Chapter 24: Crisis in Tianfeng

Tianfeng Military District Command, External Intelligence Unit.

Before the simulation map, several senior officers scrutinized the terrain with grave expressions and worried eyes.

“Everyone, we just received an alert from the monitoring station near Tianfeng City!”

“An unknown Rank-3 has struck near the suburbs!”

“Based on the psychic fluctuations at the time, his strength appears to be that of a mid-Level Rank-3!”

Pointing at the sand table, the Awakener speaking flickered with anxious intensity in his eyes.

“Another Rank-3 has intervened!?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a dark-skinned young man beside him looked at the table in disbelief, his face darkening:

“Yesterday, we received several reports from Awakeners stating that there were signs of a Rank-3 battle in the Rotten Corpse Forest.”

“How could it happen again today!?”

“Haven’t we identified who it is yet?”

Swallowing hard, he glanced at the two locations 400 kilometers apart on the map; worry silently spread among the group.

Rank-3 fighters are far too powerful—twice in two days, elite Rank-3s have struck around Tianfeng, leaving no room for complacency.

“We haven’t found anything yet.”

“I’ve checked with several nearby Battle Zones; none have reported any Rank-3 appearances. Even those on missions haven’t passed through Tianfeng!”

“Our investigation confirms that the attacker is not affiliated with any military branch.”

Frowning, they all took a deep breath after hearing this:

“Not military-affiliated? Could it be that a high-ranking figure on the charts is laying low?”

“Uncertain.”

“There are only so many Rank-3s. We don’t even know if these two attacks were carried out by the same person or by two different individuals.”

“Based on the scene photos from the Rotten Corpse Forest, the aftermath of the attack obliterated everything within a 100-meter radius, leaving a massive crater over 40 meters in diameter!”

“This level of destructive power rivals that of a high-yield tactical missile. It was by no means a random strike!”

The group gasped in shock; after viewing the scene photos beside the map, their initial worry deepened.

“It wasn’t a spontaneous move… could it be a fight against mutants?”

“That can’t be right. Whether it’s the Rotten Corpse Forest or the suburbs, I don’t recall any powerful mutants there…”

“What is the reason for this mysterious powerhouse to intervene?”

After a flurry of speculations, the group could only feel their minds tangled in apprehension.

Who could it be? Which high-ranking figure has nothing better to do than show up in a backwater like Tianfeng?

A few minutes later, with no resolution from the discussion, the highest-ranked Awakener spoke in a deep tone:

“Enough. Whoever it is, our priority now is to deploy reconnaissance teams to track their movements.”

“I suggest we immediately mobilize the Awakener Legion to stand guard.”

“We’ll have the Air and Space Unit carry out a sweep around Tianfeng to locate any trace of them.”

“If they are just passing through, we’ll give them a warm welcome. But what if they’re the type who target safe zones for supplies?”

Orders were given. In a tense atmosphere, squads of soldiers rushed straight for the Outer City while fighter jets soared skyward, heading beyond the city limits.

While Yenir remained unaware, the vast Tianfeng Security Zone plunged into battle mode, with everyone deployed amid palpable fear.

…..

“Brother!”

“Ning’er!?”

Inside a modest shipping container, Ye Xiaoan looked up in delight and, like a playful child, leapt straight into Yenir’s arms. At the side, their mother hurriedly set aside her needles and thread and stood up.

“I’m back.”

In a soft tone, Yenir replied as he affectionately tousled his little sister’s hair and flashed a brilliant smile at their mother.

Noticing the worried look in his mother’s eyes, he shook his head gently to assure her that everything was fine.

But catching sight of the spare parts on the table, Yenir couldn’t help but frown slightly.

He had clearly promised his sister they wouldn’t have to work so hard anymore, yet he was surprised to see Ye Xiaoan still sneaking away to toil.

As if reading Yenir’s thoughts, their mother softly spoke:

“Ning’er, I know you don’t want us to struggle.”

“But Xiaoan just wants to save a little money by taking on extra work. Both he and I can still manage some craft tasks—it’s nothing major.”

Running her fingers through her graying hair, Mother looked on with a tender, pained expression:

“Now that you’ve just become an Awakener, there’s a lot that needs funding.”

“I can’t do much for you; I don’t have the means anyway. Both Xiaoan and I just want to ease your burden without causing you extra trouble.”

As she spoke, Mother’s eyes welled slightly, as if recalling the dangers Yenir faced outside:

“I don’t ask for great achievements—if you’re safe, Xiaoan and I will be content. I want to save every bit of money you send…”

Listening to her careful, low whispers, Yenir felt a pang of sorrow well up inside him.

In his previous life, his little sister and mother had supported him in just the same quiet way—even sacrificing their own comforts to save for him.

Until the very end, the family had lived in constant fear, scarcely enjoying a day of peace.

Dreading to imagine his sister’s body being torn apart by zombies, Yenir drew a deep breath and looked his mother in the eye with determined resolve:

“Mom, trust me. I’m strong now! I will protect you and ensure you live the best life possible!”

Mother paused briefly; though she didn’t understand why Yenir had suddenly proclaimed this, she listened with a loving smile and nodded repeatedly:

“Alright, alright… I trust you, sweetheart.”

“You hungry? Tell me what you’d like—I’ll make it for you.”

….

At the cramped dining table, Yenir watched as Ye Xiaoan cheered over the sight of meat with a beaming smile.

Yet, glancing at the surrounding sheet metal, a subtle heaviness settled over him.

Originally, he had planned to showcase his talent and head straight for the Capital, with no need to change his living arrangements. But under current circumstances, improving his living conditions became a necessity—the gathering place was overcrowded with low-tier survivors.

Besides, the mysterious assailant who once tried to harm him might still be lurking.

With gangs rampant and lacking military protection, the area remained far too dangerous for his little sister and mother.

Tomorrow, once his equipment is dispatched, he’ll head to the Inner City to buy the safest, top-tier house!

Though he now had to make every resource count, nothing was more important to Yenir than his family!

Moreover…

Recalling the Inner City’s housing prices, Yenir nonchalantly considered where to buy.

It would only require a bit of credit—a house was a trivial matter for him.