability.

Yet, it was being said that something, whether human or not, could easily resist an entire special operations squad?!

What level of monster was this?!

It had been lurking beneath the deep waters of the Demon City until now, only just surfacing!

"Expand the search radius! Block all surrounding passages, leave no stone unturned, above or below ground! Technical team, analyze that unknown energy with all your might, I want to know all its properties!"

Ye Baoguo spoke rapidly, issuing one order after another.

"Notify the action forces to immediately enter the area and collaborate with the special operations squads to establish the highest level of protective net. I don't want even a fly to escape!"

He had a strong premonition that the brief but intense battle in the dead end was by no means the end, but only the beginning of a more terrifying prelude.

Was that unknown third party an enemy or a friend? What was its purpose? Appearing suddenly at this juncture, was it to silence witnesses, to contend for something, or... did it have other motives?

Ye Baoguo fell into deep thought, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the control panel.

Just then, the voice of the Sharp Blade Squad leader came through the communication channel again.

"Report, outer perimeter observation shows that the battle fluctuations in the alley have entered a stagnant state, suspected combatants have ended the fight!"

Ye Baoguo's finger movements paused.

Such a coincidence? As the outer perimeter was just preparing to set up a encirclement, the battle inside ended? Could this be a trap set by the other side?

Being naturally cautious, he couldn't help but consider several possibilities.

And the Sharp Blade Squad leader was also waiting for his operational instructions, and the communication channel fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Ye Baoguo knew that time waited for no one, and every second counted on the battlefield; he didn't have much time to think it through.

Gritting his teeth, he finally gave the order.

"Command, Sharp Blade and War Wolf Squads to advance into the alley in first and second echelons. Also, notify the combat troops to act as the third echelon for coordinated operations."

As the order was issued, all combat personnel outside the dead end immediately sprang into action.