So Where Can We Find Ghosts We Can Control?
The moment the alarm sounded, a scene that should have only appeared in a science fiction movie was projected onto the big screen.
Looking at that crack, everyone knew it was absolutely a [disorderly event].
Then there's the second image, the third image...
The large screen's image was divided into 2x2, then 4x4, then 8x8, and in less than ten seconds it turned into a bunch of mosaics.
In this situation, the command staff present were no longer able to issue orders.
The new mutations appeared so quickly that their orders were already outdated before they could be implemented.
Although hundreds of contingency plans have been developed over the past year, when the time actually comes, the options available are reduced to less than one percent.
However, just when everyone thought the apocalypse had truly Descent and was preparing to unanimously pass a certain contingency plan, the World Rifts projected onto the screen miraculously disappeared one by one.
It was clear that not only were they extremely shocked, but even ordinary passersby at the scene, and even the skeletons on the other side of the rift, were astonished.
Just as everyone was about to take a closer look at what had happened, the screen in front of them suddenly received another signal.
The next instant, a dense array of numbers appeared on the screen. Seeing the familiar pairs of degrees, minutes, seconds, and times, someone immediately realized something and shouted:
"It's latitude and longitude coordinates!"
"Quick, import the map."
A world map was unfurled before everyone, with 999 sets of numbers transformed into specific coordinates, presented as red dots on it.
One of the staff members stared at the map for two seconds, then noticed something was off.
These coordinates don't appear to be random, but there doesn't seem to be any pattern to them either.
He thought for a moment, then lowered his head and manipulated the data, overlaying the terrain and population distribution layers onto the top layer.
Now everyone understood.
These 999 coordinates are all located far from densely populated areas, in wilderness, desert, rainforest, or deep mountains.
In short, although the journey to these coordinates to take action will be quite arduous, this arduousness is relative, and the enemies from the other world cannot quickly attack the core cities of the entire world.
"Report! All 'Special Training Soldiers' have awakened and are awaiting orders!"
The entire expert team also logged out of the game.
According to them, they were forcibly logged off by the system.
Accompanied by a series of hurried footsteps, someone came to report important information from the other side of the base.
"Alright, immediately divide them into special teams according to the in-game organization, open the containment item warehouse, and have them take any usable items to the coordinates!"
"We need the military's cooperation to connect with headquarters."
"Yes!"
"Report: Ordinary players with semi-official status received the 'World of Disorder Open Beta Notification' and have voluntarily logged out of the game and are awaiting further instructions."
"What kind of time is this for aliens to still be posing as a game company? Prioritize deploying experienced official personnel; ordinary players who have reached the required level can be recruited to handle the less serious issues."
"Yes!"
"Report! 'The Tree Hole' has received a new message and is constantly updating."
"Project it."
"Yes!"
The order was given, and a short document appeared before everyone, blocking the real-world map filled with red dots.
The document started with only two lines of text, but it kept getting longer and longer, as if someone was constantly typing on a keyboard.
Everyone skimmed through the first paragraph, and upon seeing this important information from another world, they all fell into deep thought.
"So... there are actually two factions of aliens, one advocating friendliness and the other advocating invasion?"
One of the staff officers thought for a moment and summarized, while another glanced at it a few more times and corrected him:
"They shouldn't be called 'two factions,' because they are not beings from the same world."
"To be precise, besides us, there are now two other civilizations from different universes, and they treat us differently."
"Look at the second paragraph."
Another person pointed to a spot on the large screen:
"This time, 'He' was able to help us bridge the gaps between worlds because there were enough intermediaries."
"After that, He could no longer control the specific location where the rift opened, and could only slightly limit the frequency."
"In other words, today's situation is actually the simplest one... If we can't even resolve today's issues, then..."
Everyone gasped in shock, but that wasn't all. The third paragraph sent an even chill down their spines, because it read:
[The Aberration brought about by the Demonic Tide have already begun; this process is unrelated to any specific act of intrusion.]
"So, regardless of whether we can defeat those aliens, the world will continue to mutate little by little?"
As members of the staff, everyone present also had a game account in the World of Disorder, but they couldn't immerse themselves in it for long due to their busy official duties.
However, they are very familiar with the basic world-building.
Plants that eat animals, animals that grow plants, human bodies that exude engine oil, and Psionic Energy that Alienation everything...
Everyone is very clear about the basic logic of the game world, but when it really comes to an emergency, realizing that the world they live in may also become like that, people can't help but feel a little scared.
However, shortly after, another piece of good news arrived—
[The number of "game" slots is now capped; those who meet the requirements and pass the review can successfully apply.]
Everyone was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately took notes of the key points.
"Report, there's a new message in the 'Confessional' section: a permission request!"
Everyone's attention returned to the large screen, where another sentence had been added to the document:
I need the highest-level interface for the world's "Internet".
It's just a document, but two options appear after that sentence—"Yes" or "No".
"To respond and inquire about the reasons."
New messages soon appeared in the tree hole:
[Used to bear power and for protection.]
The same message was presented in different languages at emergency response centers in multiple countries.
"Agree!"
With a formidable enemy at hand, almost all the leaders quickly approved the application.
Having your browsing history seen by others is indeed a serious problem, but not granting permission is a real problem.
Besides, the other side is an alien; would he even be able to understand it?
After all the decision-makers selected "yes," Ed sent a new message:
[A few of this world's powers also Descent with the Aberration; those with relevant game experience can master them more quickly.]
[I've left a new API on the website. You can connect to it if you want to recruit the corresponding "players," but you won't be able to obtain their information.]
[I will also remove the relevant usage information from the internet to protect privacy.]
[I have many important things to do, and this is the only effective help I can offer right now.]
The underlying logic of each world is different; it's about using "domains" to fight against "domains," and "rules" to fight against "rules."
"I've seen a similar concept in a novel..."
A staff member muttered to himself.
"Report! Items within the containment facility are exhibiting collective agitation and Aberration; some objects have displayed a degree of aggression."
"Report! The experimental plants are growing wildly, and the experimental animals are exhibiting obvious signs of mania."
"Leave two teams behind to handle the issues within the base before deploying them elsewhere."
"Yes!"
"Report, 'Tree Hole' communication has ended!"
"Understood. Send a copy of the original communication to everyone. Don't send professors over sixty years old on assignments; it's too dangerous. Notify them to come to a meeting."
"Yes!"
A series of orders were issued from the command center, and the entire base was quickly mobilized on a red alert.
Numerous helicopters and small planes took off and landed, transporting countless well-trained people to all parts of the country and even the world amidst the snow and wind on the last day of the year.