Hope

The nuclear explosion's aftershocks gradually subsided after a long while.

The spectacular mushroom cloud that had towered into the heavens also slowly dissipated.

This stretch of ocean returned to its previous darkness.

Perhaps, it wasn't just the heavens and earth that were dark.

Various drone probes ventured into the black fog, desperately wanting to know the situation inside.

They didn't know if the newly emerged agile Kaiju and the "Stegosaurus" had been eliminated.

Nor did they know if the "Wanderer" had been destroyed along with them.

It wasn't just the citizens of Nation M who were watching; people from other countries were also paying attention.

Nowadays, no one could afford to stand idly by.

Once or twice might be acceptable, but the Kaiju invasions were endless.

Perhaps, one day, one would appear right before you.

Therefore, whenever a Kaiju appeared, regardless of which country or region it landed in, people would pay attention.

When the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain intact?

Moreover, this concerned the "Wanderer."

As the black fog gradually dispersed, the ocean revealed its appearance once more.

Externally, nothing seemed amiss, but beneath the sea, a massive crater, like a sinkhole, could be found.

And it wasn't just one.

The "Stegosaurus" lay still on the sea's surface, completely scorched, but its basic shape was still intact.

It had indeed been eliminated. Already heavily injured, being directly hit by two tactical nuclear bombs left no doubt it would be killed.

As for whether it died peacefully, that was unknown.

The camera then shifted to another location, where the agile Kaiju was also suspended on the sea's surface.

This time, its clearest form could be seen.

It resembled an infinitely enlarged lizard, standing only about sixty to seventy meters tall.

Its body length was around a hundred meters. While still sizable, it could be considered petite compared to the "Stegosaurus" and the "Mad Ape."

Furthermore, due to its agility, its defenses were correspondingly weaker.

It was directly killed by these two tactical nuclear bombs.

However, humanity's victory was not easily won. Using nuclear weapons was a last resort.

This stretch of ocean, along with at least twenty kilometers of surrounding waters, would be declared a restricted zone.

All shipping routes passing through here would have to be rerouted, and even when bypassing it, crews would need to wear radiation suits.

This restriction would last for at least decades, possibly even a century.

This was not a matter of a temporary loss of territory; it would affect future generations.

Even if they could effectively strike down Kaiju, nuclear weapons could not be used lightly.

Unless it was a truly desperate moment, then it was a case of mutual destruction.

Humanity would not hand over this planet, their mother, to the Invaders.

If it were indigenous life forms of Earth, then it could only be considered survival of the fittest, and yielding would be acceptable.

But yielding to Invaders? Absolutely not!

This was a consensus among all nations: better to be shattered jade than intact tile!

Looking again at the "Wanderer," its previously half-kneeling posture now lay flat on the sea's surface.

Its entire body was no longer the previous glossy black but a scorched black, easily recognizable.

Parts were scattered everywhere. Although not completely dismembered, the situation was not good.

Nation M acted swiftly, dispatching teams in protective suits to the scene.

There were monitoring personnel to observe up close whether the Kaiju were completely dead.

Of course, they couldn't forget the "Wanderer."

A rescue team slid into the "Wanderer's" cockpit entrance.

Although the cockpit had been ripped open by the agile Kaiju earlier, it didn't necessarily mean it was completely damaged inside.

Upon entering, the rescue team saw wires sparking continuously inside the cockpit.

The entire cockpit was pitch black, requiring flashlights to see ahead.

Approaching the pilot's seat, they saw a heavily scorched man standing in front of the escape pod, completely lifeless.

Judging by his build, it was the Black man, Dyson.

However, he wasn't preparing to escape for himself.

Because that escape pod was aimed directly at Jacob's pilot seat.

"Jake, what's the situation inside!"

"Officer Wright, we only found Dyson. He's no longer breathing, and there's no sign of Jacob. One escape pod is missing. He must still be alive!"

"According to our analysis, the escape pod's automatic ejection system must have malfunctioned, forcing a switch to manual mode. Dyson made his choice, a noble choice!"

"Alright, I understand. Bring Dyson out."

"Order the military to conduct a comprehensive search of the surrounding waters and find the escape pod!"

More than ten helicopters hovered overhead, their powerful searchlights sweeping the sea in a relentless search for the escape pod.

"Look! There it is!"

Finally, the escape pod was spotted on the sea surface, thirty kilometers away from the explosion site.

It must have been carried there by the shockwave from the explosion.

The exterior of the escape pod was scorched black and terrifying from the blast.

Several rescue personnel quickly jumped from the helicopters and swam towards the escape pod.

They struggled to open the upper hatch of the escape pod.

Inside, Jacob lay still, his body severely burned over a large area, seemingly without breath.

The rescuers placed their hands on his neck, listening for any signs of life.

"He's still breathing, he's alive!"

As soon as the news was broadcast, PPDC headquarters and the watching public erupted in cheers!

Regardless, it was a form of comfort.

We still have hope.