Chapter 234: Seize Them
Chapter 234: Seize Them
“Level One Alert!”
The moment the Old Captain candidly admitted that the young man in the red cloak he brought was, in fact, an S-class Ability User, the atmosphere in the temporary command and security office next to the East Sea Grand Hotel instantly grew tense.
Minister Shen strode back into the office, his brow deeply furrowed as he looked at the monitor feeds showing the Old Captain, Mr. Su, Professor Bai, and others. His gaze finally settled on the image of the young man in the red cloak, lingering on that particular camera. He lowered his voice, murmuring:
“What are the chances of eliminating him instantly?”
“…”
“Three heavy sniper rifles are trained on him. One loaded with live ammunition, one with a tranquilizer dart, and one with a special bullet.”
A staff member beside him reported: “All three snipers have excellent firing conditions and are confident they can hit him.”
“But… since we’re dealing with an Ability User, we’re uncertain if such conventional confidence is… reliable.”
As he spoke, he continued with other updates: “Additionally, three Special Dispatch Teams have entered the conference room to control the situation. They are all armed with special weapons designed for Ability Users. However, Mr. Su and Professor Bai are currently nearby. If we risk taking action, it will undoubtedly cause chaos. We are uncertain if they might be affected… and Mr. Su still hasn’t given the signal.”
“The seven Ability Users – Watchdog, Dreamweaver, and the others – are in designated positions both inside and outside the conference room, ready to exert their influence on the target at any moment. But the opponent is S-class after all… While their abilities are theoretically capable of subduing an opponent… We…”
“None of us know… if their abilities… are powerful enough to handle an S-class…”
“…”
Minister Shen listened carefully to every detail, then made his decision: “First, escort Mr. Su and Professor Bai away from the room.”
“Then, have the Ability Users strike.”
“And also…”
He paused before continuing, “Adjust the angle of the hypersonic electropulse cannon on the city walls to aim at the East Sea Grand Hotel.”
The subordinate’s face turned pale with tension, but he still nodded firmly.
…
…
“Mr. Su, please leave first…”
At this moment, the secretary had stood up, placing a hand on Mr. Su’s shoulder.
Similarly, someone by Professor Bai’s side offered a reminder.
The members of the Special Dispatch Team who had been patiently holding their weapons and waiting within the conference room also raised their guns, slowly advancing.
All the muzzles were now pointed at the expert delegation from the Maritime Nation, appearing to control the situation.
But deep down, all the agents were extremely tense.
“No need to hurry.”
However, facing the secretary’s urging, Mr. Su shook his head. He didn’t bother hiding his words from the Old Captain and spoke directly to the secretary: “The immediate priority is to first check for any lapses in our prior security arrangements and how we can promptly remedy them.”
“…”
Only then did he turn to face the Old Captain, saying:
“Elder Ye, I’ve heard of your exploits in Maritime City. You are a remarkable man. Therefore, if friendship with you were possible, I would show no disrespect. But now… since it concerns the safety of Qinggang… I have no other choice.”
His gaze shifted towards the young man in the red cloak: “I don’t know how much confidence you have in this S-class Ability User, but I hope you understand this: Qinggang has always held a profound respect for the power of Ability Users… yet we will not lose our nerve just because of it. Since you truly intend to initiate such a war… then Qinggang will ensure you pay a sufficient price.”
The Old Captain listened to Mr. Su’s words calmly, his expression showing only placidity.
The young man in the red cloak standing behind him remained silent and motionless, radiating an immense aura of intimidation.
By now, everyone in the conference room was tense enough to feel their hair standing on end.
It seemed the slightest larger movement could trigger uncontrollable chaos.
Yet within this tense atmosphere, Mr. Su remained seated upright, his eyes meeting the Old Captain’s unflinchingly.
Then, his voice sinking slightly, he issued a clear command: “Take them into custody.”
“What?”
Everyone in the conference room was stunned.
Naturally, they wanted to apprehend the Maritime Nation’s delegation.
But their plan was to first ensure Mr. Su and Professor Bai were safely out of the conference room before acting.
What if the targets counter-attacked?
They never expected Mr. Su to simply remain seated steadily, right in front of the delegation, and give the order.
Even Professor Bai sat composedly at this moment, his expression unchanged.
It seemed both he and Mr. Su understood one thing: if the other side truly possessed an S-class Ability User, they would already have acted the moment Mr. Su and the Professor made moves to withdraw. Therefore, withdrawing early made no difference. Before an Ability User of that level, it was all the same.
Hiding wouldn’t help, so there was no point in hiding.
…
…
Many thoughts raced through their minds, but the Special Dispatch Team members instantly stepped forward, guns raised.
Facing this Special Dispatch Team, the Old Captain’s face showed no surprise, only a hint of admiration in his gaze.
It seemed he hadn’t expected Mr. Su and Professor Bai to remain so calm and composed at this moment.
“Clatter…”
The Special Dispatch Team had nearly reached them, yet none of the tension-filled men moved.
However, when the gun barrels almost touched their faces, the Maritime Nation experts accompanying the Old Captain displayed expressions of tension and agitation. Clearly lacking the calm of the Old Captain and the young man in the Red Cloak, they seemed unprepared for such peril. One abruptly rolled downwards, swiftly reaching into his lower abdomen to draw a gun.
This sudden change caused slight Chaos in the conference room.
The Armed Soldiers aiming at the Maritime Nation experts immediately tensed their fingers on the triggers.
“No need to fire.”
A voice spoke up right then.
It was Watchdog. As he spoke, an overwhelming sense of Fear enveloped the surroundings.
The expert who had drawn his gun tried to aim it at Mr. Su.
But the moment the gun was in his hand, an unbearable terror seized him. It felt like an invisible hand had gripped his Heart; adrenaline surged into his brain like a fountain.
His brain was consumed by Fear, even forgetting his intention.
The gun already in his grasp stubbornly refused to lift. Instead, his entire body went limp, collapsing to the floor.
Thud, thud…
Not just him—all four other Maritime Nation experts knelt uncontrollably, heads bowed.
Fluids could be seen dripping down their faces—tears and mucus released under the grip of sheer Fear.
Two of them even wet their trousers, another involuntary reaction to extreme fright.
These were seasoned professionals, decisive in action. Even the nurse attending to the Old Captain’s IV displayed fit, sculpted lines on her seemingly slender legs—proof of rigorous training and formidable skill.
Yet now, faced with Watchdog’s power, they were as fragile as infants, utterly defenseless.
…
Only the pale man in the Red Cloak and the Old Captain remained standing.
The pale man in the Red Cloak seemed completely unaffected, merely sitting with his head lowered.
The Old Captain, however, had veins bulging on his forehead. Teeth clenched, hands gripped the armrests so tightly his pitch-black fingernails splintered the wood, breaking and drawing blood.
His frail, sickly body seemed easily broken, yet his spine remained particularly rigid.
He wedged himself fiercely into his chair, refusing to slip to his knees.
Even so, unmistakable horror contorted his face.
Tears welled in his sunken, murky eyes.
“I… won’t… kneel…”
The words tore from his throat:
“I’d rather die than kneel! This… this is the only dignity I can cling to before an Ability User!”
“…”
“Don’t force this old gentleman.”
Mr. Su glanced at Watchdog, signaling him to relent.
Silence fell in the conference room. Witnessing the Old Captain’s stubborn resistance to the dread was admirable—despite his recent ambition-driven betrayal that ruined everyone’s regard for him.
Watchdog remained expressionless, motionless. Yet the Old Captain suddenly gasped back to relief, breathing heavily.
His desperate gasps had onlookers fearing he might not catch his next breath.
Exactly then, as Professor Bai gave a slight nod, two men swiftly stepped forward behind him.
Their focus shifted to the young man in the Red Cloak.
Under Watchdog’s power, he hadn’t reacted at all, utterly motionless.
This alone marked him as different.
Sitting there quietly, he resembled a Bomb primed to explode, his next move unpredictable.
But orders were clear: apprehend everyone present. They couldn’t skip him.
The two men approaching him wore tightly drawn expressions, their tension palpable.
Still, they strode forward resolutely.
One locked his gaze fiercely onto the man in the Red Cloak. The other moved with startling speed. In a few steps, he was before him—hooking a foot to snap the legs of the chair.
The young man slumped sideways, yet snatched the broken wood with lightning speed. Silver flashed as an Ability Suppressor clamped around his neck.
Instantly afterwards, an Armed Soldier stepped up and placed a Protective Helmet over his head.
Watching this, everyone in the conference room froze.
Their palms had long since slicked with sweat.