Chapter 238: The Cleanup Mission Begins

“Are we just going to stand by and watch these people lose their minds?”

Before the Information Analysis Department could deliver their findings, the chaos throughout the city had already spiraled into a scene nearly impossible to contain.

Around the Quarantine Zone, countless bystanders found their scalps tingling at the sight of the unfolding frenzy.

The crowd surging toward the outer perimeter of the Quarantine Zone seemed utterly transformed. To ordinary onlookers, their faces bore expressions of either wild frenzy or sinister cunning as they surged forward with complete disregard for their own lives. They showed no fear of the firearms in the hands of the Armed Soldiers stationed outside or the bullets that continuously struck down their companions.

In Lu Xin’s eyes, however, every one of them was a Monster.

He had already pulled out his Revolver, borrowing Little Sister’s ability, and had shot down several Monsters that breached the border. Unfortunately, his own strength seemed impossibly feeble when measured against the entire Quarantine Zone descending into madness. The weakness wasn’t in power, but in numbers. It was like facing a swarm of ants.

And compared to the tide of people rushing toward the East Sea Grand Hotel from every corner of downtown, the task felt even more overwhelming.

Once this turmoil began, it carried an unstoppable momentum.

Extreme anxiety filled him, but for now, they had no choice but to endure.

In the face of such a sudden and large-scale Special Contamination Incident, slaughter had never been the best method of Cleanup. Moreover, killings often led to unnecessary complications.

Therefore, until the fundamental Logic Chain behind this Contamination could be discovered, the only viable approach was to stabilize the situation.

The key to victory lay more in thorough preparation and the analysis and mastery of relevant intelligence.

…

In the sky, the Crimson Moon grew increasingly larger, as if steadily nearing the earth.

Though tonight wasn’t scheduled to be the full moon, the missing crescent appeared to be gradually filling out. The moon visible to everyone was becoming more and more complete.

In this moment, Qinggang truly seemed to transform into a Ghost Domain. Chaos and panic became its defining tones.

Behind them, near the East Sea Grand Hotel, the colossal Red Cloak perched atop the structure seemed to come alive. It gave off the impression of subtly lifting its head, its indifferent gaze locking onto Qing Harbor Main City.

Simultaneously, countless citizens of Qinggang looked up in their frantic terror, stiffening instantly. They saw the Red-Cloak Spiritual Monster with horrifying clarity.

For countless people, this was the first time they had ever clearly witnessed the true form of a Psychic Entity. This visual impact ignited overwhelming panic in their hearts, even compelling some to feel a primal urge to kneel and bow toward it. That colossal figure, so mentally overwhelming, evoked a single thought:

The arrival of a god!

…

Near the Quarantine Zone, Lu Xin, who was helping to reinforce the Blockade Line while periodically firing shots to halt the advancing Mutants, was also affected. He involuntarily turned his head to look at the Psychic Entity, feeling an unidentifiable displeasure settle within him.

Beside him, Doll had appeared at some unnoticed moment, her gaze also directed upward toward the spiritual Monster.

Lu Xin frowned, and she frowned too.

Lu Xin wore an expression of displeasure he himself hadn’t registered, and she mimicked it perfectly.

The two of them stared quietly at the Psychic Entity.

In unison, they tilted their heads slightly.

Describing the emotion within them was difficult. It resembled a kind of animosity without a clear reason. Lu Xin knew he disliked the entity intensely, yet he was equally certain he hadn’t fully understood it. The waves of Mental Fluctuation emanating from the Red-Cloak Spiritual Monster filled him with revulsion and impatience… Nevertheless, its palpable dreadfulness stirred a deep sense of vigilance within him as well.

These two conflicting Emotions warred within Lu Xin. Around him, the Mutants’ frenzied charge already pressed the Blockade Line to its limits. Far off, the massive Red Cloak appeared to be actively pushing their madness toward even greater heights.

…

“All personnel, attention.”

Suddenly, Chen Jing’s calm yet forceful voice cut clearly through the comms channel. It carried a note of unmistakable relief.

“The Information Analysis Department has delivered their operational recommendations. Begin the Cleanup Mission now.”

She spoke with the conviction of confirmed orders, every trace of hesitation gone from her voice. “Personnel guarding the outer perimeter of the Quarantine Zone, immediately withdraw thirty meters! Simultaneously, check your Protective Helmets and activate the Visual Scrambling Mode. Await next command.”

“All members of the Special Operations Team, enter the designated comms channel. Stand by for orders. Prepare to commence the Cleanup Mission.”

“……”

“Swish!”

Upon hearing Chen Jing’s utterance, Lu Xin immediately retrieved the camera from his bag and affixed it to his chest. Simultaneously, within the communication channel he had kept open, a faint crackle of static gave way to a familiar voice: “Information Analysis Team online. Mr. Lone Soldier, are you there?”

“…”

“I’m here.”

Hearing that voice, Lu Xin felt an odd sense of relief and snapped to attention.

He answered softly, a hint of complexity stirring within him.

Doll standing beside him seemed to sense the shift in Lu Xin’s mood and turned her head to glance at him.

Lu Xin instinctively sidestepped, putting a bit more distance between himself and Doll, while his hand covered the earpiece.

In the channel, Han Bing’s voice paused for a brief moment before resuming with a light laugh, “Good evening, Mr. Lone Soldier.”

“Good evening to you too…” Lu Xin replied somewhat stiffly, unable to stop himself from adding, “About this meeting…”

“I know…” Han Bing cut him off with a laugh, her tone relaxed. “Mr. Lone Soldier was temporarily assigned an important task, so we couldn’t meet in person; that really is a shame. However, what’s most critical now is resolving this Spiritual Contamination attack initiated by Maritime Nation. Once this matter is settled, I hope I’ll have the chance to invite you for a meal. After all, we’re in the Main City now… I really ought to fulfill my duties as the host!”

Han Bing’s words instantly lightened Lu Xin’s mood.

He nodded, a smile forming on his lips, “Alright.”

Sensing Lu Xin’s improved spirits, Doll beside him also revealed a faint smile.

…

“As for the catching up, reuniting with colleagues, and dinner invitations… perhaps we can leave those for later!” Although Han Bing was online, set to replace Chen Jing in providing information analysis support to Lu Xin, Chen Jing had not yet exited the channel.

Therefore, she had naturally overheard the conversation between Lu Xin and Han Bing.

Once she had finished relaying a series of task instructions, her voice promptly sounded again in the channel:

“Lone Soldier, I need you to execute a task now.”

Lu Xin nodded immediately, adjusting his focus. “Alright.”

He knew Qinggang was facing a terrifying Special Contamination attack, and he recognized that clearing such contamination was his job.

Especially as the Mutants within the adjacent Quarantine Zone had grown extremely violent.

The earlier gunfire had only somewhat slowed their advance.

The reason they hadn’t yet breached the Quarantine Zone was because they were consuming one another, inadvertently hindering themselves.

But even so, they had already reached the border of the Quarantine Zone.

Regardless, it was time to act.

Then he heard Chen Jing’s voice in the channel: “Your task is: To request Doll to take action.”