Chapter 76: The Merits of American-Style Law Enforcement (Part 2)

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The mountain forest near the Onuma Dam.

Aside from dam personnel, this area was usually deserted. The ground forces quickly moved out and established a perimeter.

Because Qiao Zhe had specifically instructed them, Chiba ordered the guards to focus on every path up the mountain.

Reporting the truth to the public was a matter of circumstance; if journalists interfered with XIG or the monster battle, it would be problematic.

Just as Qiao Zhe predicted, not all reporters were obedient.

This time, the lead was Meize, Tabata’s senior. With his cunning, after the ground troops denied them on-site reporting, Reiko Yoshii and Ron Wen were led by Meize onto a small mountain path.

However, the security personnel, already alerted, watched their vehicle closely.

As the TV station’s van entered the path, a police car followed behind.

Ahead, the road was blocked. Two armed SWAT officers guarded it, rifles raised at the sight.

Reiko Yoshii and Ron Wen were stunned. Meize, who had been clever earlier, now fell silent.

The vehicle was forced to stop.

Ron Wen and Reiko Yoshii stepped out, trembling; they’d never been confronted at gunpoint.

“Stay still! Hands behind your backs!”

Three policemen emerged from the patrol car and promptly rewarded them each with a pair of silver handcuffs.

“Isn’t there a misunderstanding?” Ron Wen, unnerved by the situation, protested, “We have press credentials!”

A guard pinned Ron Wen’s arm. “Ignored warnings! You’re under arrest!”

“Why aren’t we allowed to report?” Reiko Yoshii didn’t resist, but her confusion compelled her to ask.

“We told you—it’s dangerous!” The guard gestured to her, “You’ll come with us to headquarters. Move.”

Seeing this, Ron Wen and Reiko Yoshii were crestfallen.

Only Meize remained in the car. Two SWAT officers approached, rifles at the ready.

“Sir, please take your hands off the wheel and step out immediately!”

The commotion drew Reiko Yoshii and Ron Wen’s attention.

Meize, facing the dark barrels of their guns, broke out in cold sweat, but still clung to a gambler’s hope.

“You’re hiding something from the public by stopping reporters! People have the right to know the truth!”

Shouting, Meize started the engine.

“I warn you! Step out immediately!” The SWAT officers released the rifle safeties.

The sound of rounds being chambered echoed.

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But Meize, now caught in gambler’s fever, pressed the accelerator: “The more you keep the truth from the public, the bigger the secrets must be!”

He floored it, aiming to ram the barricade and force his way into the restricted zone.

‘They won’t dare hurt me—there’s a huge story here! If I grab it, I’ll be famous!’

Just as Meize thought this—

Gunshots rang out!

The car’s tires blew, sending the vehicle crashing into the mountainside.

Attempting to break through a checkpoint under live fire, with ordinary tires, was nothing short of reckless.

“Target stopped,” the SWAT officer reported into his radio, then approached the overturned vehicle.

Reiko Yoshii and Ron Wen, witnessing this, were petrified.

Meize was dragged from the wreckage. Three officers pinned him and cuffed his wrists.

With charges of serious obstruction and forced checkpoint breach, Meize was likely facing years behind bars.

Meanwhile, in the mountain forest near the Onuma Dam—

As Anemos was spotted by the ground unit, it fully materialized from the microscopic world into reality.

A deep, whale-like call echoed.

Purple, viscous fluid sporadically sprayed from Anemos’s mouth.

These fluids released a special pheromone onto the ground.

Fighter jets roared overhead!

Qiao Zhe refrained from interfering with air command, sitting aboard the EX, circling nearby.

With Pal, the AI, at the helm, much operation was spared.

Lightning Team and Thunder Dragon Team arrived on the scene, followed by the Peace.

Tsuji Makoto inquired from Command, “How’s the evacuation?”

“It’s done—no civilian heat signatures in the target area,” Atsuko reported, then, after another scan, found an anomaly: “Wait!”

“What is it?” Tsuji’s brow furrowed.

“A car is approaching the combat zone at high speed!” Atsuko replied, checking with satellite surveillance. “It’s from the Ancient Creatures Institute!”

Tsuji’s expression changed, recalling the female scientist: “Could it be Asano Mirai?”

“I’ll intercept,” Qiao Zhe’s communicator linked to Command; piloting the EX, he descended toward the ground. “Atsuko, send me the location.”

This uncertainty delayed XIG’s operation.

Tsuji ordered, “Lightning Team, prepare the flame formation.”

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“Yes!” x3

The three Lightning Team jets adjusted formation and switched to fuel missiles.

“According to the monster’s pheromone, the river is now purple. Another monster is speeding toward us.”

“Thunder Dragon Team, it’s yours.”

“Understood!” x3

Inochi and his crew, faces stern with resolve, prepared for action.

The EX landed, cutting off the approaching vehicle.

Qiao Zhe disembarked, opening his communicator: “Chief Tsuji, you may commence the attack.”

Asano Mirai had just gotten out, and heard his familiar voice: “It’s you!”

Receiving Qiao Zhe’s cue, Chief Tsuji immediately gave the attack order.

Lightning Team’s jets dropped fuel missiles!

Anemos erupted in flames. The searing pain made it writhe, releasing a howl of agony.

Asano Mirai’s eyes widened in shock: “Stop!”

She shouted, wanting to rush forward, but Qiao Zhe caught her arm.

“There’s a limit to this nonsense! Enough!”

He scolded sharply, tightening his grip so her wrist ached.

“Let go! You don’t understand!”

“You can’t comprehend the sorrow of creatures not chosen by Earth!”

“I know what you’re thinking.” Qiao Zhe released her, making her stagger back two steps.

He gazed intently and said, “You’re thinking—if one day humanity is abandoned by Earth, will we face the same fate?”

Asano Mirai, struck by his words, froze: “How did you know? If you do, why do you still do this?”

“Because I am human! You are human, too!” Qiao Zhe locked eyes with her.

She turned away, nervous, looking at Anemos, whose cries gave her another reason: “Do we humans really have the right to destroy it at will?”

“Mirai Asano, is your brain stuffed with research?” Qiao Zhe almost wanted to crack open her head and see if an ancient creature lived inside: “Don’t destroy it? Should humanity just wait to be devoured?”

(End of chapter)