Chapter 692 - 426: Spear of Judgment (2)

"Our three enterprise groups and the World Government have exerted maximum effort to restore order, but regrettably, the rebels’ offensive far exceeded everyone’s expectations, and the Capital City has completely fallen not long ago."

"Since ancient times, war has been the greatest culprit in the destruction of civilization. The World Government created 156 years of peace for humanity. Yet now, the rebels have basely destroyed it all and are attempting to establish an illegal regime."

"After a resolution by our three highest boards of directors, we have decided not to compromise with the rebels and will immediately activate the ultimate insurance «Spear of Judgment»."

"This is a sky-based weapon platform deployed around near-Earth orbit. The white stars you see overhead are all part of it."

"The Spear of Judgment is not a human creation, but the ultimate weapon sent to near-Earth orbit by the Construct Civilization 156 years ago in an attempt to annihilate all humanity."

"For a hundred years, the control terminal for the Spear of Judgment has been sealed in Sky City, jointly guarded by our three groups. It is now activated with our global announcement and will execute its strike program in 24 hours."

"Strike range: Entire planet."

"Strike target: All humans."

"Due to a lack of relevant technology, human computer languages cannot compile the Construct technology’s source code."

"The strike range cannot be changed, the strike target cannot be changed."

"Once the strike program is activated, it is irreversible."

"According to our simulated tests, the strike depth of the Spear of Judgment exceeds all known human defenses, whether located on the surface or underground. We do not recommend any futile attempts."

"The activation of the Spear of Judgment was not our wish and is all caused by the rebels. We apologize for failing to protect human civilization and regret saying goodbye in this way."

"During the last 24 hours of the strike program’s operation, please go back home and accompany your parents, lovers, children, and spend the final moments with them."

"No matter where you are, may you find peace. Farewell, my compatriots."

...

...

...

The final announcement from Sky City sounded on all communication devices worldwide, and naturally, New Moon City received the message.

The countless white stars shining in the sky should have been a spectacle, but knowing each white star is part of a sky-based weapon intended to slaughter humanity, the city’s clamor was immediately replaced by boundless panic.

Originally orderly traffic completely collapsed, vehicles collided into a jumble, piercing brake sounds and collision sounds echoed, drivers frantically honking in an attempt to squeeze out a path, only to be stuck.

Pedestrians scattered and ran, everyone’s face filled with fear and despair, desperately rushing towards nearby buildings or underground shelters, pushing and shoving, not caring about those around them.

A young mother tightly clutching her crying baby collided with the crowded mass and fell to the ground, trampled by hurried passersby without anyone stopping to help.

A uniformed Sheriff tried to maintain order, but facing such chaos, he was powerless and could only shout loudly, "Don’t panic! Please go to the nearest public shelter, follow the City Council’s instructions! Don’t panic!"

He tried to calm people down, but no one paid attention, only seeing people continuously falling in the chaos, trying to stand, only to be knocked down again by the pushing crowd.

On the roadside, scattered children cried loudly, tears streaming as they searched for their parents’ presence but couldn’t find them.

Occasionally kind people tried to help these children, but before they could get close, they were swept away by the surging crowd, helplessly watching the crying children disappear into the chaos.

A roadside bakery, people scrambled inside, trying to escape the chaos outside.

Some lost their sanity in the disaster, knocking down shelves and stuffing fallen bread and milk into their arms, then hurriedly fleeing, as if this would prolong their lives.

The elderly shopkeeper just watched quietly, neither stopping nor speaking, trembling as he walked to his similarly aged wife’s side, her body shaking uncontrollably from fear.

The shopkeeper gently patted his wife’s back, whispering, "It’s alright, we’ve lived long enough. Dying on the same day is our greatest fortune."

His wife tightly held his hand, tears flowing uncontrollably, forcing a smile and nodding.

On the eve of this apocalypse, people’s fear was magnified infinitely, everyone struggling desperately, trying to grasp a sliver of hope for survival.

On the Edge Mansion rooftop, Qi Ling stood alone, silver hair dancing wildly in the wind, amber eyes deep as if unfocused, overlooking the chaotic crowd in the city.

At that moment, Future hurriedly ascended the rooftop, calling out, "Qi Ling, everyone else has gone to the basement to take shelter, hurry and pack your things and come down."

Qi Ling’s expression was calm, "What’s there to hide from? The announcement said the Spear of Judgment’s strike range is all humans worldwide, no shelter can prevent it."

"If this thing really finishes its countdown, even if we hide in the basement, it’s just dying in a different place after all."

Future resigned, saying, "At least struggle a bit; what if they exaggerated?"

Qi Ling shook her head, looking up at the endless white stars symbolizing destruction above the dome, "The announcement from Sky City is somewhat credible."

"If I am really going to die, I don’t want to die in the confined underground... Anyway, it’s winter now, not too bad."

Seeing Qi Ling had no intention of leaving, Future perhaps realized she was right, and after a moment of silence, moved to stand beside her, together looking at the sky.

Future asked, "Tried the Black Extinction Virus? Can’t shut this thing off?"

Qi Ling: "Maybe it’s useful, but Sky City uses a completely sealed network, no externally accessible interface at all, no way to penetrate."

Future sighed, knowing there were over twenty hours left in the countdown to the Spear of Judgment’s apocalypse, not in a hurry, she simply sat on the edge of the flowerbed.

"You’d think...the people of Sky City should just accept defeat, stop dragging everyone to die with them."

Qi Ling chuckled lightly, "Isn’t this just how people are? Rather destroy what they can’t get than offer it up willingly."

Future shook her head thoughtfully, "Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if humanity needs a higher being to lead them in order to truly curb their madness."

Neither spoke again, faced with the cold wind and surrounded by the honking of cars and the fearful screams of countless people.

Just then, the thick clouds covering the sky changed shape, accompanied by a thunderous roar, as though fearsome beasts were stampeding.

An aerial city emerged, its vast size overshadowing the entire horizon, half the sky consumed by its presence, casting an overwhelming shadow on the surface.

Sky City, the supreme haven of human elites.

Its massive mass caused strong gravitational effects, people in the streets felt the ground begin to shake, the glass windows of skyscrapers trembled continually, the entire New Moon City seemed to be swept into a giant vortex.

The last time Sky City’s cruising track passed New Moon City was more than three years ago.

Back then, seeing Sky City filled people with humility and longing.

Yet now, fear and despair filled their hearts; they cursed the human elites on Sky City who launched the «Spear of Judgment» with vitriolic words.

No matter how many cursed, even if it gathered into overwhelming sounds, the lofty human elites ignored the common people, just like over the past hundred years.