SWNOVELXO Chapter 182
Chapter 182. Beijing Vacuum Operation (2)
Administrator Pixel.
“I see, I see.”
All the machines in the world are under the influence of Administrator Pixel and the Foundation Headquarters’ information and communication department. There are 7 billion smartphones in the world alone.
All of them are the eyes and ears of the Foundation. To Pixel, everything was obvious. Hundreds of South Korean soldiers preparing for the Pyongyang Vacuum Operation.
It was a natural sequence. The remnants of Acacia were still lingering near the Seoul Branch. Attacking the Pyongyang Branch was the logical next step.
Defense is more advantageous than offense. First, they would raid the Pyongyang Branch to subdue Dr. Kim, then proceed to recapture the Seoul Branch.
Of course, Pixel had no reason to be in danger. Pixel was safely hidden in a submarine thousands of kilometers away, near Hawaii.
It was almost time for the operation to begin.
“Aski. Confirm Dr. Kim’s location.”
“It seems he just boarded a plane. But, Administrator, it’s difficult to directly observe Dr. Kim through information and communication means. He’s vulnerable to supernatural information degradation.”
Pixel scratched his head.
“He boarded a plane. There’s no other Foundation branch worth raiding for Dr. Kim, and we can’t just leave Pyongyang alone. Preparations for the Pyongyang Vacuum Operation are complete.”
Pixel was certain Dr. Kim would attack the Pyongyang Branch.
“Yes.”
“Are all the Special Forces deployed?”
Aski nodded.
“Four squads of the Administrator Royal Guard, a bunch of Acacia soldiers pumped with poison, and the United Sentinel Corps are on standby.”
“That’s a bit thin.”
“And the Special Forces ‘Walpurgis’ are on standby. They use a variety of supernatural abilities, so we’re trying to analyze and counter them as much as possible.”
Pixel nodded in satisfaction.
“That should be enough. I’ve reviewed Dr. Kim’s combat records multiple times. Dr. Kim is weak against simple, brute-force supernatural phenomena without exploitable weaknesses. Like machines.”
“We’ve also distributed the antidote. We can’t have a repeat of what happened on the aircraft carrier, where mental collapse led to abandoning the fight.”
Preparations to capture Dr. Kim were complete.
Dr. Kim’s fighter would arrive in Pyongyang in five minutes, and this time, Pixel would be able to kill his arrogant junior.
A snowstorm in midsummer.
The Supernatural Science Management Department of the Beijing Public Security Bureau knew exactly what this meant. A war between mages. They didn’t know the specifics, but…
The department head opened his mouth in the meeting room.
“A few days ago, the Foundation officially entered a civil war state. Beijing doesn’t have a major Foundation facility, but sparks could fly anywhere, anytime.”
“Yes.”
The officers near the department head nodded mechanically, like puppets.
“The current snowstorm seems to be part of it. The Foundation seems to be causing strange weather, and it must be a resource-intensive operation. They must be planning to fight here.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll mobilize the police to issue a curfew and deploy the Beijing Military District to block movement in and out of the city. Civilian communications within Beijing will likely be cut soon.”
“Yes.”
The department head looked at the soldiers and scientists gathered in the room. Their reactions were a bit off.
“Well, anyway. How many police can we deploy for road control, curfew enforcement, and counter-terrorism tasks?”
“Yes.”
No one answered the question. A Public Security Bureau executive looked around, turned on a computer, checked the data, and answered.
“Uh, 1,500 police special forces have just been deployed to the field, and 6,000 regular police are guarding the streets in armed condition.”
“Good. If we prepare thoroughly—”
The department head stopped speaking with a shocked expression. The meeting room’s gaze was fixed on him.
He felt nauseous. He couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling that his head was about to split, and suddenly, he realized why. The 1,500 police special forces and 6,000 regular police deployed to the field.
“Hey. The Beijing Public Security Bureau has 5,000 employees. Why are there 7,500 police deployed to the field? What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure about that. Maybe it includes the National Security Ministry or the Military Police?”
“Find out. You’re the police.”
“How many buses are there now?”
“Yes.”
Now he understood.
The department head pulled out an automatic pistol from his waist and aimed it at one of the people standing in the meeting room. The one who had been repeating “Yes” earlier.
Click. The pistol was loaded.
“Yes.”
“What’s your father’s name?”
“Zhao Changming.”
“Your mother’s name?”
“Zhao Changming.”
Bang. The pistol fired, and something that looked like a police executive fell, spilling gray powder instead of blood. The department head sighed.
“What the hell…?”
The pistol fired a few more times, and the Mimics fell one by one. Only one Public Security Bureau executive remained.
“I, I’m human! Look!”
The Public Security Bureau executive had a pen stuck in his hand. Red blood stained the pen. The department head put away the pistol with trembling hands.
What just happened? Only two humans had entered the meeting room from the start. The rest were something that looked human.
“Hey, we need a solution quickly…”
The department head shook his head.
“It’s impossible. If we try to identify and kill who’s human and who’s not during the operation, military discipline will collapse.”
“That’s true.”
The Public Security Bureau executive tried not to say “Yes.” He ignored the cold sweat dripping down.
“We can only hope that the thousands of things inflating the police numbers will act like police. What the hell is going on…?”
Indescribable fear.
The department head and the Public Security Bureau executive, suppressing their nausea, moved the Mimics’ bodies to a corner of the meeting room. Only a few pieces of clothing remained.
“Who the hell is doing this?”
“Probably for the same reason they changed the weather. They’re planning something big.”
China Jun.
The tallest building in Beijing. I, Hasti, and the Hero looked down at the city. Ahn Yuri was scratching her head.
“Where are we?”
“Beijing.”
“But we’re supposed to raid Pyongyang.”
“Change of plans.”
“What happens if we raid Beijing?”
“We can become the Emperor of the Central Plains.”
“What? That’s not…”
“We can seize hegemony over the Central Plains. How can we not fight? A man’s heart calls me to Beijing.”
“You’re not a man…”
There are many reasons. We can surround and neutralize the threatening Pyongyang Branch without directly attacking it.
A sudden and unexpected change in the situation could throw the Foundation Headquarters into confusion.
If the areas my enemies have to consider expand from the Korean Peninsula to Vladivostok, China, and Kuala Lumpur, my chances of survival increase accordingly.
There are really many reasons.
“Operation plan. First, we’ll neutralize the Peacekeeping Force facility. It’s better if we don’t kill too many, but we don’t need to worry too much about it.”
“Then what?”
“If the Peacekeeping Force facility is destroyed, other hostile groups might cooperate. If not, we’ll have to fight again.”
“The plan’s a bit rough.”
“You’ll see.”
Hasti was quietly, almost lifelessly, looking down at the city. This is one of the highest points in Beijing. The entire city is visible.
Actually, the snowstorm and smog have covered the city, so you can’t see anything. If the weather were good, you could see. But now… you can’t even see your own hand with the naked eye.
“The city…”
“Miss Hasti?”
Hasti’s eyes were red. Like a bird of prey spotting its target, she was staring intently at something on the city streets.
What is it, a police unit?
“Looking again, the city streets are full of monsters. Is this also Dr. Kim’s work?”
“Kind of, but it was a necessary choice. The three of us have to occupy one of the largest cities in the world.”
“I like it.”
“What?”
“Sometimes, I want to show off my power. The Foundation is always hidden in the shadows. Ordinary people can’t admire the beauty of magic or look at destructive power with awe.”
“Hmm…”
It’s a bit of a dangerous statement, but I understand why she said it. I moved the Clockwork Wings on my back slightly.
“Let’s get going. As soon as we arrive on the scene, the Foundation will send a notice to all hostile groups in China that can communicate.”
“What?”
“The Supernatural Response Department of the Peacekeeping Force’s Beijing Branch has just collapsed. For order, they should cooperate with the Foundation’s activities from now on.”
“Ah.”
Anyone would have to believe the Foundation Headquarters. Even if it’s a lie, they have the power to turn lies into truth at any time.
We use the fear that comes from ignorance.
My strategy was to use the weight of the Foundation Headquarters’ notice to bring down an entire country in an instant.
Whether it will work or not, I don’t know yet.
I unfolded the Clockwork Wings. Shortly after, Hasti and the Hero were also ready to move.