Chapter 40: Endurance

Although the weapons of Traum far surpass those of the present era, they would still find themselves at a disadvantage against the enemy inside this cocoon. It cannot be broken except by the method of Origin Ripples.

Jingci pointed at the cocoon in the distance.

Master Shi replied with a puzzled expression, Having practiced this for decades, your disciple has merely scratched the surface...

As the Director said, if Shakya was one of the executors back then, it is possible. All executors of the Flashpoint Project are those chosen and bathed in the radiant energy of the Origin Cube. Coupled with this vital ripple technique, it far surpasses the capability of ordinary mortals.

Jingci looked toward Master Shi, opening her palm as a streak of golden lightning leaped across it.

This radiance was identical to the one Shakya had used earlier to repel the power of the black water.

Your master has not yet established a link with my Cube, hence I cannot engage the Family in battle.

Hmm...

The Director pondered for a moment, appearing to have known about this all along.

If we can seize the opportunity to lend power to Shakya, we can still resolve this immediate crisis. Once her memories recover and her abilities gradually mature, we can then guide her in detail.

Old Qin, there is no time to lose. Return to the base first to command the operations, while this poor monk shall bide her time and act as circumstances allow.

Jingci once again bowed to Director Qin with palms pressed together.

Master Jingci, I leave it in your hands, then!

The Director took the ancient text handed over by Jingci and walked out of the temple gates.

In the eastern district of New Chunqiu City, the severed halves of the fluid tree began to fuse together once more.

Yet this time, it did not seem to be a simple reconnection. The portion rooted in the ground continuously flowed into the upper section that extended tentacles to form a cocoon.

Starting from a small lump, the cocoon grew larger and larger, bearing no resemblance to the cocoon of any known terrestrial animal.

It looked as though that mass of black water had been compressed at high density into a perfect black sphere, making it inconspicuous in the night.

It was called a cocoon simply because, apart from being a black sphere, numerous black thread-like objects extended from it, suspending it in the position of the tree crown.

Everyone in the command post used the most intuitive term to describe the object, though no one knew what it actually was.

Shakya continuously fired upon the fluid mass. Since it had no effect on the cocoon, destroying a bit more of the corrosive liquid was still a good thing.

Though the purpose of the cocoon absorbing these fluids remained unknown, it certainly boded no good.

Traum's attacks eliminated most of the black slurry fluid, while the remaining small portion was absorbed into the cocoon.

The area where the tree had previously stood bore the shapes left behind by its corrosion.

Indeed, this tree had converted all the buildings and living organisms it touched into its own energy to form that cocoon!

Shakya, what should I do?!

Shakya understood that the cocoon might hatch very soon, and who knew what would emerge from within?!

Damn it... We are completely on the defensive...

Shion could not offer any better advice at the moment; they could only wait and see how things developed.

The military had also received orders to stand by, leaving everyone staring blankly at whatever changes the cocoon might undergo.

Hey, hey... That thing looks ominous... Is it really okay to just leave it there?

Longsheng had also heard the standby order, yet the unease in his heart did not diminish in the slightest.

I don't want to either... but...

Shakya had already paid the price for her impulsiveness earlier, and now she genuinely lacked the heart to act rashly.

Recalling the two members of the Family she had encountered previously, they had essentially been defeated by seizing opportunities created by the military, exploiting the enemy's openings, and then unleashing a barrage of overwhelming firepower utilizing Traum's superior performance.

At some point, Shakya had even entertained the notion that the Family was nothing particularly special.

Although she had not expressed it overtly, when the invisible spherical Family attacked, Shakya's courage to face it in a direct duel was actually a manifestation of her complete lack of fear toward them.

Even though Shakya had been hit at the time and spent several weeks in the hospital, overall, she had not encountered any major difficulties.

After all, following her entry into Schwerge, her tactical training scores had been exceptional, and Master Shi had imparted miraculous kung fu to her. It could be said that virtually all of Schwerge's resources were concentrated on shaping her.

She would only grow stronger, and dealing with the Family in the future would only become simpler—such thoughts had indeed crossed Shakya's mind.

Coupled with the fact that upon returning to the team, she had investigated a new Family alongside Agent K's squad and acquired new weapons and equipment.

She had even managed to repel the black water Family in person at Bruce's estate.

Though the process had its narrow escapes, the outcome was that Bruce was saved, and the eroded citizens suffered no casualties.

Up until this point, the battles fought by Schwerge and Shakya had gone rather smoothly.

Yet this current entity filled Shakya with a sense of anxiety. Perhaps it was because she had spent this entire period tracking and attempting to eradicate it, making her yearn for a swift conclusion to the battle.

Shion... Please give me your next instructions...

Shakya had now fallen into a state where she dared not move without Shion's command.

To be honest, she was terrified.

Don't panic... The Director is already on his way.

Shion understood that Shakya could hardly remain calm right now, and could only attempt to comfort her.

In truth, if asked what to do, Shion had no idea either.

Unlike the previous two instances, the Director had not provided her with an investigative report on the enemy.

As long as you hold the opponent off, you buy more evacuation time for the citizens. Even waiting is not without meaning.

Shion's words made Shakya feel slightly better.

I, I understand.....

Shakya waved at the formation of armed helicopters behind her, and the chopper squadron dispersed, maintaining a distance as they circled the cocoon in alert surveillance.

The pacing of this battle was entirely dictated by the Family, causing Shakya profound unease.

The fluid had been completely absorbed by the cocoon, upon which streaks of blue light began to emerge and pulse.

Was this cocoon finally about to hatch something?

Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats. Although Shakya had transformed into a body of steel, she could feel that even her palms were slick with sweat.

She aimed all her weapons at the continuously trembling, glowing cocoon.

It's coming!

In less than ten short minutes, the cocoon had absorbed the fluid, emitted an eerie blue light, and then begun pulsating toward hatching.

A crack split open across the surface of the cocoon.

Yet, contrary to everyone's expectations, no monster instantly leaped out from within, nor was any poisonous gas released.

It merely split open a crack, from which an eerie blue light emanated.

Furthermore, the blue light quickly vanished.

!?

Inside the command room, everyone looked at each other in dismay, uncertain of how to proceed against the enemy.

The military commanders seemed to have lost the patience to continue observing and wanted to try attacking that crack.

You... wait a moment!

Shion intended to wait for the Director's return before proceeding with the next phase of operation, but the military personnel clearly had no inclination to listen.

Rockets and artillery shells bombarded the crack one after another.

Unexpectedly, the attacks appeared to be effective.

This.....

Shion was now even less able to refute the military commander.

Send your robot in to help as well!

Urged the military commander.

The missiles and rockets launched by the armed helicopter squadron were no longer absorbed or deflected as before; instead, they genuinely entered the crack and detonated.