Different Goals
Huacheng suddenly plunged into darkness. Although the Special Defense Department immediately sent people to restore power, the power company was helpless too. The equipment had been disrupted and could not be restarted. Only one backup line remained operational, but it had been added after the last Player incident and could only supply lighting to public facilities.
Only then did Team Leader Wu and the others realize something was wrong outside. It should have been light by this time of day. The prolonged night and the sudden failure of the instruments and equipment indicated that Huacheng had once again fallen under the power of the game—and that the affected area had expanded to cover the entire city.
At the same time, Special Defense Department members stationed around the city reported in. The moment the power went out, large numbers of people had vanished from within the city: ordinary soldiers and civilians, Special Forces, and Players alike. The darkness had also sealed off every entrance and exit to Huacheng. Cars, helicopters, and drones could not get out, and there was no way to contact the outside world.
"Fuck, I must have the worst luck in the world!" Team Leader Liao said furiously. "Has that Fog Zone from yesterday come back?"
Team Leader Wu had suddenly lost control of most of the Special Defense Department. He hurried outside in a panic. "Go find Professor Lan, now!"
"Wait! It's best not to wander around right now!" Team Leader Song called after him as he tried to phone Dai Wenqian, but no one answered.
By then, the others had already left the meeting room one after another. The corridor was pitch-black, and all the Special Defense Department staff who had been walking outside had vanished. The enormous hospital had fallen completely silent.
Team