Chapter 256: Pressures and Paradoxes

Your Excellency, President! We demand an explanation!

A state of war?! Is the world really entering a mining frenzy?!

Why is the Federation forcibly taking over the Mining Association?! This defies Federation law!

We need the truth!

What was that battle about?! Were you threatened?

…

Click, click.

At the Federation press conference.

Hundreds, even thousands of reporters furiously hit the record button, their faces etched with disbelief.

One sharp question after another flooded in, bombarding the high-ranking Federation officials who had just announced the new policy.

Unbelievable. Unimaginable.

Every clause in the Federation’s new act sounds utterly absurd!

He slightly raised his hand to block the glaring white light.

The Federation spokesperson couldn’t help but glance at the President seated in the center.

Honestly, no one really knew what was happening. All they knew was that after the Military had repeatedly stifled the news, they forcefully suppressed a flood of rumors before hastily holding this press conference. Everything exuded an eerie vibe.

On stage, Bayen nodded expressionlessly at him, signaling that he should ignore the commotion.

Listening to one inquiry after another from various representatives, he could only manage a wry smile.

He knew that the new act would provoke massive resistance, with every faction questioning the Federation’s true motives. But what choice did he have? Could he possibly refuse?

Just the thought of Yenir’s uncompromising threat—and the promise he made…

left him no option but to implement it without question!

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, representatives, and the public…

“The content of this press conference…”

…………………

Professor Krock has arrived…

In the Replica World, a female secretary dressed in a fitted uniform skirt, clutching documents, whispered an alert into Yenir’s ear.

Assigned by the Federation as his clerk, the girl subconsciously lowered her head in nervousness, too timid to meet his gaze.

She knew exactly what the youth standing by the window signified…

Efficiency is impressive…

Without glancing back at the massive protest gathering outside, Yenir at the window chuckled softly and slowly turned around.

Thanks to his mental strength, he had already sensed the presence of a middle-aged man standing nervously outside, escorted by a full squad.

“Let him in.”

At his command, every team member in the conference room turned their gaze in unison, their faces lighting up with joy.

A middle-aged man with a receding hairline, clad in a white lab coat and protected by soldiers, timidly appeared before them.

With a typical Western look obvious even in his unchanged lab coat, it was clear he’d been scooped up straight from the lab by the Military.

Impressive speed!

Ming Luo felt a rush of mixed emotions, deeply moved beyond words.

Seeing the system announce task completion and shift to the next phase, he couldn’t help but think that everything was going too smoothly.

Normally, to meet their targets, they’d have to complete a slew of preliminary tasks—and to extract information and earn trust from a professor meant tackling a series of tricky, interconnected challenges!

But now, with Yenir’s casual command and the full might of the Military at work, they could simply sit back and wait!

This damn smooth operation is like executing a dimensional collapse!

You… called me…?

As the chief professor at the Federation Genetic Research Institute, and holding an extraordinary status, Krock now showed no airs—only a trace of alarm as he looked at Yenir.

He instantly realized that the youth in the conference room was the true VIP who had summoned him!

With a slight nod, Yenir motioned for him to sit down and got straight to the point.

He replenished his mental shield.

“Professor Krock, I need you to answer a few questions!”

With a grave look, Yenir stared unblinkingly at the professor. In his past life’s replica records, Krock had always been a mysterious figure.

“First, what exactly is your current research about?”

“Second, have you encountered any anomalies or issues in your projects?”

“Third, have you been conducting any unauthorized research?”

Every word carried a subtle, yet oppressive, mental force.

Faced with Yenir’s inquiries, Krock’s heart sank. He couldn’t fathom why the youth would ask such things.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure that left him nearly breathless, he hesitated before replying:

“All my research… is entirely in accordance with Federation law!”

“Currently, there are two main projects. One is Genetic Enhancement: we’re studying how to improve the physical capabilities of our mech unit operators.”

“You know that, right? The newest mechs, with their advanced acceleration and neural synchronization systems, require humans with exceptional traits.”

“We need sharp-minded, high-resilience super soldiers…”

“This project has been underway for quite some time.”

Worried that Yenir might suspect his research of any violations, Krock instinctively began to explain:

“All my research, including the experimental subjects, is fully documented within the Federation!”

Unflinchingly, Yenir nodded, signaling him to continue.

He was well aware that the Genetic Research Institute was working on super soldiers.

According to the storyline, Lin Rui later joined the genetic modification program to push human physical limits. But this so-called super soldier project was no match for the Awakeners.

At best, the top gene-enhanced warriors barely outclass special forces—hardly worth noting.

Swallowing hard, Krock instinctively gauged Yenir’s expression.

Regarding the second project, he seemed hesitant to divulge any details.

Standing beside Yenir, Ming Luo immediately realized that the second project might be the key to the mission, and he interjected:

“Professor Krock, we urgently need that information!”

“I wish…”

Before Ming Luo could finish, Yenir briskly snatched a stack of documents from the table and glared at Krock with ruthless determination:

“Does the second project involve Federation secrets?”

“Disregard any confidentiality rules; I now possess the highest authority in the Federation!”

“I have the authority to know everything!”

Accessing the electronic display, Yenir unabashedly showcased newly recorded information.

Krock stared in bewilderment at Yenir’s name tag, its gleam drawing his attention. In the next moment, he gasped in astonishment.

That is…

A Federation representative at the same level as the President!?

What on earth is happening within the Federation?! How could a youth be granted such power?! Just the memory of being ‘summoned’ sent chills down his spine.

Krock’s heart leaped, and his face turned instantly pale.

Not daring to stay indecisive, he took a deep breath, his eyes wide with fear as he glanced at Yenir:

“The second project…”

“It’s the Original Human Project…”

“We’re simulating the process of human evolution…”

As the words faded, a spark of brilliance ignited in Yenir’s eyes.