Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Arctic Circle.
This lonely and extremely cold zone was now unusually lively, with green military tents set up everywhere.
In addition to that, under the command of a group of officers, many soldiers dug ice caves and holes in the ground.
The tents alone weren’t enough to keep them warm. In the absence of thick stone houses, ice caves served as a place to keep warm. At least they were able to shelter the people from freezing winds.
Almost all of the top leaders of the Eastern Hemisphere had fled to this place. Not only that, but there was also a tacit understanding among them, where their camps were kept at a certain distance from one another’s.
Meanwhile, at the Chinese military command center…
“Thirteen spatial channels have appeared within the An Zhong Military Region. Under the command of Chief Yang Xiaotian, all of them have been suppressed and fixed defensive lines have also been established. We are certain that those bugs will be taken out as soon as they show up…”
“Good job!” Yao Zhenguo clapped. At a moment like this, it was really worth being happy about such good news.
“What about the other military regions?”
“The country has a total of 55 provincial military regions, 835 training bases, and 1,500 underground secret bases. Among the provincial military regions, 44 of them have successfully subdued the spatial channels and ensured that the alien insects will not scatter…”
“And what’s the status of the 11 military districts?”
“Regarding the 11 military zones—due to the overly-dense number of spatial channels appearing, they are still in battle. 835 training bases have suffered heavy casualties due to insufficient weapon power. Among them, the secret bases are safe as they are underground and haven’t yet been invaded by the alien insects. They are still in perfect condition!”
Yao Zhenguo’s expression turned gloomy. Existing weapons were made to fight against other humans. Ordinary gun bullets simply wouldn’t be much of a threat to the armored alien insects.
Only heavy firepower like artillery shells could effectively wipe out the “cockroaches”, which the Ministry of Scientific Research temporarily named “Black Beetles”.
If the problem of insufficient weapon power wasn’t resolved, it would be challenging to send troops to recover lost land.
The officer continued. “But we have now lost contact with the government officials. Based on preliminary judgment, the dark matter is affecting our signal…”
“Isn’t the satellite still working?” Yao Zhenguo looked at the real-time satellite screen on the computer in front of him and was somewhat puzzled.
The officer explained: “The satellite does work, but the domestic side can no longer receive any signal—not even with the super-signal tower they have built underground…”
Yao Zhen Guo nodded, saying: “I see. How are the casualties now?”
“Thanks to advance warnings announced through the media, most of our citizens stayed home so the number of casualties are much less than those of countries in the Western Hemisphere. But those people who were stuck on the highway are basically…”
Without the need for the officer to explain the situation clearly, it was apparent that those people were probably in grave danger!
“Keep a close eye on the situation everywhere and report to me right away if there is any progress!”
***
Nan Yuan City, Experimental High School.
At that moment, half an hour had passed since the appearance of the spatial channel, and there were eight black beetles that had burrowed out of the spatial channel at the sports ground. Seven black beetles, except for one that was still wandering around the teachers’ dormitory, had gathered under the student dormitory building.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The black beetle that had fought with Du Gang kept slamming its head against the iron door on the first floor, as if it knew that it could head upstairs after breaking it down.
Every time it banged its head against the iron door, the students upstairs shuddered.
It was also due to the constant clamors that the other black beetles had gathered around. Apart from the entrance of the boys’ dormitory, there were also black beetles ramming into the iron door of the girls’ dormitory.
Meanwhile, room 601 was packed with students.
It was Du Gang’s room. Since his magnificent showing, the students had spontaneously ran over, as if being with him made them feel very safe.
“Du Gang, think of something. The door downstairs isn’t that strong…”
At that moment, no one was curious enough to ask why Du Gang was able to become so huge. They knew that he was very powerful and could fight the giant “cockroach”, so they regarded him as a pillar of their lives.
With so many pairs of expectant eyes staring at him, Du Gang also felt rather anxious.
What can I think of?
There are only seven minutes left in my transformation. Its reset time is 12:00 a.m. and there are still four to five hours before midnight. Even though my strength has indeed multiplied, I can’t even break the black beetle’s defense. Unless there is some weapon…
Du Gang quickly asked: “Is there any sharp weapon around? My transformation time is limited. Although I have powerful strength, relying only on my fists isn’t enough to kill those black beetles. Do you guys know if there is a suitable weapon for me to use after transformation?”
The crowd heard his words and immediately thought.
Soon after, Ma Li said: “I know of one; there is a steel pipe at the back of class 1-7. I always see students messing around with it after class…”
Du Gang shook his head. “It’s too short and thin. It can’t be used!”
Du Gang had seen the steel pipe that Ma Li suggested. The steel pipe was hollow and he reckoned that it would bend the instant he struck a black beetle with it.
Shortly after, someone else suggested: “How about a chopper from the canteen?”
“Chopper?”
Du Gang thought about it and didn’t refuse right away. He continued to ask: “Is there anything else? The bigger and harder, the better!”
“I know!”
A young man outside the door shouted.
The crowd immediately gave way to the young man as he hurried in and said, “There is an excess steel column in our school’s new laboratory building. It’s thick and up to four meters long…”
Du Gang dubiously asked: “Is there? How come I don’t know anything about that?”
He had gone to the laboratory building earlier between classes to test the transformation. At the end, he found a set of work-site camouflage clothing in the laboratory building, but based on his memory, he didn’t see a thick and long steel column.
Upon seeing Du Gang in disbelief, the young man quickly explained: “It’s at the roof of the laboratory building. I even sat on it last night…”
Before Du Gang raised his question, the other students curiously asked: “Why were you there yesterday?”
“I went with my girlfriend…” The young man’s voice became softer as his face reddened.
A thick steel column that is three to four meters, huh? Yes, it will be a decent weapon.
Du Gang made a judgment.
He said: “Okay then. Guys, wait here while I head to the laboratory building to bring that thing back…”
He pushed the window open and hopped onto its ledge.
Before he jumped down the building, An Ya shouted in concern, “Be safe!”
Du Gang nodded slightly and jumped out.
The black beetles at the foot of the building grew excited upon seeing a piece of “food” fall from above. They lifted their bodies, fighting to take the first bite.
“Transform!”
Unfortunately, they were disappointed in the next second. The man in midair transformed into a three-meter-tall giant, crushing one of the black beetles under his foot. Before the other black beetles could react, Du Gang lunged forward and leapt more than 10 meters away, dashing in the direction of the laboratory building.
In an instant, all the remaining black beetles stopped ramming into the entrance and chased in the direction Du Gang headed.