World Sensation

United States, The New York Times.

Often shortened to the Times, it was a daily newspaper published in New York, United States, distributed worldwide, and highly influential. It represented America's elite newspapers and serious publications, having long possessed a strong reputation for credibility and authority.

Because of its classical, serious style, it was sometimes mockingly called the "Gray Lady."

The New York Times office.

Jupiter was a young reporter with a graceful figure, blonde hair, and sober attire. Even at a major newspaper like The New York Times, she was an outstanding reporter.

After all, while still so young, she had volunteered to head to the front lines, been captured by one side in the midst of the most dangerous battlefield, persuaded that side's upper ranks under such circumstances, moved between both sides' leadership to learn the details of the war, returned safely to New York, and published the most comprehensive report on the conflict. She had become famous overnight.

She was pondering whether to first publish a piece on the Jaeger, which had dealt a fatal blow to the monsters under the Pacific Rim Program, or focus on the consequences of certain signs of change within NATO amid the invasion of alien monsters.

"What...?"

Lost in thought, Jupiter suddenly saw a video pop up in the upper-right corner of The New York Times website. She could not help but frown. There had been no notice beforehand that the newspaper's official website would allow such a tacky pop-up ad.

Did they pay that much?

"Bloated, brainless leadership."

Jupiter's face darkened, deeply dissatisfied.

She had chosen to join The New York Times because of its traditionally refined and serious layout, its consistent pursuit of truth, fearlessness, impartiality, and independence from political parties, regions, or any special interests. She had believed it was a newspaper that truly revealed the news people wanted to know.

If The New York Times accepted such a low-grade pop-up ad, she would be terribly disappointed. Perhaps, over time, the Times had already lost its original purpose and was preparing to pursue profit and money instead.

Jupiter clicked through several of the latest international news articles on the official site, but the ad in the upper-right corner followed her like a shadow.

Unable to bear it any longer, Jupiter rose from her seat and started cursing the leadership.

"Damn Charlie! Is The New York Times so broke that we're taking pop-up ads like this on the official site?"

Voices immediately rose throughout the quiet office, joining in on the commotion.

"Exactly! Damn Charlie."

"Damn Charlie has no conscience. Last time we ate together, he didn't pay."

"What Charlie did this time is outrageous. Bring me along next time you go out to eat!"

"Charlie, say something! Stop hiding in the editor-in-chief's office and come out to treat everyone to a meal!"

"Jupiter, something's wrong. It isn't just our website. News Corp, NBCUniversal, Disney, Bertelsmann, Time Warner—every media company's official website and the entire internet have this video. Something is seriously wrong!"

A reporter browsing the internet suddenly cried out.

Whose advertisement could appear on every major media corporation's official website in the world? Even if they had money to burn, this was not how anyone bought ad space. He had also discovered that no matter what website he opened, the ad was there in the upper-right corner.

This was not an advertisement. It was a virus, possibly a computer virus affecting the entire world.

The office fell silent in an instant, the atmosphere turning grim.

Realizing something was wrong, Jupiter hurriedly sat down and rapidly browsed the major websites. No matter what address she opened, as long as it was connected to the internet, the ad was there.

This was far too unusual.

She clicked on the ad.

At the beginning, He-El suddenly appeared in the stratosphere and fell from the sky into Anchorage Base. Then came the arrangements made by twenty-one countries, the repeated disputes over how to deal with the alien, the discovery that his blood could extend life and the plan to hang him up and drain him, followed by the discovery that he possessed superpowers and the decision to dismember him. He-El awakened, revealing a body of steel against bullets and abilities like those of a god. His heat vision melted tanks, and he struck armed helicopters from the sky while shooting down fighter jets one by one. Then text appeared.

"February 29, Anchorage Base. The alien will answer everything concerning Earth's future. Media outlets from around the world are welcome to attend."

Jupiter was dumbstruck.

It was... truly science fiction.

It was practically a thrilling, blood-pumping sci-fi short film.

But it was far too realistic.

What special effects company could create effects like these?

Jupiter immediately contacted her friend at Industrial Light & Magic.

"Jupe, I know why you're calling me. It's real, with absolutely no special effects involved. After the Pacific Ocean's alien monster invasion, Earth has now welcomed another alien from space. By the way, I support the space alien. I think I'm already in love with him."

Jupiter could not be bothered with her lovestruck friend.

As a journalist, she understood exactly how great a stir this would cause throughout the world.

Without exaggeration, the decisions made by those twenty-one countries onscreen were already enough to condemn them to eternal infamy.

If the alien did anything to Earth because of those twenty-one screens, they would truly become targets of universal condemnation. Even dying ten thousand times would not atone for their sins.

The video's creator had even thoughtfully added a comment section beneath it.

The most-liked comment so far read: "Space Alien Support Club, assemble here!"

"Humanity's ugly nature is on full display, hahaha..."

"So this is what humanity's elites and upper ranks are like?"

"To be honest, that alien is ridiculously handsome. Even I, a man, find my heart racing."

"I love Pacific Ocean monsters! I love Pacific Ocean monsters!"

"Pacific Ocean alien monsters can go to hell! The space alien is the strongest! [Proud.jpg]"

"Is this for real? Another alien invasion? Damn, why is this alien so handsome?! [Shocked.jpg]"

"Calm down, everyone. The situation is very serious right now."

"The powerful figures from those twenty-one countries—I took screenshots and checked carefully. Every person shown is one of the world's most important people. This is going to be fun, hahaha."

"The space alien is definitely going to win. Just look at this video: it's hanging on every website, while humanity is helpless. Not a single site can take it down. That alone suggests the space alien possesses network technology beyond all of Earth."

"Just wait for the leadership of those twenty-one countries to come out and apologize. This is going to be quite a show."

"Our country's president... sigh... [Mourning.jpg]"

"God shall cleanse the sins of this world! Join the True God of Space Cult now and receive an exquisite wallpaper. [Click to open image]"

"I am willing to offer myself to the space alien in exchange for peace on Earth!"

"Good grief, you haven't said a word about the Pacific Ocean alien monsters?"

"Setting aside the facts, isn't the alien also at fault? [Reasoning.jpg]"

"They're holding a meeting, they're holding a meeting—the United Nations is holding a meeting."

Jupiter scrolled through the comments and gave them a glance.

The utterly outrageous top comment was actually fixated on the alien's appearance and had even founded a Space Alien Support Club!

Their values truly followed facial features.

Jupiter closed the comments and thought carefully.

Why had this video been displayed so openly across the internet? It showed that the alien had grievances against them and indirectly wanted all humanity to judge them.

But perhaps this was merely one of the alien's little twisted amusements.

The video appearing on every webpage was already the beginning of a dangerous signal from the alien.

Jupiter could practically imagine it: an alien capable of controlling the global internet, combined with that body of steel and speeds exceeding Mach 40... Earth might be getting a new master.

Jupiter abruptly shot to her feet and slapped both hands on the desk. "I'm going to Anchorage!"