A One-Way Delivery / The Divine Beasts (First Bonus Chapter)

Punish the demons! Rebuild Eden!

Punish the demons! Rebuild Eden!

With a great mission and a common goal, Chosen of God began to pick up all sorts of weapons and converge from all directions, heading towards the devil's lair.

P. S.: There will be two more updates around midnight tonight.

Chapter 552, Section 580: The One-Way Delivery

In the Shinra Core Laboratory, Lufus stared at the massive crowd gathering on the holographic screen, fighting against the vandalism of checkpoints and Schrodinger Company buildings along the way, and his face turned ashen.

"Report! All 35 garrison posts in the Tokyo suburbs are now silent!"

"The 27 checkpoints within the city that can respond are constantly requesting reinforcements!"

"The city government building has fallen! The Metropolitan Police Department is paralyzed! There's no way we can catch all those people!"

"The Shinjuku Ministry of Defense refused to make a call! All of the Self-Defense Forces' ground and air support capabilities have been redeployed by them!"

At this point, the Shinra decision-making body's response only made matters worse.

Due to the appearance of the spring water and the strange fruit, in just half a day from sunrise to sunset, Tokyo's more than 12 million permanent residents have reached a shocking infection rate of 80%.

These fanatical crowds didn't even need to do anything; simply marching in collectively was enough to break down most of Schrodinger Company's tight defenses.

"What's the situation like in other cities besides Tokyo?"

Lufus frowned deeply, his expression grim.

"According to the reply two hours ago, this geological change is mainly concentrated on Honshu Island, with Tokyo being the most severely affected. The number of springs and fruits there is almost equal to the total number in all other cities on Honshu Island!"

Cissnei, who was promoted to chief scientist, gave a serious reply to his president based on the soil, vegetation, and terrain analysis report, while also putting an end to any hope of redeploying troops.

"What's more troublesome is that the defected Shinra have come out in droves and scattered throughout Schrodinger Company's various bases, launching attacks. Coupled with the incitement of public opinion, even if they don't encounter a large-scale mob, they're already overwhelmed with their own problems."

Just as everyone was frowning in worry, Sumire Muroto, who had drunk a cup of coffee to perk herself up, raised her spoon and revealed a strange smile.

"Perhaps this is also good news. Kevin's actions must have alerted the Creator Jenova to the danger, which is why it took a desperate gamble and acted in advance."

"A desperate gamble? You mean, the power of the ley lines is reawakening, Jenova's will is no longer sufficient to control the entirety of Japan..."

"So that's why she abandoned the other three islands and concentrated her efforts on completely invading Honshu Island, with the primary goal of eliminating the Shinra headquarters and the Japanese administrative agencies?"

Lufus murmured to himself, noticing that the data model reconstructed Honshu Island featured a gradient of colors spreading outwards from Tokyo as the central axis.

The very heart of the empire at its very center had been blasted to a deep red, then purple, and could even be described as pitch black.

"Even so, nearly 10 million people have been misled. What can we do?"

Zack was in charge of the surrounding defenses, was having a major headache.

Due to the impact of World War II, Japan retained only 247,000 Self-Defense Force personnel, who were dispersed throughout the four main islands...

Moreover, with the prevalence of Star Mark Syndrome and countless infections, these professional soldiers were not immune either.

Later, when their garrison area was heavily affected by the earthquake, they suffered heavy losses.

When the Jenova mimicry invaded, another batch died, and the remaining ones were also ravaged by the Ministry of Defense, so they were basically unreliable.

As for the police force... the private detective industry is quite popular in Japan, which helps to compensate for some of the lack of police resources...

Moreover, with only about 40,000 personnel in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, dealing with violent crimes committed by a group of 10 million people, it would be impossible to make a splash!

The only force that can be relied upon is probably the relatively elite Imperial Army under the Schrodinger Company.

But last night, Jenova, the creator, secretly intervened, silencing all 35 garrison areas. The situation is likely dire.

Currently, Zack can only contact the 7,000 Imperial Army directly under the command of Thunder in the Abandoned Commercial District, along with 2,000 of his own men.

If we disregard the risks, there are still hundreds of Shinra Special Forces inside the lab, whose use is fraught with potential problems. Who knows if they might betray us?

Is this the power of an "alien god"? With just a flick of his finger, he brought the defense of the entire Four Islands of Japan to the brink of collapse. How can they possibly fight any further?

Zack, who had initially been somewhat optimistic, felt a sense of powerlessness.

Lufus took a deep breath and made a decisive move.

"First, immediately notify the Imperial Army to abandon their posts and move entirely to the Abandoned Commercial District. I remember the megaliths there are a natural defensive line..."

"However, it's utterly ironic that the fortifications meant to defend against Gastrea are now turning against these so-called [Chosen of God]..."

"Second, the core laboratory must be sealed off immediately, and the frequency of information exchange must be reduced. No one should be allowed to leave before the secret weapon is fully developed!"

"Such a large-scale operation cannot last forever. We can afford to wait. As long as we hold out until dawn on the third day, the outcome is still uncertain!"

"Third, broadcasts will be made on public channels that uninfected individuals can gather in the Abandoned Commercial District and seek refuge with the Imperial Army, where there is a sea outlet..."

Zack couldn't help but feel pleased to hear that his boss had considered the safety of ordinary people.

The Shinra President's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze filled with indifference.

He didn't know how many people, in the midst of such madness, were still willing to remain rational and disregard the lives of others.

Therefore, what was given to them was not a way to survive in the purest sense.

If more and more uninfected individuals gather in Abandoned Commercial District, their target becomes more and more obvious.

As long as the Stonehenge defenses remain intact, the Shinra core laboratory is safe. As for using these people who are begging for survival as bait, Lufus, who dares to betray his own father, feels no psychological pressure whatsoever.

Anyway, he was telling the truth; there's always a price to pay for living.

"Wait, I have something to give to the Cursed Children at the summer camp in the suburbs. Theoretically, it can neutralize the Gastrea Virus in their bodies..."

Sumire Muroto glanced at Lufus, then pulled two boxes of dark red injectable solution from the lab and handed them to Zack.

"What time is it? Why are you still worrying about these things? I need you to focus all your efforts on developing a specific drug to eliminate Jenova Cells!"

Lufus was slightly displeased, his voice low.

"That person's arrangement, he said it was useful..."

Sumire Muroto smiled and passed the buck to Kevin, while quietly giving instructions to Zack, who was in charge of delivering the medicine.

"Although there haven't been any clinical trials, my plan shouldn't be wrong!"

"This stuff is very effective; if necessary, have the children injected directly!"

Zack nodded solemnly, ordered his men to put the two boxes of potions into the vehicle, then nodded slightly to his girlfriend Cissnei before bidding farewell to Lufus.

"Don't worry, Mr. President. I won't be coming back once I go. I'll guarantee the secrecy of the core laboratory."

Lufus moved his lips, then waved his hand, until one of his iron triangle members had completely disappeared from the entrance of the passage, before speaking in a voice that no one could hear.

"Zack, watch out..."

With dozens of alloy doors closing in, and Optical Camouflage and disguise netting covering the area, the core laboratory fell silent again in the darkness.

I hope the night won't be too long; I'm just waiting for dawn.

P. S.: Sorry, for the sake of plot completeness, I realized the length needs to be extended, probably by three more chapters.

I'm out of motivation today, so I'll just post three chapters for now. I'll get up early tomorrow and post the third chapter at noon to finish this volume, so you can all enjoy reading it.

There are currently 5 chapters owed.

Chapter 553, Section 581: The God Beasts (First Update)

As evening fell on the streets of Tokyo, thick smoke billowed from the Imperial Army outpost, where seven or eight writhing human figures groaned and huddled in the flames.

As the flames subsided, to the excited gaze of the rioters, new fruit appeared on the white jade-like trees near the wreckage, which they immediately snatched up.

Only by constantly eliminating evil can the "Mana" bestowed upon humanity by God grow!

The [saints] surrounded by the crowd stepped forward and lifted up the young couple who had been assaulted, gently wiping away the mud and bloodstains from their swollen faces.

Where are you all going?

"A giant... a giant stone monument... the broadcast said there's a sanctuary there, and a large number of the Imperial Army are stationed there..."

The not-so-strong man clung tightly to his girlfriend, his body trembling, his head bowed, unable to look at the [saint] covered in eerie symbols before him.

While waiting, several crazed thugs couldn't resist trying to assault the young men and women, which displeased [the saint].

"The Creator is loving; these are all our brothers and sisters. As long as they recognize their sins, they will still be good children..."

Immediately, the [saint] obtained two milky-white fruits and gently handed them over.

Under the watchful eyes of those around him, the man hardened his heart, divided the fruit between his girlfriend and himself, and swallowed it with his eyes closed.

"Punish the demons! Rebuild Eden!"

Men and women with Geostigma marks on their bodies joined the crowd and roared in unison.

Although the two observed that nearly two-thirds of the group seemed to share their limited understanding and skepticism about the so-called creator.

But to mask their guilty conscience and their desire to live, their cries were louder than those of the so-called rioters.

"Brothers and sisters! The time for us to be tested has come!"

[Saint] pointed forward, and the crowd immediately and excitedly converged on the defensive zone where the megalith was located.

Meanwhile, on the monolithic defensive line, Thunder frowned deeply as he watched the private cars and refugees on foot passing by below, forming a long queue at the entrance.

As she looked up and gazed into the distance, she suddenly saw the Star Mark Syndrome thugs who had been chasing her all along about to seize the tail of the long dragon, and she hissed in a low voice.

"First team! Follow me! Switch to live ammunition!"

Immediately, the highly mobile vanguard, equipped with small Tactical Exoskeleton, activated their thrusters, leaped off the megalith, and landed behind the long dragon, forming three rows of protection.

The streamlined Tactical Exoskeleton, the towering mechs, the icy blades and the dark muzzles of guns—all exuded an aura of death.

Lei Ting drew his Gunblade and swung it down suddenly, unleashing a deafening roar of gunfire. As the first wave of bullets rained down, the thugs at the forefront were felled like swathes of wheat, their limbs and pieces of flesh flying everywhere.

The splattered blood hit his face, and the strong smell of blood filled his nostrils, causing the Star Mark Syndrome patient, whose mind was originally dominated by fanaticism, to scream and retreat in panic.

Thunder's face was icy cold. The 20,000 Imperial Army inside and outside the city had been almost entirely wiped out by Jenova's machinations.

These infected individuals, cultivated as seedbeds, had no strength to contend with a regular army. Even the [Saint] with the white single wing was nothing but a useless figurehead.

If the Creator could truly transform all the residents of Tokyo into Shinra Special Forces, they would have done it long ago.

In the ensuing chaos, the god's majesty was about to collapse. Dense black mist began to emerge from the surrounding cracks in the ground, gradually coalescing and condensing into physical forms such as Bone Horn Dragon Beast.

"Roar!"

Tens of thousands of Jenova Cells -mimicking creatures roared as they charged at the front of the Imperial Army's formation. Seeing that the divine beast had been dispatched to purify the world, the believers regained their faith and cheered wildly.

"Boom!"

The dense, black torrent clashed with the Imperial Army's thin three ranks of soldiers. Those mimicking creatures, with their hard bone armor and extremely fast healing speed, were a nightmare.

To make matters worse, more than a dozen black dots came flying in from afar, accompanied by sharp, booming sounds.

They were defectors from the Shinra Special Forces! Their black and white Wings were like knives, their muscles were bulging, most of them were bluish-black, and their bodies had grown to two or three meters tall.

These creatures, possessing both majesty and ferocious beauty, are almost unrecognizable as they were when they were human.

At this moment, the Shinra Special Forces split into two groups: one group besieged the vanguard led by Thunder, while the other group headed directly towards the megalith, and the situation became extremely precarious.

The weakest link was undoubtedly the vanguard that broke away from the megalith and fought against the Jenova Cells' army of mimicry organisms in the open.

Thunder knew that if he broke formation, the formation would collapse immediately, and he was caught in a dilemma.

"Laugh!"

The swirling broadsword cleaved a series of leaping Bone Horn Dragon Beast into black mist. Accompanied by the roar of a motorcycle, the contraption equipped with an anti-gravity system flew directly from the giant stone monument to this location.

"Captain! Leave this to us, you focus on dealing with the higher-ups!"

Cloud caught the broadsword that spun back, and his mount, Fenrir Wolf, came to a precise stop in front of the three-row formation.

"Big Sister! You're the strongest, don't lose to those guys who abandoned their human identity!"

Zack, sitting in the back seat, grabbed his best friend's right hand, jumped down, and stood next to Cloud, grinning at Thunder behind them.

The Valkyrie nodded solemnly, her expression turning serious as she slammed her right fist into the ground. From the summoning array that appeared behind her, a mechanical silver-winged pegasus tore through another dimension, hurtling towards her with the sound of wind and thunder.

With long, flowing silver hair, Sephiroth, the only one retaining a human form, flapped his wings and flew towards them, while the mutated Angel and Genesis continued to approach the monolith defense line.

The first Lord-class of Shinra Special Forces, including Zack, consists of only six individuals, most of whom are lords on par with Pseudo-Herrscher.