132: two roads

In Horace's questioning gaze, Pato calmly continued to state the facts, saying, "The consequences of underestimating the Tiger King are incredibly terrifying, and neither you nor I can bear them."

"In fact, our Ismail Institute had already launched a missile strike against the Tiger King."

"That time, we fired four missiles."

"Weren't you always curious why our Research Institute launched missiles last time?"

"I can tell you with full responsibility that it was to eliminate the terrifying Awakened Beast, the Tiger King."

"Or rather, a mutated beast."

"He was already incredibly powerful even before the world mutated."

Horace, his face full of disbelief, asked, "How is that possible?"

"How could there be something that required missiles even before the world mutated?"

"And four missiles at once."

At this point, Horace suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility and said, trembling, "The Tiger King?"

"The same Tiger King?"

Firing four missiles, and firing four missiles yet failing to eliminate the target.

These are two completely different concepts.

The terror of the latter is many times greater than the former.

In Horace's incredulous gaze, Pato nodded and said, "That's right, it's the same Tiger King."

"Even before his Awakening, he could withstand four missiles and survive."

"How terrifying he must be after his Awakening, I can't even imagine."

"In fact, if I didn't think it was impossible to achieve, my original plan was to launch forty missiles."

"Only then could we ensure the complete elimination of the Tiger King."

Looking at Pato, who was serious and not joking, Horace steadied a chair, trembling, and sat down, saying,

"Although your statements are outrageous, as an old friend I've known for many years, I choose to believe you."

"However, my belief alone is useless in this matter."

"You must provide enough evidence to convince those old stubborn people."

"At least regarding whether the two tigers are the same one, you must provide sufficient evidence."

To ask the Tiger King for evidence?

What's the difference between that and seeking death?

But it doesn't matter.

Pato had two preparations, saying, "Evidence?"

"Of course I have evidence."

"However, it's not evidence that the two Tiger Kings are the same, but evidence of the Tiger King's immense power."

"Under a generous reward, there will always be brave men."

"Under the bounty of 500 million mane, three A-level Awakened teams have taken on this mission."

"With my mediation, they will likely choose to cooperate."

"If even they cannot contend with the Tiger King, I believe the higher-ups will be convinced of the Tiger King's formidable strength."

"And agree to my plan."

Horace's fingers tapped on the table, and after a moment of thought, he said, "Those Awakened mercenaries?"

"Although their strength is somewhat inferior to the regular army, they are indeed powerful."

"Especially if they combine, even if the higher-ups want to eliminate them, they would have to pay a considerable price."

"If they truly cannot take down the Tiger King, then that would explain some things."

"It's just that what you're doing, Pato, seems a bit too much."

"They probably never imagined that they were just cannon fodder you used to prove the Tiger King's strength."

"That's more than a dozen lives."

Looking at the hypocritical Horace, Pato sneered, "Don't give me any sarcastic remarks."

"Your methods are no more merciful than mine."

"Besides, I didn't force them to take on this mission."

"If they're lucky, they might take down the Tiger King and receive the 300 million mane bounty."

"Wouldn't that be a great thing?"

Horace said, somewhat amused, "Then you truly are shameless."

"Since you've already arranged everything, why not stay here with me for a bit."

"After three days, when there's a result, I'll help you report it to the higher-ups."

"It will be much simpler to apply then."

Pato took a sip of coffee and said, "Not three days, two days at most, and there will be a result."

"Battles between Awakened and Awakened Beasts are straightforward, without too many twists and turns."

"Results will come quickly."

"As for me, I can only trouble you for a while."

"Before this matter has a result, I really can't go back and report."

Just then, Pato's phone rang.

Looking at the caller ID, he was a bit puzzled; what would Derek want with him at this time?

As soon as the call connected, Derek's urgent voice came through, saying, "Pato, something bad has happened."

"The situation has far exceeded our expectations."

"Just now, news came that the three A-level Awakened teams were completely wiped out."

"The only survivor, Kelo, has also been captured and completely lost contact."

Pato stood up in shock and said, "How is that possible?"

"It's only been less than three hours since they departed."

"And it was a complete wipeout."

"Not a single Awakened made it back alive?"

"What about intelligence? Did we get any intelligence?"

Perhaps the news he heard was too shocking, Pato even became incoherent.

Although somewhat incredulous, Derek still spoke truthfully:

"Other than some simple satellite surveillance footage, almost no intelligence was obtained."

"From the satellite surveillance footage, this A-level Awakened team was almost completely wiped out by the Tiger King in a very short amount of time."

"The Tiger King's speed was so fast that only afterimages could be seen."

"When we say three hours, that actually includes the time for the three A-level Awakened teams to gather."

"And the time for the Tiger King to pursue them; the actual combat time was even less than half an hour."

Silence.

A long period of silence.

This news was so terrifying that Horace and Pato even wondered if Derek had misspoken.

However, the clear and precise words clearly indicated that Derek was in a very sober state.

Everything he said was true!

Although somewhat unbelievable, it was all fact!

A terrifying fact!

Just then, perhaps to add to his persuasiveness, Derek directly transmitted the surveillance footage.

Pato, trembling slightly, opened the video and watched it with Horace.

Simple.

Decisive.

Brutal.

Invincible!

Each swing of the tiger's claws took an Awakened's life.

The Awakened, almost at the peak of human combat power, were as fragile as infants before Lin Tianwei, completely defenseless.

This stark contrast caused both men to lose their composure.

Since when could a tiger lord it over humans?

The end of the footage was frozen on Lin Tianwei's contemptuous stance, looking down on all under heaven.

Even though it was just a video, it still made the two battle-hardened men feel their spirits tremble.

Terrifying.

Too terrifying.

Finally, Horace spoke first, breaking the silence, saying,

"According to this trend, perhaps the Awakened are no match for the Tiger King at all."

"Pato, you are absolutely right."

"Only super weapons like missiles can inflict devastating damage on the Tiger King."

"I admit I was ignorant just now, completely unaware of the Tiger King's terror."

"I sincerely apologize to you now."

"I will report this matter in detail to my superiors and recommend using at least forty missiles for bombardment."

"It's hard to imagine that the Tiger King, with such an invincible posture, is not even in his prime."

"Once he fully grows, he will become a terrifying nightmare that sweeps across all of America."

In the footage, Lin Tianwei's combat power was incredibly terrifying.

However, his size, slightly smaller than an average adult tiger, indicated that he had not yet fully matured.

Not to mention, for Awakened Beasts, growing larger is a very normal occurrence.

The danger must be nipped in the bud!

Thinking of their earlier remarks about three days or two days, Horace felt a bit ashamed.

How ignorant they must have been to speak such arrogant words.

Pato was also covered in cold sweat, saying, "In fact, I also didn't expect the Tiger King to be so terrifying."

"Every time he appears, it's a devastating blow to my worldview."

"I even suspect that this isn't his full strength."

"We must completely nip the danger in the bud."

"Otherwise, an eternal nightmare of terror will engulf all of America!"

...Since a consensus had been reached, the subsequent matters became much simpler.

Urgent matters require urgent handling. Horace quickly met his superior… Azhe!

Azhe was a meticulously dressed middle-aged man.

He appeared refined and scholarly, completely unlike a battle-hardened warrior.

Instead, he resembled a cultured businessman.

Looking at the flustered Horace, Azhe frowned and said, "Calm down."

"Horace, you truly disappoint me."

"Have all the lessons I once taught you gone in one ear and out the other?"

"Without reason, you are merely a reckless fool, easily defeated by the enemy."

Perhaps Azhe's composure gave Horace confidence. After taking two deep breaths, he finally calmed his emotions.

He presented all the documents he had, saying, "Mr. Azhe, please look at these documents."

"I admit I was a bit irrational."

"But that's mainly because the news I received was truly too alarming."

"This might determine the fate of America."

Determine the fate of America?

Such exaggerated words made Azhe's brow furrow even deeper.

However, he knew Horace was not one to make baseless claims.

He didn't erupt immediately but began to review the documents Horace had brought.

Yet, with just a glance, his already furrowed brow deepened even further.

Even a single descriptive term made Azhe ponder for a long time.

Ultimately, he watched the video sent by Derek a full three times.

Finally, Azhe sighed, saying, "The situation has indeed reached a very serious point."

"However, I cannot agree to this plan."

"Even if I agreed, the higher-ups wouldn't."

After saying these three sentences, Azhe seemed to have aged several years, sighing once more.

Horace was very confused and questioned loudly, "Mr. Azhe, why is this?"

"Are the documents I prepared not sufficient?"

"Or, have you become so old and muddle-headed that you can't see the current situation clearly?"

"If we allow the Tiger King to continue growing, only destruction awaits us!"

Azhe sighed again, saying, "Horace, you are still imagining things too simply."

"You are too pure, and that's why you can't climb higher."

"Here is a document; take a look. Perhaps then you'll understand why I said that."

"Sometimes, the higher one's position, the less control one has."

Horace's eyes were filled with incomprehension.

But out of respect for Azhe, he still looked at the document the other party handed him.

However, just seeing the cover, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Because this was also a document about the farm.

It could also be said to be indirectly about Lin Tianwei.

Under the temptation of Awakening Fluid, countless American citizens flocked to Ouro's farm.

They moved very quickly, so fast that within half a day, they would be gathered at the farm.

This meant that if a missile strike were to be used, these people would absolutely be within the missile's strike range.

As for persuading them to leave?

Horace felt it was a complete joke.

If these ignorant people were so easily persuaded, the saying 'good words are hard to persuade a dead man' would not exist.

In other words, Lin Tianwei had used some method to entice a large number of free citizens to his farm.

And these people, seemingly unrelated to Lin Tianwei, had unwittingly become his hostages.

Using the lives of these hostages, he morally blackmailed them, preventing them from using large-scale weapons of mass destruction.

Horace said in disbelief, "Moral blackmail?"

"How can such a ridiculous reason prevent a missile launch?"

"The people above aren't fools; they can't possibly fail to see the threat of the Tiger King."

"Even if it means dragging so many people to their graves, it's absolutely worth taking action."

Azhe shook his head, saying, "You are still too young, and you only see the surface of things."

"Leaving aside whether forty missiles can completely annihilate the Tiger King."

"After all, he already has a record of surviving missile bombardment."

"There's another deeper reason that, as long as it exists, means we are destined not to act against the Tiger King."

"Perhaps things aren't as bad as we imagine."

"The Tiger King generally doesn't attack proactively. As long as we don't provoke him, he might be a harmless presence to us."

Horace's eyes widened, looking at Azhe with some disbelief.

This was simply a joke within a joke.

Not of our kind, their hearts must be different!

How could Azhe not know such a simple truth?

Awakening Fluid!

It was the formula for Awakening Fluid!

This seemingly unimportant thing in this matter played a crucial role.

If they dared to act against Lin Tianwei, he would definitely expose the formula for Awakening Fluid directly.

Awakening Fluid, costing three million mane, was actually just a simple substance refined from water?

If this news were to get out...

Leaving aside how much loss those merchants selling Awakening Fluid would suffer...

The riots it would cause, as things currently stand, would be more destructive than ten Lin Tianweis.

After understanding all of this, Horace became even more furious, shouting, "You are drinking poison to quench thirst!"

"For the sake of so-called profit, for the sake of temporary peace, you are ignoring the greatest threat to us."

"This will be the biggest mistake you have ever made in your lives."

"You will definitely regret it!"

Looking at the now irrational Horace, Azhe expressed great understanding.

In fact, this was his own thought as well.

But even so, he couldn't persuade the higher-ups to act against the Tiger King.

This matter could only be left unresolved.

Lin Tianwei was like a malignant tumor.

Once cut, it would cause a self-inflicted wound of one thousand three, making it impossible for people to fully resolve to cut it out directly.

They could only watch him continue to grow.

Growing into a devil capable of overthrowing everything.

By the time the higher-ups reacted, how easy would it be to completely eradicate him, compared to now?

Thinking of this, Azhe decided to make one last effort, saying to Horace:

"Although the higher-ups won't agree to your plan, we are not without options."

"Although we don't know why the Tiger King wants to gather so many people."

"But this is also our opportunity."

"Infiltrating them, finding the Tiger King's weakness, and then striking him down with one blow – this might also be a feasible plan."

At this point, Azhe paused, looking at Horace with a serious expression, and said,

"Horace, this mission is extremely risky, even equivalent to a lamb entering a tiger's den."

"But it is a mission that must be done."

"I am entrusting it to you. What are your thoughts?"

"I will provide you with sufficient personnel and financial support."

At this point, Azhe felt disheartened; what he could do was limited to this.

Horace took a deep breath, bowed to Azhe, and said, "I guarantee to complete the mission!"

"Even if it means giving my all, even my life, I will not flinch!"

There will always be people who, for the sake of the justice they believe in, are willing to give everything!

However, before executing the plan, there was one more thing to do.

That was to reply to Pato.

Unfortunately, he could only disappoint his old friend.

As expected, upon hearing Horace's words, Pato's face was filled with incomprehension.

He said in great shock, "How can you reject this plan?"

Horace, helpless, said, "Although I share your thoughts, this is the reply from the higher-ups, and I cannot change it."

"Pato, go back."

"Think of other ways."

"Perhaps we still have methods other than missile bombardment."

Damn capitalism!

Those scoundrels should be caught and hung from lampposts!

Pato angrily slammed his right fist onto the table, immediately shattering the glass tabletop.

Glass shards pierced his right hand, and blood immediately flowed.

Yet, Pato seemed utterly oblivious, merely cursing incessantly, over and over again!

... Ismail Institute.

Six professors gathered together.

This was the most complete attendance they had since the start of the Mutant Beast Project.

Six documents lay neatly in front of them.

On the cover, conspicuously written: Beta Project!