"Yes, yes..."
He said, trembling.
"The President personally gave the order, demanding that all your information be investigated within an hour."
"How much do you know now?"
"Nothing at all."
Anthony said with a bitter face.
"We can't find any traces at all in the regular networks or the household registration system..."
Steve nodded inwardly upon hearing this.
It seemed the country's confidentiality work regarding him was quite thorough.
Since that incident, all his files should have been sealed. The only possible leak would be those college classmates who were present when he was taken away and witnessed it personally.
Steve and Muriel stood before the broken floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling city night scene below.
Several black sedans without any markings drove to the hotel entrance.
The car doors opened, and Fred, dressed in a black trench coat with a cold expression, stepped out, followed by over a dozen efficient CIA special agents.
"Sir, may I ask..."
A woman who looked like a lobby manager was about to step forward to inquire when Fred strode past her, flashing a black ID in front of her face.
"CIA business."
Fred didn't stop, his voice icy.
"Notify your person in charge to seal off this floor. No one is allowed in or out. Furthermore, I don't want to see a single word about anything witnessed tonight in tomorrow's newspapers."
"Yes! I—I'll go right away."
The manager was intimidated by the national emblem on that ID. Her face turned pale as she nodded repeatedly, even forgetting to ask where they were going.
The penthouse suite.
Knock, knock.
A soft knocking sound was heard.
With a thought from Steve, his Spiritual Power instantly unlocked and opened the door.
Fred led his men inside quickly. Seeing the mess on the floor and Anthony tied up like a bundle by golden light chains, he immediately saluted respectfully.
"Director."
"He's all yours."
Steve pointed at Anthony on the floor.
"This one is from the FSB. We still have to continue cleaning up the rest of the trash."
"Yes, Director!"
Fred responded loudly.
After speaking, Steve took Muriel's hand.
Whoosh!
The two flew directly out of the broken window, disappearing into the vast night.
Until this moment, Anthony, slumped on the ground, still had his eyes wide open, staring in the direction they disappeared, his lips trembling.
"Superman... it really is Superman..."
Fred stepped forward, looking down at this former ace spy with a cold sneer.
"Not bad. To actually have the Director personally take action to catch you during his date—it's quite an honor for you."
Then, he gave a large wave of his hand.
"Take him away."
Above D.C.
The night wind howled. Muriel's eight wings flickered in the darkness, carrying the two of them as they darted between skyscrapers.
"Murie."
Steve spoke up.
"Can you still sense how many more like him are in the capital?"
Muriel closed her eyes, and that heart of the angel began to operate at full power, taking in the auras of good and evil across the entire city.
In her perception, those black dots of light emitting greed, malice, and hostility toward Steve were as conspicuous as fireflies in the dark of night.
A moment later, she opened her eyes, her tone somewhat surprised.
"So many. Probably several thousand."
"Several thousand?"
Steve was also startled.
While he knew that the capital, as the seat of government, would definitely have spy infiltration, this number was simply too exaggerated, wasn't it?
It seemed the previous anomaly had not only drawn the world's attention but also caused these intelligence agencies to swarm in like sharks smelling blood.
"However..."
A cold smile curled at the corner of Steve's mouth.
"Since they're all gathered together, that makes things easy. Tonight, let's give them a thorough spring cleaning."
With Muriel as a human mobile radar, these deeply hidden spies were destined to face their doom.
"Let's go, over there."
Muriel pointed toward a commercial street below.
A bustling street.
A man wearing casual clothes and a backpack was blending into the crowd, appearing to look at his phone casually, but actually using a micro-camera to film the surrounding terrain.
Suddenly, he felt as if the world around him had come to a standstill.
An invisible spiritual barrier instantly isolated him from the surrounding crowd.
Before he could even react, his body floated up uncontrollably and flew directly into the high sky.
"Ah!"
His scream was swallowed by the wind before it could even leave his throat.
That night, the sky above the capital was exceptionally busy.
Steve and Muriel became the most efficient hunters.
They didn't need interrogations or investigations; as long as Muriel identified them, Steve would directly move to capture them.
The two of them would scoop up dozens of spies at a time, throwing them into the CIA's secret detention centers like they were carrying little chicks.
In just half an hour, the CIA's underground prison was already overcrowded.
Hundreds of ace spies from all over the world were squeezed together, looking at each other with faces full of utter confusion.
"Hey, Jack? You're here too?"
Anthony saw an old acquaintance in the crowd.
"Weren't you just walking on the street? How did you suddenly end up here?"
"How the hell should I know?"
The agent named Jack looked completely broken.
"I just felt a blur before my eyes, and then I was flying like I was on a roller coaster. When I opened my eyes again, I was here. I'm starting to suspect I was kidnapped by aliens."
Intelligence agency headquarters all over the world.
With a large number of ace agents losing contact simultaneously, global intelligence networks fell into unprecedented panic.
"Reporting to the Director, all our outposts in D.C have lost contact."
"Report! The signals for Agents 3, 7, and 9 have also disappeared at the same time."
"Damn it, what on earth happened?"
The Director of the FSB watched as the dots of light on the screen turned red and vanished one by one, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
If investigating the anomaly before was actively seeking death, now hundreds of undercover agents were being exposed simultaneously, and without any warning whatsoever.
"Quick, issue the retreat order immediately!"
The Director roared.
"Have all agents still in the capital evacuate immediately. Leave that hellish place at any cost. The americans must have mastered some kind of large-scale screening method. Run!"
An old residential compound in the capital.
A spy who had received the retreat order was frantically packing his bags.
His hands were shaking; that kind of unknown fear was even more terrifying than facing a gun barrel directly.
"Damn it! Damn it! What exactly is going on?"
Just as he stuffed his passport into his bag.
Bang!
That security door, which looked like it had some years on it, was actually kicked flying from the outside, slamming heavily against the opposite wall as dust rose everywhere.
"Don't move, FBI!" the 'FBI' agents shouted.
The spy was trained, after all, and reacted extremely fast. The moment the door was kicked open, he had already pulled a handgun from his waist, aiming at the doorway to pull the trigger.
"Go to hell!"
However, a scene he would never forget in his life occurred.
The special service team member charging at the front didn't even flinch in the face of the dark muzzles of the guns.
He suddenly raised his right hand, and a ball of crimson flame erupted from his palm out of thin air.
Whoosh!
The high-temperature flames, like a fire dragon, instantly engulfed the firearm in the spy's hand.
The Steel melted into molten iron and dripped down instantly, severely burning his palm as well.
"Ahhh! My hand!"
The spy screamed and threw away the wreckage still dripping with molten iron, his eyes filled with terror.
"Fire? You're...? A monster! A monster!"
Ignoring the intense pain in his hand, his survival instinct made him turn and rush toward the window, wanting to climb out and escape.
This was the second floor; jumping down offered a chance of survival.
However, the very moment his feet stepped onto the windowsill.
Crack!
An extreme chill rose from the soles of his feet.
He looked down in horror to see his legs completely frozen by thick blue ice, welded firmly to the windowsill, unable to move.
He struggled to lift his head and look downstairs.
In the dark bushes, a young team member was holding up a hand, his fingertips emitting a faint blue cold mist, staring coldly at him.
"Thinking of running?"
"What... what kind of monsters are these..."
The spy was completely despondent.
The Fortress, Command Center lounge.
Randy was lying in a comfortable chair, his consciousness immersed in the Duchy of Lumbag in the Fantasy World, personally overseeing the early deployment of the grand Dragon Slaying Plan.
Suddenly, a series of urgent notification tones forcibly pulled his consciousness back.
A confidential secretary stepped forward quickly, a hint of irrepressible shock in his expression.
"Chief! Something big has happened. Director Steve is conducting a massive arrest of spies in the capital, and over three thousand people have been captured so far."
"What?"
Randy sat up abruptly and rubbed his throbbing temples.
"Catching spies? Didn't Steve take Muriel home to meet the parents? Why did he suddenly go to catch spies? And three thousand at once?"
Several thoughts flashed through his mind, and then he suddenly understood.
"It must be because of Muriel. The heart of the angel is extremely sensitive to good and evil and can read minds directly. Those spies full of schemes are practically streaking in front of her."
"I see."
Randy calmed down and asked.
"Is there anything else?"
"The General Staff Department is asking if this operation can also be reported as part of the god-making plan?"
The secretary reported.
"The Director's lightning operation was too shocking. If promoted properly, it could definitely trigger a larger scale of faith convergence. Additionally, tomorrow is the joint military exercise with the Russia. The Russian shows no signs of cancellation. News came from above asking if the fleet should set off as planned."
Randy pondered for a moment, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"Release it, of course we must release it."
He waved his hand broadly.
"Have the technical department edit the video and release it. Remember, you must cut out the footage of the soldiers using supernatural powers and only keep the arrest process."
"As for the military exercise... Hmph, they won't weep until they see the coffin."
Randy sneered.
"Tell the fleet to set off as planned. I'll head over immediately to oversee things personally. Since they want to lose face, we'll grant them their wish."
"Yes, Chief!"
...
After throwing the last hundred or so fish that escaped the net into that overcrowded basement, the cold and murderous aura on Muriel instantly dissipated, and she turned back into that simple and cute girl next door.
"Fred, it's all resolved. I'll leave the rest to you."
Steve instructed Fred, who had arrived.
"Yes, don't worry, Director."
Fred looked at the room full of elite agents from various countries and gave an excited salute.
Afterward, Steve took Muriel back to the previous clothing store.
"This one, this one, and that one..."
Steve, like a domineering CEO, pointed to a row of new women's clothing on the shelf.
"Never mind, just pack up everything in this row that's in her size."
The shop assistant looked at this incredibly good-looking and wealthy couple and began packing things up nimbly.
While the two were enjoying this rare warm moment, the intelligence world outside had already been stirred into a massive upheaval.
Countless encrypted radio waves shuttled through the night sky, all pointing to the same terrifying fact: the capital of America had become a forbidden zone for spies.
"My God, hundreds of people. That was an intelligence network we spent ten years painstakingly building in America, gone in a single night?"
"What methods did they use? Is it mind-reading? Or some kind of unknown genetic radar?"
"Minister, should we continue to send people?"
The intelligence minister of a certain country shook his head dejectedly, his eyes full of helplessness.
"Until we figure out America's methods, suspend all operations against the capital. Sending people now is just sending them to their deaths."
7:00 PM, News.
In front of televisions in thousands of households, regular news content was being broadcast.
Suddenly, the scene cut back to the studio, where a staff member hurriedly handed the host a freshly printed script.
The host took the script, glanced at it, and his pupils contracted slightly, but with his high professional quality, he quickly adjusted his state, his tone becoming solemn and impassioned.
"We are now broadcasting a breaking news report just received."
"According to a report from the National Security department, just tonight, overseas spy organizations lurking within our borders attempted to conduct illegal investigations and theft of secrets regarding the core technology provider of the body Enhancement Liquid, Director Steve."
"In the face of provocation from overseas forces, Director Steve decided to take the initiative. Using the precise clues he possessed, he assisted the National Security department in launching a lightning arrest operation across the capital."
The scene switched, and a carefully edited video appeared on the screen.
The entire video showed only fully armed National Security SWAT appearing like divine soldiers from heaven, breaking down doors and pinning down foreign personnel who were still in a state of panic.
"Don't move."
"Get down."
The clean and efficient arrest actions, combined with the stirring background music, made people's blood boil with excitement.
At the end of the video was a heart-shaking photograph.
Inside a massive enclosed venue, thousands of arrested personnel were squatting densely, their hands behind their heads and their eyes filled with despair.
The host's powerful and resonant voice rang out again.
"It is reported that this operation captured a total of 3,241 overseas spies and related personnel involved in the case! In one fell swoop, it crushed the infiltration plots of overseas forces targeting our country's core technologies and scientific research personnel."
"National Security is more important than anything. Any attempt to infringe upon our country's interests or threaten our National Security will surely be met with a lightning strike."
The internet was boiling, and the whole nation was in heated discussion.
As soon as this news came out, it instantly ignited the entire internet.
"Holy crap! They caught over three thousand in one go? That's insane."
"Is it Director Steve again? This morning they announced he provided the Enhancement Serum, and by tonight he's led people to catch three thousand spies? Just who is this guy?"
"Incredible, absolutely incredible. To think so many spies were lurking in the capital... it's terrifying. Thank goodness for Director Steve."
"Wait, did you guys miss the blind spot? The official statement said Director Steve provided the exact clues. What kind of divine method is that? Does he know where every single spy is hiding?"
"The more you think about it, the scarier it gets. Has America mastered some kind of black technology? Or rather, is Director Steve himself that black technology?"
Some clever people with a sharp sense of intuition sensed an unusual atmosphere.
"Spy-related matters are usually done but never spoken of—the so-called hidden front. Now America is bringing it directly to the table and publicizing it with such fanfare. What does that mean?"
"It means America has shown its hand. They're not pretending anymore. 'I have the strength, I'm not afraid of you.' Is this to build momentum for tomorrow's military exercise? Is it also to set rules for certain countries?"
The international internet was in even more of an uproar.
"This is absolutely impossible. This is a violation of human rights."
"What on earth is America doing? First the enhancement drugs, now a city-wide purge. Why do I feel like they're about to kick off some grand era?"
The streets of the capital.
Steve carried large and small shopping bags in one hand while holding Muriel's hand with the other.
Suddenly, he felt the heart of faith in his chest throb violently again. The power of faith converging from all directions was more turbulent and pure than before.
He took out his phone and glanced at it; the screen was filled with discussions about who Steve was and how mighty Director Steve was.
"Heh, Randy moved fast enough."
Steve smiled, understanding the situation.
"Steve, what are you looking at?"
Muriel held a skewer of barbeque in her left hand. She took a bite, her cheeks bulging as she leaned in curiously.
"It's nothing."
Steve put away his phone, feeling the surging power within his body.
"The power of faith has increased. I'll see what happened."
"Then will our training be faster tonight?"
Muriel's eyes lit up.
"It should be."
Steve nodded, then suddenly thought of something.
"Right, I should get you a phone too. It'll be easier to stay in touch."
Just then, Fred arrived to report after finishing the follow-up work.
"Fred, get her the latest encrypted phone and register her identity information while you're at it."
"Yes, sir."
Fred was extremely efficient. He quickly brought a top-of-the-line specialized phone, handed it to Steve, and then tactfully vanished into the night.
"Here."
Steve handed the phone over.
Muriel took the black rectangle, fiddling with it curiously.
"Is this the same thing as what Steve has?"
"Yes, it's called a mobile phone. It's for transmitting voices from a thousand miles away."
Steve led her toward the base, patiently teaching her along the way.
"See, press here to turn it on. Tap this icon to video call me. No matter how far away we are, we can see each other..."
The clamor of the outside world did not disturb them.
To Muriel, matters regarding spies and international power plays were too complicated. She only knew one thing.
Steve's faith had increased, which meant they could train faster.
That was enough.
The two pushed open the door and entered, finding that Stephanie and Alex hadn't returned yet. They were likely still out playing wildly in some corner.
Steve placed the pile of bags filled with clothes on the table and walked straight to Nicole.
"Mom."
Steve spoke.
"I've already had people handle things over at the Villa, and the surrounding hidden threats have been cleared out. Do you want to move back tomorrow?"
"Sure."
Nicole nodded, a hint of joy appearing on her face.
"While this base is safe, it is underground and a military stronghold after all. Living here for too long feels a bit oppressive and uncomfortable. The courtyard at home is much better."
"Mhm, then I'll have someone tidy up. We'll move first thing tomorrow morning."
After Steve finished speaking, he was about to turn around.
Nicole suddenly took Muriel's hand and said lovingly,
"By the way, Muriel, I've prepared a room for you next door, right next to Alex. The bedding is all new. Come, I'll take you to see it."
"No need, auntie."
Muriel blinked her large, heterochromatic eyes and refused with a face full of innocence.
"I want to live with Steve."
"Ah?"
Nicole's hand stiffened, and her expression immediately became quite colorful.
She looked at Muriel, who was as pure as a blank sheet of paper, then at her own son, and said with some hesitation,
"Didn't you two just meet? Already skipping kissing and cuddling?"
"Mom, what are you thinking?"
Steve helplessly interrupted his mother's train of thought.
"Murie and I need to train at night. This power of faith requires two people working together to be absorbed. How can we practice if we're apart?"
"Oh, ~training. You can 'train' alright, just remember to use protection son."
"Mom it is literal training."
Nicole realized the situation and followed with an embarrassed smile.
"Then I was overthinking it. It's fine, it's fine. You two go ahead. Young people should focus on their careers."
Steve shook his head, took Muriel's hand, and walked toward his bedroom.
"My mom's ability to imagine things is really something else."
He grumbled inwardly.
In the hallway, Steve whispered to Muriel,
"On the way back just now, I felt the power of faith surge again. We need to hurry and train; we can't let it go to waste."
"Mhm, mhm."
Hearing the word 'train,' Muriel immediately nodded excitedly.
Steve's bedroom.
He closed the door, isolating them from everything outside.
Steve took out the golden scroll Mi Jiayue had given him from his system space.
Although there had been a resonance this morning, it had been a crude absorption based on instinct.
To maximize the use of this massive power of faith, he had to rely on a professional method.
He unfurled the papyrus and began to study it carefully.
"So that's how it is..."
Steve nodded as he read.
"The heart of faith draws in thousands of threads of faith, but this faith is mixed and impure, containing all sorts of human emotions. It first needs to be guided into the heart of the angel, using its sacred attribute for purification, and then fed back into both our bodies..."
"Do you understand?"
Steve put away the scroll and looked at Muriel.
"Come, let's begin. I'll guide the power of faith over first. You be responsible for purifying it, and then send it back."
"Okay!"
Muriel obediently took off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed.
The two once again pressed their palms together, even touching their foreheads.
Buzz!
With a thought from Steve, the power of faith that had already accumulated to the point of overflowing instantly erupted.
Golden light surged out like a tide, yet it was firmly locked within the cycle the two of them had constructed.
This time, the light was more brilliant than it had been in the morning, yet also softer. It slowly seeped out of the room, once again enveloping the entire base in a sacred and peaceful atmosphere.
Late at night, the The Fortress martial arts arena.
Despite the late hour, the area remained brightly lit.
Randy, clad in a military overcoat, looked at the hundreds of soldiers lined up neatly before him with eyes as sharp as torches.
Every one of these hundreds of people exuded an aura that would make an ordinary person's heart tremble.
They were the elite of the elite, selected from the entire military, and more importantly, they were the first batch of super soldiers to have consumed the Tier 2 All-Element Awakening Serum.
"Men."
Randy's voice was sonorous, echoing across the empty arena.
"Tomorrow morning, we will depart for the Pacific Ocean to participate in a joint military exercise with Russia."
"But I'm telling you, this is not just an exercise."
"Remember, this may be the only time—and the last time—you will ever stand on the same stage to compete against Russia's military."
The soldiers below watched with burning gazes. Though they remained silent due to strict discipline, the intent to fight blazed in everyone's eyes.
"Why do I say it's the last time?"
Randy let out a cold laugh.
"Because the current America has long since achieved a leap in life itself. Our journey is the sea of stars and the multiverse. As for Russia, that group still playing in the mud won't even have the right to be our opponents in the future."
"This time, I want you to beat them into complete submission, beat them until they question their very lives! Do you understand?!"
"Yes! Chief!!"
The deafening roar shot straight into the clouds.
"Depart."
Following Randy's command, the hundreds of soldiers quickly boarded their vehicles.
The convoy snaked out of the base like a long dragon, heading straight for the Jinport Pier. There, the aircraft carrier group, already fully prepared, was waiting quietly.
On the aircraft carrier deck.
The sea breeze was biting cold.
Randy stood on the bridge, followed by an intelligence staff officer.
"Where is the exercise location chosen by Russia?"
Randy asked.
"Reporting to the Chief,"
The staff officer replied immediately.
"The location is set at X Island in the central Pacific. According to the script provided by Russia, a massive pirate organization with heavy firepower is entrenched there."
"Russian side proposes canceling the original confrontation drill and instead having the special forces of both sides join hands to clear out these pirates in actual combat. Then, based on data such as kill counts and hostage rescue efficiency, a comparison of the combat power of the two armies will be made."
"Pirates?"
Randy's brow quirked, and a playful smile played at the corners of his mouth.
"In this era where satellites are flying everywhere, where would a massive pirate group with heavy firepower come from that could occupy such a strategic location? In my view, this is just a 'black glove' raised by Russia themselves, or perhaps mercenaries they've hired?"
"They want to play at real combat? Want to give us a show of strength?"
A flash of sternness crossed Randy's eyes.
He immediately contacted the Paranormal Cat far away in the Fantasy World.
"Go take a look at X Island in the Pacific. Let's see exactly what kind of monsters and demons are putting on this show."
Fantasy World, above a certain dark forest.
A high-level vampire dressed in a tuxedo was gliding gracefully through the night sky, searching for tonight's prey.
Suddenly, his keen infrared vision spotted an orange heat source below.
"Hmm? A cat?"
The vampire licked his lips and dove down, transforming into human form as he landed on the grass.
He stepped forward, picked up the seemingly harmless orange cat, and held it up to his eyes.
"Meow~"
The orange cat tilted its head and gave a soft cry.
"Hehe, cute little thing. Your blood must be very sweet."
The vampire revealed two sharp fangs and bit toward the cat's neck without hesitation.
However, the instant his teeth were about to touch the fur—
Crack!
The orange cat's mouth suddenly snapped open, widening further and further until it split past its ears.
Puchi!
Countless pitch-black, viscous tentacles instantly exploded from the cat's mouth, binding the vampire tightly like a wrapped zongzi.
"Mph?"
The vampire's eyes widened. Before he could even let out a scream, he was dragged by a massive suction force directly into that cat mouth, which had looked no larger than a fist.
*Burp~*
The orange cat let out a satisfied burp, then landed lightly on the ground, reverting to its adorable appearance.
Just then, Randy's command arrived via the soul connection.
"Yes, Chief. Departing immediately."
A flash of human-like cold light instantly crossed the orange cat's eyes.
In the next second, its figure vanished from the spot.
When it reappeared, it had already passed through the cross-realm Portal and arrived at the Pacific coast in the real world.
Looking at the surging ocean before it, the orange cat did not hesitate and leaped in.
Plop!
The moment it entered the water, the tentacles in its mouth extended again, churning the seawater behind it like a propeller.
Boom!
A white water line was drawn across the surface of the sea.
This cute-looking orange cat was now like an underwater torpedo, hurtling toward X Island thousands of nautical miles away.
Pacific Ocean, X Island waters.
The night was deep, and waves lashed against the reefs.
An orange figure broke the surface and silently climbed onto this isolated island.
The Flerken shook its soaking wet fur. The tentacles previously tucked in its mouth had long since been retracted, making it look like a domestic pet that had accidentally wandered onto a deserted island.
It walked with an elegant feline gait toward the center of the island.
The island's area wasn't large, mostly covered by lush tropical forest, but one could faintly see many simple houses and defensive fortifications scattered within.
Through the Flerken's eyes, Randy, far away in the fleet's command room, was clearly watching everything through an encrypted phone screen.
"They're moving quite fast..."
On the screen, groups of pirates could be seen busily working. They were digging trenches, setting up machine gun nests, and even planting mines at key intersections.
"Hehe."
Randy sneered.
"Russia just proposed changing the exercise plan, and the pirates here start setting up targeted defensive lines overnight? If there's no foul play here, I'll eat my phone."
"If a pirate gang could obtain top-secret intelligence from Russia's Kremlin in real-time, why would they even be pirates?"
The Flerken ignored the busy underlings. It moved nimbly through the jungle shadows and soon reached the exterior of a building that looked like a command post at the center of the island.
The security here was tight, but for a cat, it was practically non-existent.
It lightly jumped onto a windowsill and peered inside through the gaps in the blinds.
Inside the room, two white men wearing camouflage but no identifying insignia were smoking and talking in fluent English.
"The higher-ups said that for this exercise against America, we must take down their soldiers—preferably alive."
One of them, a man with a scarred face, lowered his voice and said.
"America has captured so many of our elite agents. The only way now is to seize these America soldiers as leverage and force them into a prisoner exchange."
"Don't worry."
The other man chuckled sinisterly.
"We've deployed triple the firepower at this weak point on the flank. If they dare to break in from the side as planned, I guarantee they won't be coming back."
Behind his phone screen, Randy's gaze turned cold.
"So it really is for those spies."
He muttered to himself.
"Teaming up with pirates to set a trap, hoping to seize our soldiers for a hostage exchange? Russia's wishful thinking is quite something, resorting to such underhanded tactics."
"The message has been received."
Randy whispered an order into his phone.
"Keep an eye on things over there yourself; don't get exposed."
The Flerken cat gave a soft meow, then found a comfortable corner to lie down and rest its eyes.
The next morning, the sun shone brightly.
Two massive fleets, like Steel behemoths, converged in the waters off X Island.
On one side was Russia's aircraft carrier battle group flying the Imperial Eagle on the tricolor, and on the other was the majestic and solemn American naval fleet.
The Command Centers of both sides immediately established encrypted video communication.
The large screen lit up, revealing a typical Russian soldier's face—rugged and fleshy, with an arrogant gaze.
"General Randy, I've been waiting for you."
"General Yuri, long time no see."
Randy smiled, his tone steady.
"I didn't expect you to lead the team personally this time. What's the matter, has the Kremlin run out of people?"
"Hmph, to deal with pirates, I alone am enough."
General Yuri said with a forced smile.
"General Randy, although this is a competition between our two militaries, in the face of these evil pirates who threaten world peace and plunder merchant ships, we, as major powers, should join forces to eradicate them and uphold justice."
"Naturally."
Randy also began to speak in official platitudes.
"Fighting crime is our duty. Our American military has always been a force for peace; we will never tolerate such a cancer."
After a round of acting for the cameras, they finally got down to business and discussed the operational plan.
"Russia suggest a pincer movement tactic."
Yuri pointed to the electronic map on the screen, his finger resting on a flat beach on the island.
"My SEAL team will launch a frontal assault from here to draw the pirates' main firepower."
Then, his finger moved to the junction of a cliff and the jungle on the side of the island.
"And General Randy's troops can use the terrain here for cover to launch a surprise attack from the flank. According to our intelligence, this is a weak point in the pirates' defenses. Once breached, you can drive straight into their Command Center."
Seeing Yuri's righteous facade, Randy sneered inwardly.
"A weak point on the flank?"
"If the Flerken cat hadn't seen that there are more machine gun nests there than at the front last night, I would have almost believed your nonsense."
However, Randy did not expose him, instead putting on an expression of agreement.
"Good, General Yuri is indeed very thorough."
Randy nodded.
"Since Russian side is willing to take the pressure of the frontal assault, America will naturally do its part and handle the flank attack. In any case, it's two against one. Let's deal with the pirates first, then we can see who gets more kills."
"Hahaha! Good! Excellent."
Seeing that Randy had fallen for it, a glint of success flashed in Yuri's eyes.
"It's settled then. Letting these pirates live another minute is a profanation to God. Let the operation begin."
The operation began.
As the orders were issued, the war machines of both militaries immediately sprang into action.
On the American fleet's side, the hatches opened.
Hundreds of well-equipped soldiers in black special operations uniforms quickly boarded several high-speed assault boats. They were the super soldiers who had taken the Tier 2 Gene Medicine.
On the other side, Russia's Spetsnaz were also fully armed, boarding their iconic rubber dinghies and assault boats.
"Vroom!"
The roar of engines echoed across the sea.
Dozens of speedboats, like arrows released from a bow, cut through the waves and split into two routes, racing toward X Island.
Watching the America assault team advancing rapidly on the large screen, General Yuri turned off his microphone and sneered to his adjutant.
"Notify them that the fish has taken the bait. Once the Americans land, hit them hard. We must take them alive."
At the same time, Randy picked up his walkie-talkie, his tone calm.
"All units, pay attention. Proceed as planned. Remember, no matter what you encounter, do not embarrass me. Today, we are going to teach the world a lesson."
"Yes, sir."
A unified response came through the earpieces.
X Island, the flank coastline.
Dozens of black assault boats, like sharp swords, cut through the waves and raced toward the side of the island.
Although they knew a trap lay ahead, there was no trace of fear on the soldiers' faces, only a burning desire for battle.
"Davidson."
Captain Randy, sitting on the lead boat, pressed his earpiece and whispered to a lean, sharp-eyed soldier beside him.
"Feel it out. How many 'guests' are waiting to welcome us ahead?"
"Yes, Captain."
Davidson nodded immediately. He closed his eyes, no longer observing with his naked eyes, but instead merging his perception into the surrounding sea breeze.
He was a Wind-attribute Awakened One; the wind was his eyes and his ears.
Whoosh.
The breeze brushed through the island's dense jungle, passed through the gaps in the leaves, and swept over the gun barrels and bodies hidden in the shadows, feeding all the information back into Davidson's mind.
A moment later, Davidson opened his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Captain, boy, they really are being quite 'hospitable'."
He quickly marked red dots one by one on the tactical terminal.
"There are twenty machine gunners lying in ambush behind these rocks, six snipers in the treetops over there, and that thicket is crawling with people. In total, there are no fewer than five hundred men, fully armed, staring right at our landing point."
"Very good."
Randy looked at the dense cluster of red dots on the terminal and nodded calmly.
He immediately issued orders through the internal communication channel.
"Everyone, pay attention. This is the enemy's heavy-fire ambush zone. After landing, do not charge blindly. Teams one and two, follow me to flank from the left cliff. Teams three and four, disperse and infiltrate. Team five, you're responsible for the feint and recording."
"Remember our principle: since they want to take us alive as leverage, we will also take them alive. If that's not possible, shoot to kill."
"Furthermore, only when Russian side or these pirates fire the first shot or use lethal force will we launch a full-scale counterattack. Keep all your recorders on; we need to occupy the moral high ground."
"Yes, sir."
The landing beach.
The assault boats hit the beach, and two hundred fully armed America soldiers leaped out in perfect unison, without a single redundant sound.