Chapter 17: The Crucible of Change

In the austere meeting room, fourteen high-ranking generals from various departments sat together.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the latest front-line intelligence: Recently, several third-tier mutants have appeared in the Southeast Battle Zone, inflicting considerable damage on several key strategic fortresses.”

“On the personnel front, over the past three months there has been one third-tier battle death and over 365,000 military losses, with the number of affected civilians reaching one million.”

“Furthermore, numerous super sea beasts have been spotted along the coast, and the local military district has already dispatched advanced awakeners to investigate.”

A slight frown crossed his face. In the mist-shrouded room, many generals wore somber expressions, and one middle-aged man seemed to have just recalled something:

“Something seems off.”

“According to our staff department’s statistics, over the past three years the frequency of mutant attacks has been increasing by about 60% each year, with their numbers rising dramatically. I can’t shake the feeling that something might be happening at the core of the zombie horde.”

“Not sure.”

Picking up the conversation, an officer looked on hesitantly and said:

“While mutant attacks have indeed increased and cost us dearly, the major zombie hordes have continued along their original courses.”

“If there were a real problem, the zombies would be on the move.”

“At least according to our recon, most zombies are still confined to the cities, with only a few wandering in the wilderness.”

“The rise in attacks might simply be survivors scavenging for supplies and inadvertently attracting the mutants.”

At this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Compared to the early days of the apocalypse, the Huaxia Battle Zone has enjoyed relative peace for a long while. Although the war between humans and zombies continues, the major defensive lines have held together, centered on 360 Safe Zones that form an extensive military front.

“Nothing to worry about.”

“Our numbers of Awakeners are steadily increasing, and new training programs along with population optimization policies are already in place. I believe that if we persevere, victory will surely be ours!”

Next to the presiding officer, a young awakener officer, his eyes burning with determination, smiled as he rallied the group.

On the other side, an older, battle-hardened general’s eyes betrayed a hint of worry as he hesitated before speaking:

“That may be true,”

“but lately, our third-tier casualties have been too high.”

“The veteran third-tier soldiers keep falling in battle while the new generation is just starting out. Should a large-scale crisis erupt, we risk a severe gap in our high-end combat capabilities.”

“Without sufficient high-tier Awakeners to block the mutants, our situation could become extremely dire.”

“Especially…”

With a weary sigh, the weathered General Zhang Yun let out a bitter laugh:

“To date, none of our high-tier Awakeners have managed to break through to fourth-tier.”

“Whether it’s the Four Commanders or the few third-tier peak officers in the Military Department, fourth-tier remains an insurmountable chasm.”

“If even one monster were to break into fourth-tier while we remain without one, even the best of situations could collapse in an instant.”

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly grew tense.

After a brief pause, one general managed a weak smile:

“General Zhang Yun, there’s no need to worry. I believe a fourth-tier human will emerge!”

“Wasn’t the latest Seed Selection Plan just issued? The older generation is stuck at their third-tier peaks, but perhaps the new generation will change the game…”

Just as he was about to continue, urgent knocking suddenly sounded outside the meeting room.

“Emergency alert!”

“Tianfeng Security Zone has discovered an SS-tier talent!”

Huh!?

At that, everyone abruptly turned to the soldier hastily relaying the news, their eyes wide with surprise.

SS-tier!?

…..

Half an hour later, everyone in the meeting room was poring over the reports.

After a moment, a young awakener, clearly moved, shook the report in his hand and said:

“A genius… truly a genius!”

“An SS-tier talent! And pure-blooded at that!”

“The Tianfeng Security Zone sure has produced a real gem!”

Scanning the room, he added excitedly:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I propose we promote this awakener to our first tier as a core seed candidate! With an SS-tier talent, he could easily be the next top-tier third-tier at the very least!”

“Indeed!”

With a tone of awe, the once apprehensive General Zhang Yun looked at the name ‘Yenir’ on the list and found it increasingly pleasing:

“Pure-blooded, SS-tier, 18 years old! It would be a tragedy not to nurture such potential properly!”

“I suggest we immediately dispatch troops to the Tianfeng Security Zone to retrieve him—ensuring his safety is paramount!”

“As an SS-tier talent, he should be incorporated into the Seed Plan, either as the number one or number two candidate!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than an awakener general nodded in full agreement:

“Exactly!”

“The distance from the Capital to the Tianfeng Security Zone is considerable. I recommend we report this to top leadership and request the deployment of an air squadron to swiftly bring him to the Capital Military District, where the Four Commanders can personally oversee his training based on the situation!”

“With an SS-tier talent, he might even have the potential to reach fourth-tier!”

Beside the presiding officer, Tang Zhen, chief staff officer of the Fourth Legion, who had not been involved in the discussion thus far, perused the report thoughtfully before suddenly furrowing his brow:

“Gentlemen, I oppose this.”

Huh!?

Everyone fell silent in surprise as they turned their gaze to Tang Zhen, who had voiced his objection.

“Staff Officer Tang, what do you mean?”

Barely had the question been asked when Tang, his expression calm, raised the report and replied coolly:

“Didn’t you all notice the final section of the report?”

“Yenir, male, 18 years old, with an SS-tier talent—there’s no doubt about that. But he is of the Mental Type, an awakener with a focus on willpower!”

“According to all our records, we have never seen a third-tier Mental Type before!”

“Have you all forgotten the requirements for third-tier promotion?”

At that, the room fell silent, and the generals exchanged bewildered glances as if a sudden realization had struck.

“Staff Officer Tang, no way!”

“Have we truly never seen a Mental Type reach third-tier?”

A young third-tier awakener instinctively asked—not out of shock, but because Mental Types are so rare that they’re almost easy to overlook.

In his experience, though few in number, Mental Types offer considerable support.

After a nod, Tang continued in a calm tone:

“No!”

“Think carefully—among the Four Commanders, who is of the Mental Type?”

“General Li Yan—Dual-Type: Strength and Agility; General Qin Feng—Dual-Type: Strength and Body; General Zhang Hai—Constitution Type; General Sun Weiguo—Strength Type!”

“Moreover, across the military districts, there are fewer than a thousand Mental Type Awakeners, and the highest among them is only at the peak of second-tier!”

“And I can tell you that that second-tier peak awakener was an S-tier talent four years ago—only one rank below Yenir!”

With a sigh, Tang spoke quietly:

“Even if you haven’t kept up with this information, you should at least be aware of the solo missions required for third-tier promotion.”

“You’ve all been through these missions; you know just how challenging they are.”

“Mental Type Awakeners have the most fragile constitutions; without the protection of regular Awakeners, even standard combat becomes problematic!”

“When it comes to solo advancement missions, their chances of success are nearly nonexistent.”

His gaze was complex, tinged with regret.

Surveying the room, Tang continued:

“The Seed Plan is of paramount importance. Selecting the wrong candidate would be a colossal waste of resources. We need a seed capable of reaching fourth-tier—not an awakener who can’t even break through to third-tier!”

“If Yenir were of any other type, I would wholeheartedly support his inclusion in our first tier! After all, an SS-tier talent is exceedingly rare. Even if he were S-tier, investing heavily in his training would be worthwhile.”

“But…”

A mocking smile crossed his face as he shook his head:

“A highest second-tier SS-tier? What use is that? No matter how strong a second-tier is, it’s still only second-tier.”