Translator: CinderTL
"Abnormal energy fluctuations detected."
"Possible signs of a Cosmic Void Passage appearing."
"Enter Level 1 combat readiness! All personnel on alert!"
"Wooo—"
A rapid, low-pitched alarm blared.
Throughout the Ancheng Hunter Bureau, men and women, young and old, asleep or awake, swiftly mobilized.
Although Ancheng hadn't experienced a Shadow Calamity in decades, the Hunter Bureau maintained constant combat readiness, adhering to the principle of "prevention is better than cure."
At the Shadow Calamity Prevention Center, hundreds of fully armed Shadow Hunters assembled.
Before them, a massive screen projected a map of Ancheng.
Dozens of densely clustered red dots had already appeared on the map, marking potential locations for Cosmic Void Passages.
"It's a Level 1 Shadow Calamity!"
"Thank goodness! Not Level 2 or higher."
The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief as they studied the projection.
A Level 2 or higher Shadow Calamity would unleash over three hundred Cosmic Void Passages across the city. With their limited manpower, they would be utterly overwhelmed in the short term.
"Immediately report the situation to Qingyang City."
"First and Second Battalions, deploy to the densely populated eastern district." The bald-headed chief captain issued his orders in a stern voice. "Third Battalion, head to the western district! Fourth Battalion, secure the northern district!"
"The remaining personnel, immediately notify the entire city and evacuate the crowds near the target areas."
"Begin the operation!" the bald captain roared.
"Yes, sir!" hundreds of Shadow Hunters responded in unison.
There was no time for idle chatter.
For them, time was life itself.
Once the Shadow Calamity descended, it would be a catastrophe for the vast majority of ordinary people.
Evacuating the crowds before the Shadow Calamity fully manifested was the best way to minimize casualties.
"Hurry! Hurry!" the bald captain continued to shout.
The hundreds of Shadow Hunters quickly divided into five smaller teams.
Then, transforming into streaks of afterimages, they darted outward across the city.
Moments later,
"Wail—"
A piercing, high-pitched alarm blared across Ancheng.
The ear-splitting siren jolted countless sleeping residents awake.
As the city's population reeled in confusion, a broadcast voice swiftly swept across the city:
"Level 1 Shadow Calamity. All residents, prepare for immediate evacuation."
"Level 1 Shadow Calamity. All residents, prepare for immediate evacuation."
Cosmic Void Passages could sometimes manifest within residential buildings.
In such cases, entire neighborhoods would be immediately sealed off.
This city-wide broadcast served as an early warning, preventing delays during the evacuation.
Meanwhile, at Taoyang Community,
On the rooftop terrace, Jiang Ye heard the broadcast and froze.
"Level 1 Shadow Calamity?"
How could this be? It's too sudden!
His expression shifted slightly.
Father is still on duty at the Shadow Hunting Bureau!
Jiang Ye immediately dialed Jiang Dahai's number.
Beep...
The call connected.
"Dad!" Jiang Ye's voice carried a hint of urgency. "Are you okay over there?"
"I'm fine, still stationed in the security room," Jiang Dahai replied casually. "I checked the map—no Shadow Calamities are likely to occur in this area."
"Don't worry about me. Just stay home and don't come out!" Jiang Dahai instructed.
Hearing his foster father's voice, Jiang Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He quickly replied, "I understand, Dad. You stay put too."
After a few brief exchanges, Jiang Ye suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Dad, can you take a picture of that map and send it to me?" Jiang Ye asked quickly.
"Sure," Jiang Dahai agreed.
The call ended.
Buzz! Buzz!
Jiang Dahai sent a photo via V-Chat.
It was the Shadow Hunting Bureau's internal map showing the distribution of Cosmic Void Passages.
Jiang Ye quickly scanned it and let out a sigh of relief.
Good! There were no Cosmic Void Passages near Taoyang Community or the Shadow Hunting Bureau.
"Besides, it's only a Level 1 Shadow Calamity," Jiang Ye said, studying the map. "Ancheng should be able to handle it."
He had already witnessed a Level 1 Shadow Calamity before.
During the Reserve Star Professional Assessment, one of the tasks was hunting Shadow Clan members.
At that time, Qingyang City had experienced a Level 1 Shadow Calamity.
A Shadow Calamity of this level could be easily contained after the first breakthrough.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
As Jiang Ye observed the map, the hundreds of Shadow Hunters began to move. Across the city, residents were already being evacuated.
Jiang Ye didn't immediately return home.
He remained on the rooftop, observing the entire city.
With his current strength, he was confident in his ability to defend himself even if he encountered the Shadow Clan.
Time passed.
Over ten minutes later, most of the residents near the dozens of Cosmic Void Passages had been evacuated to underground shelters.
Buzz! Buzz!
Suddenly, Jiang Ye's communication watch began to ring.
"Li Zhichao calling?" Jiang Ye paused briefly before answering the call.
"Jiang Ye!" Li Zhichao's voice trembled with fear. "Have you been evacuated?"
"No," Jiang Ye replied, shaking his head. "There are no Cosmic Void Passages near me. What's wrong?"
"I'm hearing strange noises," Li Zhichao said, his voice trembling slightly. "But for some reason, the Shadow Hunting Bureau hasn't evacuated our community."
"Strange noises?" Jiang Ye frowned slightly.
He quickly reassured him, "Don't worry too much. I checked the map—there are no Cosmic Void Passages near Tianlong Community."
"But the noises are getting louder, and I think I see cracks in the sky!" Li Zhichao's voice was filled with terror.
"What?" Jiang Ye's expression hardened.
Li Zhichao's description sounded exactly like the signs of a Cosmic Void Passage opening!
"Stay home!" Jiang Ye ordered immediately. "Don't look out the window, and don't go outside."
"Okay, okay," Li Zhichao nodded repeatedly.
After hanging up, Jiang Ye immediately called Zhang Jianwu.
Beep...
The call connected.
But it was Zhang Jianwu who spoke first.
"Jiang Ye, are you alright over there?" Zhang Jianwu asked gravely. "Something's not right!"
Jiang Ye had been about to report in, but this caught him off guard. "What's wrong, Director?"
"I'm not sure," Zhang Jianwu said grimly. "A Cosmic Void Passage seems to have opened near my location, but the Shadow Hunting Bureau hasn't sent anyone to evacuate the area."
Jiang Ye's heart sank.
He glanced at the map.
The map showed no Cosmic Void Passage near Zhang Jianwu's residential area.
Just like Li Zhichao's situation, the director was experiencing the same anomaly.
Could the Shadow Hunting Bureau's maps be inaccurate?
Jiang Ye quickly said, "Director, Li Zhichao is experiencing the same thing. Could the Shadow Hunting Bureau have misjudged the situation?"
"It's hard to say," Zhang Jianwu replied, his voice low. "Ancheng hasn't seen a Shadow Calamity in decades. The Shadow Hunting Bureau's monitoring equipment might be malfunctioning."
"Jiang Ye, stay home and don't go out."
"This might be more than just a Level 1 Shadow Calamity!" Zhang Jianwu's voice was utterly serious.
Jiang Ye's heart jolted.
More than just a Level 1 Shadow Calamity?
Boom!
At that moment, a massive explosion echoed from the distance.
Jiang Ye turned to look.
A colossal rift had torn open in the direction of the city center.
"What...?" Jiang Ye's heart plummeted as he witnessed the scene.
Simultaneously, Zhang Jianwu heard the explosion through the smartwatch and urgently asked, "What's happening over there?"
"I'm fine," Jiang Ye said, his voice strained. "A Cosmic Void Passage has opened near the Shadow Hunting Bureau!"
(End of the Chapter)