### Chapter 3: Transformation (1)
==============================
What… what… what… how is this even possible?
Ahhh!
It must be an illusion, right?
Fake, it has to be fake!
In the dead of night, the viewers who had been glued to their screens for the live broadcast suddenly broke down.
Before their eyes, the national idol, Bureau Director Lin of the Special Operations Bureau, was not only out cold but also severely burned by flames, her face marred with deep scratches, bl**d oozing everywhere.
This clearly showed just how fierce the battle had been, even beyond their wildest imaginations.
But how could Bureau Director Lin lose?
Isn’t she supposed to be the strongest human?
If even she has lost, does that mean these interdimensional invaders are unstoppable? Humanity might as well resort to a self-destructive strategy, dropping high-energy nuclear bombs indiscriminately in the area. It might be the only way to halt the invasion.
But then, the whole Ocean City could end up being destroyed by the shockwaves from the blast.
Even if they managed to wipe out all the invaders, the damage done to Ocean City would likely haunt them for decades.
This was definitely not the outcome anyone wanted.
The military immediately got into a battle-ready stance, pointing tanks and cannons at the small town. Once they received the order from above, they would unleash hellfire on the entire town.
Compared to sacrificing the whole Ocean City, the nearly ten thousand lives in the small town seemed insignificant.
But who could bring themselves to make such a harsh decision unless absolutely necessary?
With Bureau Director Lin captured, the command temporarily fell to Deputy Bureau Director Nie Zhengchu.
His first thought was how to rescue Bureau Director Lin.
However, he hadn’t anticipated that such a capable team, consisting of elites skilled in combat, would be crushed under the enemy’s onslaught.
Even their idol, the Bureau Director, had fallen from grace.
As a result, the human side immediately fell into a passive position.
Ever since the enemy appeared alongside the unconscious Lin, it wasn’t just Ocean City’s official leaders who were in a panic—reports said even the capital’s top brass were glued to the joint command center, monitoring real-time information to make potential drastic decisions.
This was undoubtedly the worst day for the Special Operations Bureau.
Nobody expected that in less than a day, the situation would take such a nosedive.
Especially with their Bureau Director stuck in enemy territory, the Bureau’s credibility plummeted.
People, filled with extreme disappointment and nowhere to vent their emotions, quickly turned to the internet to unleash their frustrations like keyboard warriors.
“What the heck?! I thought the Special Operations Bureau was so awesome, but look at this—they even let the Director get thrashed by the enemy!”
“Who can argue with that? I’ve always thought Bureau Director Lin was all style and no substance, just a show-off in front of the media.
When we actually needed her, she just went and got taken out, totally useless.”
“Don’t even get me started. I’m beginning to wonder if that crisis from two years ago was really resolved by Lin Nan.
Maybe she just happened to be in the right place at the right time when the pie fell from the sky for her to catch!”
“Useless Special Operations Bureau, with all that funding, and when the citizens need you, this is all you can do?”
……
There were plenty of supporters for the Bureau too.
The keyboard warriors’ sarcastic comments were driving them to the edge.
“You think it’s so easy, do you?! Can’t you see the assault team, led by the Director, is taking casualties left and right, and she herself is practically in a coma?
Regardless of her abilities, is this how you treat a hero who fights for the nation?
Aren’t you even a little bit shaken inside?
You’re all big and brave behind your screens, but why don’t you dare face the enemy yourselves?
Others have given their lives for your safety and happiness, and you turn so cold-heartedly against them. Are you even human?!”
“This… isn’t that the Special Operations Bureau’s responsibility? They’re funded by taxpayers and should take care of us.”
“Ha! Aren’t we all children of our parents? Isn’t it right for us to ask them to sacrifice? You think you can just sit back and enjoy the show while mocking us?
Anyone with a shred of decency, just shut it!
Bureau Director Lin won’t bow out easily, I’m sure of it!”
“Exactly! We survived that great battle two years ago; we will get through this one too!”
……
As the online debates raged on, in reality, the representative of Bel, Soros, became even more brazen on camera.
“I’m here to convey the will of His Majesty the Emperor to everyone.
Anyone who dares to defy His Majesty shall face the consequences of d*ath without hesitation.
Since we have descended, we are the new masters of this land.
We don’t need your acknowledgment, only your obedience!
From today on, wherever my eyes can see will be the temporary residence of our Emperor, and I won’t allow anyone to disturb it.
As for you so-called formidable beings, you’d better roll as far away as possible!”
He gestured dramatically towards the tanks aimed at the town and sneered,
“Let these foolish ones taste our might.”
Under the watchful eyes of many, the two black-robed mages escorting Lin Nan suddenly raised their hands.
They seemed to mumble a spell for just two seconds, and suddenly, a shocking wave of sound erupted from between their hands, vibrating the very air.
“Implosion Technique!”
“Boom boom!”
The two tanks closest to them erupted in a fireball from within, subsequently detonating the ammo stash, sending the rotating turrets flying through the air, crashing into the nearby tanks.
In an instant, the tank unit was thrown into chaos, suffering massive losses.
“Bastards, they’re crossing the line!”
The commander was furious and was about to order the tank unit to open fire, but was immediately stopped by the command center.
What are you talking about? The Bureau Director is still in their hands. Are you trying to become an accomplice to the enemy?
Soros coldly remarked, “Don’t think that a mere attack like this will make us back down. Sure, your world has developed many interesting things, especially weapons.
But in the eyes of our mage army, the most powerful weapon is our magical powers.
Magic can do anything!
Our great Emperor can obliterate an entire city with a simple gesture.
So, you’d better follow His Majesty’s will.
I give you thirty minutes to retreat. When the time’s up, don’t blame us for going on a rampage!”
Soros waved his hand; Lin Nan, as an important hostage, couldn’t just be tossed aside. But as the two mages bent down to lift her arm, they realized her eyes were suddenly wide open, bl**d slowly dripping from her forehead, staining her pupils a deep crimson.
