TYMIMA Chapter 132

Even the rescue squad was a bit surprised by how fast and fierce the Polar Glacier Organization’s reaction was. After all, Lance’s plan was only to create a bit of chaos and hope the other side would withdraw the radiation.

Dream Witch remarked, “The Polar Glacier Organization has been so cowardly for years, and finally they’re exploding for once.”

Mudeli said, “Yeah, I thought they’d just play deaf and dumb again, scared of the Federation’s pressure.”

Oliver, who was pretty familiar with this history, explained, “The relationship between the Polar Glacier Organization and the Federation is extremely delicate. This country is made up of polar natives and Federation refugees. In the past, because they lacked Awakened, they were bullied badly—almost wiped out by the Federation. So the Hachimo people have always harbored resentment toward the Federation.”

Popov was curious: “Oh? So why didn’t the Federation succeed in occupying them in the end?”

Oliver continued, “Because at that time, the Federation was racking its brains to invade Tasman. According to their plan, after wiping out the warlords led by King Sandro, they’d immediately send troops to occupy Gran City. But they failed in the Tasman campaign.”

“Tasman was founded in a rush, and had far fewer Awakened than the Federation, but their mobility in ocean combat was unmatched. As long as they didn’t land, the Federation couldn’t do anything to them. After burning through huge military expenses with nothing to show for it, the Federation had to admit defeat.”

“This failure cost them the chance to occupy Gran City. The massive military spending led to skyrocketing prices, worsening inflation, economic paralysis, soaring crime rates, and a global population crash. Of course, the Federation has already erased these real histories—they refuse to admit their mistakes or pay for the lives lost, hoping time will bury everything.”

“Federation refugees poured into the Pacific Island Nations and the Polar Glacier Organization, which hadn’t been caught up in the war. The Federation then entered decades of chaos. During that period, the government was too busy with its own mess, so local guilds rose up rapidly, forming a situation like the feudal lords of ancient times.”

Fata put away the ointment, sighing, “I always thought the global population dropped because of Dawn Day.”

Oliver: “On the contrary, after Dawn Day, the world saw an unprecedented baby boom. Those who didn’t evolve glands or awaken abilities all pinned their hopes on the next generation, hoping their kids could become powerful Awakened and improve the family’s lot. Every extra child meant a bit more hope, so there were a lot of births then.”

Dream Witch sneered, “So the Federation government really is steeped in sin.”

Oliver: “Mm. Human society has its own way of self-regulating, enough to absorb the emergence of Awakened, but just one bad decision by those in power can cost countless lives.”

“Back to the Polar Glacier Organization. The refugees from the Federation already resented the Federation’s inaction, blaming them for forcing them to leave home and struggle in this harsh, frozen land. The Federation’s constant threats to wipe them out only deepened the conflict.”

“The Glacier Organization couldn’t beat the Federation, so the leadership could only swallow their pride. Later, they even agreed to cede the loracity icefield to the Federation for use as a prison for Federation convicts.”

“Resentment builds up and eventually explodes. The leadership had to endure humiliation, but the common people didn’t care about all that—their hatred for the Federation runs deep in their bones.”

“So for today’s incident, if it had been Tasman or the Pacific Island Nations, the Hachimo people wouldn’t have reacted so strongly. But with the Federation, it’s different. The Glacier Organization’s leadership knows this well—if they don’t act tough this time, polar unrest could break out.”

Dream Witch understood: “So the Federation government also knows that if they don’t back down, the Hachimo people’s anger could really drive them to storm the loracity icefield and destroy AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison.”

Oliver nodded.

The Glacier Organization’s statement clearly showed they’d reached an understanding with the Federation. For once, they’d forced the Federation to back down, and it let off a lot of the Hachimo people’s anger.

Beep beep!

The detector showed that radiation levels in Samp Town had returned to normal.

There’s no way radioactive elements in an area could all decay so quickly, so the rescue team and the polar Awakened squad on site realized this wasn’t some anti-human horror experiment, but the work of an Awakened’s ability.

That was the Federation’s tacit explanation. The researcher investigation to follow would just be for show—they wouldn’t let anyone near the core areas.

But the residents of Samp Town didn’t care about any of that. They didn’t believe the radiation was gone at all, and still felt themselves and their families were under threat from the Federation.

“This must be some kind of trick—the radiation hasn’t disappeared. I still can’t breathe right now.”

“Yeah, what, do they think we never went to school? Radiation just seeps into the water we drink and the food we eat—it doesn’t just disappear!”

“Samp Town will bear this cost for generations. We can never forgive this!”

“Who knows if our genes have already mutated? Once the rescue and Awakened teams leave, what’s to stop the Federation from secretly spreading more radiation? Who’ll care if we live or die?”

……

Lance and the others took advantage of the chaos to quietly slip into Samp Town. Fortunately, by the time Adrian entered, the radiation had already dissipated, so he wasn’t marked.

Back at the inn, after regrouping, Lance immediately adjusted his strategy.

“Duma! Get a few hundred sockpuppets to steer the conversation and push for the researchers to go investigate the prison immediately. We don’t have much time!”

“Got it, Lance.” Duma replied, squatting in the datastream and distributing batches of sockpuppets to each computer in the High Tower Guild’s copywriting team like handing out candy.

Very soon, new opinion leaders appeared on the polar network—

“Attention, Samp Town residents! Now’s not the time to argue about whether the radiation’s gone. I think the researchers must go into AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison immediately and find out what experiments they’re doing.”

“That’s right! If we wait too long, they’ll have cleaned everything up. The organization better not just go through the motions again.”

“Exactly. If you’re determined to investigate, show some real resolve—go into AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison right now!”

“Don’t tell us you need to fill out paperwork or get permits. By the time you’re done, it’ll be too late!”

“Go into AGW! If you won’t, we’ll go ourselves!”

“I’ve had enough—every Hachimo, get ready. Worst case, we’ll just storm the place!”

“Awakened in Gran City, stop being quails! Haven’t you been bullied by the Federation enough over the years?!”

“Teach the Federation a lesson—destroy AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison and don’t let them lock up criminals next to us!”

“All Awakened, drop what you’re doing and go support Samp Town!

“This A-rank Awakened is already on the highway [sunglasses emoji].”

…..

Urgent announcements from the Polar Glacier Organization kept coming, and two nuclear engineering researchers were dispatched in haste to Samp Town.

The helicopter touched down, and the two researchers, clutching their toolboxes, hurried out. The local ability-user squad did their best to disperse the crowd, opening a passage wide enough for vehicles.

“Everyone, please step aside! Don’t block the way—let the researchers through so they can investigate and help you all as soon as possible!”

The vehicle crawled through the throng, and the two researchers had to roll down their windows, helping to calm the anxious, agitated townsfolk.

“Please don’t worry. We will not fail in our duty—we’ll thoroughly investigate the situation at the AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison! Please give us some time!”

Researcher Lan Pingjing’s flushed, emotional face flashed past Lance’s eyes. Lance smiled faintly, then immediately turned to Adrian at his side.

Adrian understood at once and gave a subtle nod.

Meanwhile, inside the AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison, a chilling tension filled the air.

The commotion stirred up by Benbu had drawn both Si Hongche and Asmodeus over.

The prison guards, faces full of confusion, hesitated as they powered down their electronic devices and tossed them into transparent boxes.

Their gazes flickered between Benbu, Si Hongche, and Asmodeus, hoping that at least one of these high-ranking officers would offer them a clear explanation.

Asmodeus didn’t dare question the Qian Yun elder’s secretary, but Si Hongche had no such scruples. He demanded coldly, “What exactly are you planning?”

Handing over electronic devices naturally included them as well. The guards had to obey, but Si Hongche was under no such obligation.

Benbu’s attempt at a radiation marker had failed spectacularly. Not only had he failed to outshine Si Hongche, he was now forced to open the prison gates and let outsiders in, inviting hidden dangers.

The thought that his carefully laid scheme was a joke in Si Hongche’s eyes made his pride sting sharply.

He desperately needed a victory to prove his worth.

Benbu gave a low, chilling laugh. “It seems Director Si still doesn’t know how the prisoner in solitary managed to disappear.”

The air pressure around Si Hongche dropped instantly. He glared at Benbu, his eyes cold and predatory, like some deadly, cold-blooded beast.

Benbu continued, “There’s a top-tier hacker involved. What I’m doing is for the sake of a fishing operation. Don’t worry, Director Si, it won’t interfere with your work—because the fish has already bitten the hook.”

Asmodeus, ever the opportunist, tossed his phone into the transparent box and grinned widely. “Since Lord Benbu has said so, we’ll cooperate. Here’s hoping the fishing operation goes smoothly.”

Benbu ignored his attempt to pass the buck, gazing off into the distance as if his eyes could pierce through the prison’s many walls to lock onto his opponent hidden in the darkness.

He laced his fingers together, thumbs splayed outward in a strange gesture, and intoned softly, “With the gods’ blessing, all will go smoothly. Director Si, after you.”

Si Hongche’s gaze was nearly glacial as he looked at Benbu. After a long silence, he finally took out his phone and tossed it into the box.

The screen went dark—completely powered off.

Benbu withdrew his hands, his eyelids lifting to reveal a venomous glint in his eyes. “Now, go extract every last trace of Mad Clown’s pheromones for me.”

—

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)