"SSSS-rank..."
The word, like a colossal mountain, weighed down on everyone's heart, making it almost impossible to breathe.
"According to the think tank's projections, after withstanding a nuclear blast, it must be severely wounded. It will need a certain amount of time to heal and digest the energy."
A Chief wearing gold-rimmed glasses, who carried the air of a scholar-general, code-named "Tianji," pushed up his glasses and said in a low voice, "Based on a comprehensive analysis of all data, its next appearance should be in three to four months. This is... our last chance to catch our breath."
"Catch our breath?"
Another Chief, a woman code-named "Huanhu," gave a bitter laugh. "And then what? Three or four months from now, what are we going to use to stop an SSSS-rank monster?"
A suffocating silence fell over the conference hall.
After a long moment, it was Chief "Panshi" who finally spoke, breaking the silence.
His gaze swept over every colleague present, his voice tinged with deep confusion.
"Our path of the Martial Dao... how are we supposed to continue? There's no path left ahead of us."
"These damn fierce beasts!"
"Report!"
Just then, the heavy alloy doors of the conference hall were violently thrown open.
A young Martial Artist in a black Combat Suit, exuding a sharp and capable aura, strode in.
On his chest was a badge signifying "A-rank" strength, and his vitality index had impressively reached over 30 points.
He walked quickly to the round table, gave the five Chiefs a reverent military salute, and reported in a loud voice, "Reporting to the Chiefs! The latest intelligence just came in from the front lines. The Fierce Beast Atlas has confirmed the addition of two hundred and one new types of fierce beasts! According to preliminary assessments, most are at a C-rank threat level!"
His eyes were filled with fervent adoration for the five S-rank powerhouses before him.
In his heart, and in the hearts of all the people of Blue Star, these five were living gods, the pillars holding up human civilization.
"Mm, I understand."
Chief "Panshi" nodded, his face betraying no emotion.
He gave his orders calmly, "Update the Atlas as soon as possible and distribute it to every citizen's personal terminal at top speed. Also, issue a Federation announcement. Tell all citizens not to panic, that the darkness will eventually end. The Federation's newest superweapon is in the final stages of development. Soon, we will master a brand-new form of energy and apply it to our weaponry."
"Yes, sir!"
The young Martial Artist's spirits lifted. After receiving his orders, he quickly turned and left, his footsteps full of energy.
Watching his departing figure, the worried expressions on the faces of the five Chiefs in the conference hall only deepened.
The so-called "superweapon" was just a lie to placate the people.
"Tianji,"
Chief "Huanhu" looked at the scholar-general. "How is the Science Institute's research on that newly discovered form of energy coming along? Is it possible... to use it for cultivation? If we can directly enhance our physical strength, then perhaps there's still a sliver of hope."
Chief "Tianji" shook his head, his expression grave. "That energy... we've tentatively named it 'Spiritual Energy.' Its nature is... extremely unstable and fraught with danger.
According to preliminary experimental data, it is highly corrosive to organic matter. I do not approve of conducting human trials at this time."
He looked at the other four people present and said, word by word, "The five of us are the last hope for this civilization. Not a single one of us can afford to take such a risk."
"If we don't take risks, how are we supposed to fight that SSSS-rank behemoth?!"
Chief "Lei" shot to his feet, pointing to himself with his one arm, and exclaimed, "And to be honest, the five of us are already riddled with old injuries! This path of squeezing out our potential in the Gravity Room has reached its end. It's impossible for us to make any more progress!"
His gaze swept over everyone present, a resolute light glinting in his eyes.
"Instead of sitting here waiting to die, I'm going to fight for a chance!"
"I've made my decision. This afternoon, I'm going to the Science Institute and letting them use my body to test how this 'Spiritual Energy' affects humans! I will be the one to pave this path for future generations!"
"We can't just let those promising young people with limitless futures be the ones to undergo such a deadly human trial!"
Lei's words moved everyone present.
"Old Lei, you..."
"That's too dangerous!"
A flurry of discussion broke out as the others tried to dissuade him.
Just then, the conference hall doors were thrown open once again!
This time, a communications soldier burst in, soaked to the bone and with a face etched in terror and despair.
He didn't even have time to salute before he shrieked in a hoarse, distorted voice:
"Re... Reporting to the Chiefs!"
"That... that behemoth code-named 'Leviathan'... It... it's appeared again!"
"Just moments ago, a monitoring station in the depths of the East Sea picked up its trail! According to the latest life-energy readings... its energy level has completely surpassed SSS-rank... and reached SSSS-rank!"
BOOM!
The news struck everyone in the conference hall like a bolt of black lightning, piercing them to the core!
The five Chiefs were instantly struck dumb, their faces turning deathly pale, their hearts filled with ashes of despair.
"This... This fast?!"
"Impossible! Didn't the think tank project... that it would need at least three to four months to recover?!"
"How long has it been?! Not even a month!"
"It's over..."
"What are we going to do?!"
A chilling aura called "despair" instantly enveloped the entire conference hall.
"Should we continue the nuclear bombardment? Use up our entire remaining stockpile?"
"No, no, no, that won't work. That thing is too cunning. Another nuclear bombardment might not even hit it this time."
"I'll draw its attention. Lure it into the depths of the East Sea to buy time. You all determine its coordinates for a precision strike. After I'm gone, everything will be up to you. If it works, build a monument for me. If not... then we'll leave it to fate."
"The seed-of-life vessel bound for the moon has already been launched."