The Kronos Kingdom's intelligence operatives and agents on the island began searching for researchers who had yet to escape, or who were trying to.
Almost immediately, the various factions sealed off the entire island.
Only a few people with special means could get away. Not everyone had realized they were being watched and prepared an escape route.
In fact, most had made no preparations at all.
But events had unfolded so suddenly that none of the factions apart from the Kronos Kingdom were fully prepared.
That meant they were short on manpower.
Even with the island sealed off, there were plenty of gaps.
It was a race against time to see who could gain the most.
Vegapunk was dead, and the Life Design Blueprint had yet to be completed. Truthfully, the factions did not value the scientists all that highly.
Still, securing them would bring some benefit. Otherwise, another faction would snap them up.
Researchers were found one after another and sent to the island's eastern side. From there, Owl used his ability to transport them straight to the coast.
Everything happened in secret. If anyone tried to investigate the woods, a Nether Guard would step in to stop them.
After a brief clash, the intruders would withdraw. The other factions knew the area had already been claimed and would not probe further.
Each faction had its own methods. Starting a fight with another would hardly be worth it.
With manpower so limited, wasting time would only let more researchers slip away.
The entire island was in chaos all night.
Fires spread as some researchers set buildings ablaze to create confusion and give themselves a chance to escape.
The research institute was not the only thing on the island. There was also a city with more than two hundred thousand