Chapter 664: Resonance Shattered

Now…!

Test begins!

..

“I’ll go first! I’ll go first! I’m a Second-Stage Peak Fighter! I want to be the first to test!”

“No! I’m from the Blazing Fire Squad—give me some respect! Let me test first! I’ve been stuck at the Second Stage for too long!”

“Sir, let me go first! I’ve always dreamed of serving my country!”

Almost as the rebel representative declared the start of testing, the crowd exploded with excitement, surging toward the three machines.

Only Yenir remained calm, vigilantly observing every detail from start to finish.

As ordinary survivors, none of them expected the test to be dangerous; they charged forward like lunatics, terrified of being left out.

The charged atmosphere, a subtle suppression of dissent, and the frenzy at the scene nearly led to brawls over test slots—if not for the soldiers keeping order.

“Calm down! One at a time! Everyone gets a chance!”

Soon, under the smiling guidance of the rebel representative, one Second-Stage Peak Fighter and two First-Stage Peak Fighters—faces flushed red—were chosen as the first testers.

After a brief explanation, the three practically leaped into the machines, eager to begin.

They resembled sealed nuclear magnetic resonance devices.

The machines were cylindrical: three meters high and five meters long, completely concealing what lay inside.

Under envious stares, the so-called cognitive resonance test started without delay.

Apart from a faint sound of flesh moving that only Yenir could barely detect, everyone heard the machines erupt into high-speed operation—as if straight out of an old sci-fi film—with bursts of blue light dazzling the onlookers.

Soon, a low, pained groan emerged from the devices.

“Everyone, don’t be afraid. Feeling pressure during the test is completely normal!”

“This pressure will soon fade—it only hurts at the beginning! The process has been tested countless times by the Military; it’s absolutely safe!”

From his high platform, the rebel representative calmly reassured the crowd, signaling that a touch of pain was perfectly normal.

Just as promised, the low groans soon vanished.

Unfazed by the brief anomaly, nearly ten thousand Awakeners in the hall only grew more determined.

They were all Awakeners who had clawed their way out of the apocalypse. Everyone knew that every achievement comes with a price. A little pain was nothing compared to the chance to get stronger—even if it meant sacrificing everything.

This scene only reassured them further, deepening their faith in the Rebels’ words.

In less than two minutes.

Suddenly, the blue glow atop the three machines abruptly ceased. Accompanied by the sound of air pressure dissipating, three bursts of ecstatic shouts rang out from inside.

The three Awakeners who had completed the resonance looked as if they might burst into tears—barely able to stand—as they emerged and shouted to everyone:

“I’ve broken through! My mental capacity has expanded! God, I feel that if I absorb just a bit more Spirit Energy, even my other attributes will improve! I’m on my way to the Third Stage!”

“Me too! It’s unbelievable! My mental strength surged in mere minutes—way more effective than all that fortification food I spent a fortune on!”

“Thanks to the Military! I never dreamed that even with my D-level Innate Talent, I’d have a chance to improve—maybe even reach the Third Stage!”

The three emerging testers looked a little unsteady, as if utterly drained, yet their physical weakness did nothing to dampen their elation.

Buoyed by their enhancements, all three eagerly looked toward the Rebels, practically begging to know when they could continue the resonance, wondering if they had passed the test.

“Rest assured—as long as the test meets the minimum standards and you can bear the basic pressure—the Military will spare no expense to help you get stronger in the next phase!”

“As for your test levels, they’re quite good. This Second-Stage Peak Fighter scored a C-level; later, you can head to the C-Level Fortification Zone with our personnel. The other two scored D-level, but they still show potential—you too can enter the Fortification Zone!”

Wearing a smile, the rebel representative noted the two looking a bit dejected and sensed the others’ concerns over their test levels. He paused briefly, then explained patiently:

“Everyone, don’t think that your test level affects your ability to reach the Third Stage!”

“These levels merely indicate how long you can endure the resonance. A higher level means you can stay longer, naturally speeding up your strength gain—but no matter your level, your chance to reach the Third Stage remains the same!”

With those words, the nearly ten thousand survivors grew even more excited; another success story was unfolding before their eyes. To them, the resonance machines were nothing short of miraculous artifacts, making them eager for their turn!

However, amid the crowd’s frenzy, Yenir’s eyes suddenly flashed with surprise.

“Fake?”

“Is the so-called resonance actually fake?”

With senses sharper than most—his mental strength dwarfing any Third Stage—he silently detected as the three began their so-called resonance.

What he observed was completely different from what everyone else saw or imagined—Yenir instantly noticed something was amiss!

Once the three entered, the machines hadn’t really operated at all. The so-called blue light and high-speed noise were nothing but fabrications. After a few feigned groans, the previously witnessed scene unfolded.

“Lord Yenir!? This resonance actually raises one’s mental capacity!? Isn’t it just like a Soul Crystal, if not even better?”

“These Rebels have actually mastered this technique!”

Ming Luo, oblivious to the deception, felt a shock. He knew that Soul Crystals, produced in the Hell’s Gate dungeon, came with enormous costs and yielded little. They could only speed one up to the limit. To him, the Rebel technology was nothing short of a miracle—if widely adopted, it would be terrifying!

The value of the Mental Type was no longer underestimated as before. The Military had realized that mental strength was crucial and had broken the barrier preventing Mental Types from reaching the Third Stage.

“They didn’t really improve—those three were just Rebels posing as survivors.”

“But…”

As Ming Luo grew tense, Yenir quickly explained, though his inner doubts only deepened as he realized the Rebels were clearly putting on an act.

What’s the point of the charade? If the Rebels’ machines are worthless then the whole plan is a sham—and with more people in, the truth would be exposed within minutes!

All this elaborate performance would be utterly pointless!

Unless…!?

This is a safeguard. The entire test may work, but the risk is enormous! What are the Rebels so worried about?

Almost as the thought flashed through Yenir’s mind…

A new trio of Awakeners eagerly climbed into the machines.

Soon, with the return of high-speed operation and buzzing sounds, a series of pained groans emerged once more.

But as Yenir forcefully scanned their mental strength, he witnessed a chilling sight! Unlike the previous farce, this time the machines were truly active!

“This thing!?”